The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 is based on the groundbreaking graphic novel of the
same name by Frank Miller and Klaus Janson and is the newest animated feature from Warner Home Video. This time around Peter Weller (Robocop) has the duty of voicing of the caped crusader. I must admit that as much as I love Kevin Conroy as Batman; Weller brings just the perfect touch to this older version of Batman; a Batman who has been brought out of retirement by a crime riddled Gotham.
The story begins 3 days before 70 year old Police Commissioner James Gordon (David Selby) is set to retire. A vicious gang called the Mutant Gang has declared war on the city and Gordon. Gotham is a cesspool where citizens live in fear, city that needs her hero, a hero long gone but far from forgotten. Bruce Wayne must come out of his self-inflicted retirement and be that hero again. Batman must defeat the mutants and take back the city. But the mutants aren’t Batman’s only problem. The Dark Knight must also deal with a recently rehabilitated and released Harvey Dent who despite his new face has gone back to his old ways.
The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 is beautifully animated and fans of the graphic novel will notice images identical to pages in the book. The story is broken up into 2 parts with the second part being released early next year. The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 is a complete story arc unto itself, with just enough tease at the end to make you want more. Of course those of us who know the story know what is coming in part 2 but, for those of you who don’t know, the ending is going to be epic.
The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 is directed by Jay Oliva, who also directed episodes of Young Justice as well as the Doctor Strange animated feature. The other people behind the scenes consist of a who’s who of people who know Batman, including someone who has become a fixture in the world of Batman animation, Bruce Timm. Timm is the executive producer for this feature. The voice casting is handled by Andrea Romano, the person who has been behind all of the great voices attached to the DC legends. The cast of The Dark Knight Returns includes Ariel Winter (Modern Family) as Robin, Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds) as Lana Lang and Michael Jackson (The Serpent and the Rainbow) as Alfred.
The Dark Knight Returns was the graphic novel that brought me back into comic books. 
When I started reading it I was amazed at the level of violence in the book. Until then I thought of Batman as the campy character from the 60s, but Miller kicked Batman up a notch. The Bruce Wayne/Batman in this story had reached a point in his retirement where he just needed to feel alive again. Until that book I had never seen a character in a comic on such a self-destructive path. Miller was able to make the Batman who had always been much larger than life so human.
I really enjoyed the movie and I am looking forward to part 2 which is due out in early 2013. Warner Home Video has a hit with this one. The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 retails for 24.99 for Blu-ray and 19.99 for DVD. The special features include a short preview of part 2 and some episodes of Batman: The Animated Series. This movie is rated PG-13. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy for yourself, you will not be disappointed.
