FIRST LOOK: Absolute Dark Knight (New Printing) 

What an Absolute beauty

Completely agree Omar- Batman riding his horse into combat and plugging his armored suit into Gotham’s entire electrical grid before he engages Superman is not only timeless but also iconic and the absolute highest expression of artistic and creative achievement in the art form itself !

Covers absolutely deserve their own pages. Weak.

Back in 1986 the original release was called 'Prestige Format' (the first of its kind). It was only called a graphic novel after it was collected into one volume.

After waiting about 2 years and holding off buying it at ridiculous prices I can finally get this book! As always thanks for the review Omar, This Tuesday will be brutal on IST, hehehe!

I have the original printing of this. I can see that a lot of people don’t like DK2 bur I actually love it. Frank Miller is one of my favorite comics artists of all time. I think the art in DK2 is beautiful. It definitely has a different color palette but I’m totally fine with that because they are going for something different. The story focuses more on Technology and media so the colors are more neon for lack of a better word. Varley used watercolors for the original series and in the new series she did a digital technique. I haven’t read this for a long time but this is making me want to go read it again.

Great video! Very cool book but I agree with you about the covers - seriously my heart sank when I saw that page. Thank you for the look!

I am so excited about this. I have been wanting this Absolute so bad forever! I’m so happy I finally get the chance to pick it up.

It feels like they missed the mark in the design and content of this absolute. My favorite collection of this was The Complete Frank Miller Batman. Which was a standard size "leather" bound hardcover that reprinted Year One, Wanted: Santa Claus Dead or Alive, ( which was a story by Denny O'Neil and drawn by Miller) and of course The Dark Knight Retuns. So basically Batman at the beginning, middle and end of his career. Now if they made that into an absolute I'd buy it in a heartbeat!.

I had the original a long time ago, sold it for forgotten reasons, and i believe the cover gallery was the same. No full page covers, but back in the days, i think it was more or less common. They need a complete revamp of this collection

They were called prestige format in the 80s

This story means a lot to me. Maybe I should get this. BTW Omar, thank you again for the Batman reading order..

They finally reprinted it! Still can't believe it happened. Felt like it was going to get pushed back into eternity. Got mine yesterday and I'm glad I waited for the reprint instead of buying an older copy from eBay. I know a lot of people hate DK2 and how it's included in this absolute but I don't mind it at all. I actually like it being included since I'm a completionist. Looking forward to your Paul Dini omnibus review!

Nice man, this book looks awesome!!

Definitely going to pick this up when it comes out. I've never owned it before.

This will finally be my first Absolute! Took DC long enough to finally reprint this.

That's nuts that they dont have individual pages for the original iconic covers, seems mad that they didn't . I love the the whole dark knight returns run, they released a omnibus version where you get them as they came out in Original format but in hardback, it's a beautiful collection if you haven't already got it.

Great review Uncanny Omar! Thank you for doing this. I was collecting and reading comics during the 1980s when this came out and the only time I ever went to Comic Con in San Diego and I met Frank Miller in one of the corridors between booths - he was very nice and all the fans were asking him when Dark Knight Returns #4 was coming out as it had been delayued a bit and he reassured us it was going to be soon. Just a little correction, the "sequel" was Dark Knight Strikes Again, not Dark Knight Strikes Back (as you originally said it), and although it did come out post-911 it was written before 9-11. I think what you are alluding to is Miller's Holy Terror graphic novel that was written post-911 and meant to be originally a Batman/Dark Knight story but Miller went crazy and so DC nixed it and Miller spent 8 weeks erasing pointy Batman ears from gthe story and released it as a new character called the Fixer. I own the original comics and the original Absolute Edition and since I read my issues so many times, I've never read the Absolute so I'm sorry but I don't know if this new Absolute is better or not.

Thanks for the overview, getting this off the list , guess I'll stick to my Dark Knight Returns Slipcase Set, the books are oversized and with the covers as they are supossed to be presented , and for the extras the 10th year anniversary splicase has plenty.

I’m gonna roll with my Noir editions. Would have bought this a year or two back but got tired of waiting haha. I *love* DKSA in b+w! Think reads better that way 🤷‍♀️

I have the 1st printing. The only difference I noticed was that yours says "Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger". 1st printing just says "Batman created by Bob Kane."

Oh dear the Dark Knight Universe has had another 3 projects released under the umbrella of the now 'brand' and an Omnibus collecting all 5 must be in the works. The cover's were one of the reason's this popped from the racks in 86 but the design work really reflects Chip Kidd's sensibilities that were so in vogue a decade or so ago. Now for goodness sake lets get the Kelley Jones 2 volume Batman Omnibi on the schedule for 2021/22.Thanks for all the content best wishesxxx

DKR is a must read. I read DK2 and honnestly I enjoyed it! Never as good as DKR, but I read it twice to make sure... Did not read DKIII yet

A, getting this 💪 I got the court of owls one two days ago love the read.

Hey O, great overview. Have u done a top 10 or must own DC Absolutes video?

I’m quite happy with my Dark Knight Returns Collectors Edition Box Set, it treats the covers with full oversized recreations and yes it lacks the absolute size and the extras but it is a fraction of the cost and doesn’t include dark knight strikes again, win win. I would of been happier with the year one absolute treatment where there just focused on the story everyone was buying it for and give loads of extras and alternative iterations.

Automatic day one order for me! I must admit, I'm a bit disappointed those iconic covers don't have full pages. This week is going to be rougher than 2 weeks ago--Abs Dark Knight, Batman by Dini, The Demon Trilogy HC, and the Conan vol 4 omni. I'm also considering the Gallery Edition of Dark Knight. I believe you've said you don't collect those, but with the recent restock of Dave Cockrum's X-Men I picked that up, and am also considering the Artifact/Artists/Gallery editions of J.H. Williams' Sandman Overture, Jim Lee''s X-Men (coming soon), as well as Kelley Jones's Batman & Deadman, and one from Simonson's Thor run.

i would really like an omnibus of the three dark knight books (include full size covers cmon dc)

Great review Omar. I almost was considering this upgrade but the inclusion of DK2 is a showstopper for me as that book was..... ummm....WTH..... there are no words. If I had to do a video review, I would not be as kind and diplomatic as you are! Agree on the WTH for the grid format for issue covers 1-4. Lazy and what an absolute (no pun intended) waste of the format to present those iconic covers in that way. If this book was Year 1 and DKR only I'd snap it up immediately, but no way that will happen since those 2 are different continuities.

Another great review

Picking up forsure!

Had a deluxe HC of these 2 and it was a nice book but a eventually sold it as I never really connected with these stories too much. Might need to try again

Looking back at my comment below saying I’m satisfied with my deluxe edition I have to laugh because a few months ago I did end up buying the Absolute copy of The Dark Knight. I think I was convinced because of the beautiful version of DK3 I purchased and loved as well as the 2 inch gap in shelf space on my Absolute shelf. Oh well, 2 copies both with beautiful oversized art I guess I now have options.

Omar now you got to get Absolute DK3

I have the Deluxe Hardcover and I think I’m satisfied with that version of the book. I love the Absolutes and have most of the Batman Absolute books. But I just don’t know if I want to spend money on this book again. As much as I love it, not just Dsrk Knight Returns but I also love Dark Knight Strikes Again. I just know I had the deluxe versions of both Year One and Hush and then I bought the Absolutes. Having both copies I have away my Deluxe copies and now so really regret it. I actually think I prefer the Deluxes. So I don’t know. I’m sure this isn’t the last time the reprint Frank Miller’s SK series in Absolute format. So I have time to change my mind.

Awesome book!

Wow 🤩 what a wonderful absolute

DK2 doesn’t come close to DKR but I didn’t hate it. The day it came out I went home and read it and found the first issue to be a lot of fun. Then heard Frank Miller was doing a signing at Tower Records in Union Square so I walked over. The general conversations were positive about the book and Miller seemed thrilled by what he was hearing. Issues 2 and 3 definitely were subsequently weaker unfortunately.

I wish DC added Batman Year One to the absolute rather than Strikes Again. Instead, they split it into two absolutes. But that would’ve been awesome!

Glad I got this 😊😊

My copy along with the paul dini omnibus was just delivered. This is my third absolute edition and i'm worried the binding is gonna fall apart on me like my swamp thing vol 1 and hush absolutes.

haven't delved into comics yet, been sticking with manga strictly. but might have to change my mind now. batman is my favorite superhero & these releases look fantastic.

The only thing that is preventing me from thinking of upgrading my TPB of Dark Knight Returns is that this has Dark Knight Strikes Again and as you mentioned, nobody ever recommends to read that lol. But damn that art looks good on the format tho, but I guess I'll stick with my paperback hehe. Thanks for the great vid, looking forward to that Paul Dini omni first look vid!

I have the dark Knight and a black leather bound with purple ribbon in an older Batman purple leather with a ribbon got them when I was a kidI don’t know if they’re good versions or not but they’re still in my closet

I already have the tpb of DKR but it is such a good story,I am tempted to pick up the absolute, haven't read Dark knight strikes again,so can't comment on it.

I finally pulled the trigger on this

I really loved the original batman with thunder in background cover :(

Hey Omar, what would you say about a Frank Miller Batman Omnibus (containing Dark Knight Returns, Strikes Again, and Master Race)? I'm surprised DC haven't done it yet.

ye as I remember DKR never had original covers in absolute

I've got the original. Looks pretty much the same as mine. I hate that the spine looks misprinted with the 'A' and 'T' spilling off the edge of the spine of the book and the 'A' spilling off the edge of the slipcase.

Dark Knight Returns was great. Dark Knight Strikes Again... I couldn't finish it.

Any special action on a Secret Wars 2015 omnibus or OHC collection, box set? Sitting on money with that, Marvel!

I have the original printing and it’s exactly the same. Slip case is also white and the cover pages are all on one page just like the new printing which is unfortunate.

Hey Omar. Been waiting for this edition for so long as I missed the 1st printing. However, watching the video & reading the comments, I'm starting to have doubts on whether this is the definitive edition of dkr. Do you think it is or something like the Complete Frank Miller Batman leatherbound HC; the dkr collector's edition slipcase set, or the deluxe edition hc, is better than this absolute?

I have a question I bought the court of owls but I can see the binding of the book the sowing is that normal? Lol it scared the crap out of me

I skipped out on the first printing I think because it had DK2 but now I'm thinking of getting it now, I mean I already have several TPB's of TDKR why not just get the Absolute, right?

Looking forward to that Paul Dini Batman omnibus but I'll have to pass on the Absolute Dark Knight.

Dunno, Dark Knight Strikes Again, has really grown on me, kinda like it now. LoL.

I love this series from Miller's dark knight saga

I'm conflicted on this... not sure if I should actually get it tbh..

Love DKR like most do. DK2 is not that great, but still like it.

I’d get this if it didn’t have DK2 in it

The work of Miller started of great then gradually became abysmal. I remember picking up DKIII Master Race and being utterly disappointed with it. Wouldn't waste the money on this.

This absolute has te same content of the 2015 deluxe edition i don’t see any difference between the absolute and the deluxe edition, so if you want to save some money go for the deluxe, i thought for a while that this new printing would include master race or the last crusade at least but its the same content, there’s no hype about it

Omar what are you trying to do to me I don't own any absolutes but I want this , I've not read this story since the 80s

Whats better? This Absolute edition or The Dark Knight Returns Collectors Box Set ?

Is this the start of the Dark Knight universe? what else do you need after or before reading this, or is everything from thi storyline contained to this absolute?

To get this or wait for a possible eventual Frank Miller omni...Oof this will be tough.

Yes I have the original Absolute- the covers are all located in the back on the original as well

They’re more interested in selling the toys than immortalizing the covers. Why didn’t they sneak in the Last Crusade?

I’m one of the few who loves DK2. I think it is misunderstood in the approach readers have to it. It is very over the top. Almost a satire of Batman and comics. If you understand this going into it you just might find a book you’ll really enjoy. I only first read DK2 last year. I always avoided it because I found the art to be ridiculous. But once I started reading it I realized that that ridiculous art added to the ridiculous story telling. And it works. It’s all in the frame of the mind of the reader. Give it a go you just might see what I mean.

Bro I've just compared it to the deluxe edition I have and it's pretty much the same content. It's just a little bigger

I'd like to get this, but I wish the two titles were divided. Two book Absolute!

1:55

Can you read this absolute as a “single story” or do you have to read previous batman books/stories?

Instead of the extras, they should have added the 3rd book

Hi! Thanx for another great video! I already had the book on my wishlist (I own nearly all the Absolute Editions - me and my stupid collector-self 😉), because I missed it the first time. The book is a larger edition of the Deluxe Edition. Therefore the only difference is the size of the pages. Even all the pages are in the same order. So there is nothing but the stupidity of a typical „I-have-to-own-it“-collector that prevents me from thinking: is the Deluxe Edition not enough?

I have the Complete Frank Miller leather bound book which has Year One, Wanted: Santa Clause Dead or Alive, and The Dark Knight Returns.

When are you going to do an overview of Batman Curse of the White Knight?

Will they be sending you a copy of Absolute Saga of The Swamp Thing vol. 2 ? I`m waiting for your review before I order. The Dark Knight Returns was released in what was called Prestige Format back in the day. Square bound with Baxter paper. Why do they keep trying to force the second Dark Knight series down our throats ? No one wants it. Frank was off his meds when he concocted that.

Ehh, going to keep my ohc

Still waiting for DC to reprint Dark Victory Absolute and really hoping for Batman Noel and Damned Absolute edition

I can't believe the original the Dark Knight Returns covers get a single page... That's a shame!

As much as I love The Dark Returns, having TDKSA is putting me off from buying it. Really wish they had just done the absolute edition with only TDKR.

Brother it's the same as the first.

I don’t mind The Dark Knight Strikes Again. Like, there a lot of (how to put this lightly...) *problematic* elements to it, and the coloring is quite garish, and the art is much looser than in the original Dark Knight, but, honestly? There are some really cool craft elements and ideas at play in it. I’m not saying it’s on par with DKR or Year One. I’m not even saying it’s good, really. But I don’t think it’s bad.

I would like to chuck in a good word for the dark knight strikes again. It is not a brilliant book for sure but if you sit back and enjoy the nonsense as a throw back to 60s batman it's a fun flawed read. Definitely not bad as spawn batman in the same canon. That being said I have read crazy amounts of batman in my time to know much worse than this exists. Although there is a crazy amount that is better.

Easy pass for me. I never did like this story. Looks like I'll be getting the Paul dini omni instead.

Anyone know the best places to buy comics in the UK?

Pre-ordered this. Oddly I have never read this before. I'm an old-school Frank Miller fan (his DD run)...back when DK came out I just didn't like the looks of his evolving art styles. Still not in love with the cartoony "dirty" sketchy mess this one looks like to me...

I own the original. From your video I can't see anything different with this version

They should have included the noir black and white version of Dark Knight Returns rather than the vomit inducing Dark Knight Strikes Back.

I just checked the dark knight saga deluxe edition published in 2015 and the contents and the pages are similar if not the same. I dont know why dc put them together in the first place, dk2 is not a good sequel also not frank miller's best art and not a fans favorite . DK III it's superior to dk2 , but was only written by Miller not drawed, and there is the last crusade and the golden child wich i haven't read, taking all that in count dc have more than enough material of the frank miller's dark knight verse to edit in a near future a dark knight saga omnibus. So may be another double or triple dipping por dk2.

Looks pretty, but hard pass for all the unnecessary content to justify the price

Someday I will read these, but not in deluxe. The art is just not my thing. The art is strangely enough almost amateur in quality; even if the story is supposed to be great. Great video, thanks!

Ah! I only bought the deluxe edition a few months ago because I didn’t think this was coming out! DC strikes again. Sign up to Patreon viewers!

Yeah, all 4 original covers on a single page in the extras is super weak 😒

so what does this absolute cover? dark knight returns only, strikes again, master race, what? also im writing this comment early in the video just in case omar doesnt answer later

I have the original print and it looks like this is a straight up reprint of that with no changes. And the slipcase is white too, not red. God, I hated that Dark Knight Strikes Back story. Mainly because of the horrible art. I don't even remember that story because I read it once but holy hell, it was a chore.

They should be pairing Year One up w TDKR instead of the trashy sequel