Warning: Spoilers for Batman / Superman: World’s Finest #29
Summary
In 1986, Frank Miller and Klaus Janson revolutionizedBatmancomics through the seminal miniseriesBatman:The Dark Knight Returns. Set in a future Gotham where crime has never been higher, a retired Bruce Wayne returns to the cape and cowl. Now, the iconic version of the Caped Crusader has returned.
InBatman / Superman:World’s Finestby Mark Waid and Dan Mora, readers have been treated to a variety of adventures from the early days of the Batman and Superman partnership — with somethrilling cameos baked into the concept, like this Frank Miller version of the Caped Crusader.
Their latest case involves a Fifth Dimensional villain, Doom-Mite, who combines the powers of Darkseid with Mister Mxyzptlk. With imps like Bat-Mite, Flash-Mite, and Mxyzptlk formingan alliance with Batmanand Superman, their battle just came to an epic conclusion in issue #29. With time and reality at stake, readers were also shown this bulky, distinctive, and fan-favorite iteration of the Dark Knight.
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With Other Time Travel Cameos from DC’s Past and Future
In the aftermath ofBatman’s shocking transformation into a puppetat the end ofWorld’s Finest#28, Superman and the imps take the fight directly to Doom-Mite. At the same time, Mxyzptlk travels around the world in search of the best magicians he can find, assembling Doctor Occult, Prince Ra-Man, Doctor Fate, Zatanna, and the genie known as Thunderbolt. Together, they’re able to bring the Caped Crusader back to human form, while also constructing a trap for the villain. However, as they work their magic,time itself is altered, and the heroes are changed into older and younger formsof themselves.
Miller’s version of the hero is known for a more brutal fighting style and a subtle love of his job, something that actually matches the current series' more optimistic tone.
As the heroes trap Doom-Mite,Batman is aged into hisDark Knight Returnsself, replete with Miller-inspired art for the hero. Although it only lasts for a single panel, this transformation represents theWorld’s Finesttitle’s commitment to honoring fan service, also demonstrated by the return toKingdom Come. Miller’s version of the hero is known for a more brutal fighting style and a subtle love of his job, something that actually matches the current series' more optimistic tone. Of course, in the end, Doom-Mite is defeated, and Bruce Wayne reverts to his regular self.
The Dark Knight ReturnsIs the Most Influential Modern Batman Comic
By Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, Lynn Varley, and John Costanza
The Dark Knight Returnshas found its way back to DC continuity several times since the original series. With two sequel comics and some spin-offs from Miller, the future Bruce Wayne is well fleshed out. However, this design of the character also made a comeback in arc of Chip Zdarsky and Jorge Jiménez’sBatman, which explored multiversal versions of the Caped Crusader. Readers even got to see the Zur-en-Arrhversion of Miller’s Dark Knight. The reference also suggests that, for Waid, even the future canon version ofBatmanresembles what Miller had in mind.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
