Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1 - 4 (1986) Joker - Superman - All 1st PRINTS

Description

View Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1 - 4 (1986) Joker - Superman - All 1st PRINTS with current marketplace pricing, condition, product images and item details. It is a dark, depressing world where criminals run amok in the absence of superheroes.Gotham City is terrorized by a gang of vicious and aimless teenage murderers, the Mutants. A now 55-year-oldBruce Wayne has been retired for ten years following the death of the second Robin,Jason Todd. The product is a collection of four comic book issues from the Batman: The Dark Knight Returns series, published by DC Comics in 1986 during the Copper Age. The comics feature popular characters such as The Joker, Superman, Batman, and Two-Face, among others. The issues are in English and showcase vibrant color artwork by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, and Lynn Varley. With key features like first printings, boarded copies, and character appearances, these comics are a must-have for fans of action-packed superhero adventures in the DC Universe. Issues Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1  - 1st printing Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #2  - 1st printing Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #3  - 1st printing Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #4  - 1st printing Synopsis for "The Dark Knight Returns" It is a dark, depressing world where criminals run amok in the absence of superheroes. Gotham City is terrorized by a gang of vicious and aimless teenage murderers, the Mutants. A now 55-year-old Bruce Wayne has been retired for ten years following the death of the second Robin, Jason Todd . Attempting to bury his guilt over Jason's death, Wayne has turned to alcoholism, near-suicidal recreational activities, and has funded the rehabilitation of Two-Face in an attempt to prove to the world - and to himself - that a man's demons can be truly exorcised. On the eve of Commissioner Gordon 's forced retirement, however, two events push Wayne to reestablish the presence of his alter ego: a major crime wave hits the city, and Two-Face's rehabilitation goes awry. An enormous bat crashes through the windows of Wayne Manor , symbolizing the psychological return. Re-donning the cape and cowl, Batman must deal with a world where even the petty criminals are homicidal maniacs who kill for thrills. He no longer has the absolute support of the police, public, or government. Reporters and psychologists see the Joker as a victim and Batman as the madman. Batman has changed since he last put on the cape: though still quite strong and up to the physical task of apprehending ordinary criminals, Wayne is forced to acknowledge to himself that his advanced age and long period of inactivity have diminished both his skills and his ability to withstand and recover from injury. And, unknown to anyone, the Joker has likewise emerged from retirement. Catatonic and without his trademark evil grin in Arkham Asylum for the ten years of Batman's absence, the Clown Prince of Crime reawakens to his twisted, hateful obsession of the Dark Knight, upon hearing a television report about Batman's return. Upon Batman's return, journalists, experts, politicians and the public debate the rights and wrongs of Batman's methods and influence: some like Lana Lang praise him for reclaiming the streets from the criminals, while others criticize him for not observing the civil rights of these same criminals. Finally, an out-of-control, nearly suicidal Two-Face threatens to blow up Gotham's Twin Towers; however Batman is able to deduce and foil the scheme. In their struggle, Batman removes the bandages that have been covering Dent's face, expecting to find Two-Face's visage split in its classic dichotomy. Instead, he sees Dent whole and handsome on the outside, but fully lost within his own mind. In Dent, Batman sees a "reflection": just as the restoration of Harvey's face led to the final destruction of his sanity, the Batman persona has become all the stronger for having lain hidden under Bruce Wayne for a decade. Notes This series takes place in an alternate continuity from that of the mainstream DC Universe . It has been retroactively classified as an Elseworlds story. In the Post- 52 Multiverse, this reality has been allocated as Earth-31 . It shares continuity with Frank Miller's All-Star Batman and Robin , which is set many years in the past. This issue is reprinted in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns , Batman: The Dark Knight Saga Deluxe Edition , Absolute Dark Knight , Millennium Edition: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Book One , Batman Essentials: The Dark Knight Returns Special Edition #1 , and in black and white in Batman Noir: The Dark Knight Returns . Characters Batman , a.k.a. Bruce Wayne, 55 years old. He gave up the Batman identity 10 years past, strongly hinted as a reaction to the death of the former Robin, Jason Todd. But when he sees violence running rampant and his personal demons can no longer be denied, he is forced to return. Alfred Pennyworth , Wayne's trusted butler and assistant, now in his 80s. He dies of a stroke at the end of the storyline. Robin , a.k.a. Carrie Kelley, 13 years old. She becomes Robin, and is accepted by the Batman after saving his life. James Gordon , Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department, 70 years old. He retires towards the end of the storyline. Two-Face , a.k.a, a now-middle-aged Harvey Dent, whose face is reconstructed with plastic surgery, but is still Two-Face in his mind and cannot refrain from criminal acts. The Joker , an elderly catatonic prisoner of Arkham Asylum . He becomes a criminal again when he sees Batman's return, and sets in motion a final confrontation with the hero. The Mutant Leader , head of a gang of teenagers called "the Mutants," who terrorize Gotham. The leader is a strong, savage brute who puts a hit on Gordon, beats Batman in their first encounter, goes to jail, kills the Mayor (while still in jail), escapes, and is eventually beaten by Batman. Several of the Mutants join Batman in his quest and rename themselves the Sons of the Batman . The Sons of the Batman (S.O.B.) , a group of teenagers. They have become followers of Batman, although they are too unruly and corrupt, taking severe measures to control the streets and even Batman. They end up following Batman for good intentions instead of bad. Dr. Bartholomew Wolper , the Joker and Two-Face's psychiatrist and staunch opponent of Batman's "fascist" vigilantism. Wolper is convinced that the Joker is really the victim of Batman's crusades, but he ends up murdered by his own patient on a late night talk show. Ellen Yindel , James Gordon's successor. She starts off as Batman's fiercest opponent, but doubts herself after the Joker debacle (chronicled in Part 3 ) and is strongly hinted to protect him from prosecution at the end of the storyline. The Green Arrow , a.k.a. Oliver Queen. He has undertaken a clandestine career of terrorism against government oppression. He lost his left arm years ago and has a grudge against Superman because of that. Superman , a.k.a. Clark Kent, a.k.a. Kal-El, a military super-agent for the United States government. He has agreed to stay out of sight and do as he is told, and in exchange he is allowed to continue saving lives. His very existence seems to be a bit of a taboo subject: when incidents involving him are reported on the TV news, the main newscaster is constantly prevented from naming or making distinctive references to the Man of Steel. Unlike Batman, who is now middle-aged, Superman has remained (at least physically) the same age. According to Miller, '"Superman has always been 30 and will always be 30."' [ citation needed ] Catwoman , a.k.a. Selina Kyle, now runs an escort service. Lana Lang , TV broadcaster and fierce defender of Batman's vigilantism. The Mayor , the unnamed Mayor of Gotham City. He tried to negotiate with the Mutant Leader, only to be killed by him. Deputy Mayor Stevenson , the Deputy Mayor of Gotham City. After the unnamed Mayor is killed, Deputy Mayor Stevenson is sworn in as the new Mayor of Gotham City. Abner , a former henchman to both the Joker and Two-Face. Robin (mentioned):, a.k.a. Dick Grayson, the first Robin who was mentioned to have parted ways with Bruce following a falling out. Robin (mentioned):, a.k.a. Jason Todd, the second Robin whose death at the hands of the Joker resulted in Bruce retiring as Batman for 10 years. Trivia This issue establishes Batman's origin in which he falls to a dark cave filled with bats as a child. Condition: Very Good. Category: Collectibles › Comic Books & Memorabilia › Comics › Comics & Graphic Novels.

Unit of Sale

Single Unit

Tradition

US Comics

Vintage

No

Format

Mixed Lot

Unit Type

Unit

Language

English

Superhero Team

Justice League of America

Style

Color

Personalized

No

Features

First Printing, Second Printing, Third Printing, Boarded, First Character Appearance, Key Issue, Cardstock covers

Unit Quantity

4 issues

Artist/Writer

Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, Lynn Varley

Character

Alfred Pennyworth, Batman (Bruce Wayne), James Gordon, Lana Lang, Robin, aka Carrie Kelley, Two-Face, aka Harvey Dent, The Joker, The Mutant Leader, Sons Of Batman (S.O.B.), Dr. Bartholomew Wolper, Ellen Yindel, Green Arrow, aka Oliver Queen, Superman, aka Clark Kent, Catwoman, aka Selina Kyle, Deputy Mayor Stevenson, Abner, Robin (mentioned):, aka Dick Grayson, Robin (mentioned):, aka Jason Todd

Signed

No

Cover Artist

Frank Miller · Klaus Janson · Lynn Varley

Series Title

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

Universe

DC Universe

Publisher

DC Comics

Inscribed

No

Intended Audience

General Audience

Story Title

"The Dark Knight Returns"

Publication Year

1986

Type

Comic Book

Issue Number

1 - 4

Era

Copper Age (1984-1991)

Genre

Action, Adventure, Superheroes

Country of Origin

United States