he's so ANGRY!! The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 (2013) Reaction/ Commentary/ Review (Frank Miller) 

RoboCop aka Peter Weller, does an outstanding job voicing the Dark Knight in this fan favorite animated movie.

I can never get enough of Kevin Conroy but there’s a reason this film is so highly regarded

Him naked in the darkness talking to Batman always give me goosebumps! This graphic novel was the first time anyone had dealt with what the psychological consequences would look like in someone like Bruce. He's insane, but he sublimates his rage, self-hate, and desire to inflict pain on the world that took his parents from him, into a crime fighting crusade. Seeing his visual manifestation of "The Bat" and his grin at its willing return always just get too me :) 💪😎💪

I love the Dark Knight Returns & thought this was a very good adaptation. Batman the Animated Series is probably one of the greatest cartoons in existence and it is best to experience that before getting into the animated films. The Flashpoint Paradox is an amazing movie so that's definitely a must watch eventually.

"You don't get it son, this isn't a mudhole, it's an operating table..and i'm the surgeon." Probably the most badass Batman line of all time lmao

So this is solely based on the amazing Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller acting as an Elseworlds story (The comic actually came out before DC created the Elsworlds imprint) set in it's own continuity. Batman stepped down after the death of Jason Todd in the 1970s by the hands of Joker unlike his mainline DC version who continued as Batman and later recruited Tim Drake as the next Robin this Bruce just retired. There's also Batman The Long Halloween Part 1 and Part 2 both based on the Long Halloween comic issues depicting a much younger Batman. There's also a Batman Year One movie as well which is pretty good. The comic Year One was meant to be canon, Miller eventually revealed that he considered both stories as part of his Dark Knight Universe so you could go into Year One seeing it as a prequal to this film. With the Batman Animated Universe there's pretty much two the DCAU 1990s to 2000s featuring the Batman Animated Series to Justice League Unlimited in 2004. This is regarded as the perfect DC shared universe by fans and has some of the best depictions of DC characters. Then you have the new shared universe called the DCAMU starting with Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox in 2013 all the way to Justice League Dark: Apokolips War in 2020. I myself prefer the original DCAU but the new one is pretty okay I just prefer the art style, aesthetic, and characters from the Bruce Timm universe just nothing comes close to it's depiction of Metropolis and Gotham with the DCAMU lacking in this department. Some people just don’t like the DCMU and others enjoy it the films can be great to awful but it does okay just not on the same level as the DCAU. DCAU SHARED UNIVERSE Batman: Animated Series Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm (Movie) Superman: Animated Series Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (Movie) The New Batman Adventures Batman: Mystery Of The Batwoman (Movie) Static Shock Justice League Justice League Unlimited Batman Beyond Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker (Movie) DCAMU SHARED UNIVERSE, NOT CONNECTED TO THE DCAU Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox Justice League: War Son of Batman Justice League: Throne of Atlantis Batman and Robin Batman: Bad Blood Justice League Vs. Teen Titans Justice League Dark Teen Titans: The Judas Contract Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay The Death of Superman Reign of the Supermen Batman: Hush Wonder Woman: Bloodlines Justice League Dark: Apokolips War Frank Miller's comic Adaptations to movies (These can be treated as being in the same continuity) Batman Year One Batman The Dark Knight Returns Post DCMU New Universe Man of Tomorrow Justice Society: WW2 Batman Long Halloween The DCAMU are all one off films unlike the DCAU which is made up of mostly shows with some one off movies. Flashpoint is based on the Flashpoint event which created the New 52 universe rebooting DC one again. Last time this happened was in 1985 with Crisis on Infinite Earths which pretty much destroyed a bunch of Earth's leading to a mass migration to s single Earth in place of the Multiverse. This brought a bunch of character into the same Earth for example characters DC acquired for other comic's like The Question for example. So the other shared universe starting with Man of Tomorrow these film all share the same art aesthetic so I'm placing them together as a shared universe. Justice Society I know is canon to Man of Tomorrow as it's version of Superman shows up but Batman Long Halloween could or could not be connected if only by art style.

It’s interesting to see someone who isn’t super familiar with all the Robins. Here’s a quick rundown of the major ones for future reference: -Dick Grayson is the first Robin, the son of high-flying acrobatic circus performers who were killed by the mob, who sabotaged one of their performances. Bruce was there (as was Dick, who saw them die) and takes him in as his ward and teaches him to fight crime. Eventually Dick strikes out on his own as Nightwing, and becomes a successful hero in his own right. -Jason Todd is the 2nd Robin. He grew up orphaned and living rough on the streets, and first meets Batman as he tries to steal the tires off of the Batmobile. Bruce took him in and tried to provide him with a better outlet for his aggression, but things didn’t end up turning out too well. For what went down, I’d seriously recommend watching the animated film “Batman: Under the Red Hood” which does the whole plot line justice, and is one of the best Batman films to date (animated or otherwise). -Tim Drake is the 3rd person to take up the Robin mantle, after certain events leave the position open, and Bruce starts becoming more brutal against criminals. Tim is the most detective-oriented Robin by far, managing to deduce Bruce’s secret identity as well as Dick Grayson’s. He confronts Bruce about his increasing aggression, and insists that Batman will always need a Robin, offering to take up the mantle. Eventually he became Red Robin, though I’m not positive whether that’s still a thing. -The most recent Robin is Damian Wayne, who is the biological son of Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul, daughter of Ra’s. It was sort of retconned that Talia basically drugged Bruce and stole his… “tissue” to genetically engineer Damian in an artificial womb. Damian grew up being trained by Ra’s Al Ghul’s League of Assassins, and as such has some serious violent tendencies, with an attitude problem and a large dose of haughtiness to boot. Those are the big 4 Robins. There have been one or two others that briefly took up the mantle, such as Stephanie Brown (AKA The Spoiler) or Carrie Kelly in this movie (which isn’t part of mainline continuity).

This is a very good adaptation. There are changes, but they were made in service of translating it into a different medium. This (together with Part 2) is my second favorite Batman film after Mask of the Phantasm.

I still get chills from Batman saying "Come on." Someone says it like that, he doesn't want to throw down, he wants to die and take you with him. Run..

I'm loving all the Batman content you've been doing, and I just realized I wasn't subscribed on this video, so I corrected that. I'd love to see you continue to delve into this world, it's so rich.

to me The Dark Knight returns is a perfect way to explain why Batman NEEDED someone like Tim Drake or in this case Carrie Kelly in his life after Jason died, someone who wants to be Robin proactively and wouldnt take no for an answer, so that he could heal from the wounds that Jason's death left in his heart

I think you nailed the whole wanting to die aspect of the Dark Knight. I can't recommend the graphic novels enough, those were the comics that fully converted me into a fan. The movies were a good adaptation though a few moments are better in the books. For example when batman takes out that perp in front of the rookie cop and veteran cop, he had a killer inner dialog paraphrased as from this position there are 7 moves that will take him out, 4 will kill, 2 will disable and 1 will hurt' then he chooses that one.

If Batman was in his prime in the movie, there would be no rematch against the Mutant Leader

I'm a nurse and I've actually seen a patient with a massive deltoid nerve injury (or axillary nerve). Couldn't move their arm. So yes, a hard enough impact can render that limb immobile

The scene where he saves the kid and says I believe you was used in Batman vs superman when he goes to save martha in the warehouse

It doesn't matter how old he is, Old Batman is still Batman

In regards to the poll you were talking about in the beginning, those movies are the DCAMU. The DCAU is the continuity that includes shows Like Batman the Animated Series, Superman the Animated Series, Batman Beyond as well as two Justice League shows. A little confusing but that's why people were a little confused.

This is pretty faithful adaptation, down to the drawing style. It’s one of the most influential Batman comics. The 1989 movie was inspired in part by the original graphic novel.

Batman: Year One should definitely be the next movie you watch to finish the necessary standalone movies before you get into the animated series or the DCAMU

Dick was the original Robin (now Nightwing). Jason was the second robin, and the Dark Knight Returns comic came out not too long after Jason's second most famous storyline.

As long as there's nothing in the way, I assure you, its very easy to punch through drywall like punching through two styrofoam plates to protect porcelain china in a cardboard box. Those drywall are brittle as heck.

dark knight returns is definitely peak dcau. it's kinda funny tho. in the year one adaptation they included a ton of the inner monologue while they removed all the inner monologue in dark knight returns. other then that it's identical to the comic

For the Animated Series if you do only do reactions to specific episodes some of the episodes people will probably want to see reactions to are, this is off the top of my head so episode names could be wonky. Heart of Ice, Two-Face, Feat(or)Face of Clay, Trial, Almost Got 'Em, Perchance to Dream, Robin's Reckoning, Over the Edge and Baby Doll. Again that is only some that I could remember and the names could be off. I also believe a couple of those are two parters.

Loving the Batman content Thor! We need more animated watches with Domi, feel like she’d love these animated movies too 🙌🏻🔥🙌🏻

Even though you have seen the animated version, I recommend you read the print version of Dark Knight Returns

Thiswas Panel for panel from the book…such an amazing Batman film…awesome animation…legendary soundtrack

Oh i would love you to do the Animated Adventures! I don't think i've seen any reactor react to these. I figured they thought they were too old, but I grew up with them!

Wouldn't be much spoiler-wise since its such a key part of Batman's history at this point, but Dick was the first Robin and Jason was the second Robin (the second Robin got killed by the Joker). If I remember right the comic this is based on actually came out before Jason died in the normal comics, but when they talk about a Robin being dead in this one they're talking about Jason.

Frank Miller’s Batman is basically the punisher

The God Damn *BATMAN*

The only thing that can penetrate the hull on *that* Batmobile isn't even from this planet.

YES!!!! So glad you are doing the animated reactions. I’m probably very biased cause I grew up watching these. But this is where DC excels over marvel is the animated universe.

Part 2 is also really good!

I love this one a lot it’s really well done and you can tell where BVS got a lot of it’s stuff from with doing an older Batman. & the animated series has some great episodes I personally enjoy Batman beyond more tho

You should read the '80s print version of this. I purchased each of the four issues it was published in as they were released. I prefer the print version but liked this, also. It has influenced work that followed.

Heh, I remember another animated Batman story where someone is new on the scene as a vigilante and is wearing the Bat as if to be inspired by Batman.... who gets annoyed as shit, "You gottta stop wearing that, having a bat on your chest doesn't make you a hero, it makes you a target, and I don't have time to save all of you guys, too. Give me a break, I've got kids to feed."

I loved your reaction bro 🙌

Im excited for you to watch the part 2

"Seems like a death wish"...yeah in the comic book there's a quote repeated. "This would be a good death...but not good enough"

this was part of the British Invasion, when british comic writers and artists (lots of whom started with 2000AD) got hired to write for US comics and started the revolution that made the comic book world what it is today

Funny you call Dick the "replacement Joker", because in the sequel to TDKR, The Dark Knight Strikes Again, Dick had his body altered by Lex Luthor and became a Joker monster. Also, you're thinking of Jason. Dick was the original Robin.

1:49 the one you're refering to is the dcamu, it's not the same as the dcau where the animated series belongs to. It also took me a bit to get the difference.

Appreciate the sincerity!

it's 90% to 95% faithful to the source material 👌🏻

2:10 if you haven't been told yet the DCAU starts with... batman tas - sub zero - superman tas - batman beyond - bb return of the joker - justice league - static shock - justice league unlimited - justice league vs the fatal five

Movie adds a lot more awesome stuff

for the animated series there are just over 100 episodes. The last seasons are just under a different name, because DCAU is weird like that, so its Batman the Animated Series and the New Batman Adventures. I think technically there was also a time where it was called The Adventures of Batman and Robin but that was always included in the DVD for season 3 of BTAS. The DCAU as a whole is amazing it is a series of shows in one timeline that goes pretty much in this order Batman the animated series first 31 episodes-Mask of the Phantasm-BTAS remaining episodes-Superman the Animated Series 1-41-Batman and MR freeze movie-New Batman Adventures-STAS remaining episodes-Batman mystery of the Batwomen-Justice League-Justice League Unlimited-Batman and Harley Quinn movie-Justice League VS the Fatal Five-Batman Beyond- Batman Beyond Return of the Joker movie. With the only ones that really worth skipping being arguable the Batman Freeze movie and the Harley Quinn movie. Everything else is the best comic adaptation connected universe ever IMO with all respect to the MCU

Yes to the animated series.

This comic/movie is so damn good. It's why I love Snyders Batman, he takes alot from this Batman

13:00 I think comics mentioned that only the chest plate is bulletproof. 25:00 I'm like 90% sure that these are supposed to be nonlethal. Just some broken bones and internal bleeding, no biggie.

I can't wait to see you react to Part 2!

You saw Dick Grayson in Under the Red Hood. He's Nightwing, he was the first Robin, Jason was second. Also you gotta do all BTAS not just some.

Dick is the 1st Robin not a replacement, edit: also since u already saw under the redhood, Jason was Dick's replacement after he left and became nightwing

Dick Grayson was the first Robin who then left to become Nightwing. Jason Todd was the 2nd Robin

Batfleck Forever 💪😎👌😂 12:18 Is that Grampa Max? 33:57 Man, only after watching Person of Interest did I find out who this voice actor is 😂

Letsss gooooo Batman💜💜💜

This movie might have the best way of exploring Bruce’s mental state. And it has some really badass fights.

Dick Grayson was the original Robin. After he and Bruce had a falling out, Dick gave up the Robin identity and formed a new superhero alias Nightwing. Batman would then recruit Jason Todd as the second Robin. Jason Todd was disliked by Batman readers, so a fan poll was held over whether Jason should live or die. As a result, Jason Todd was famously murdered by The Joker in a storyarc named "A Death In The Family". The Dark Knight Returns takes place in an alternate non-canon storyline where Bruce gave up being Batman after Jason's death. Though it was non-canon, TDKR is credited with making Batman dark and serious again, as the character had become more identified with the campy Adam West TV show from the 60's. Its dark tone strongly influenced Tim Burton's gothic approach to the character in his '89 Batman film and its sequel Batman Returns. Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises borrowed a number of story elements from TDKR, and Ben Affleck's older, bulkier, heavy-drinking Batman in the Synderverse is practically ripped directly from the pages of TDKR.

I will definitely watch BTAS reactions.. I was probably 6 or 7 when the show started, and I still remember the primer episodes “The Cat and the Claw” Parts 1&2. Then “On Leather Wings”.. You absolutely will Not regret watching the entire show, it was groundbreaking animation for the time, But I do like your idea for putting all the episodes on patreon then putting select episodes on RU-vid. I recently got the Blu-ray full series, and it came with tons of amazing extras that lay out what separates Batman the Animated Series from all other animated tv shows, of the time, and all time really. I highly recommend the blu rays, they were pretty inexpensive...

I think to truly appreciate these two films you need to be aware of some of the Batman lore, as it assumes that you know a lot of the characters already; Such as Dick Greyson being the first Robin, and Jason Todd being the second. Regardless though, would love to watch along with TAS.

Can't wait for Part 2!

33:53 "ohhhh s#!+ here we go again"

I'm excited to see your react to the best of Batman the animated series, the Batman Beyond movie is really good too but it's best to watch the crucial parts of the animated series first. Another good animated film in the same universe is the Batman and Superman movie World's Finest.

Wow. This movie is 10 years old now?

please part 2

Peter Weller kills it.

You really need to check out the New 52 movies. Best animated DC movies ever. The first is Justice League: War, although Flashpoint Paradox is considered to be a part of it.

Son of Batman is really worth checking out, especially ahead of the James Gunn DC verse, hes said it will be BatFamily. The Dark Knight comic is actually much better because you see his thoughts, theres so many great lines that this movie missed because you're not in his head.

I would love reactions to Batman The Animated Series! That’s my favorite adaptation of Batman. I do like The Dark Knight Returns, and this movie is VERY faithful to the comics, but at the same time it’s not my definitive Batman. It’s a cool alternate take on an older Bruce. Though, I prefer Batman Beyond’s take on an older Bruce. That’s a sequel series to Batman The Animated Series that you might consider watching if you’re still down for Batman content after you finish the original Animated Series

Great film. Great reaction.

Dont know if you know this but lana lang in the tv speaking for batman. was superman's first girlfreind.

I would have recommended watching the deluxe version that combines the two into one 2.5 hour movie. Honestly one of the best batman movies when watched like that.

This particular adaption of Batman really set the standard for what the modern Batman would become in comics. To me it is the best Batman story of all time. Getting to see the psychology of how there is Batman and there is Bruce Wayne and how he is failing to repress his urge to be the Batman.

I recommend checking out Superman vs The Elite, one of the best depictions of Clark.

That's the "King Bat " he was speaking to , Bruce is Batman , Bruce is the role that he plays for everyone else . Almost like Black Panther and the Panther god ( in a sense ) . But it also plays into Bruce's Psychosis , he isn't a well person Mentally , never was and "This " version of Batman is my favorite ( Ben Affleck ) plays a version of this Batman as well , I'm more interested in a veteran Batman VS his beginnings , there's so much at play, almost like a cop who has stayed on the "beat" for too long, so many great stories could come from this version

One thing I didn't like about this adaptation is that there was no question about whether it was Harvey reverting to Two Face. It the graphic novel, being able to rehabilitate Harvey gave Bruce hope of conquering his own demons, so he kept wanting to believe that somebody was framing Harvey until the last page.

If you still haven't read the graphic novel, do yourself a favor and read it. Most of this movie is taken shot for shot. Extremely faithful adaptation.

a graphic novel is a book with pictures , it relies heavily on the story aspect and it's not normally a series or shorter than comics run. Some comic runs blurs the line. that's my very dumb explanation. feel free to correct me if I am wrong

This graphic novel was supposed to be a one off what if elseworld scenario with a Batman who was so broken he gave up for years... Instead it became a tent pole event that derailed the entire industry. Suddenly everyone wanted to write the next Dark Knight Returns with edgy characters ambiguous morality and moral relativism to the point that they deconstructed every hero and did not bother to build them back up. It took years and this was not the what started the whole thing, but Frank Miller says himself he carries a lot of responsibility for the way the comic book industry collapsed.

8:41 bruh thats the same font as the Gotham tv show 23:47 The Gotham tv show paralleled this with the Matches Malone death but Bruce didn't do it deliberately

really hope to see your reactions to tas! some of the other animated movies are great too

I know mark hamill retired the joker at least his rendition of it but if joker was to ever return in another animated show or movie or video game I want Micheala Emerson to voice him. His style for joker the calm yet sadistic voice that just triggers something in you that you fucked up just by talking to this guy is legendary. Probably number two in my top 5 list of jokers.

Here's my recommendation of Batman episodes to post Season 1-2: on leather wings, the cat and the claw pt. 1-2, Heart of ice, feat of clay pt. 1-2, never too late (?), jokers favor, pretty poison, nothing to fear, appointment in crime alley, pov, eternal youth(?), Two-Face pt. 1-2, I've got batman in my basement(?), vendetta, the forgotten, mad as a hatter (?), perchance to dream, the underdwellers (?), the strange secret of Bruce Wayne, Tyger Tyger (?), beware the Grey ghost, dreams in darkness, I am the night, almost got im , heart of steel, Christmas with the Joker, if you're so smart why aren't you rich, off balance (?), what is reality (?), his silicon soul (?), the Laughing Fish, harley and ivy, the man who killed batman, zatanna, Robin's reckoning, birds of a feather, the demons quest pt. 1-2, read my lips, mudslide, shadow of the bat pt. 1-2 Season 3: house and garden(?), trial, harlequinade, bane, second chance, riddlers reform, baby doll, Harleys holiday, make em laugh (?), batgirl returns(?), lockup, deep freeze, showdown, catwalk, a bullet for bullock Btas Season 4/TNBA ( idk if you're doing this one but here it is regardless ): holiday knights, sins of the father, cold comfort, never fear, you scratch my back, double talk, jokers millions, growing pains, mean seasons (?), the demons within (?), over the edge, torch song(?), love is a croc(?), old wounds, legend of the dark knight, girls night out(?), judgement day, beware the creeper, mad love Welp there's my list of noteworthy episodes to post on yt. Hopefully you'll find this helpful and wish you luck

In this movie the Joker was in a cerebral coma. Can someone confirm if this is the continuation of ""Justice League Wild Cards? "" Where they leave joker is in that coma.??

The casting of Peter Weller (ROBOCOP) as Batman in this was brilliant. Weller, despite being a slight, lithe fellow always had this deep commanding voice. Hes also great in The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai (1984)... the 80s version of Tony Stark, but way more weird. If you haven't seen ROBOCOP though, make that a #1 priority. Its brilliant top to bottom.

I’d suggest watching and editing in batches of 3-6 episodes in a single video if possible. A lotta RU-vid reactors that do series approach editing that way to reduce the workload of one episode at a time edits.

the animated adaptations of dark knight returns and year one are pretty solid as these things go, but what they're really missing is the personal style of the artists. it's one of hardest things to translate from comics to animation or (especially) live action, and millers art on dkr and mazzucchelli's art on year one are so crucial to why they are classics. to me batman the animated series has been the best d.c. animated thing because it actually invented its own visual style (even though it took cues from the tim burton movies, the 40s fleischer brothers superman cartoons, and other sources), one so popular that artists would eventually riff on it in the comics.

With the animated Batman movies, if it's based on a Frank Miller comic they basically used the comic as story boards for the movie.

There are two main DCAUs; the original which started with Batman: the Animated Series and includes Mask of the Phantasm, and ended in 2004 with Justice League: Unlimited. Whether you do reaction videos of them or not, I highly recommend watching every show and movie in the universe. The newer fims I don’t know much about though.

"How does Batman have..?" "How can Batman..?" To paraphrase Frank Miller's 2nd worst book: "Because he's the goddamn Batman!".

The Animated Series has so many individual episodes that have amazing story telling. Honestly it might be easier for to just do reviews rather than reactions.

I’ve done martial arts for a little over 8 years now and I have been hit in nerves that have straight up shit my arm down for several seconds, even minutes. Can you do it consistently? Not very likely. But hitting nerves that make you loose control of your limbs does exist so if Batman really is THAT good then theoretically it’s very much possible.

1:50 Watching you react to both Batman the animated series and the DCAU movies would be cool. The DCAU movies that happen in the Flashpoint universe are amazing. One of my favorite scenes of this movie is where the old cop slows down and decides to watch because he knows that Batman can handle it.

Awesome 👏

Dude .... it will be so hard to knit pick the Batman, The Animated Series episodes. But, it culminated in the Batman/Superman tie in, which led to Superman. And eventually into the Justice league. Which eventually became the Justice League of America. All of that BEFORE any of the current DC verse.

I wish I could watch the uncut series with you, you have made my very loud bat-fan side come out in spades with your words you get it about Bruce and the movie theme. Batman has been shot at, burned, taken bullets, hit by a lot of things, that he was gone is just an understanding of it all catching up to Bruce Wayne, because with that little smile the bat was back and they can't leave each other alone. It's almost like too perfect that for those who weren't quite getting it they used Two-Face to really better explain it. This Batman at his age was perfect. I don't like this Robin though, not for me. Great what she does but bleh lol.

DC has great animation, loved your reactions to some of the really good animation choices in it such as the camera shaking. i would say another good interpretation of the graphic novel is the animated movie year one, but pretty much all the content animated has some solid takes on the animation, keep the good content gOD OF tHUNDER!

The older Batman animated movies are better than the newer ones, but i enjoy them all because,,,... well, Batman

Conroy and Weller are both awsome

For something Batman but also out of left field a bit I'd suggest Batman Beyond Return of the Joker. It's a DCAU related one and definitely worth a watch