The Dark Knight Returns - Wikipedia The Dark Knight Returns For the animated adaptation, see Batman : The Dark Knight Returns ( film ). The Dark Knight Returns Cover of The Dark Knight Returns # 1 ( Feb. 1986 ). Art by penciler - inker Frank Miller and colorist Lynn Varley. Publication information Publisher DC Comics Schedule Monthly Format Limited series Publication date February -- June 1986 No. of issues Main character ( s ) Batman James Gordon Carrie Kelley The Joker Superman Creative team Written by Frank Miller Penciller ( s ) Frank Miller Inker ( s ) Klaus Janson Letterer ( s ) John Costanza Colorist ( s ) Lynn Varley Editor ( s ) Dick Giordano Dennis O'Neil Collected editions Batman : The Dark Knight Returns ISBN 1 - 56389 - 342 - 8 Absolute Dark Knight ISBN 1401210791 The Dark Knight Returns ( alternatively titled Batman : The Dark Knight Returns ) is a 1986 four - issue comic book miniseries starring Batman, written by Frank Miller, illustrated by Miller and Klaus Janson, and published by DC Comics. When the series was collected into a single volume later that year, the story title for the first issue was applied to the entire series. The Dark Knight Returns tells an alternative story of Bruce Wayne, who at 55 years old returns from retirement to fight crime and faces opposition from the Gotham City police force and the United States government. The story introduces Carrie Kelley as the new Robin and culminates with a confrontation against Superman. A three - issue sequel written and illustrated by Miller, The Dark Knight Strikes Again, was published in 2001. A nine - issue third installment, The Dark Knight III : The Master Race, co-written by Miller and Brian Azzarello, was published approximately bi-monthly starting in late 2015. Frank Miller has said he is working on a fourth series. In addition, a 64 - page prestige format one - shot co-written by Miller and Azzarello, Dark Knight Returns : The Last Crusade, which serves as a prequel to the original series, was released on June 15, 2016. Additionally, Spawn / Batman was released in 1994 as a companion to The Dark Knight Returns, and, according to Miller, the series All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder can be considered as a prequel. In the pre-Flashpoint DC Multiverse, the events of The Dark Knight Returns and its associated titles were designated to occur on Earth - 31. Contents 1 Plot 2 Background and creation 3 Reception 4 Influence 5 In other media 5.1 Television 5.2 Film 5.3 Merchandise 5.4 Comic books 6 Notes 7 References 8 External links Plot The Dark Knight Returns is set in a dystopian near - future version of Gotham City. Bruce Wayne, at 55, has given up the mantle of Batman after the death of Jason Todd 10 years prior. As a result, crime is running rampant through the city and a gang calling themselves ' The Mutants ' has risen to terrorize the people of Gotham. Upon seeing this, Wayne returns to his role as a vigilante. On his first night as Batman he puts a stop to multiple assaults - including one on two young girls, Carrie Kelley and her friend Michelle. While attempting to foil an armed robbery on the same night, Batman learns that the men involved are working for Harvey Dent. Dent, previously known for his criminal acts as Two - Face, underwent extensive therapy and plastic surgery financed by Wayne to reemerge into society. Batman informs Commissioner James Gordon that Dent may be planning a larger scheme. Soon after, Dent hijacks the television sets of the city and announces his intention to hold the city to ransom with a bomb. When Batman defeats Dent and his goons, he realizes that Dent 's mind has completely warped into his Two - Face persona. Inspired by Batman 's rescue, Kelley buys herself an imitation Robin costume and searches for him, seeking to help him. She learns that Batman will be at the city dump and follows the Mutants there. Although Batman defeats the Mutants with his advanced weaponry in the ensuing battle, the Mutant Leader ends up goading him into a fight. During their hand - to - hand brawl, Batman, despite being able to match the Leader in strength, is rusty and slightly slow due to a decade 's lack of activity which results in him getting seriously injured. Kelley creates a diversion, allowing Batman to immobilise the Mutant Leader, and the two of them escape. At the Batcave, Wayne 's butler Alfred Pennyworth tends to his wounds while Kelley admires the Robin costume that belonged to Todd. Wayne decides to keep Kelley as his new sidekick. Gordon allows Batman to defeat the Mutant Leader ( whom he had arrested ) on his own terms. The two engage in a fight at a sewage run - off pipe surrounded by members of the Mutant gang. Batman, leveraging the mud from the sewage to slow him down, deals the Leader a brutal defeat. Seeing Batman defeat their leader, the Mutants disband and some rename themselves the Sons of Batman, using excessive violence against criminals. At the White House, Superman and the current president Ronald Reagan discuss the events in Gotham, with the latter suggesting that Superman may have to arrest Batman. Superman informs the president that he may only be able to talk to Wayne. He is then deployed by Washington to the Latin American country of Corto Maltese where he fights Soviet combat forces in a conflict that may ignite World War III. Gordon hands over the role of commissioner to Captain Ellen Yindel, who issues a statement declaring that Batman is a wanted criminal for his vigilante activities. At the same time, Batman 's return stimulates the Joker to awaken from catatonia at Arkham Asylum. With renewed purpose, the Joker manipulates his caretakers to allow him onto a television talk show, where he murders everyone with gas and escapes. With the help of Catwoman, Batman and Robin track him to a county fair while evading a police pursuit led by Yindel. There, they realize that he is already making attempts to kill fairgoers. Batman defeats the Joker in a bloody confrontation, which ends when the Joker commits suicide by breaking his own spine to incriminate Batman for murder. After another confrontation with the Gotham police, Batman escapes with the help of Robin and a citywide manhunt begins. Superman diverts a Soviet nuclear warhead which detonates in a desert, nearly killing himself in the process. The United States is hit by an electromagnetic pulse as a result and descends into chaos during the resulting blackout. In Gotham, Batman realizes what has happened, and he and Robin turn the remaining Mutants and Sons of the Batman into a non-lethal vigilante gang. He leads them against looters and ensures the flow of essential supplies. In the midst of the blackout, Gotham becomes the safest city in the country. The U.S. government sees this as an embarrassment, and orders Superman to remove Batman. Oliver Queen predicts to Wayne that the government lackey Superman and the maverick Batman will have a final confrontation. Superman demands to meet Batman. Knowing he may die, Wayne chooses Crime Alley, where he first became Batman. He relies on Superman 's weakness caused by near - death in the nuclear blast ( Superman only just managed to survive by absorbing the energy of the sun, but he is still vulnerable to attack ). Superman tries to reason with Batman, but Batman uses his technological inventions and mastery of hand - to - hand combat to fight him. During the battle, Superman compromises Batman 's exoframe, while Queen shoots a kryptonite - tipped arrow to greatly weaken Superman. Batman reveals that he intentionally spared Superman 's life by not using a more powerful kryptonite mix ; the fight and near - death experience was meant as a warning to Superman to stay out of Batman 's way. Before he can fully defeat Superman, Batman suddenly has a heart attack, apparently dying. Alfred destroys the Batcave and Wayne Manor before dying of a stroke, exposing Batman as Bruce Wayne, whose fortune has disappeared. After Wayne 's funeral, it is revealed that his death was staged using his own chemical concoction that can suspend his vital life signs. Clark Kent attends the funeral and winks at Robin after hearing Wayne 's heartbeat resume. Some time afterward, Bruce Wayne leads Robin, Queen, and the rest of his followers into the caverns beyond the Batcave and prepares to continue his war on crime. Background and creation Comic creator Frank Miller at the 1982 San Diego Comic - Con International Since the 1950s, when the Comics Code Authority was established, the character of Batman had drifted from his dark, violent roots. It was not until the 1970s when the character began to feature in darker stories once again ; however, Batman was still commonly associated with the campy theme of the 1960s Batman TV series, and as a father figure to Robin rather than the violent vigilante he was introduced as. In the early 1980s, DC Comics promoted Batman group editor Dick Giordano to editorial director for the company. Writer - artist Frank Miller was recruited to create The Dark Knight Returns. Giordano said he worked with Miller on the story 's plot, and said, `` ( t ) he version that was finally done was about his fourth or fifth draft. The basic storyline was the same but there were a lot of detours along the way. '' During the creation of the series, fellow comics writer / artist John Byrne told Miller, `` Robin must be a girl '', and Miller complied. Miller said that the comic series ' plot was inspired by Dirty Harry, specifically the 1983 film Sudden Impact, in which Dirty Harry returns to crime - fighting after a lengthy convalescence. Miller also said his own increasing age was a factor in the plot. The series employed a 16 - panel grid for its pages. Each page was composed of either a combination of either 16 panels, or anywhere between sixteen and one panel per page. Giordano left the project halfway through because of disagreements over production deadlines. Comics historian Les Daniels wrote that Miller 's idea of ignoring deadlines was `` the culmination of the quest towards artistic independence ''. The issues of The Dark Knight Returns were presented in packaging that included extra pages, square binding and glossy paper to highlight the watercolor paintings by colorist Lynn Varley. Reception Despite the cost of the single - issue packaging, The Dark Knight Returns sold well. Priced at $2.95 an issue, DC Comics promoted The Dark Knight Returns as a `` thought - provoking action story ''. Time said the series ' depiction of a `` semi-retired Batman ( who ) is unsure about his crime - fighting abilities '' was an example of trying to appeal to `` today 's skeptical readers ''. IGN Comics ranked The Dark Knight Returns first on a list of the 25 greatest Batman graphic novels and called The Dark Knight Returns `` a true masterpiece of storytelling '' with `` ( s ) cene after unforgettable scene. '' In 2005, Time chose the collected edition as one of the 10 best English language graphic novels ever written. Forbidden Planet placed the collected issue at number one on its `` 50 Best of the Best Graphic Novels '' list. Writer Matthew K. Manning in the `` 1980s '' chapter of DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle ( 2010 ) called the series `` arguably the best Batman story of all time. '' It was placed second in a poll among comic book academics conducted by the Sequart Organization. The series also garnered some negative reviews. In April 2010, Nicolas Slayton from Comics Bulletin ranked The Dark Knight Returns second in his Tuesday Top Ten feature 's Top 10 Overrated Comic Books behind Watchmen. Slayton wrote, `` ( t ) here is no central plot to the comic, leaving only a forced fight scene between Superman and Batman as an out of place climax to the story. '' `` Gone are the traits that define Batman, '' also citing `` misuse of the central character. '' The New York Times gave the 1987 collected release of the series a negative review. Mordecai Richler felt that The Dark Knight Returns was not as imaginative as the work of Batman creator Bob Kane. Richler commented, `` The stories are convoluted, difficult to follow and crammed with far too much text. The drawings offer a grotesquely muscle - bound Batman and Superman, not the lovable champions of old. '' He concluded, `` If this book is meant for kids, I doubt that they will be pleased. If it is aimed at adults, they are not the sort I want to drink with. '' Influence Miller signing a copy of the book during a 2016 appearance at Midtown Comics The immense popularity of The Dark Knight Returns served both to return the character of Batman to a central role in pop culture, but also ( along with Watchmen ) started the era known as the Dark Age of Comic Books ( also known as the Modern Age and the Iron Age ). The grim, seedy versions of Gotham and Batman successfully updated the character 's identity from the campy Adam West version remembered from the 1960s Batman TV series, and proved critically and commercially successful enough that a new wave of `` dark '' superheroes were either created, repopularized, or revamped altogether to fit this new trend. The Dark Knight Returns was one of the two comic books, alongside Watchmen, that inspired designer Vincent Connare when he created the Comic Sans font. In other media Television In the episode `` Legends of the Dark Knight '' of The New Batman Adventures, a scene is directly based on both of Batman 's fights with the Mutants ' leader, who was voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson. Michael Ironside voiced The Dark Knight Returns version of Batman. Two members of the Mutant gang are shown throwing snowballs at an elderly Beast Boy in a cage in the episode `` How Long Is Forever ? '' of Teen Titans. The Batman episode `` Artifacts '', set in a future Gotham, mostly references Miller 's work, with the future Batman depicted as a tall, muscular man and Mr. Freeze going so far as speaking the sentence `` The Dark Knight returns '' upon meeting his nemesis. There are some references in Batman : The Brave and the Bold. In the season 2 episode `` The Knights of Tomorrow ! '', the Mutant gang is seen robbing a bank in a future where Bruce Wayne 's son, Damian, is the new Batman. The battle between Batman and Superman is featured in the season 3 episode `` Battle of the Super-Heroes ! '', where Batman wears a similar armored suit as well as some moments of the fight appearing like how the comic was drawn. In episode 31 of Girl Meets World ( `` Girl Meets the New Teacher '' ), the new English teacher Harper Burgess gives out copies for her class to study, which creates controversy with the principal who disapproves of the comic. Stephen Amell appears as an older Oliver Queen in the Legends of Tomorrow episode ' Star City 2046 ``, with a goatee and is missing his left arm, a nod to the portrayal of the character in The Dark Knight Returns. In the television series Gotham, a young Bruce Wayne confronts Jerome Valeska ( a character heavily implied to be a younger Joker ) in a house of mirrors after the G.C.P.D. raid Jerome 's carnival populated by his cultist followers which pays as a homage to The Dark Knight Returns. Film See also : Batman : The Dark Knight Returns ( film ) Tim Burton 's 1989 film Batman takes influence from the third book in the series, when Batman and the Joker have a fight to the death in the climax. In the 1995 film Batman Forever, director Joel Schumacher uses some references of the comic : when Bruce remembers falling into the cave as a kid, and in a deleted scene when GNN News makes a bad reputation of Batman after his fight with Two Face in Gotham Subway and before when he follows Two Face in a helicopter. According to Schumacher, he proposed a film adaptation of The Dark Knight Returns when Warner Bros. commissioned him and writer Akiva Goldsman to create a sequel to Batman Forever, but the idea was shelved in favor of Batman & Robin. After the cancellation of Batman Unchained, Schumacher proposed an adaptation of The Dark Knight Returns, which Warner considered during their attempts to revamp the character. Michael Keaton ( who portrayed Batman in Batman and in Batman Returns ) and Clint Eastwood were considered to play Batman while singer David Bowie was considered again to play The Joker. However, the project was finally cancelled in favor of the also shelved Batman : DarKnight. At the 2008 San Diego Comic Con, film director Zack Snyder expressed his love for The Dark Knight Returns in a response to a question about the maturity of comic book adaptations. Batman film franchise producer Michael Uslan expressed interest in a possible adaptation. In both The Dark Knight ( 2008 ) and The Dark Knight Returns, we see the consequences of Batman 's presence in Gotham. Despite his good intentions, Batman brings out the worst in Gotham. Violent psychopaths like the Joker and Two - Face rise to power. Also, the `` copycats '' in TDK are influenced by the `` sons of Batman ''. In the 2012 film The Dark Knight Rises, director Christopher Nolan used a number of stories including The Dark Knight Returns as influence for the film, which likewise features an older, retired Bruce Wayne resuming the role of Batman. DC Entertainment produced a two - part animated adaptation. Part 1 of this two - part animated film was released on DVD / Blu - ray on September 25, 2012. Part 2 was released on January 29, 2013, with Peter Weller voicing Batman and Michael Emerson voicing the Joker. Batman v Superman : Dawn of Justice features Batman and Superman meeting each other for the first time in a live - action film. Director Zack Snyder stated although the film is visually inspired by The Dark Knight Returns, with some elements borrowed, like an older and hardened Batman who lost Jason Todd in his younger years, the bat symbol closely resembling the one shown in the comic book and Batman wearing the armored suit in his battle against Superman, shown in the comic it featured an original premise. Merchandise In 1996, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the graphic novel, DC released a new hardcover and a later softcover release. These included original rough script text for issue # 4 with some sketches by Miller. There was also a limited edition slip cased hardcover that had mini poster prints, separate media review and sketch book by Miller. DC Direct released a limited edition statue of Batman and Robin designed by Miller. It was released in full size and then later as a mini sized statue. DC Direct released a series of Batman action figures based on The Dark Knight Returns in 2004. It included figures of Batman, Robin, Superman, and The Joker. Later, a Batman and Joker Gift Set was released, including both characters with new color schemes to reflect earlier points in the story, and a 48 - page prestige format reprint of The Dark Knight Returns # 1 was also released. An action figure of Batman as he appears in The Dark Knight Returns was released by Mattel in 2013, as part of their Batman Unlimited line of action figures. Comic Books Carrie makes her first appearance in the main, canonical DC Universe in The New 52 's Batman and Robin Issue 19 ( titled Batman and Red Robin ). She is a college student and the late - Damian Wayne 's drama instructor. As a homage to The Dark Knight Returns, she wears an imitation Robin costume as a Halloween costume in her first appearance. Notes Jump up ^ Osborn, Alex ( November 17, 2015 ). `` ' Frank Miller Says He 's Returning For The Dark Knight 4 ' ''. IGN. Jump up ^ `` THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS : THE LAST CRUSADE # 1 ''. DC Comics. Retrieved April 5, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Manning, Matthew K. ; Dolan, Hannah, ed. ( 2010 ). `` 1980s ''. DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. p. 219. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7566 - 6742 - 9. It is arguably the best Batman story of all time. Written and drawn by Frank Miller ( with inspired inking by Klaus Janson and beautiful watercolors by Lynn Varley ), Batman : The Dark Knight revolutionized the entire genre of the super hero. CS1 maint : Extra text : authors list ( link ) Jump up ^ Daniels ( 1999 ), p. 146. Jump up ^ Daniels ( 1999 ), p. 147. Jump up ^ Daniels ( 1999 ), p. 151. ^ Jump up to : Strike, Joe ( July 15, 2008 ). `` Frank Miller 's ' Dark Knight ' brought Batman back to life ''. Daily News. New York. Jump up ^ Hitch, Bryan ( 2010 ). Bryan Hitch 's Ultimate Comics Studio. Impact Books. p. 22. ^ Jump up to : Daniels ( 1999 ), p. 149. Jump up ^ Henry, Gordon M. ; Forbis, Deborah ( October 6, 1986 ). `` Bang ! ''. Time. Retrieved August 17, 2009. Jump up ^ Goldstein, Hilary ( June 17, 2005 ). `` Batman : The Dark Knight Returns Review ''. IGN. Jump up ^ Grossman, Lev ( March 6, 2009 ). `` Top 10 Graphic Novels : The Dark Knight Returns ''. Time. Jump up ^ `` 50 Best Of The Best Graphic Novels ''. Forbidden Planet. 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016. Jump up ^ Carpenter, Greg ( January 13, 2014 ). `` On Canons, Critics, Consensus, and Comics, Part 2 ''. Sequart Organization. Retrieved March 3, 2016. Jump up ^ Slayton, Nicholas ( April 27, 2010 ). `` Top 10 Overrated Comic Books ''. Comics Bulletin. Retrieved March 3, 2016. Jump up ^ Richler, Mordecai ( May 3, 1987 ). `` Paperbacks ; Batman at Midlife : Or the Funnies Grow Up ''. The New York Times. Retrieved August 18, 2009. Jump up ^ Steel, Emily ( April 17, 2009 ). `` Typeface Inspired by Comic Books Has Become a Font of Ill Will ''. The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on May 29, 2009. Retrieved February 8, 2010. Jump up ^ Robinson, Tasha ( December 5, 2001 ). `` Frank Miller interview ''. A.V. Club. Jump up ^ `` How Long Is Forever ? ''. The New Batman Adventures. Jump up ^ `` Artifacts ''. The Batman. Jump up ^ `` The Knights of Tomorrow ! ''. Batman : The Brave and the Bold. Jump up ^ `` Battle of the Super-Heroes ! ''. Batman : The Brave and the Bold. Jump up ^ `` Girl Meets the New Teacher ''. Girl Meets World. Jump up ^ Abrams, Natalie ( January 28, 2016 ). `` Legends of Tomorrow : Stephen Amell to appear as future Oliver Queen ''. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 29, 2016. Jump up ^ Munro, Shaun ( July 4, 2013 ). `` 10 Batman films that almost happened ''. Jump up ^ `` 8 Unmade BATMAN Movies ''. Jump up ^ `` Zack Snyder Interested in The Dark Knight Returns Movie ? ''. Slashfilm.com. July 26, 2008. Retrieved November 24, 2009. Jump up ^ Brooker, Will ( June 7, 2012 ). `` Clues from the Comics About Batman 's Fate in The Dark Knight Rises ''. io9. Retrieved June 7, 2012. Jump up ^ Connelly, Brendon ( April 14, 2011 ). `` Movie Version Of Frank Miller 's The Dark Knight Returns In The Works ''. Bleedingcool.com. Retrieved April 16, 2011. Jump up ^ Allstetter, Rob ( July 23, 2011 ). `` Comic - Con 2011 ''. comicscontinuum.com. Retrieved March 3, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Batman vs. Superman : Snyder Talks ' Dark Knight Returns ' Factor & Affleck ''. Screenrant.com. February 10, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014. Jump up ^ `` 1996 Dark Knight Returns statue ''. Under the Giant Penny. August 8, 2010. Retrieved April 17, 2011. Jump up ^ Esposito, Joey ( April 5, 2013 ). `` The Dark Knight Returns ' Carrie Kelley is Back ''. Retrieved April 6, 2013. References Daniels, Les ( 1999 ). Batman : The Complete History. Chronicle Books. ISBN 0 - 8118 - 4232 - 0. External links Wikiquote has quotations related to : Batman : The Dark Knight Returns The Dark Knight Returns at the Comic Book DB The plot in more detail at darkknight.ca Deconstructing Dark Knight Returns - an ongoing analysis of The Dark Knight Returns and related works Batman : The Dark Knight Returns and Batman : The Dark Knight Strikes Again discussed at sequart.com Batman : The Dark Knight Returns -- a retrospective and review at Batman-On-Film.com Batman publications and storylines Current series Batgirl Batman Batman Beyond Batwoman Detective Comics Nightwing Harley Quinn Red Hood and the Outlaws Batgirl and the Birds of Prey Completed ongoing series Azrael Batman : Arkham Unhinged Batman : The Dark Knight Batman : Gotham Knights Batman : Legends of the Dark Knight Batman : Shadow of the Bat Batman : Streets of Gotham The Batman Adventures Batman and Robin Batman and The Outsiders The Batman Chronicles Batman Confidential Batman Family Batman Incorporated Batman / Superman Batwing Birds of Prey The Brave and the Bold Gotham Academy Gotham by Midnight Gotham Central Gotham City Sirens The Huntress The Joker Man - Bat Red Hood / Arsenal Red Robin Robin Robin : Son of Batman Superman / Batman We Are... 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'' `` Joker 's Millions '' `` Year One '' `` Year Two '' `` A Death in the Family '' `` Year Three '' `` The Man Who Falls '' `` Anarky in Gotham City '' `` Gothic '' `` The Return of the Joker '' `` Prey '' `` The Last Arkham '' `` Knightfall '' `` Contagion '' `` Legacy '' `` Cataclysm '' `` No Man 's Land '' `` Joker 's Last Laugh '' `` Bruce Wayne : Fugitive '' `` Hush '' `` Broken City '' `` As the Crow Flies '' `` War Games '' `` City of Crime '' `` Under the Hood '' `` War Crimes '' `` Face the Face '' `` Batman and Son '' `` The Resurrection of Ra 's al Ghul '' `` Batman R.I.P. '' `` Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader ? '' `` Batwoman : Elegy '' `` Bruce Wayne : The Road Home '' `` Night of the Owls '' `` Death of the Family '' `` Zero Year '' `` Endgame '' `` Robin War '' Inter-company crossovers Batman / Aliens Batman / Hellboy / Starman Batman / Daredevil : King of New York Batman / Judge Dredd : Judgment on Gotham Batman & Spider - Man : New Age Dawning Batman / Tarzan : Claws of the Cat - woman Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Batman / The Spirit Batman versus Predator Daredevil / Batman : Eye for an Eye Spawn / Batman Batman - Spawn : War Devil Superman and Batman versus Aliens and Predator Spider - Man and Batman : Disordered Minds Incomplete All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder Batman : The Dark Prince Charming Related topics Batman : Anarky Batman : Child of Dreams Batman : Haunted Knight The Batman Chronicles Batman Legends Elseworlds Publications are listed alphabetically by published titles. Storylines are listed in publication order. 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Frank Miller Batman comics The Dark Knight Returns Batman : Year One Spawn / Batman The Dark Knight Strikes Again All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder The Dark Knight III : The Master Race Other comics Written Bad Boy The Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot Daredevil `` Born Again '' Elektra : Assassin Give Me Liberty Martha Washington Hard Boiled RoboCop RoboCop Versus The Terminator Written and drawn 300 Daredevil Elektra Lives Again Ronin Sin City Holy Terror Drawn The Twilight Zone Daredevil Wolverine Films RoboCop 2 ( 1990 ) RoboCop 3 ( 1993 ) Sin City ( 2005 ) 300 ( 2006 ) The Spirit ( 2008 ) Batman : Year One ( 2011 ) Batman : The Dark Knight Returns ( 2012 -- 13 ) 300 : Rise of an Empire ( 2014 ) Sin City : A Dame to Kill For ( 2014 ) Television and video games RoboCop Versus The Terminator ( 1993 ) The Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot ( 1999 -- 2001 ) 300 : March to Glory ( 2007 ) Superman / Batman crossover media Comic books World 's Finest Comics Batman / Superman / Wonder Woman : Trinity Superman / Batman Superman and Batman versus Aliens and Predator Television The Batman / Superman Hour The Superman / Batman Adventures The New Batman / Superman Adventures Books Enemies & Allies Film Superman / Batman : Public Enemies Superman / Batman : Apocalypse Lego Batman : The Movie -- DC Super Heroes Unite Batman v Superman : Dawn of Justice Video game Lego Batman 2 : DC Super Heroes Lego Batman 3 : Beyond Gotham The Dark Knight Universe The Dark Knight Returns film The Dark Knight Strikes Again The Dark Knight III : The Master Race Fan films and parodies World 's Finest HISHE : Super Cafe Miscellanea Composite Superman Hiro Okamura Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Dark_Knight_Returns&oldid=805739372 '' Categories : Batman titles DC Comics limited series 1986 comics debuts 1986 comics endings Adult comics Comics by Frank Miller American comics adapted into films Cold War fiction Neo-noir 1986 in fiction 1986 in comics Dystopian comics Cultural depictions of Ronald Reagan Hidden categories : CS1 maint : Extra text : authors list Use American English from April 2013 All Wikipedia articles written in American English Use mdy dates from October 2012 Title pop Redundant infobox title param All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from April 2017 Articles with unsourced statements from February 2017 All articles that may contain original research Articles that may contain original research from October 2015 All articles lacking reliable references Articles lacking reliable references from April 2013 Articles with unsourced statements from April 2013 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikiquote Български Català Deutsch Español Français 한국어 Italiano עברית Magyar Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Português Русский Suomi Svenska தமிழ் Türkçe Українська 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 17 October 2017, at 09 : 43. 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Question: what happened to alfred in the dark knight returns
Answer: dying of a stroke