VOICE FROM THE LONGBOX

In 1986, comic book writer/artist Frank Miller unleashed a Batman mini-series on an unsuspecting public: The Dark Knight Returns. It featured a 60-year-old Bruce Wayne who had hung up his cape ten years earlier. Gotham City was sliding closer and closer to hell, Commissioner Gordon was being forced to retire, and it took a riot started by a street gang known as the Mutants to bring Batman back. Miller's Batman was built like a brick wall, although time had caused some cracks to form. Miller's Batmobile was a tank. Literally. Best of all, Miller felt that Batman needed Robin and gave him a new one: a girl named Carrie. Joker was being released from the asylum to do Letterman. Two-Face's scarred visage was actually repaired. The one that hurt me the most was Superman. Frank Miller's Superman was nothing less than a government stooge. Dark Knight Returns was, in fact, the last Batman story. It featured his crowning achievement of rescuing Gotham City from itself as well as his final battle (to the finish, no less) with the Joker. Miller also settles the age-old argument of who wins in a Superman versus Batman fight. Realize that Batman fights dirty. Always. Dark Knight Returns became one of the most popular comic books in the world. Frank Miller became a superstar. Tim Burton was so enamored with Miller's story, he made a live action Batman movie. By fall of that year other quality books appeared, like Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ Watchmen maxi-series, and Mike Grell’s Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters. Articles on comic books being "not just for kids anymore" showed up in Playboy and Rolling Stone. Hollywood became more aware that comics were a breeding ground of potential ideas. And though the comics industry was entering a phase it would one day refer to as the "grim and gritty era", it was a roller coaster ride to success. And excess. It's now 15 years later, and the comic industry needs Frank Miller as much as Gotham needs Batman. And relief came in December of 2001, as Frank Miller returned with a sequel to Dark Knight. The Dark Knight Strikes Again is a three-issue mini-series running from December to February. Pre-order numbers have exceeded anything sold in comic shops in the last five years. Batman has returned. Frank Miller has returned. Anything can happen. Please find your local comic store and hop on the ride.