A beautifully drawn, but very dark, tale., 24 Oct 2008
This was my first introduction to more "adult orientated" graphic novels (as opposed to comics). I bought it on a whim after seeing the cover featured in a TV programme hyping the 1989 Tim Burton Batman movie, and it was a real eye-opener. The tone is certainly much darker than the image of Batman which I'd grown up with (ie Adam West in all his campness) and provides a fascinating origin for the Joker. He comes across as an ordinary man driven beyond his capacity for reason, instead of the stereotypical insane clown of lazier Batman stories. (In fact the entire story is based around his "one bad day is all it takes" philosophy...)
The story itself is short but all the more effective for it, with some beautifully - if chillingly - drawn characters. The Joker is especially well rendered, with several large and extremely detailed frames - which is hardly surprising given that much of the book focuses on him and his "past life".
All in all, "A Killing Joke" is a worthy complement to "Batman: Year One" and "Dark Knight Returns", as it gives the reader a solid - and believable - origin to Batman's most enigmatic adversary. Highly recommended.

Return of a classic, 24 Oct 2008
This was the first comic i ever bought,twenty or so years ago and it is still one of my favourites.The story is probably the best Joker tale and the art is un-paralled.This edition is if anything an improvement on the original having Brian Bolland's own colours which are a delight in themselves.This book might be the definitive version of this seminal graphic novel.

It was OK., 01 Sep 2008
I was really looking forward to this, having heard so much praise. I guess I missed something, but I was expecting a really deep, complex story, like so many reviews and articles had described, and didn't find anything of the sort. The artwork's flawless, but the story really did nothing for me, especially the Joker's back story, which seems to be the most raved about part. I felt no attachment to any characters, and having only recently read Watchmen for the first time, and being so blown away by that, I couldn't see how this was the same writer. I also found it shockingly short, which I don't expect from a graphic novel. As I said before though, awesome artwork. I still love that cover!

A Feast for the Eyes; A Drain On the Mind, 29 Aug 2008
Okay, let's keep this brief and informal lest I start taking myself far too seriously. After all, it is only a comic book to which I am referring regardless of how good or bad this particular one may be.
As an addition to the Batman Legend, 'The Killing Joke' is something of a let down, and not least due to the 1980's "think outside of the box" storyline. In my opinion it will warp your perception of the Caped Crusader and Smiles-McGee as it did mine with it's painting of the pair as something of an old married couple who may fight but deep down are the best of friends (and thankfully like an old married couple they are not sexually attracted to each other either). It has to be said though that The Joker's crimes depicted here are less master-criminal and more sick-bastard. Whilst inventive, they lack the subtlety and genius you'd expect from the character. It would be far too easy to confuse his antics with that of 'Lord Pumpkin' in his origin one-shot as the freaky carnival setting and deformed minions are not Joker-like in my mind. I'd also suggest that the "definitive origin story" for the Joker is an ideal that should have died long ago, way before the 80's ever hit, and it's inclusion here makes the Joker seem weak and unjustified (in some senses) in his madness. Basically, as in the short version, Alan Moore's story is cleverly gimmicky at best with scripting that is just plain awful. Sorry to all the fans of the piece out there, but it reads more like a romance comic with Batman being the hysterical woman moreover Dark Knight.
What you will take away from reading this (and despite what I just said, you must buy and read this!) is that Brian Bolland is highly revered for a reason. The artwork is simply phenomenal, and the newly revamped colouring is stunning. You may never see a depiction of classic Batman or Joker looking this good anywhere else again. With the added bonus of Bolland's 'Innocent Man' (which he also wrote) sitting quietly at the back, this package must adorn your bookcase. I would recommend this to anyone.

"I know you're a mass murderer, but can't we be friends?", 24 Aug 2008
Alan Moore provides the reader with plenty motivation for us to hate the Joker in this short story; so much in fact that it make's Commisioner Gordon's response largely unbelievable, and Batman's 'let's be friends, I can help you' reaction somehow cowardly. The villain is elevated to such a level of cruelty and malice that Batman's idealistic moral outlook has no counter. The result is Batman comes off as a wimp.

The artwork by Boland is wonderful, but probably the worst story I've read of Moore's.

If any comic has a claim to have truly reinvigorated the genre then The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller--known recently for his excellent Sin City series and, previously, for his superb rendering of the blind superhero Daredevil--is probably the supreme contender. Batman represented all that was wrong in comics and Miller set himself a tough task taking on the camp crusader and turning this laughable, innocuous children's cartoon character into a hero for our times. In his introduction the great Alan Moore (V for Vendetta, Swamp Thing, the arguably peerless Watchmen) argues that only someone of Miller's stature could have done this. Batman is a character known well beyond the confines of the comic world (as are his retinue) and so reinventing him, while keeping his limiting core essentials intact, was a huge task.

Miller went far beyond the call of duty. The Dark Knight is a success on every level. Firstly it does keep the core elements of the Batman myth intact, with Robin, Alfred the butler, Commissioner Gordon and the old roster of villains, present yet brilliantly subverted. Secondly the artwork is fantastic--detailed, sometimes claustrophobic, psychotic. Lastly it's a great story: Gotham City is a hell on earth, streetgangs roam but there are no heroes. Decay is ubiquitous. Where is a hero to save Gotham? It is 10 years since the last recorded sighting of the Batman. And things have got worse than ever. Bruce Wayne is close to being a broken man but something is keeping him sane: the need to see change and the belief that he can orchestrate some of that change. Batman is back. The Dark Knight has returned. Awesome. --Mark Thwaite

A beautifully drawn, but very dark, tale., 24 Oct 2008
This was my first introduction to more "adult orientated" graphic novels (as opposed to comics). I bought it on a whim after seeing the cover featured in a TV programme hyping the 1989 Tim Burton Batman movie, and it was a real eye-opener. The tone is certainly much darker than the image of Batman which I'd grown up with (ie Adam West in all his campness) and provides a fascinating origin for the Joker. He comes across as an ordinary man driven beyond his capacity for reason, instead of the stereotypical insane clown of lazier Batman stories. (In fact the entire story is based around his "one bad day is all it takes" philosophy...)
The story itself is short but all the more effective for it, with some beautifully - if chillingly - drawn characters. The Joker is especially well rendered, with several large and extremely detailed frames - which is hardly surprising given that much of the book focuses on him and his "past life".
All in all, "A Killing Joke" is a worthy complement to "Batman: Year One" and "Dark Knight Returns", as it gives the reader a solid - and believable - origin to Batman's most enigmatic adversary. Highly recommended.

Return of a classic, 24 Oct 2008
This was the first comic i ever bought,twenty or so years ago and it is still one of my favourites.The story is probably the best Joker tale and the art is un-paralled.This edition is if anything an improvement on the original having Brian Bolland's own colours which are a delight in themselves.This book might be the definitive version of this seminal graphic novel.

It was OK., 01 Sep 2008
I was really looking forward to this, having heard so much praise. I guess I missed something, but I was expecting a really deep, complex story, like so many reviews and articles had described, and didn't find anything of the sort. The artwork's flawless, but the story really did nothing for me, especially the Joker's back story, which seems to be the most raved about part. I felt no attachment to any characters, and having only recently read Watchmen for the first time, and being so blown away by that, I couldn't see how this was the same writer. I also found it shockingly short, which I don't expect from a graphic novel. As I said before though, awesome artwork. I still love that cover!

A Feast for the Eyes; A Drain On the Mind, 29 Aug 2008
Okay, let's keep this brief and informal lest I start taking myself far too seriously. After all, it is only a comic book to which I am referring regardless of how good or bad this particular one may be.
As an addition to the Batman Legend, 'The Killing Joke' is something of a let down, and not least due to the 1980's "think outside of the box" storyline. In my opinion it will warp your perception of the Caped Crusader and Smiles-McGee as it did mine with it's painting of the pair as something of an old married couple who may fight but deep down are the best of friends (and thankfully like an old married couple they are not sexually attracted to each other either). It has to be said though that The Joker's crimes depicted here are less master-criminal and more sick-bastard. Whilst inventive, they lack the subtlety and genius you'd expect from the character. It would be far too easy to confuse his antics with that of 'Lord Pumpkin' in his origin one-shot as the freaky carnival setting and deformed minions are not Joker-like in my mind. I'd also suggest that the "definitive origin story" for the Joker is an ideal that should have died long ago, way before the 80's ever hit, and it's inclusion here makes the Joker seem weak and unjustified (in some senses) in his madness. Basically, as in the short version, Alan Moore's story is cleverly gimmicky at best with scripting that is just plain awful. Sorry to all the fans of the piece out there, but it reads more like a romance comic with Batman being the hysterical woman moreover Dark Knight.
What you will take away from reading this (and despite what I just said, you must buy and read this!) is that Brian Bolland is highly revered for a reason. The artwork is simply phenomenal, and the newly revamped colouring is stunning. You may never see a depiction of classic Batman or Joker looking this good anywhere else again. With the added bonus of Bolland's 'Innocent Man' (which he also wrote) sitting quietly at the back, this package must adorn your bookcase. I would recommend this to anyone.

"I know you're a mass murderer, but can't we be friends?", 24 Aug 2008
Alan Moore provides the reader with plenty motivation for us to hate the Joker in this short story; so much in fact that it make's Commisioner Gordon's response largely unbelievable, and Batman's 'let's be friends, I can help you' reaction somehow cowardly. The villain is elevated to such a level of cruelty and malice that Batman's idealistic moral outlook has no counter. The result is Batman comes off as a wimp.

The artwork by Boland is wonderful, but probably the worst story I've read of Moore's.

The Dark Knight Stuns!, 22 Oct 2008
Starting off with anarchy approaching Gotham, Batman as an older man finds himself pulled back into vigilante activities with a variety of mean, ugly threats to be dealt with.

The art & the writing in this are excellent & this is a really gripping read. This is recommended even if you aren't a big graphic novel fan, as the action pulls you in and the story is very compelling. A great read.

SUPERB!, 28 Sep 2008
Only Watchmen can be considered to be as good as Batman: The Dark Night Returns. However, where Watchmen had an absolute myriad of characters, The Dark Night Returns with its single protagonist is better able to create characters the reader can emphasise with.

The reader is introduced to an ageing Bruce Wayne who has come out of retirement to continue is vengeful fight against crime. This dark, disturbed and sad character is pitted against those he considered allies, new enemies that are stronger than him and an all too familiar nemesis. The story is wonderfully written, well paced with a few twists and turns that keep the story interesting and a surprise shock ending with a man in tights. The artwork is brilliant, quick loose drawings capturing the action and suspense of a dark brooding story in a way some comics are unable to achieve.

Batman: The Dark Night Returns is a must own and a must read. The story is brilliantly told and features a damaged, weary character that draws you in to his own one man war.


The Greatest...., 24 Jul 2008
In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
This comic is one of those moments.
The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, 23 Jul 2008
If you are used to the slick, photo-realistic art of some modern Graphic Novels/Comics, then the look of this book may take some getting used to... but get passed that, and it's one of the best comics you'll ever read.

A very good read., 05 Jun 2008
If I had to choose one word to describe this, I would choose the word epic. Why? Because its an interesting look on how Bruce Wayne would handle himself in his later years with excellent action sequences and crisp dialogue. There's really only one thing bad about this, and that is the lack of Joker. Sure he's in it, but he's not really as important to the plot as he should have been. And he's camper than ever. But aside from that, buy it. It should tickle your fetish.

A beautifully drawn, but very dark, tale., 24 Oct 2008
This was my first introduction to more "adult orientated" graphic novels (as opposed to comics). I bought it on a whim after seeing the cover featured in a TV programme hyping the 1989 Tim Burton Batman movie, and it was a real eye-opener. The tone is certainly much darker than the image of Batman which I'd grown up with (ie Adam West in all his campness) and provides a fascinating origin for the Joker. He comes across as an ordinary man driven beyond his capacity for reason, instead of the stereotypical insane clown of lazier Batman stories. (In fact the entire story is based around his "one bad day is all it takes" philosophy...)
The story itself is short but all the more effective for it, with some beautifully - if chillingly - drawn characters. The Joker is especially well rendered, with several large and extremely detailed frames - which is hardly surprising given that much of the book focuses on him and his "past life".
All in all, "A Killing Joke" is a worthy complement to "Batman: Year One" and "Dark Knight Returns", as it gives the reader a solid - and believable - origin to Batman's most enigmatic adversary. Highly recommended.

Return of a classic, 24 Oct 2008
This was the first comic i ever bought,twenty or so years ago and it is still one of my favourites.The story is probably the best Joker tale and the art is un-paralled.This edition is if anything an improvement on the original having Brian Bolland's own colours which are a delight in themselves.This book might be the definitive version of this seminal graphic novel.

It was OK., 01 Sep 2008
I was really looking forward to this, having heard so much praise. I guess I missed something, but I was expecting a really deep, complex story, like so many reviews and articles had described, and didn't find anything of the sort. The artwork's flawless, but the story really did nothing for me, especially the Joker's back story, which seems to be the most raved about part. I felt no attachment to any characters, and having only recently read Watchmen for the first time, and being so blown away by that, I couldn't see how this was the same writer. I also found it shockingly short, which I don't expect from a graphic novel. As I said before though, awesome artwork. I still love that cover!

A Feast for the Eyes; A Drain On the Mind, 29 Aug 2008
Okay, let's keep this brief and informal lest I start taking myself far too seriously. After all, it is only a comic book to which I am referring regardless of how good or bad this particular one may be.
As an addition to the Batman Legend, 'The Killing Joke' is something of a let down, and not least due to the 1980's "think outside of the box" storyline. In my opinion it will warp your perception of the Caped Crusader and Smiles-McGee as it did mine with it's painting of the pair as something of an old married couple who may fight but deep down are the best of friends (and thankfully like an old married couple they are not sexually attracted to each other either). It has to be said though that The Joker's crimes depicted here are less master-criminal and more sick-bastard. Whilst inventive, they lack the subtlety and genius you'd expect from the character. It would be far too easy to confuse his antics with that of 'Lord Pumpkin' in his origin one-shot as the freaky carnival setting and deformed minions are not Joker-like in my mind. I'd also suggest that the "definitive origin story" for the Joker is an ideal that should have died long ago, way before the 80's ever hit, and it's inclusion here makes the Joker seem weak and unjustified (in some senses) in his madness. Basically, as in the short version, Alan Moore's story is cleverly gimmicky at best with scripting that is just plain awful. Sorry to all the fans of the piece out there, but it reads more like a romance comic with Batman being the hysterical woman moreover Dark Knight.
What you will take away from reading this (and despite what I just said, you must buy and read this!) is that Brian Bolland is highly revered for a reason. The artwork is simply phenomenal, and the newly revamped colouring is stunning. You may never see a depiction of classic Batman or Joker looking this good anywhere else again. With the added bonus of Bolland's 'Innocent Man' (which he also wrote) sitting quietly at the back, this package must adorn your bookcase. I would recommend this to anyone.

"I know you're a mass murderer, but can't we be friends?", 24 Aug 2008
Alan Moore provides the reader with plenty motivation for us to hate the Joker in this short story; so much in fact that it make's Commisioner Gordon's response largely unbelievable, and Batman's 'let's be friends, I can help you' reaction somehow cowardly. The villain is elevated to such a level of cruelty and malice that Batman's idealistic moral outlook has no counter. The result is Batman comes off as a wimp.

The artwork by Boland is wonderful, but probably the worst story I've read of Moore's.

The Dark Knight Stuns!, 22 Oct 2008
Starting off with anarchy approaching Gotham, Batman as an older man finds himself pulled back into vigilante activities with a variety of mean, ugly threats to be dealt with.

The art & the writing in this are excellent & this is a really gripping read. This is recommended even if you aren't a big graphic novel fan, as the action pulls you in and the story is very compelling. A great read.

SUPERB!, 28 Sep 2008
Only Watchmen can be considered to be as good as Batman: The Dark Night Returns. However, where Watchmen had an absolute myriad of characters, The Dark Night Returns with its single protagonist is better able to create characters the reader can emphasise with.

The reader is introduced to an ageing Bruce Wayne who has come out of retirement to continue is vengeful fight against crime. This dark, disturbed and sad character is pitted against those he considered allies, new enemies that are stronger than him and an all too familiar nemesis. The story is wonderfully written, well paced with a few twists and turns that keep the story interesting and a surprise shock ending with a man in tights. The artwork is brilliant, quick loose drawings capturing the action and suspense of a dark brooding story in a way some comics are unable to achieve.

Batman: The Dark Night Returns is a must own and a must read. The story is brilliantly told and features a damaged, weary character that draws you in to his own one man war.


The Greatest...., 24 Jul 2008
In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
This comic is one of those moments.
The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, 23 Jul 2008
If you are used to the slick, photo-realistic art of some modern Graphic Novels/Comics, then the look of this book may take some getting used to... but get passed that, and it's one of the best comics you'll ever read.

A very good read., 05 Jun 2008
If I had to choose one word to describe this, I would choose the word epic. Why? Because its an interesting look on how Bruce Wayne would handle himself in his later years with excellent action sequences and crisp dialogue. There's really only one thing bad about this, and that is the lack of Joker. Sure he's in it, but he's not really as important to the plot as he should have been. And he's camper than ever. But aside from that, buy it. It should tickle your fetish.

Pure Loeb Greatness, 05 Jan 2005
I'm not going to write a huge review of this here, suffice to say if you liked Long Halloween, Dark Victory, Haunted Knight, the Dark Knight Returns and all those sort of Batman stories you're in no way going to be disapointed by this. In fact you're probably going to love it. One of the greatest Batman stories out there. Be sure to read part 1 first!

Secon Volume is quality..., 09 Oct 2004
Well, theres no Superman fight in this one...so there. But then we don't read comics for gimmickry! Jeph Loeb takes some brave steps with the Batman universe, bringing back old characters, reFACING some (big clue there) and delivering a quality set of stories, which is the best work Loeb has done in a while.
The artwork is also gorgeous, with Jim Lee showing some of the best images of Batman EVER. Its worth the great Amazon £6.99 price, as it used to be £19.99 in hard back.
Why only 4 stars then? Because its too short. This is the problem with comics now; too many adverts mean that individual issues get barely any bang for their buck.
This is the best Batman title in a while though, and its gonna take a lot to beat it.

Hush is amazing, 25 Jan 2004
The second half of Jeph leob's and Jim Lee's tale, delivers on its title when it literaly leaves you quiet in awe and wonder at this amazing work.
The story line Hush is Jim Lee's (yes THAT jim lee) return to comics, and i dont think his art as ever looked more superb.n The story contains a cracking story, Who is hush? why his he after batman?
The story contains many great surprises with great writer and beutiful art. If you havent read this, dont delay, you wont be sorry

A beautifully drawn, but very dark, tale., 24 Oct 2008
This was my first introduction to more "adult orientated" graphic novels (as opposed to comics). I bought it on a whim after seeing the cover featured in a TV programme hyping the 1989 Tim Burton Batman movie, and it was a real eye-opener. The tone is certainly much darker than the image of Batman which I'd grown up with (ie Adam West in all his campness) and provides a fascinating origin for the Joker. He comes across as an ordinary man driven beyond his capacity for reason, instead of the stereotypical insane clown of lazier Batman stories. (In fact the entire story is based around his "one bad day is all it takes" philosophy...)
The story itself is short but all the more effective for it, with some beautifully - if chillingly - drawn characters. The Joker is especially well rendered, with several large and extremely detailed frames - which is hardly surprising given that much of the book focuses on him and his "past life".
All in all, "A Killing Joke" is a worthy complement to "Batman: Year One" and "Dark Knight Returns", as it gives the reader a solid - and believable - origin to Batman's most enigmatic adversary. Highly recommended.

Return of a classic, 24 Oct 2008
This was the first comic i ever bought,twenty or so years ago and it is still one of my favourites.The story is probably the best Joker tale and the art is un-paralled.This edition is if anything an improvement on the original having Brian Bolland's own colours which are a delight in themselves.This book might be the definitive version of this seminal graphic novel.

It was OK., 01 Sep 2008
I was really looking forward to this, having heard so much praise. I guess I missed something, but I was expecting a really deep, complex story, like so many reviews and articles had described, and didn't find anything of the sort. The artwork's flawless, but the story really did nothing for me, especially the Joker's back story, which seems to be the most raved about part. I felt no attachment to any characters, and having only recently read Watchmen for the first time, and being so blown away by that, I couldn't see how this was the same writer. I also found it shockingly short, which I don't expect from a graphic novel. As I said before though, awesome artwork. I still love that cover!

A Feast for the Eyes; A Drain On the Mind, 29 Aug 2008
Okay, let's keep this brief and informal lest I start taking myself far too seriously. After all, it is only a comic book to which I am referring regardless of how good or bad this particular one may be.
As an addition to the Batman Legend, 'The Killing Joke' is something of a let down, and not least due to the 1980's "think outside of the box" storyline. In my opinion it will warp your perception of the Caped Crusader and Smiles-McGee as it did mine with it's painting of the pair as something of an old married couple who may fight but deep down are the best of friends (and thankfully like an old married couple they are not sexually attracted to each other either). It has to be said though that The Joker's crimes depicted here are less master-criminal and more sick-bastard. Whilst inventive, they lack the subtlety and genius you'd expect from the character. It would be far too easy to confuse his antics with that of 'Lord Pumpkin' in his origin one-shot as the freaky carnival setting and deformed minions are not Joker-like in my mind. I'd also suggest that the "definitive origin story" for the Joker is an ideal that should have died long ago, way before the 80's ever hit, and it's inclusion here makes the Joker seem weak and unjustified (in some senses) in his madness. Basically, as in the short version, Alan Moore's story is cleverly gimmicky at best with scripting that is just plain awful. Sorry to all the fans of the piece out there, but it reads more like a romance comic with Batman being the hysterical woman moreover Dark Knight.
What you will take away from reading this (and despite what I just said, you must buy and read this!) is that Brian Bolland is highly revered for a reason. The artwork is simply phenomenal, and the newly revamped colouring is stunning. You may never see a depiction of classic Batman or Joker looking this good anywhere else again. With the added bonus of Bolland's 'Innocent Man' (which he also wrote) sitting quietly at the back, this package must adorn your bookcase. I would recommend this to anyone.

"I know you're a mass murderer, but can't we be friends?", 24 Aug 2008
Alan Moore provides the reader with plenty motivation for us to hate the Joker in this short story; so much in fact that it make's Commisioner Gordon's response largely unbelievable, and Batman's 'let's be friends, I can help you' reaction somehow cowardly. The villain is elevated to such a level of cruelty and malice that Batman's idealistic moral outlook has no counter. The result is Batman comes off as a wimp.

The artwork by Boland is wonderful, but probably the worst story I've read of Moore's.

The Dark Knight Stuns!, 22 Oct 2008
Starting off with anarchy approaching Gotham, Batman as an older man finds himself pulled back into vigilante activities with a variety of mean, ugly threats to be dealt with.

The art & the writing in this are excellent & this is a really gripping read. This is recommended even if you aren't a big graphic novel fan, as the action pulls you in and the story is very compelling. A great read.

SUPERB!, 28 Sep 2008
Only Watchmen can be considered to be as good as Batman: The Dark Night Returns. However, where Watchmen had an absolute myriad of characters, The Dark Night Returns with its single protagonist is better able to create characters the reader can emphasise with.

The reader is introduced to an ageing Bruce Wayne who has come out of retirement to continue is vengeful fight against crime. This dark, disturbed and sad character is pitted against those he considered allies, new enemies that are stronger than him and an all too familiar nemesis. The story is wonderfully written, well paced with a few twists and turns that keep the story interesting and a surprise shock ending with a man in tights. The artwork is brilliant, quick loose drawings capturing the action and suspense of a dark brooding story in a way some comics are unable to achieve.

Batman: The Dark Night Returns is a must own and a must read. The story is brilliantly told and features a damaged, weary character that draws you in to his own one man war.


The Greatest...., 24 Jul 2008
In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
This comic is one of those moments.
The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, 23 Jul 2008
If you are used to the slick, photo-realistic art of some modern Graphic Novels/Comics, then the look of this book may take some getting used to... but get passed that, and it's one of the best comics you'll ever read.

A very good read., 05 Jun 2008
If I had to choose one word to describe this, I would choose the word epic. Why? Because its an interesting look on how Bruce Wayne would handle himself in his later years with excellent action sequences and crisp dialogue. There's really only one thing bad about this, and that is the lack of Joker. Sure he's in it, but he's not really as important to the plot as he should have been. And he's camper than ever. But aside from that, buy it. It should tickle your fetish.

Pure Loeb Greatness, 05 Jan 2005
I'm not going to write a huge review of this here, suffice to say if you liked Long Halloween, Dark Victory, Haunted Knight, the Dark Knight Returns and all those sort of Batman stories you're in no way going to be disapointed by this. In fact you're probably going to love it. One of the greatest Batman stories out there. Be sure to read part 1 first!

Secon Volume is quality..., 09 Oct 2004
Well, theres no Superman fight in this one...so there. But then we don't read comics for gimmickry! Jeph Loeb takes some brave steps with the Batman universe, bringing back old characters, reFACING some (big clue there) and delivering a quality set of stories, which is the best work Loeb has done in a while.
The artwork is also gorgeous, with Jim Lee showing some of the best images of Batman EVER. Its worth the great Amazon £6.99 price, as it used to be £19.99 in hard back.
Why only 4 stars then? Because its too short. This is the problem with comics now; too many adverts mean that individual issues get barely any bang for their buck.
This is the best Batman title in a while though, and its gonna take a lot to beat it.

Hush is amazing, 25 Jan 2004
The second half of Jeph leob's and Jim Lee's tale, delivers on its title when it literaly leaves you quiet in awe and wonder at this amazing work.
The story line Hush is Jim Lee's (yes THAT jim lee) return to comics, and i dont think his art as ever looked more superb.n The story contains a cracking story, Who is hush? why his he after batman?
The story contains many great surprises with great writer and beutiful art. If you havent read this, dont delay, you wont be sorry

Oh dear., 27 Aug 2008
Jeph Loeb has a pretty illustrious history in comics as a writer. In Batman alone, he has written the fantastic Batman: Long Halloween (a key inspiration for Batman Begins) and its follow up Dark Victory, two stupendous stories which suggested he'd strike it lucky a third time too. Right?

Wrong. Somewhere between these two books, Jeph Loeb lost his mojo. This first volume of Hush (and why a 12-issue story needed to be published in two volumes of different sizes when even this same writer's previous stuff wasn't is a mystery) begins a rollercoaster story the ending of which you can see from a mile off.

Many of the characters and dialogue styles are identical to those used previously ("no one can resist me" says Poison Ivy. Again.) and the stilted internal monologue that grates. Loeb starts a story that whilst having a few twists you won't see coming and some nice moments (not least the fight with Superman), its villain will be obvious to you before you even know there is one.

The saving grace of all this is one Jim Lee. Possibly the best comic artist active at the moment, he brings to life Loeb's mediocre story with the same effortless, vibrant colour with which he makes the likes of All-Star Batman And Robin forgivable.

Unless you're a Loeb freak or a big fan of Jim Lee's artwork - or simply don't want to think very hard in the course of the story - then Hush is not for you.

To many characters, 12 Aug 2008
I gave this comic two stars because even if it's nothing special it's a light hearted read. The problem I had was that there just seemed to be to many characters squeezed in and not enough story. One of my favourite batman comics is Knightfall which is filled with characters but pulls it off well. Anyway I guess you have to make your own mind up but don't expect anything amazing unless you prefer characters over story.

Beautiful Artwork, 23 Jul 2008
I cannot recommend this or its sequel highly enough for the art alone its worth its weight in gold. honestly its beautifuly drawn it also has a gripping plot with batman faceing off agains many of his previous villians and even superman.

Incredible, 02 May 2008
I sat and though about the title for this review for a couple of minutes and 'incredible,' I'm afraid to say, was the best I could come up with to describe this book.
As a child I would read comics my father brought back from work. Second hand, many folded, dog eared comics at that. This book was my reintroduction after many years and I have to say a big 'Thank you' to Mr Loeb and Mr Lee for it. My bookcase now labours under the weight of a great many more graphic novels now.
The writing is very clever and I really did not see the ending (of vol. 2 that is) coming. Jim Lee's visuals (and remember this medium is as much about the visuals as it is the story) are quite frankly sublime and, in some instances literally take your breath away.
The negative reviews I see here quite baffle me. I heartily recommend this book, a work of art in every sense.

Don't buy the hype., 06 Oct 2006
As Batman stories go, this is not the worst. Not in its best moments does it ever approach being one of the best.

As a detective story, it really is bordering on pathetic. A mysterious new villain (the "Hush" of the title) is out to get Batman; who could it possibly be behind those natty, invisible man-style bandages!?! Oh, by the way, on a completely unrelated note, Bats is having flashbacks to an old childhood friend never before seen or mentioned in the Bat-canon who Bruce Wayne was apparently closer to than anyone as a child, but who left his life under regrettably awkward circumstances years before. Among the other suspects are... Alfred, maybe? I don't mean to spoil it for you, but it really is just that blatant. Really.

Jim Lee draws superheroes well. They're big, they're burly, they're baroque. His women are lithe and have tiny waists. He's a master at choreographing action scenes. these qualities are where this books strengths lie.

The episodic nature of the story is basically an excuse to trundle out the rogues gallery for one more go-round as hush manipulates all of Bats' old villains into once more, one at a time attacking the dark knight (as if they ever needed manipulating into such an act before...) and Bats fights them off, one by one.

On that level, it's fun. On every other level, it's seriously deficient. The detective story is a tacked on excuse for the villain showdowns, transparent from the first chapter. the human element is soap operatic in the worst sense of the term. One off-the-cuff peck from Catwoman sends bats into such a mire of reflection and self doubt that i just wanted to reach into the panels and scream "GET OVER IT!!!!!!" at the guy. What is he, fourteen?

Seriously. As no brainer action stories go, this is alright. That's the very best thing i can say about it.

A beautifully drawn, but very dark, tale., 24 Oct 2008
This was my first introduction to more "adult orientated" graphic novels (as opposed to comics). I bought it on a whim after seeing the cover featured in a TV programme hyping the 1989 Tim Burton Batman movie, and it was a real eye-opener. The tone is certainly much darker than the image of Batman which I'd grown up with (ie Adam West in all his campness) and provides a fascinating origin for the Joker. He comes across as an ordinary man driven beyond his capacity for reason, instead of the stereotypical insane clown of lazier Batman stories. (In fact the entire story is based around his "one bad day is all it takes" philosophy...)
The story itself is short but all the more effective for it, with some beautifully - if chillingly - drawn characters. The Joker is especially well rendered, with several large and extremely detailed frames - which is hardly surprising given that much of the book focuses on him and his "past life".
All in all, "A Killing Joke" is a worthy complement to "Batman: Year One" and "Dark Knight Returns", as it gives the reader a solid - and believable - origin to Batman's most enigmatic adversary. Highly recommended.

Return of a classic, 24 Oct 2008
This was the first comic i ever bought,twenty or so years ago and it is still one of my favourites.The story is probably the best Joker tale and the art is un-paralled.This edition is if anything an improvement on the original having Brian Bolland's own colours which are a delight in themselves.This book might be the definitive version of this seminal graphic novel.

It was OK., 01 Sep 2008
I was really looking forward to this, having heard so much praise. I guess I missed something, but I was expecting a really deep, complex story, like so many reviews and articles had described, and didn't find anything of the sort. The artwork's flawless, but the story really did nothing for me, especially the Joker's back story, which seems to be the most raved about part. I felt no attachment to any characters, and having only recently read Watchmen for the first time, and being so blown away by that, I couldn't see how this was the same writer. I also found it shockingly short, which I don't expect from a graphic novel. As I said before though, awesome artwork. I still love that cover!

A Feast for the Eyes; A Drain On the Mind, 29 Aug 2008
Okay, let's keep this brief and informal lest I start taking myself far too seriously. After all, it is only a comic book to which I am referring regardless of how good or bad this particular one may be.
As an addition to the Batman Legend, 'The Killing Joke' is something of a let down, and not least due to the 1980's "think outside of the box" storyline. In my opinion it will warp your perception of the Caped Crusader and Smiles-McGee as it did mine with it's painting of the pair as something of an old married couple who may fight but deep down are the best of friends (and thankfully like an old married couple they are not sexually attracted to each other either). It has to be said though that The Joker's crimes depicted here are less master-criminal and more sick-bastard. Whilst inventive, they lack the subtlety and genius you'd expect from the character. It would be far too easy to confuse his antics with that of 'Lord Pumpkin' in his origin one-shot as the freaky carnival setting and deformed minions are not Joker-like in my mind. I'd also suggest that the "definitive origin story" for the Joker is an ideal that should have died long ago, way before the 80's ever hit, and it's inclusion here makes the Joker seem weak and unjustified (in some senses) in his madness. Basically, as in the short version, Alan Moore's story is cleverly gimmicky at best with scripting that is just plain awful. Sorry to all the fans of the piece out there, but it reads more like a romance comic with Batman being the hysterical woman moreover Dark Knight.
What you will take away from reading this (and despite what I just said, you must buy and read this!) is that Brian Bolland is highly revered for a reason. The artwork is simply phenomenal, and the newly revamped colouring is stunning. You may never see a depiction of classic Batman or Joker looking this good anywhere else again. With the added bonus of Bolland's 'Innocent Man' (which he also wrote) sitting quietly at the back, this package must adorn your bookcase. I would recommend this to anyone.

"I know you're a mass murderer, but can't we be friends?", 24 Aug 2008
Alan Moore provides the reader with plenty motivation for us to hate the Joker in this short story; so much in fact that it make's Commisioner Gordon's response largely unbelievable, and Batman's 'let's be friends, I can help you' reaction somehow cowardly. The villain is elevated to such a level of cruelty and malice that Batman's idealistic moral outlook has no counter. The result is Batman comes off as a wimp.

The artwork by Boland is wonderful, but probably the worst story I've read of Moore's.

The Dark Knight Stuns!, 22 Oct 2008
Starting off with anarchy approaching Gotham, Batman as an older man finds himself pulled back into vigilante activities with a variety of mean, ugly threats to be dealt with.

The art & the writing in this are excellent & this is a really gripping read. This is recommended even if you aren't a big graphic novel fan, as the action pulls you in and the story is very compelling. A great read.

SUPERB!, 28 Sep 2008
Only Watchmen can be considered to be as good as Batman: The Dark Night Returns. However, where Watchmen had an absolute myriad of characters, The Dark Night Returns with its single protagonist is better able to create characters the reader can emphasise with.

The reader is introduced to an ageing Bruce Wayne who has come out of retirement to continue is vengeful fight against crime. This dark, disturbed and sad character is pitted against those he considered allies, new enemies that are stronger than him and an all too familiar nemesis. The story is wonderfully written, well paced with a few twists and turns that keep the story interesting and a surprise shock ending with a man in tights. The artwork is brilliant, quick loose drawings capturing the action and suspense of a dark brooding story in a way some comics are unable to achieve.

Batman: The Dark Night Returns is a must own and a must read. The story is brilliantly told and features a damaged, weary character that draws you in to his own one man war.


The Greatest...., 24 Jul 2008
In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
This comic is one of those moments.
The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, 23 Jul 2008
If you are used to the slick, photo-realistic art of some modern Graphic Novels/Comics, then the look of this book may take some getting used to... but get passed that, and it's one of the best comics you'll ever read.

A very good read., 05 Jun 2008
If I had to choose one word to describe this, I would choose the word epic. Why? Because its an interesting look on how Bruce Wayne would handle himself in his later years with excellent action sequences and crisp dialogue. There's really only one thing bad about this, and that is the lack of Joker. Sure he's in it, but he's not really as important to the plot as he should have been. And he's camper than ever. But aside from that, buy it. It should tickle your fetish.

Pure Loeb Greatness, 05 Jan 2005
I'm not going to write a huge review of this here, suffice to say if you liked Long Halloween, Dark Victory, Haunted Knight, the Dark Knight Returns and all those sort of Batman stories you're in no way going to be disapointed by this. In fact you're probably going to love it. One of the greatest Batman stories out there. Be sure to read part 1 first!

Secon Volume is quality..., 09 Oct 2004
Well, theres no Superman fight in this one...so there. But then we don't read comics for gimmickry! Jeph Loeb takes some brave steps with the Batman universe, bringing back old characters, reFACING some (big clue there) and delivering a quality set of stories, which is the best work Loeb has done in a while.
The artwork is also gorgeous, with Jim Lee showing some of the best images of Batman EVER. Its worth the great Amazon £6.99 price, as it used to be £19.99 in hard back.
Why only 4 stars then? Because its too short. This is the problem with comics now; too many adverts mean that individual issues get barely any bang for their buck.
This is the best Batman title in a while though, and its gonna take a lot to beat it.

Hush is amazing, 25 Jan 2004
The second half of Jeph leob's and Jim Lee's tale, delivers on its title when it literaly leaves you quiet in awe and wonder at this amazing work.
The story line Hush is Jim Lee's (yes THAT jim lee) return to comics, and i dont think his art as ever looked more superb.n The story contains a cracking story, Who is hush? why his he after batman?
The story contains many great surprises with great writer and beutiful art. If you havent read this, dont delay, you wont be sorry

Oh dear., 27 Aug 2008
Jeph Loeb has a pretty illustrious history in comics as a writer. In Batman alone, he has written the fantastic Batman: Long Halloween (a key inspiration for Batman Begins) and its follow up Dark Victory, two stupendous stories which suggested he'd strike it lucky a third time too. Right?

Wrong. Somewhere between these two books, Jeph Loeb lost his mojo. This first volume of Hush (and why a 12-issue story needed to be published in two volumes of different sizes when even this same writer's previous stuff wasn't is a mystery) begins a rollercoaster story the ending of which you can see from a mile off.

Many of the characters and dialogue styles are identical to those used previously ("no one can resist me" says Poison Ivy. Again.) and the stilted internal monologue that grates. Loeb starts a story that whilst having a few twists you won't see coming and some nice moments (not least the fight with Superman), its villain will be obvious to you before you even know there is one.

The saving grace of all this is one Jim Lee. Possibly the best comic artist active at the moment, he brings to life Loeb's mediocre story with the same effortless, vibrant colour with which he makes the likes of All-Star Batman And Robin forgivable.

Unless you're a Loeb freak or a big fan of Jim Lee's artwork - or simply don't want to think very hard in the course of the story - then Hush is not for you.

To many characters, 12 Aug 2008
I gave this comic two stars because even if it's nothing special it's a light hearted read. The problem I had was that there just seemed to be to many characters squeezed in and not enough story. One of my favourite batman comics is Knightfall which is filled with characters but pulls it off well. Anyway I guess you have to make your own mind up but don't expect anything amazing unless you prefer characters over story.

Beautiful Artwork, 23 Jul 2008
I cannot recommend this or its sequel highly enough for the art alone its worth its weight in gold. honestly its beautifuly drawn it also has a gripping plot with batman faceing off agains many of his previous villians and even superman.

Incredible, 02 May 2008
I sat and though about the title for this review for a couple of minutes and 'incredible,' I'm afraid to say, was the best I could come up with to describe this book.
As a child I would read comics my father brought back from work. Second hand, many folded, dog eared comics at that. This book was my reintroduction after many years and I have to say a big 'Thank you' to Mr Loeb and Mr Lee for it. My bookcase now labours under the weight of a great many more graphic novels now.
The writing is very clever and I really did not see the ending (of vol. 2 that is) coming. Jim Lee's visuals (and remember this medium is as much about the visuals as it is the story) are quite frankly sublime and, in some instances literally take your breath away.
The negative reviews I see here quite baffle me. I heartily recommend this book, a work of art in every sense.

Don't buy the hype., 06 Oct 2006
As Batman stories go, this is not the worst. Not in its best moments does it ever approach being one of the best.

As a detective story, it really is bordering on pathetic. A mysterious new villain (the "Hush" of the title) is out to get Batman; who could it possibly be behind those natty, invisible man-style bandages!?! Oh, by the way, on a completely unrelated note, Bats is having flashbacks to an old childhood friend never before seen or mentioned in the Bat-canon who Bruce Wayne was apparently closer to than anyone as a child, but who left his life under regrettably awkward circumstances years before. Among the other suspects are... Alfred, maybe? I don't mean to spoil it for you, but it really is just that blatant. Really.

Jim Lee draws superheroes well. They're big, they're burly, they're baroque. His women are lithe and have tiny waists. He's a master at choreographing action scenes. these qualities are where this books strengths lie.

The episodic nature of the story is basically an excuse to trundle out the rogues gallery for one more go-round as hush manipulates all of Bats' old villains into once more, one at a time attacking the dark knight (as if they ever needed manipulating into such an act before...) and Bats fights them off, one by one.

On that level, it's fun. On every other level, it's seriously deficient. The detective story is a tacked on excuse for the villain showdowns, transparent from the first chapter. the human element is soap operatic in the worst sense of the term. One off-the-cuff peck from Catwoman sends bats into such a mire of reflection and self doubt that i just wanted to reach into the panels and scream "GET OVER IT!!!!!!" at the guy. What is he, fourteen?

Seriously. As no brainer action stories go, this is alright. That's the very best thing i can say about it.

An excellent product, but not an art book., 12 Oct 2008
On principle, I want to give this book 5 stars. If you buy it, as I did, you will certainly not be disappointed. I, like many of the other reviewers, have an issue with that this book is supposed to be; "The Art of The Dark Knight". This isn't an art book; it's a combination of an art book and the screenplay; but not the final shooting script as far as I can assess. One nice detail, however, about the script is that effort has been put into the presentation of the script, with the pages littered with shots from the corresponding scenes alongside the script itself. There are a few differences between the script and what was executed by the cast, but overall it's very similar. If you loved this movie, then there is no reason why you shouldn't get this. It's a big, heavy book perfect for coffee tables, which is most likely where you'll want to keep it face down due to the superb back cover taken from one of the movies posters; namely that featuring Batman doing a wheelie on the Batpod. The quality of the photos is top notch, as is the page quality. Also, for this price it is very reasonable.

If you want a final selling point; this book is worth it's price alone almost solely for the early concept drawings and computer-generated images of The Joker. From original concept to execution, the evolutionary process is quite staggering. The original Joker concept looks more suited to David Tennant than to Heath Ledger. One disappointing thing though is that I didn't think that enough attention had been paid to the transformation of Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) into Two-Face.

In closing, if you are buying this book solely as an art book, then you may be disappointed. It really lacks substance in this regard, with only about 60 pages of artwork and limited text before it launches into the script. However, if you're buying it out of interest for the film as a whole; then this book is a great addition to your collection, and a very good companion piece to the film.

Not much art, mainly script, 06 Sep 2008
I was really looking forward to recieving this throught the post, and when I seen the size of the book I thought "great".
But there are only 50 pages of photographs and concept art, and the rest is all script. I think the item description for this is misleading, as it sais "The Art of The Drak Knight"
Don't get me wrong, the artwork and photographs are great, and there's a section where the make up artist tell of how the Joker's make up was done! That's why I have given it 4 Stars.

Not as substantial as a normal "art of", 06 Sep 2008
Was hoping for a more substantial "art of" book, two thirds of the book is the shooting script. What production art is there is quite good, but overall this book isn't as impressive as the art of Batman Begins

Is this an art book?, 04 Sep 2008
The book is a huge disappointment. It is advertised as an art of book and in fact contains very little.
I purchased the book off the strength of the previous Batman Begins art book, which I would recommend to any fan.
This is just the script padded out with a few production photos and badly drawn images. Pure merchandise I'm afraid.

for the batman fan, 26 Aug 2008
This book is great for those who have seen 'The Dark Knight' movie. It has beautiful pictures and the full script! Info about the costumes, batmobile, characters. Great pictures of the Joker! Every fan will love this!

A beautifully drawn, but very dark, tale., 24 Oct 2008
This was my first introduction to more "adult orientated" graphic novels (as opposed to comics). I bought it on a whim after seeing the cover featured in a TV programme hyping the 1989 Tim Burton Batman movie, and it was a real eye-opener. The tone is certainly much darker than the image of Batman which I'd grown up with (ie Adam West in all his campness) and provides a fascinating origin for the Joker. He comes across as an ordinary man driven beyond his capacity for reason, instead of the stereotypical insane clown of lazier Batman stories. (In fact the entire story is based around his "one bad day is all it takes" philosophy...)
The story itself is short but all the more effective for it, with some beautifully - if chillingly - drawn characters. The Joker is especially well rendered, with several large and extremely detailed frames - which is hardly surprising given that much of the book focuses on him and his "past life".
All in all, "A Killing Joke" is a worthy complement to "Batman: Year One" and "Dark Knight Returns", as it gives the reader a solid - and believable - origin to Batman's most enigmatic adversary. Highly recommended.

Return of a classic, 24 Oct 2008
This was the first comic i ever bought,twenty or so years ago and it is still one of my favourites.The story is probably the best Joker tale and the art is un-paralled.This edition is if anything an improvement on the original having Brian Bolland's own colours which are a delight in themselves.This book might be the definitive version of this seminal graphic novel.

It was OK., 01 Sep 2008
I was really looking forward to this, having heard so much praise. I guess I missed something, but I was expecting a really deep, complex story, like so many reviews and articles had described, and didn't find anything of the sort. The artwork's flawless, but the story really did nothing for me, especially the Joker's back story, which seems to be the most raved about part. I felt no attachment to any characters, and having only recently read Watchmen for the first time, and being so blown away by that, I couldn't see how this was the same writer. I also found it shockingly short, which I don't expect from a graphic novel. As I said before though, awesome artwork. I still love that cover!

A Feast for the Eyes; A Drain On the Mind, 29 Aug 2008
Okay, let's keep this brief and informal lest I start taking myself far too seriously. After all, it is only a comic book to which I am referring regardless of how good or bad this particular one may be.
As an addition to the Batman Legend, 'The Killing Joke' is something of a let down, and not least due to the 1980's "think outside of the box" storyline. In my opinion it will warp your perception of the Caped Crusader and Smiles-McGee as it did mine with it's painting of the pair as something of an old married couple who may fight but deep down are the best of friends (and thankfully like an old married couple they are not sexually attracted to each other either). It has to be said though that The Joker's crimes depicted here are less master-criminal and more sick-bastard. Whilst inventive, they lack the subtlety and genius you'd expect from the character. It would be far too easy to confuse his antics with that of 'Lord Pumpkin' in his origin one-shot as the freaky carnival setting and deformed minions are not Joker-like in my mind. I'd also suggest that the "definitive origin story" for the Joker is an ideal that should have died long ago, way before the 80's ever hit, and it's inclusion here makes the Joker seem weak and unjustified (in some senses) in his madness. Basically, as in the short version, Alan Moore's story is cleverly gimmicky at best with scripting that is just plain awful. Sorry to all the fans of the piece out there, but it reads more like a romance comic with Batman being the hysterical woman moreover Dark Knight.
What you will take away from reading this (and despite what I just said, you must buy and read this!) is that Brian Bolland is highly revered for a reason. The artwork is simply phenomenal, and the newly revamped colouring is stunning. You may never see a depiction of classic Batman or Joker looking this good anywhere else again. With the added bonus of Bolland's 'Innocent Man' (which he also wrote) sitting quietly at the back, this package must adorn your bookcase. I would recommend this to anyone.

"I know you're a mass murderer, but can't we be friends?", 24 Aug 2008
Alan Moore provides the reader with plenty motivation for us to hate the Joker in this short story; so much in fact that it make's Commisioner Gordon's response largely unbelievable, and Batman's 'let's be friends, I can help you' reaction somehow cowardly. The villain is elevated to such a level of cruelty and malice that Batman's idealistic moral outlook has no counter. The result is Batman comes off as a wimp.

The artwork by Boland is wonderful, but probably the worst story I've read of Moore's.

The Dark Knight Stuns!, 22 Oct 2008
Starting off with anarchy approaching Gotham, Batman as an older man finds himself pulled back into vigilante activities with a variety of mean, ugly threats to be dealt with.

The art & the writing in this are excellent & this is a really gripping read. This is recommended even if you aren't a big graphic novel fan, as the action pulls you in and the story is very compelling. A great read.

SUPERB!, 28 Sep 2008
Only Watchmen can be considered to be as good as Batman: The Dark Night Returns. However, where Watchmen had an absolute myriad of characters, The Dark Night Returns with its single protagonist is better able to create characters the reader can emphasise with.

The reader is introduced to an ageing Bruce Wayne who has come out of retirement to continue is vengeful fight against crime. This dark, disturbed and sad character is pitted against those he considered allies, new enemies that are stronger than him and an all too familiar nemesis. The story is wonderfully written, well paced with a few twists and turns that keep the story interesting and a surprise shock ending with a man in tights. The artwork is brilliant, quick loose drawings capturing the action and suspense of a dark brooding story in a way some comics are unable to achieve.

Batman: The Dark Night Returns is a must own and a must read. The story is brilliantly told and features a damaged, weary character that draws you in to his own one man war.


The Greatest...., 24 Jul 2008
In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
This comic is one of those moments.
The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, 23 Jul 2008
If you are used to the slick, photo-realistic art of some modern Graphic Novels/Comics, then the look of this book may take some getting used to... but get passed that, and it's one of the best comics you'll ever read.

A very good read., 05 Jun 2008
If I had to choose one word to describe this, I would choose the word epic. Why? Because its an interesting look on how Bruce Wayne would handle himself in his later years with excellent action sequences and crisp dialogue. There's really only one thing bad about this, and that is the lack of Joker. Sure he's in it, but he's not really as important to the plot as he should have been. And he's camper than ever. But aside from that, buy it. It should tickle your fetish.

Pure Loeb Greatness, 05 Jan 2005
I'm not going to write a huge review of this here, suffice to say if you liked Long Halloween, Dark Victory, Haunted Knight, the Dark Knight Returns and all those sort of Batman stories you're in no way going to be disapointed by this. In fact you're probably going to love it. One of the greatest Batman stories out there. Be sure to read part 1 first!

Secon Volume is quality..., 09 Oct 2004
Well, theres no Superman fight in this one...so there. But then we don't read comics for gimmickry! Jeph Loeb takes some brave steps with the Batman universe, bringing back old characters, reFACING some (big clue there) and delivering a quality set of stories, which is the best work Loeb has done in a while.
The artwork is also gorgeous, with Jim Lee showing some of the best images of Batman EVER. Its worth the great Amazon £6.99 price, as it used to be £19.99 in hard back.
Why only 4 stars then? Because its too short. This is the problem with comics now; too many adverts mean that individual issues get barely any bang for their buck.
This is the best Batman title in a while though, and its gonna take a lot to beat it.

Hush is amazing, 25 Jan 2004
The second half of Jeph leob's and Jim Lee's tale, delivers on its title when it literaly leaves you quiet in awe and wonder at this amazing work.
The story line Hush is Jim Lee's (yes THAT jim lee) return to comics, and i dont think his art as ever looked more superb.n The story contains a cracking story, Who is hush? why his he after batman?
The story contains many great surprises with great writer and beutiful art. If you havent read this, dont delay, you wont be sorry

Oh dear., 27 Aug 2008
Jeph Loeb has a pretty illustrious history in comics as a writer. In Batman alone, he has written the fantastic Batman: Long Halloween (a key inspiration for Batman Begins) and its follow up Dark Victory, two stupendous stories which suggested he'd strike it lucky a third time too. Right?

Wrong. Somewhere between these two books, Jeph Loeb lost his mojo. This first volume of Hush (and why a 12-issue story needed to be published in two volumes of different sizes when even this same writer's previous stuff wasn't is a mystery) begins a rollercoaster story the ending of which you can see from a mile off.

Many of the characters and dialogue styles are identical to those used previously ("no one can resist me" says Poison Ivy. Again.) and the stilted internal monologue that grates. Loeb starts a story that whilst having a few twists you won't see coming and some nice moments (not least the fight with Superman), its villain will be obvious to you before you even know there is one.

The saving grace of all this is one Jim Lee. Possibly the best comic artist active at the moment, he brings to life Loeb's mediocre story with the same effortless, vibrant colour with which he makes the likes of All-Star Batman And Robin forgivable.

Unless you're a Loeb freak or a big fan of Jim Lee's artwork - or simply don't want to think very hard in the course of the story - then Hush is not for you.

To many characters, 12 Aug 2008
I gave this comic two stars because even if it's nothing special it's a light hearted read. The problem I had was that there just seemed to be to many characters squeezed in and not enough story. One of my favourite batman comics is Knightfall which is filled with characters but pulls it off well. Anyway I guess you have to make your own mind up but don't expect anything amazing unless you prefer characters over story.

Beautiful Artwork, 23 Jul 2008
I cannot recommend this or its sequel highly enough for the art alone its worth its weight in gold. honestly its beautifuly drawn it also has a gripping plot with batman faceing off agains many of his previous villians and even superman.

Incredible, 02 May 2008
I sat and though about the title for this review for a couple of minutes and 'incredible,' I'm afraid to say, was the best I could come up with to describe this book.
As a child I would read comics my father brought back from work. Second hand, many folded, dog eared comics at that. This book was my reintroduction after many years and I have to say a big 'Thank you' to Mr Loeb and Mr Lee for it. My bookcase now labours under the weight of a great many more graphic novels now.
The writing is very clever and I really did not see the ending (of vol. 2 that is) coming. Jim Lee's visuals (and remember this medium is as much about the visuals as it is the story) are quite frankly sublime and, in some instances literally take your breath away.
The negative reviews I see here quite baffle me. I heartily recommend this book, a work of art in every sense.

Don't buy the hype., 06 Oct 2006
As Batman stories go, this is not the worst. Not in its best moments does it ever approach being one of the best.

As a detective story, it really is bordering on pathetic. A mysterious new villain (the "Hush" of the title) is out to get Batman; who could it possibly be behind those natty, invisible man-style bandages!?! Oh, by the way, on a completely unrelated note, Bats is having flashbacks to an old childhood friend never before seen or mentioned in the Bat-canon who Bruce Wayne was apparently closer to than anyone as a child, but who left his life under regrettably awkward circumstances years before. Among the other suspects are... Alfred, maybe? I don't mean to spoil it for you, but it really is just that blatant. Really.

Jim Lee draws superheroes well. They're big, they're burly, they're baroque. His women are lithe and have tiny waists. He's a master at choreographing action scenes. these qualities are where this books strengths lie.

The episodic nature of the story is basically an excuse to trundle out the rogues gallery for one more go-round as hush manipulates all of Bats' old villains into once more, one at a time attacking the dark knight (as if they ever needed manipulating into such an act before...) and Bats fights them off, one by one.

On that level, it's fun. On every other level, it's seriously deficient. The detective story is a tacked on excuse for the villain showdowns, transparent from the first chapter. the human element is soap operatic in the worst sense of the term. One off-the-cuff peck from Catwoman sends bats into such a mire of reflection and self doubt that i just wanted to reach into the panels and scream "GET OVER IT!!!!!!" at the guy. What is he, fourteen?

Seriously. As no brainer action stories go, this is alright. That's the very best thing i can say about it.

An excellent product, but not an art book., 12 Oct 2008
On principle, I want to give this book 5 stars. If you buy it, as I did, you will certainly not be disappointed. I, like many of the other reviewers, have an issue with that this book is supposed to be; "The Art of The Dark Knight". This isn't an art book; it's a combination of an art book and the screenplay; but not the final shooting script as far as I can assess. One nice detail, however, about the script is that effort has been put into the presentation of the script, with the pages littered with shots from the corresponding scenes alongside the script itself. There are a few differences between the script and what was executed by the cast, but overall it's very similar. If you loved this movie, then there is no reason why you shouldn't get this. It's a big, heavy book perfect for coffee tables, which is most likely where you'll want to keep it face down due to the superb back cover taken from one of the movies posters; namely that featuring Batman doing a wheelie on the Batpod. The quality of the photos is top notch, as is the page quality. Also, for this price it is very reasonable.

If you want a final selling point; this book is worth it's price alone almost solely for the early concept drawings and computer-generated images of The Joker. From original concept to execution, the evolutionary process is quite staggering. The original Joker concept looks more suited to David Tennant than to Heath Ledger. One disappointing thing though is that I didn't think that enough attention had been paid to the transformation of Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) into Two-Face.

In closing, if you are buying this book solely as an art book, then you may be disappointed. It really lacks substance in this regard, with only about 60 pages of artwork and limited text before it launches into the script. However, if you're buying it out of interest for the film as a whole; then this book is a great addition to your collection, and a very good companion piece to the film.

Not much art, mainly script, 06 Sep 2008
I was really looking forward to recieving this throught the post, and when I seen the size of the book I thought "great".
But there are only 50 pages of photographs and concept art, and the rest is all script. I think the item description for this is misleading, as it sais "The Art of The Drak Knight"
Don't get me wrong, the artwork and photographs are great, and there's a section where the make up artist tell of how the Joker's make up was done! That's why I have given it 4 Stars.

Not as substantial as a normal "art of", 06 Sep 2008
Was hoping for a more substantial "art of" book, two thirds of the book is the shooting script. What production art is there is quite good, but overall this book isn't as impressive as the art of Batman Begins

Is this an art book?, 04 Sep 2008
The book is a huge disappointment. It is advertised as an art of book and in fact contains very little.
I purchased the book off the strength of the previous Batman Begins art book, which I would recommend to any fan.
This is just the script padded out with a few production photos and badly drawn images. Pure merchandise I'm afraid.

for the batman fan, 26 Aug 2008
This book is great for those who have seen 'The Dark Knight' movie. It has beautiful pictures and the full script! Info about the costumes, batmobile, characters. Great pictures of the Joker! Every fan will love this!

2th Only To The 1th, 01 Dec 2006
Dark Victory is the sequel to The Long Hallowen,the orgen of Roben,and the return of Two-Fase.In this one ther is a new halloday criminal,a gang of villens led by Two-Fase,and on top of all that Batman hast to tran Roben.The members of the gang are The Joker,Scarcrow,The Pangwen,Mr.Freez,Posen Ivey,The Mad Hater,and Solomen Grundy.Catwomen also stats a juny.If You are bing The Long Hallowen I sugest you pay estra for this.

A real spellbinder, 09 Jul 2005
One of the best suspense stories that you will ever come across! It starts off with a murder that is committed on a holiday. The killer seems to play the "Hangman" game and leaves a clue each time. And just about everybody is a suspect. All the victims seem to have something in common in their past (to say anything more here would be to spoil the fun for prospective readers) The story includes the ganglords ruling Gotham at that time, and also explains the reason that Dick Grayson became Robin. It also draws parallels between the tragedies that struck Bruce Wayne as a child, and the one that took place in the early life of Dick Grayson. The graphics of this book are just great. All these factors make this book a real collector's item.

Another great graphic novel, 08 Dec 2003
In this sequel to Batman: The Long Halloween, a new District Attorney has plans to clean up Gotham, and her plans include cleaning up Batman. But, someone is playing Hangman, and with each new game, someone in the police department gets hanged. As if things aren't bad enough, a mass breakout from Arkham puts a lot of super-villains on the street (including Two-Face, Joker, Solomon Grundy, Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, and Penguin).

This is another great graphic novel, and a worthy sequel to The Long Halloween. I thought the story was nice and gripping (just like a Batman story should be!), while the illustrations were wonderfully done, making the whole read that much better. I enjoyed the Catwoman character once again, and thought that the author did a great job with the Robin character. I highly recommend this book to any, and every, Batman fan!

stunning sequel to Long Halloween, 24 Jul 2003
The Long Halloween was a stunning trade paperback, and this sequel is the same. Unfortunately, a bit too much the same!
Basically someone is killing the mob family leaders one by one, on different holidays, leaving a clue each time in the form of a hangman game. Batman tries to unravel
the clues but then the killings start targeting cops too.
The story is very similar to TLH, but that isn't such a bad thing, as it is a great story, with Batman, Catwoman and Gordon all desperately trying to unravel the
mystery of the killer. The artwork is dark and gothic, exactly as Batman should be. Tying in the debut of Dick Grayson as Robin is a great move, especially as he
plays a minor role which proves important without overshadowing the main story. Definitely recommended.
There are rumours that the author and artist will do a follow up to cover Catwoman's journey to Italy.

Good artwork - substandard plot, 22 Apr 2002
This story takes up where "the Long Halloween" finished. TLH was one of my all time favourites and so I was very excited about this book. I have to say that I was a bit dissapointed. This book is a sequal in the very worst "hollywood" sense of the word. They have taken the seemingly complete story of TLH and streched it out to another book. It's basically more of the same, which is no bad thing, but just a little dissapointing. I wish they'd tried to come up with sometihng new.
That said the book has many good points - the artwork is, of course, perfect. The entire book looks ... classy, with loads of nice touches (like the chapter headers etc...). The story line was not all bad either. The re-hashing of the Robin origin is dealt with very smoothly, if a bit briefly, but the scenes comparing Dick Grayson to a young Bruce Wayne are genius.
To sum up: this book is simply not as good as TLH but is still a quality title which fans will lap up. Not a must have, but certainly a good buy.

A beautifully drawn, but very dark, tale., 24 Oct 2008
This was my first introduction to more "adult orientated" graphic novels (as opposed to comics). I bought it on a whim after seeing the cover featured in a TV programme hyping the 1989 Tim Burton Batman movie, and it was a real eye-opener. The tone is certainly much darker than the image of Batman which I'd grown up with (ie Adam West in all his campness) and provides a fascinating origin for the Joker. He comes across as an ordinary man driven beyond his capacity for reason, instead of the stereotypical insane clown of lazier Batman stories. (In fact the entire story is based around his "one bad day is all it takes" philosophy...)
The story itself is short but all the more effective for it, with some beautifully - if chillingly - drawn characters. The Joker is especially well rendered, with several large and extremely detailed frames - which is hardly surprising given that much of the book focuses on him and his "past life".
All in all, "A Killing Joke" is a worthy complement to "Batman: Year One" and "Dark Knight Returns", as it gives the reader a solid - and believable - origin to Batman's most enigmatic adversary. Highly recommended.

Return of a classic, 24 Oct 2008
This was the first comic i ever bought,twenty or so years ago and it is still one of my favourites.The story is probably the best Joker tale and the art is un-paralled.This edition is if anything an improvement on the original having Brian Bolland's own colours which are a delight in themselves.This book might be the definitive version of this seminal graphic novel.

It was OK., 01 Sep 2008
I was really looking forward to this, having heard so much praise. I guess I missed something, but I was expecting a really deep, complex story, like so many reviews and articles had described, and didn't find anything of the sort. The artwork's flawless, but the story really did nothing for me, especially the Joker's back story, which seems to be the most raved about part. I felt no attachment to any characters, and having only recently read Watchmen for the first time, and being so blown away by that, I couldn't see how this was the same writer. I also found it shockingly short, which I don't expect from a graphic novel. As I said before though, awesome artwork. I still love that cover!

A Feast for the Eyes; A Drain On the Mind, 29 Aug 2008
Okay, let's keep this brief and informal lest I start taking myself far too seriously. After all, it is only a comic book to which I am referring regardless of how good or bad this particular one may be.
As an addition to the Batman Legend, 'The Killing Joke' is something of a let down, and not least due to the 1980's "think outside of the box" storyline. In my opinion it will warp your perception of the Caped Crusader and Smiles-McGee as it did mine with it's painting of the pair as something of an old married couple who may fight but deep down are the best of friends (and thankfully like an old married couple they are not sexually attracted to each other either). It has to be said though that The Joker's crimes depicted here are less master-criminal and more sick-bastard. Whilst inventive, they lack the subtlety and genius you'd expect from the character. It would be far too easy to confuse his antics with that of 'Lord Pumpkin' in his origin one-shot as the freaky carnival setting and deformed minions are not Joker-like in my mind. I'd also suggest that the "definitive origin story" for the Joker is an ideal that should have died long ago, way before the 80's ever hit, and it's inclusion here makes the Joker seem weak and unjustified (in some senses) in his madness. Basically, as in the short version, Alan Moore's story is cleverly gimmicky at best with scripting that is just plain awful. Sorry to all the fans of the piece out there, but it reads more like a romance comic with Batman being the hysterical woman moreover Dark Knight.
What you will take away from reading this (and despite what I just said, you must buy and read this!) is that Brian Bolland is highly revered for a reason. The artwork is simply phenomenal, and the newly revamped colouring is stunning. You may never see a depiction of classic Batman or Joker looking this good anywhere else again. With the added bonus of Bolland's 'Innocent Man' (which he also wrote) sitting quietly at the back, this package must adorn your bookcase. I would recommend this to anyone.

"I know you're a mass murderer, but can't we be friends?", 24 Aug 2008
Alan Moore provides the reader with plenty motivation for us to hate the Joker in this short story; so much in fact that it make's Commisioner Gordon's response largely unbelievable, and Batman's 'let's be friends, I can help you' reaction somehow cowardly. The villain is elevated to such a level of cruelty and malice that Batman's idealistic moral outlook has no counter. The result is Batman comes off as a wimp.

The artwork by Boland is wonderful, but probably the worst story I've read of Moore's.

The Dark Knight Stuns!, 22 Oct 2008
Starting off with anarchy approaching Gotham, Batman as an older man finds himself pulled back into vigilante activities with a variety of mean, ugly threats to be dealt with.

The art & the writing in this are excellent & this is a really gripping read. This is recommended even if you aren't a big graphic novel fan, as the action pulls you in and the story is very compelling. A great read.

SUPERB!, 28 Sep 2008
Only Watchmen can be considered to be as good as Batman: The Dark Night Returns. However, where Watchmen had an absolute myriad of characters, The Dark Night Returns with its single protagonist is better able to create characters the reader can emphasise with.

The reader is introduced to an ageing Bruce Wayne who has come out of retirement to continue is vengeful fight against crime. This dark, disturbed and sad character is pitted against those he considered allies, new enemies that are stronger than him and an all too familiar nemesis. The story is wonderfully written, well paced with a few twists and turns that keep the story interesting and a surprise shock ending with a man in tights. The artwork is brilliant, quick loose drawings capturing the action and suspense of a dark brooding story in a way some comics are unable to achieve.

Batman: The Dark Night Returns is a must own and a must read. The story is brilliantly told and features a damaged, weary character that draws you in to his own one man war.


The Greatest...., 24 Jul 2008
In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
This comic is one of those moments.
The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, 23 Jul 2008
If you are used to the slick, photo-realistic art of some modern Graphic Novels/Comics, then the look of this book may take some getting used to... but get passed that, and it's one of the best comics you'll ever read.

A very good read., 05 Jun 2008
If I had to choose one word to describe this, I would choose the word epic. Why? Because its an interesting look on how Bruce Wayne would handle himself in his later years with excellent action sequences and crisp dialogue. There's really only one thing bad about this, and that is the lack of Joker. Sure he's in it, but he's not really as important to the plot as he should have been. And he's camper than ever. But aside from that, buy it. It should tickle your fetish.

Pure Loeb Greatness, 05 Jan 2005
I'm not going to write a huge review of this here, suffice to say if you liked Long Halloween, Dark Victory, Haunted Knight, the Dark Knight Returns and all those sort of Batman stories you're in no way going to be disapointed by this. In fact you're probably going to love it. One of the greatest Batman stories out there. Be sure to read part 1 first!

Secon Volume is quality..., 09 Oct 2004
Well, theres no Superman fight in this one...so there. But then we don't read comics for gimmickry! Jeph Loeb takes some brave steps with the Batman universe, bringing back old characters, reFACING some (big clue there) and delivering a quality set of stories, which is the best work Loeb has done in a while.
The artwork is also gorgeous, with Jim Lee showing some of the best images of Batman EVER. Its worth the great Amazon £6.99 price, as it used to be £19.99 in hard back.
Why only 4 stars then? Because its too short. This is the problem with comics now; too many adverts mean that individual issues get barely any bang for their buck.
This is the best Batman title in a while though, and its gonna take a lot to beat it.

Hush is amazing, 25 Jan 2004
The second half of Jeph leob's and Jim Lee's tale, delivers on its title when it literaly leaves you quiet in awe and wonder at this amazing work.
The story line Hush is Jim Lee's (yes THAT jim lee) return to comics, and i dont think his art as ever looked more superb.n The story contains a cracking story, Who is hush? why his he after batman?
The story contains many great surprises with great writer and beutiful art. If you havent read this, dont delay, you wont be sorry

Oh dear., 27 Aug 2008
Jeph Loeb has a pretty illustrious history in comics as a writer. In Batman alone, he has written the fantastic Batman: Long Halloween (a key inspiration for Batman Begins) and its follow up Dark Victory, two stupendous stories which suggested he'd strike it lucky a third time too. Right?

Wrong. Somewhere between these two books, Jeph Loeb lost his mojo. This first volume of Hush (and why a 12-issue story needed to be published in two volumes of different sizes when even this same writer's pr