Batman The Dark Knight Returns Tenth Anniversary Slipcase Cover Prelim
Artist: Frank Miller (All)
15 Comments - 1,410 Views - 12 Likes
Additional Images:
Final Published Version. I DO NOT OWN THE FINISHED PIECE From the CAF Gallery of Jay D
Meeting Frank at C2E2 2017
My signed Dark Knight Returns trade paperback
Artwork Details
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DescriptionBatman: The Dark Knight Returns 10th Anniversary Hardcover Cover PrelimBy Frank Miller The Dark Knight Returns 10th Anniversary slipcase Cover Prelim by Frank Miller. I bought this from Graphic Collectibles on Preview Night at SDCC 2018. I never thought I would own a piece of any DKR art and even though this is merely a prelim, drawn on a piece of vellum, this is more than enough. Looking at it even from a far you can clearly tell this is Miller’s Dark Knight. I love that the prelim really shows you how Frank built this illustration. The Dark Knight Returns and Batman Year One are MASTERPIECES. Fearless storytelling that genuinely changed the medium of comics and how their storytelling could affect a character and impact pop culture. Frank Miller along with collaborators Klaus Janson, Lynn Varley, and David Mazzucchelli stories had as much influence on the character of Batman as his creators Bill Finger and Bob Kane, if not more. Frank Miller’s writing for Dark Knight Returns and Year One is poetry carved in granite. . At C2E2 2017 I had the opportunity to meet Frank when I purchased a Frank Miller VIP Meet and Greet Experience. I was initially drawn to the opportunity because the experience came with a Frank Miller Dark Knight Returns Batman head sketch. It was a simple sketch that I am so happy to have in my art collection. I was just starting to make my deep dive into original art collecting and I thought it would be the closest I would ever get to owning an original piece by Frank. Fortunately, I was very wrong about that. What came to be more valuable for me was the time I spent talking with Frank. Our encounter was brief but for me, very meaningful. The traditional Frank Miller scowl in the included picture hides a genuine warmth. I am aware that I did pay for the experience but even paying for an experience like this doesn’t mean you will have a good experience; I had a great one. He was gracious as he signed my books, my favorite being the dogeared trade paperback which changed my life when I bought when I was twelve at Phantom of the Attic, that one I made sure he personalized. I thanked him for his hard work and countless contributions to my favorite medium. I said he changed how I read comics, when in an interview, he said (and I paraphrase) more than any other medium the reader controls the speed of the story and I want them to slow down." That changed how I read comics going forward. I told him I wish I could say something more thoughtful and profound. He indicated my remarks were more than enough. I thanked him again and added how much I am enjoying DKIII and his artwork in the mini comics "it's very "Punk Rock Kirby" he smiled again and said "I've never heard that, it's weird and I like it. He turned to Brian Azzarello who was sitting next to him. “We need to get that on a shirt.” I concluded by wishing him a great con. Frank Miller is a creator whose contributions to the medium are hard to completely quantify. He is a complicated person who has fought some demons and come out the other side damaged, but hopefully better. I remember the final lines of The Dark Knight Returns, “…Here in the endless cave. It begins here—An army—to bring sense to a world plagued by worse than thieves and murders… This will be a good life… …Good Enough.” I hope Frank has come to a similar realization as well and is thinking, “This will be a good life… …Good Enough” Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Rob Pistella 
Member Since 2005
Forum Moderator
2 - Posted on 7/24/2018
Fantastic pick up. Lots of energy here. Well done!!
Anthony F
Member Since 2004
2 - Posted on 7/30/2018
You can really see Frank’s process to define this remarkable cover image.
Nicolaj Borch
Member Since 2012
2 - Posted on 8/6/2018
An amazing piece of art - The Slipcasecover to DKR is just wonderfull
John Espinoza
Member Since 2014
2 - Posted on 12/7/2018
Amazing to see the structure underneath the flesh.
Matt Todd
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 8/29/2021
McSpidey Fan wrote:
Love it!
Thanks so much Scot!! This was such an amazing piece to acquire. I love seeing how Frank built this image and the fact that we can see his process illustrates so well.
Andy Robbins
Member Since 2003
1 - Posted on 5/27/2022
Great get! These 10th Anniversary prelims are really fun and interesting to see up close. They were a bit overlooked when Mitch had a number of them circa 2018-ish, but now they've drifted to the corners of the globe
Matt Todd
Member Since 2014
Posted on 5/27/2022
Andy Robbins wrote:
Great get! These 10th Anniversary prelims are really fun and interesting to see up close. They were a bit overlooked when Mitch had a number of them circa 2018-ish, but now they've drifted to the corners of the globe
Thank you for the kind words Andy. I hope you are well. I first learned of these types of prelims from you mentioning them on Felix's Podcast and oddly enoug you and I met for the first time not long after I purchased this. So I always am reminded of that SDCC and of meeting you and John Butler and Chris at that show. A great show with good memories.
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 6/1/2022
Even in a prelim like this Frank Miller shows he's at the top of his game. You can feel the power and sheer willpower of the Dark Knight before the drawing is even finished. Magic!
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