My Hoopla reading continues, as I sit down to read three of the Batman adventures written by Frank Miller in Hoopla. Miller might be my very favorite Batman creator, and these three comics are all absolutely brilliant.
Batman: Year One
Maybe my favorite Batman story ever. Shows both Batman and James Gordon's first year of fighting crime in Gotham, as well as their efforts to confront a corrupt police force. Incredibly well drawn, with a style that really shows you the grit of inner city Gotham. Also has some great dialogue and narration. A truly noir take on Batman.
The Dark Knight Returns
From a formal perspective, this may be the best Batman story out there. It's certainly the most influential, having had an impact on the Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, and Ben Affleck Batmans in equal measure. This tale of a futuristic Batman who has gone insane, and his insane war on crime in Gotham, is sheer, operatic fun. His fights against the Joker and Superman are unforgettable, and the depiction of the media here predicts a lot of the off-the-wall media personalities we see today.
The Dark Knight Strikes Again
Some people don't care for this sequel to The Dark Knight Returns, but I think it's every bit as good. It really ups the ante in showing the insanity of this futuristic world (particularly the media), and while it may be more comicbooky, I really enjoyed its looseness and unpredictability. Lots of very funny and very moving moments here. A very worthy follow-up to its predecessor.
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