Trivia / Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

Trivia for the comic:

• Follow the Leader: This miniseries singlehandedly ushered in the new age of Cranky Batman.
• Post-Release Retitle: The comic was originally titled "Batman: The Dark Knight" when it was first released, with "Returns" only being used in the first issue, with the other three issues being given different titles using "The Dark Knight" name^note The other three issues were called "Batman: The Dark Knight Triumphant", "Batman: Hunt The Dark Knight", and "Batman: The Dark Knight Falls". It wasn't until DC compiled the issues into one book shortly after it concluded that the entire run would be titled "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns".
• What Could Have Been:
  • Green Arrow was absent, and instead it is Bruce who releases the Kryptonite Gas from his suit. There was also a moment where the sky momentarily opens up and reveals the sun, briefly healing Superman and thereby avoiding the Curb-Stomp Battle that we all know and love. Bruce also taunts him about Lois to engage his Berserk Button, which ultimately leads to his defeat. In this version, however, Bruce barely survives the battle and ends up in a intensive care, where Federal Agents anxiously wait to question him. Alas, Bruce manages to swallow a pill hidden inside his arm that allows him to fake his death and to continue to work undisturbed. The final shot would've emphasized the theme that while Bruce Wayne dies, the Dark Knight lives.
  • The President also dies in an early draft of "The Dark Knight Falls" when the Coldbringer hits, the EMP hitting Air Force One and causing it to crash.
  • In the book itself, it's only implied that the Joker killed Jason Todd. Rumor has it that not only was that fact going to be originally outright stated in the text but that it'd be stated the Joker raped Jason before he killed him. Supposedly, DC stepped in and made Frank take it out. However, even so, Frank Miller's Joker has been stated anyway to be a rapist in further works set in the Dark Knight Universe, aside the hint that he may have raped Selina Kyle after mind-controlling her.
  • While the book ends with Batman faking a heart attack, symbolizing that Bruce Wayne has died but the Dark Knight lives on, Frank Miller revealed at the London Comic Con 2018 that his original ending was more a The Hero Dies-one in which Batman would have been gunned down by the GCPD members led by Commissioner Ellen Yindel.

Trivia for the animated film:

• Acting for Two:
  • Carlos Alazraqui voices Hernando and Congressman Noches
  • Grey DeLisle voices Anchor Carla and Sarah Eissen Gordon
  • Greg Eagles voices Mackie and Ben Derrick
  • Maurice LaMarche voices Anchor Tom and Dr. Herbert Willing
  • Yuri Lowenthal voices a rookie police officer and a Son of Batman
  • Tress MacNeille voices Bruno, Selina Kyle, and an old lady
  • Jim Meskimen voices General Briggs and President Reagan
  • Rob Paulsen voices Rob (one of the Mutant Gang members) , Jeff Adams, and a robber
  • Tara Strong voices Michelle, Anchor Trish, Kevin Ridley, the young Bruce Wayne, Elsie, and a boy the Joker kidnaps
  • James Patrick Stuart voices Murray, Governor Mahoney, and a radio announcer
  • James Arnold Taylor voices Mr. Hudson and a store owner
  • Bruce Timm voices Thomas Wayne and a fireman
  • Frank Welker voices Mayor Stevenson, Lieutenant O'Halloran, Frank, and a weather man
  • Gary Anthony Williams voices Anchor Bill and the Mutants Leader
• Completely Different Title: Became The Dark Knight: The Rebirth of a Legend in Russia.
• The Danza: Rob Paulsen as Rob and Frank Welker as Frank.
• Reality Subtext: Much of the psychoanalysis and discussion surrounding Batman are things that have been said about him in real life.
• Role Reprise: In the French dub, several voice actors from previous adaptations reprised their roles here:
  • From the Batman Film Series: Jacques Ciron as Alfred.
  • From the DC Animated Universe: In addition to Alfred, Jean-Claude Sachot as Commissioner Gordon and Emmanuel Jacomy as Superman/Clark Kent.
  • From Batman: The Brave and the Bold: In addition to Alfred and Superman, Xavier Fagnon as the Joker^note except for Part 1, where his only line of dialogue is done by Jérôme Pauwels and Kelvine Dumour as Selina Kyle.
  • From Young Justice: In addition to Gordon, Alfred, Superman, and the Joker, Jérôme Pauwels as Oliver Queen.
  • From Batman: Arkham City: In addition to Gordon, Jérôme Pauwels as Two-Face/Harvey Dent.
• Similarly Named Works: Amazon has had issues with people mistaking the film as the DVD for The Dark Knight Rises or thinking that it's a ripoff of it.

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