This Premium Format statue from Sideshow Collectibles could be seen as not only a homage to the series, but to the first issue specifically. It influenced not only future Batman stories to come, but screen adaptations, most notable in Christopher Nolan and Zack Snyder’s movies. The tale is violent, ground-breaking in its use of panels, political, satirical and throws in a mediation on aging. Of course it doesn’t stop there, and Batman finds himself up against increasing odds including Harvey Dent, the Joker, the Gotham police, the Government, and eventually Superman himself. In Frank Miller’s tale, Bruce Wayne, now in his fifties and retired due to the death of Jason Todd (see, it’s dark already!) is forced to return to crime-fighting as Batman, due to the rising terror caused by a gang called The Mutants. It was the rise of the anti-hero, sometimes better described as heroes that were flawed and were often put through the wringer to such extremes that it brought out violent responses from them. Released in 1986, the original series arrived at the start of what has become recognised as The Modern Age of comics, a time when the medium was growing in recognition as an art form, and the themes and plots were getting darker and more complex. Sideshow Collectibles have released pre-order details for what must be a definitive statue depicting one of the most popular superheroes of all time from his most famous and influential graphic novel – welcome to the Batman: The Dark Knight Returns statue.

Frank miller dark knight