Additional Images:
Dragotta recreation
Artwork Details
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DescriptionI was 13 years old when this book came out. It is hard to believe that I was about the same age as my son is today. As someone nearing 50, and as a father, I think I understand the themes of aging and rebirth much better now. I wonder what bit of nostalgia my son will overpay for 25 years from now? This cost me 2 arms and two legs. Billy Challas anyone? Make good choices son!I grew up in NYC and worked at my local comic shop, West Side Comics, first as a VHS delivery boy, then later as a clerk behind the counter. I remember exactly where I was standing in the store, right next to the counter, when the owner, an old hippie named Dave, told me they sold out of the first printing of the Dark Knight Returns. I eventually got a copy of the second printing and read it over and over again. Wow that cover, the binding and the paper. The story, the art and the color. This was unlike any Batman comic book I read; it absolutely blew my mind. DKR was clearly influenced by NYC in the 80s. Remember Bernard Goetz, Reagan's deinstitutionalization of mental health care and the threat of nuclear war? This all had to be running through Miller's mind as he created his crime-ridden Gotham and released Two Face and the Joker from Arkham. The media was constant presence in this book, pumping out idiotic sound bytes and divisive political arguments for eyeballs and profits. Sound familiar? Today the media is on AI steroids. This is still a theme that Miller addresses with Rafael Grampá in The Golden Child. I love the first issue most of all because of the wonderful pacing, an emotional crescendo leading from the retelling of the origin story to old Bruce putting on the costume again. This was always one of my favorite pages. Nice action but probably not the obvious fan boy choice. I loved what Miller and John Costanza did with the lettering. "I smell their fear -- and it is sweet." MMMMMMMM! WHUMPPP! SKREEEEECH! This is the kind of storytelling that you can only do in comics. Nick Dragotta did a marvelous job recreating it recently. Miller was the peak of creativity in comics in my most formative years and you see that reflected in what I read, draw and collect. Many thanks to G. I am thrilled to be able to own this piece of comic book history. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Michael 07
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 4/8/2021
Amazing!!!! But where do you find beauty like that!!!! Huge congrats
Dino Mauricio 
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 4/8/2021
Huge congrats on this unqiue DKR page! Sound effects become words, words become art, art makes us speechless...no words can describe how lucky you are!
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
2 - Posted on 4/8/2021
'This cost me 2 arms and two legs.' I presume you typed your long description with your nose? Still my favorite ever comic.
Yo Kuri
Member Since 2019
2 - Posted on 4/8/2021
Peter Sullivan wrote:
'This cost me 2 arms and two legs.' I presume you typed your long description with your nose? Still my favorite ever comic.
I didn't say they were mine
J. Sid
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 4/8/2021
Peter Sullivan wrote:
'This cost me 2 arms and two legs.' I presume you typed your long description with your nose? Still my favorite ever comic.
I don't think I can top this comment.
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 4/8/2021
Yo Kuri wrote:
I didn't say they were mine
Remind me to never to get in your way if you really want a piece of artwork!
Yo Kuri
Member Since 2019
Posted on 4/8/2021
Peter Sullivan wrote:
Remind me to never to get in your way if you really want a piece of artwork!
hahaha I really am a kind soul and I try to be a gentleman in the hobby :)
J H
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 4/8/2021
I smell their fear...and it is sweet. Oh, yeah! Frank Miller, sweet Batman action, a cool car sequence, onomatopoeia...what is there not to love about this page? Great score! Big congrats!
kent mansley
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 4/9/2021
Definitely a memorable page for all the reasons you describe! I'm so happy you were able to add this one! Huge congrats!
Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 4/9/2021
Wow! This is such a memorable sequence. The art and the lettering of the onomatopoeia work perfectly together to make a perfect action page.
John J
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 4/9/2021
Absolutely amazing! I'm am so happy you were able to add this to your collection!
artless artmore
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 4/9/2021
Unforgettable page from the best comic story of all time
Justin Topages
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 4/9/2021
We who are about to cry, salute you! WOW. Just...WOW! Congrats AGAIN on yet another seminole piece added to your already epic collection.
Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 4/9/2021
Absolutely incredible! What an add to your already breathtaking collection! I obsess over that second panel still to this day ("How does he DO that?!?" - and I'm talking just as much about Miller as Wayne there...), but even more than the brilliant, "concentrated storytelling" visuals on this page, it is the sounds here - not only the car and road noises, not only the cape and hero ("WHUMPPP") but the detached / disassociated word balloons - that really steal the show. This is a LOUD event in a LOUD city after Bruce's life had been so quiet (barring the howling of his inner demons, of course) and at this point in his career, where Frank Miller was pulling out all the stops to give us a reading experience none of us had had before, I think he wanted to play with adding some decibles to what is normally such a "silent" medium.
Your breautful new page is a thing of wonder! Mega-congrats! :)
Yo Kuri
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 4/9/2021
Jason Hussa wrote:
Absolutely incredible! What an add to your already breathtaking collection! I obsess over that second panel still to this day ("How does he DO that?!?" - and I'm talking just as much about Miller as Wayne there...), but even more than the brilliant, "concentrated storytelling" visuals on this page, it is the sounds here - not only the car and road noises, not only the cape and hero ("WHUMPPP") but the detached / disassociated word balloons - that really steal the show. This is a LOUD event in a LOUD city after Bruce's life had been so quiet (barring the howling of his inner demons, of course) and at this point in his career, where Frank Miller was pulling out all the stops to give us a reading experience none of us had had before, I think he wanted to play with adding some decibles to what is normally such a "silent" medium.
Your breautful new page is a thing of wonder! Mega-congrats! :)
Super analysis! Totally agree but I am biased. Thank you bro! Much appreciated :)
E DLS
Member Since 2005
3 - Posted on 4/9/2021
While these early days may be consumed with thoughts of how much you paid, I promise you one thing. at some point, the only thing that will going through your mind (and the only thing that really matters) is, IT'S MINE. Enjoy!
Canada Jones
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 4/14/2021
What a Great Page! You chose this one very well!!
Matt Dicke
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 4/15/2021
Such a great page and only comics can make a great page like this. The letting is specatular. Worth every penny.
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 4/19/2021
Oh wow, Yo, iconic get to say the least! Huge congrats! Love how lettering is incorporated into the art here, a true melding in the medium by one of the best to ever do it. Whew. Congrats, again!
comicinkking. com
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 4/20/2021
Don't know how I missed this! Congrats on an amazing page from probably the greatest Batman story of all time by probably the greatest comic book creator of all time!!
J L
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 4/22/2021
That is so awesome. I find myself trying to make those sounds when I read this. Congrats!!!!
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 4/22/2021
Fabulous Miller DKR page! Love the use of sound effects here! A truly thrilling page!
Amir E
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 12/1/2021
This page is awesome. Really great DKR action sequence!
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 7/18/2022
There are so many great things about this page; but everyone one of those great things is made that much better by your description of it. Thanks for sharing both - equally amazing!
Yo Kuri
Member Since 2019
Posted on 7/18/2022
Chris K. wrote:
There are so many great things about this page; but everyone one of those great things is made that much better by your description of it. Thanks for sharing both - equally amazing!
Thanks! I think the same of your description of your DKR page!
Daryl R
Member Since 2015
Posted on 8/13/2025
Beautiful and important page that belongs in your collection where it's properly appreciated!
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