Let's go back to the source and discover what was the inspiration for the new Batman films. Hailed as a comics masterpiece, THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS (originally published by DC Comics in 1986) is a four-issue comic book limited series written and drawn by Frank Miller ("300" and "Sin City") as a reinvention of the legend of Batman. It remains an undisputed classic, one of the most influential stories ever told in comics, and is a book cited by the filmmakers as an inspiration for the most recent Batman movies.
"The Dark Knight Returns" tells the story of a middle-aged Batman who comes out of retirement to fight crime, only to face opposition from the Gotham City police force and the United States government.
Bruce Wayne, 55, gave up the Batman identity ten years prior to the beginning of the story. When he sees violence running rampant and his personal demons can no longer be denied, he is forced to return. Carrie Kelly, a 13-year-old girl becomes Batman's newest sidekick, Robin.
It is ten years after an aging Batman has retired, and Gotham City has sunk deeper into decadence and lawlessness. Now, when his city needs him most, the Dark Knight returns in a blaze of glory. Joined by Carrie Kelly, a teenage female Robin, Batman takes to the streets to end the threat of the mutant gangs that have overrun the city. And after facing off against his two greatest enemies, the Joker and Two-Face, for the final time, Batman finds himself in mortal combat with his former ally, Superman, in a battle that only one of them will survive.
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the graphic novel, in 1996, DC Direct released this limited edition statue of Robin aiming her slingshot with the guidance of Batman.
When I first saw this "Dark Knight Returns" old Batman and young female Robin statue, it was love at first sight. Back then, I had just started out collecting toys and wasn't really focused on what I wanted to zoom in on but BATMAN was a topic most close to my heart and Frank Miller's retelling and reinvention of Batman had blown me away. I was craving for anything to do with Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns and this statue simply hit the spot.
I like how Frank Miller contrasted the older Batman's massive size and bulk with the much younger and more agile female Robin. This statue of mentor teacher / master with student / protege just says it all :)
Scroll down for more pictures of this awesome statue. And it didn't cost me an arm or a leg either :)
And if you haven't read the comic or the graphic novels released after, DO! Its sequel, "The Dark Knight Strikes Again", published in 2001 didn't live up to the hype and anticipation many expected it to be :( The second issue of DK2 was ranked third in sales for the January 2002 period with pre-order sales of 155,322.
If you have been reading my blog, you'll know that I'm not a big fan of statues, mainly because I cannot fathom why a piece of stone with some paint on it can cost so much when a 1/6th scale fully pose-able 12-inch articulated figure with amazing and stunning plus realistic looking head sculpt dressed in movie-accurate fabric cloth / leather-like costume / outfit with highly detailed and exceptionally produced removeable gear and accessories can be had for so much less. That said, I do own a couple of statues and that's only because they weren't expensive to begin with, plus the art of the pieces was what really grabbed me :)
Related posts:
September 2, 2007: Judge Dredd statue - pictures posted HERE
August 23, 2010: AWESOME Mike Mignola inspired "Batman Black and White" statue posted HERE
May 15, 2011: Applause Star Wars Classic Collectors Series Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker Statuettes with lighted bases from "The Empire Strikes Back" - pictures HERE
This one is a beauty!
ReplyDeleteindeed ;>
ReplyDelete