the dark knight returns

FOX’s Gotham has always seemed to crib from Batman mythology far ahead of Bruce ever donning the cowl, but rarely do we see imagery plucked from even the Dark Knight’s worst nightmares. New Season 3 set photos reveal the kind of crazy new villains tearing across Batman’s future stomping grounds, looking almost right out of Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns.

Ever since he made his debut in 1940's Batman #1, the Joker has been the arch-criminal among arch-criminals, the one villain who can truly lay claim to being Batman's nemesis. As a result, he's made quite a few appearances across other media, serving as the antagonist in movies, television, and even a handful of video games. Now, with Jared Leto set to take the role with a new interpretation rooted in questionable tattoos and on-set method-acting antics, it's time for us to finally sit down and figure out where we stand. For that, we turn to you, dear reader, as we ask that you cast your vote to tell us which mass media Joker performance is the undisputed best!

Though his work has been divisive over the past decade or more, it's hard to deny just how big a name Frank Miller is in the world of comics. He's one of just a handful of comics creators you might consider a household name, in part because so many of his comics have become cultural landmarks, and in part because of his influence and participation in the film industry. Like him or not, Frank the Tank, born on this day in 1957, is an institution.

Q: Why is everyone so bent on doing their take on a Batman vs. Superman fight? Is there anything new to add? - @seth_bingo A: As is so often the case with these questions, there's a short answer and a long one here, so let's do the short one first: People keep wanting to do a big fight between Batman and Superman because it happened in a book that was very good and sold very well, and that's not the kind of influence that creators --- or readers, for that matter --- have ever been good at shaking off. The longer answer, though, is that it's an inevitability, a result of how the characters have been built up over the years, how DC as a company has been structured around one and then the other, and even the simple desire that we have as fans to categorize things and play out conflicts and battles to find new and engaging soluions, something that can provide us with some really fun stories. But I mean, yeah. If we're being real with each other here, it's mostly that first one.

Next year will be the 30th anniversary of The Dark Knight Returns, which for the three of you who have never heard of it, is considered one the landmark Batman stories of this generation. The story by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson and Lynn Varley not only shaped the way numerous creators and fans viewed Batman, but also opened a space in comics for more mature tales aimed squarely at the adult audience. There's also that new sequel coming, The Dark Knight III, which actually begins later this month. This time around, Frank Miller will actually be teaming with several other creators, including Andy Kubert and Brian Azzarello, to tell the third installment of the aged Batman's adventures. To commemorate the anniversary of the seminal tale, as well as the latest chapter in the saga, DC Collectibles will be releasing two new pieces featuring this futuristic Batman. Both new collectibles were sculpted by Alterton, and manage to capture both the gritty intensity of Frank Miller's original design and the cleaner, imposing figure that Andy Kubert's linework provides in the upcoming sequel.

Everyone loves comic book trivia, but with 75 years of superhero comics behind us right now, there’s always some new obscure fact to learn. That’s why ComicsAlliance is going deep into the minutiae of your favorite characters in our continuing video series. You think you know comics? Well, here’s a few things you might not know! This week we're taking a look at The Dark Knight Returns, the critically acclaimed and best-selling Batman mini-series that seems to be serving as inspiration for Batman v Superman. Find out how Frank Miller's lack of concern for Batman continuity affected Jim Gordon's marriage, how Love and Rockets affected the series, and just why licken chegs don't shiv, mon, as well as several other equally interesting facts.

The art team for Frank Miller's worryingly titled third entry in his Dark Knight trilogy was unveiled by DC this morning, with Andy Kubert providing the pencils, and longtime Miller collaborator Klaus Janson providing inks. DC also unveiled the first image by the creative team. Kubert's previous Batman credits include the "Batman and Son" arc with Grant Morrison, and the story "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader" with Neil Gaiman. Janson was Miller's inker on the original The Dark Knight Returns.

Didn't get your hands on one of Mezco's One:12 Collective Dark Knight Returns Batman figures the first time around? Do you really love that moment from the book where Batman takes on the Mutant Leader in the mud pit and loses horribly? Good, because Mezco's upcoming summer convention exclusive is a pretty bogue box set commemorating the fracas. Mezco kicked off its One:12 Collective series this year with a standard Dark Knight Returns Batman, available in a variety of outfits from the seminal comic series. All of them quickly sold out. At Toy Fair, the company teased the Mutant Leader as one of its next figures (as well as a sick Judge Dredd we're eagerly awaiting) in the One:12 Collective, but were vague about its potential release date. Now we know why.

Nearly 30 years after the release of The Dark Knight Returns, and almost 15 after The Dark Knight Strikes Again, Frank Miller is coming back to DC comics for a third installment in his series of stories about an older Batman in a world of corruption. It will be out this fall. Let's generously say that the title is...interesting: The Dark Knight III: The Master Race. Miller is set to co-write the eight-issue series with Brian Azzarello, who wrote a somewhat controversial Batman story of his own, "Broken City," back in 2004. According to DC's blog, an artist has yet to be named. (Which seems to mean Miller won't be drawing it.)

Listen: I'm not saying that you have to buy the entire staff of ComicsAlliance one of Mezco's new Dark Knight Returns action figures, but I am saying that it's basically the least you could do after all that we've done for you. The new 1/12 scale action figure is available for pre-order today (and expected to ship in January), and as you can tell from the photo above, it's pretty awesome. Standing 6.75" tall and boasting 30 points of articulation, four sets of interchangeable fists (including two "batarang fists," a grappling hook and rope, a grappling hook pistol, an interchangeable boot (in case the first one gets worn out from stomping crooks, I imagine), interchangeable but equally grumpy heads, and cloth costume that actually looks pretty awesome. The price: $65.