History Comicbook / BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns

''TDKR'' is a seminal comic book work, with a gritty, unique style that's draped in the best of FilmNoir techniques. Batman is a bitter, angry figure who [[PrivateEyeMonologue narrates much of the story with philosophical musings]] and breaking down his methods. [[KentBrockmanNews News broadcasts shed light]] on the political debates surrounding Batman's influence, positive and negative, on the criminal underworld. The art itself is moody and atmospheric, [[DeliberatelyMonochrome black and grey dominate every page]] and [[SplashOfColor the use of red and yellow are eyesores]]. It is often considered as influential as ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'' in demonstrating the possible "[[TrueArtIsAngsty maturity]]" of the comic book medium, and, for good or bad, together with ''Watchmen'' it ushered in UsefulNotes/TheDarkAgeOfComicBooks. It was also highly influential in the DCU's recasting of Batman and Superman's relationship: no longer are they perfect friends, The World's Finest, but rather somewhat distant and distrusting (if respectful) of each other.

* ShootTheHostageTaker: Batman solves a hostage situation by ''[[InvokedTrope threatening]]'' to do this. It probably helped that the thug was new meat who didn't know about Bats' "no killing" rule.

** After [[spoiler:Batman paralyzes the Joker, the latter decides death (especially when he gets to frame Batman for it)]] is preferable to his current predicament and [[spoiler:happily breaks the rest of his spine]].

** The concept of Robin is examined on how practical or healthy having a KidSidekick actually is. Batman notes that Two-Face used to refer to Dick Grayson as "the boy hostage." Batman's retirement is at least partially based on the death of Jason Todd[[note]]who was the official Robin at this time in the main comics, and who would not experience [[ComicBook/BatmanADeathInTheFamily his actual death story]] for a couple more years[[/note]]. Carrie, despite being seen as TheAce in the mind of Bruce, is consistently put in situations where she almost dies. The entire scenario with the Joker obviously traumatizes her. The concept itself is pointed out to be illegal when Yindel charges Batman with child endangerment the second she sees there's a new Robin.
** The Joker’s conflict with Batman reveals just how much death and destruction is left in their wake because Batman lets the Joker live. Much of Batman's internal monologue in the third issue is devoted to him seriously examining whether upholding his no-kill rule is really worth it in regards to the Joker. Also, the operatic nature of their conflict has the Joker all but confirming he treats their "relationship" as a twisted kind of romance.

* ImprobableAimingSkills: The ComicBook/GreenArrow can precisely shoot an arrow at [[spoiler:Superman]] despite only having one arm, being in the dark and under the rain, and ''hanging upside down''.

** The concept of Robin is examined on how practical or healthy having a KidSidekick actually is. Batman notes that Two-Face used to refer to Dick Grayson as "the boy hostage." Batman's retirement is at least partially based on the death of Jason Todd. Carrie, despite being seen as TheAce in the mind of Bruce, is consistently put in situations where she almost dies. The entire scenario with the Joker obviously traumatizes her. The concept itself is pointed out to be illegal when Yindel charges Batman with child endangerment the second she sees there's a new Robin.