Customer Reviews
Better than I expected - By: Markus Gossas, 30 Sep 2008 
I like Frank Millers "Dark Knight Returns", & "The Dark Knight Strikes Again" is different but equally brilliant. The story bringsin the whole DC universe, like Lex Luthor, Superman, Green Lantern & so on. But also less widely known like the Atom, Flash, Brainac, Captain Marvel, the Question, Wonder Woman & a new Supergirl. And the Bottle City of Kandor. I think all of this is very well done, especially as I read these comics as a child.
The graphics are splendid & donein Millers personal style, & worth checking out even if you're not totally into the superhero genre.
The story: Lex Luthor & Brainac have taken control of Earth & subdued the superheroes. And Batman rises against them.
Recommended to everyone interestedin comics!
DKSA - By: Robot Overlord, 19 Jul 2006 
"Dark Knight Strikes Again" is a continuation of Miller's seminal "Dark Knight Returns," & runs with many of the latter's themes, particularly the mutual emnity of Superman & Batman. One can read "Dark knight Returns" as an analogy of the wayin which power is willingly given to a Government or resentfully refused it by the People - the characters of Superman & Batman provide voices for two points of view & two actions - Superman gave his power away & immediately compromised, put his shoulder to the wheelin support of Authority, as most people eventually do, whereas Batman's mindset would never allow him to do so - it was not Authority he served but Revenge (although he would call it Justice,) & is representative of the quietest but most insistent voicein all of us that will neither apologise nor compromise, & will never stop resisting, railing against everything it sees as flawed.
The dialogue between these two voices continuesin DKSA, but the struggle is gone from it, as if Bruce has thrown aside the last shreds of restraint & ordinary morality. The problem is that a fair chunk of characterisation & believability went out along with it.
Where DKR took pains to present Batman's case, involving the reader with his struggle & its consequences, DKSA forces the reader to take a back seat as a slightly bewildering story is unfurled at breakneck speed. No decisions are taken, no consequences dealt with - the entire story is a straight dramatisation of the wayin which Batman's plan comes to fruition, & the reader arrivesin the opening chapter with that plan already underway. The character should always take precedence over the plot, & this, too, is lost -in DKSA the plot revealed the character's naturein the way of the best literature, butin this sequel it continuesin spite of the character, & reveals little if anything about him. In fact, Batman is almost a support character - the only real characterisation is presentedin Catgirl, formerly Robin, & through Superman's moral dilemma.
Another problem is that the sense of pace, the rhythm establishedin Dark knight Returns is lost, or at least misplaced. Miller rattles through the book at speed, & although the book is by no means short, the increasein pace,in which many elements are not explicitly presented, causes the reader to feel rather lost. The art, too, is instrumentalin this - there are almost no backgrounds, no places to which the reader can relate. Virtually the entire book is composed of figure drawings & talking heads, without backgrounds to give them context. The talking heads apparently representing newsreaders or chat-show guests are presented alongside those apparently representing people on the streets, & nothing is done to separate them - perhaps Miller is making a point about Mass Consciousness, but it makes for uncomfortable reading.
It seems likely that Miller had lost his temper. It is always tempting, whilst writing anything, to describe a personal fantasy, especially where Superheroes are involved: "If I was Superman I would set everything right" or "If I was Batman I would beat the daylights out of all the evil people," but a fantasy doesn't necessarily make a good story. DKSA is a fantasyin which the implacable, remorseless Batman unites the People to rise up against Tyranny & destroy it - Miller is a true Anarchist, & shows his colours here, & I salute him for it, but good stories are tales of struggle, as DKR was, & the sequel is just a tale of action.
Maybe I ought to read it a few more times, & revise this review.
However, none of the above is any reason not to buy & enjoy this book. It is a fine comic by a great writer. As a bellowing fountain of anti-authoritarian rage, it is wonderful - Miller's theme seems to be, "If only they were real, these heroes, & not simple drawings... then we'd see."
Classic in its way... - By: Pento Paper, 05 Aug 2005 
This sequel to Dark Knight Returns, arguably the best-known Batman story ever, retains a similar tone of rebellion to the first. However, it doesn't maintain the integrity of the first part.
One of the reasons for this is Miller's decision to centre the story not on Batman, but on his former allies. With no regard to modern continuity, Barry Allen aka The Flash is rescued from a power stationin Bruce's last attempt to bring down the government. Whilst Miller's portrayal of the character is classic, there is little focus on Bruce at all. He has become understandably bitter with old age, & especially angry with the world. This, is where the problem lies. Although I can appreciate Miller's rage towards the modern government, I don't think it warrants drowning out potential plot points that could explain more about the character's motives.
Another problem liesin Miller's inks. This guy NEEDS Klaus Janson to personify his work, a la DKR. When Miller inks his own work, it just doesn't work. I hope Miller's upcoming Batman story about Batman's war with terrorism doesn't suffer the rush job that this did.
If I was being honest, much of the real character of Bruce Wayne is drowned by pointless developments, primarily the treatment of Dick Grayson, the first Robin & Nightwing, as well. This character is essentially used as a villainous device, doing a disservice to a fantastic character.
The few qualities that save this liein a return to the world that Miller created. It is a world I will findin no other books by anyone. The world feels dark, & false & as such, everything is never quite as it seems, & nobody can be trusted. Although this is Miller's message, I feel it ruined the idea of the story. Dark sattire can be acheived whilst still creating a great story such as V For Vendetta by Alan Moore. However, all I can do now is hope that his new Batman title with Jim Lee will be as awesome as his other Batman work.
Ugly - By: , 18 Apr 2005 I wonder what DC thought about this book? They probably thought 'Frank Miller = $$$', but I'll tell you what I think.
The first thing that bothered me about this book was the artwork. The drawings here range from dark & twisted to light & twisted- grotesque, ugly, pretty much offensive inkings colouredin a neon CG style that is devoid of subtlety or charm with garish pixellations & psychadelic special effects thrownin seemingly for the hell of it.
These images ride on the back of an insane & incoprehensible lurching monster of a storyline populated by characters without depth, & whose actions & attitudes seem not to reflect their long standing DC universe histories but Frank Miller's own fantasies of total chaos & violence.
Here's the thing-in spite of the apparently slack penmanship, rushed inking & inept colouring, there is something about the book that sticks. If you can will yourself to see past the robotic dinosaurs, the space cannons, the digital president & a very unfortunate sex scene, you might just see what Miller's getting at. To me the book is a defiant roar- a terrible, gutfelt, nauseous belchin the face of the establishment, & a call to arms for anyone an everyone who ever felt wronged by their government. Bush take note.
Unfortunately, perhaps for me & not for the book, I was disappointed. There was too much I didn't like. But if the message of revolution didn't quite sinkin after the first DK series- if you need to be insulted before you get it, then read this. Why not?
Passionate, angry, flamboyant, fabulous - By: , 10 Feb 2005 I loved DKR & I loved this at least as much. I had to read it cover to cover twicein one sitting.
I think that the unfinished, scrawled, flamboyant artwork perfectly complements the anger & bitterness that Miller feels about the world that we live in. The story, dialogue & images totally reflected the anger & betrayal I feel when faced with the inanities of the press & the downright dishonesty & corruption of the politicians.
