The Dark Knight Returns

Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns (1986, Titan) is a landmark four-issue miniseries that redefined Batman for a mature audience, presenting a retired, aging Bruce Wayne forced back into the cowl in a near-future Gotham. Published by DC Comics, this seminal work is synonymous with Miller's gritty, cinematic storytelling and Klaus Janson's inked, atmospheric art. Its unflinching psychological depth and political commentary set a new standard for superhero comics, influencing decades of darker, more complex takes on the genre.