The Dark Knight Strikes Again # 1 - DK2

Seriously, I don't get the hate on DK2. Look I loved Dark Knight Returns as much as anyone but to hate DK2 just because of its sequel status is idiotic. It's got a lot going for it.

One of the major things I love about the series it Batman's fight with Superman. Miller paints Superman as the ultimate boy scout, a man concerned not so much with justice, but the rule set it's built upon. In contrast, Bruce cares not for society, but his own brand of personal justice, writing wrongs the same way he has for year, but with a vengeance that speaks closer to a bitter old soul.

So why hate DK2? Personally I don't get it. The appearance of Supergirl, in some of the best panels in comics, as well as the sacrifice of Shazam! are some of the coolest cameos I know of in comics. I've never got Shazam, I likely never will, but his... moment in DK2 is one of the most powerful panels I've ever read in comics. Just brilliant stuff.

And then there is the artwork. Crazy and stylized and just a mess. It speaks more for the anger and disillusionment of the protagonist then for a planned style. We've got chaos here, we're got Batman thinking in his most primal of states, not a man, not a bat, just a dude pissed off and trying to make things right.

Great, great stuff. DK2 may not be as good as its predecessor, but this is some heady stuff, worthy of praise.