The Goddamn Batman is actually also a part of this continuity.

Sometimes i don't like my art, but then i look at this comic and i feel better with myself

The artwork scares me more than the fever dream that is the Arkham Asylum comic.

I got recomended dk2 and was told it was better than dkr. guess i got trolled

I'll never forgive Frank Miller for what he did to Dick Grayson.

"It's greatest villain is the story" lol

I once bought DK2 after having read and loved the first one and immediately took it back for a full refund

This whole books screams of what happens without editors assigned to writers to oversee writing and artwork

Poor Frank. He went to Sin City and never came back.

Frank's art and writing has gone downhill over the years

Captain marvel's line: "where does a wish go? Where does a dream go when you wake up and can't remember? Nowhere. Give everyone my best. It has been nice existing."

The story could have worked, but the artwork makes it virtually unreadable. And it probably could have used an extra issue to work out what the f*ck happened!

In the early days, before the creative team were the characters, there was some consistency. Accepting that the story lines were generally less than challenging, when you picked the book off the shelf you knew roughly what you were choosing to read. Now that the creators are bigger than the characters they depict, once they slip the leash of their editors, buyer beware. I blame lazy, unengaged editors for all disappointments in comics since the turn of the century.

Thank you Mr Lamp. I'm glad to see people enjoying them.

I don't mind reductive artwork. But even in raw form, art can be of quality. This is a poorly scrawled, cringe fest. Miller went out on a limb too far. Ah well. Ya gotta take chances. Some pay off and some are... epic fails.

I finished this book today. It's no Dark Knight Returns but it's very interesting. The art is incredibly jarring but I wanted to see where the story went. I also wanted to read and see when in the writing process 9/11 happened. It's more interesting to see where miller's head was at 17 ago Vs it being a sequel to one of the best written comics of our time.

The best moment in this book is Shazams death.It actually hit me in the gut a bit

it's good that they fixed all of this in dk3

I agree with Millar that the magic of purely Heroic superheroes is not prized like it used to be, and I really miss that. Not every hero should be deeply depressed and a shitty person in private but a great person in public.

IDK why but I have a soft spot for this series

EDIT: I wrote this prior to reaching 4:20 in the video, where, these thought are pretty clearly echoed by this video author. Ignore me if needed. ORIGINAL: When used right, in say Photoshop, a gradient can be impactful or subtle or both. When you use multiple colors from all hues and then apply them in some odd gradient, you look like a hack. This latter point is what i see in most every use of that "feature" on these pages you have shown my eyes which now bleed in a gradient of clear to invisible.

My head canon only includes the dark knight returns. All star Batman and robin and the sequels deserve to be left in the trash.

I really enjoyed The Dark Knight Strikes Again. This is what got me interested in Frank Miller's work. I never looked twice at any of his work before DK2.

I liked this book and I fell in love in the next one, Master Race.

Loving these. Keep up the awesome work!

I feel sorry for anyone who actually paid for this bad artwork.

Miller had an insane phase, but Last Crusade and Golden Child are in my opinion better then any Batman comics he wrote in the 80s.

Last Crsade was surprisingly good

If this was post-2001, then digital colouring was already in use and not an early foray. Marvel bought Malibu just because they had advanced digital colouring techniques, which was well over half-decade before this.

6:59. Cosplay anyone? I liked DKII’s story ... I would even go so far as to say it was prophetic...considering the state of the world now. The art wasn’t as “good” as some of other Frank Miller’s pieces are. Even as stylized as Frank Miller’s work is it’s even more abstract like he “Picasso’ed” his own work. Still. I would give it a solid 7.5 to an 8 on the reader scale.

Why i disagree... although i cant remember my sourse for this, this story was originally supposed to be The Last JLA story, not DK2. It was (supposedly) DC that insisted it be a DK story, as it would make more money being a sequal. Second, FM's art had been changing since the beginning. He is constantly expirementing. Look at his Daredevil, to Ronin, to DK to Sincity to see this. I think this is another stage of his experimenting, as it presents itself as a kinda if Kabuki theater, which suits the absurbity if the story's world. It also is a cool call back to the JLA cartoons from the 1970s. Third, FM has never been particularly nuanced. He writes a story with a sledgehammer...letting it all out brutally. DK2 continues that. Forth, i think the main problem here is too many people are reading DK2 expecting to have the same expirence as DK1, not realizing they (the reader) are no longer the same. I read DK1 when it first came out, when i was 15ish... when i read DK1 i was 35. I remember DK1 with a teen mind, but read DK2 as an adult. Two different ways to look at the story..... two very different reactions..

The best part about this story is the name. I wish the first one was called *The Dark Knight Strikes Again* . It sounds way more impactful than a simple *Returns*

So THIS is what Zack S. Based his batman off.

I never knew there was a part two... the first one rocked

I figure he was trying to be very experimental. But there's a difference between being experimental, and just straight up forgetting artistic fundamentals. Unfortunately, even if he was trying to be experimental, being experimental isn't something that's happily looked upon in the comic industry.

worst comic book art of all time

Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t this originally not meant to be a follow up to The Dark Knight Returns, a day it ended up being made into a sequel at the last minute? Also I understand Frank Miller was not in the best frame of mind when he made this, for many reasons you cited here, and more. But I just plain get the feeling he was being lazy with the art and was just going for a quick payday.

DK2 is always my favorite part in this trilogy. Dixie Kong was my favorite character in entire DK franchise.

I remember reading this at my schools library. I personally really like the art style. But it's like comparing Burton's Batman to Shoemockers Batman. Ones dark and heavy, the other is colorful and exaggerated (art wise). But yeah, the story sucks. It really does. Even as a standalone Batman story, not considering DKR, it still doesn't work.

The dk 3: the master race is better. When frank isn't illustrating.

Its just i feels like another story.

One thing that really irks me is that Dick Grayson was always portrayed as a lighter batman a batman not weighed down by trauma but in this one he's evil instantly dismantling his entire character

I’m 2 minutes into this video and I’m like “this looks fucking amazing I need to read this” to each their own

Personally I think alot of the time the art on Dark Knight Returns wasn't all good but some of it is alright. It's a great story and good dialogue so that's my personal thoughts

What was done to Dick Grayson is inexcusable.

I liked Dk2’s story, but the art is an eyesore

4:08 no way i paid for this, i just ordered on amazon

This is art. I feed the drawings are interesting

I genuinely love DK2 but also respect your criticisms and how you articulate them. The part where you compared one of Miller's drawings to something you did in Microsoft Paint made me laugh out loud.

Hmm...While I don't think DK2 was great I don't think it was terrible. I do like the smart way you laid out your analysis. I'm looking forward to more videos.

So I don't understand. First there's the first comic where Batman fights the mutants and stuff. But didn't Miller make another one where Batman kills Joker at the Amusement Park? Is that considered part of the first comic?

i think i can explain holly terror

A gross exaggeration. It's a decent book still. Still better than a lot of average monthlies. And Hawkman has killed people since the golden age. He's not a hero that really minds. I disagree about the people's commentary adding nothing either. And with instagram and such(and based on nude news), that fad definitely still speaks to modern times(cosplay and what not). DK2 is not miller as his best. His style had become highly... stylized. It's not that bad but it's just miller past his prime. But still above average. The beginning of the scene with the atom is one of the best.

Dick Grayson becomes the Joker....... Dick Grayson, protege to Batman, Robin, Nightwing, one of the greatest heroes in the DC univerese...... becomes the Joker........... FUCK. THAT.

Mr. Miller your art hear is starting to approach Chris Chan level and that is beyond bad

I read the book myself( a few pages if I'm gonna be honest) and oh my goodness it was bad as everyone else said it was. The only part I found more interesting than the book it self was Robin turning into the joker and setting out to kill the last remains superheroes. I felt as if the book should've revolved around that

This is honestly such a great review, very thoughtful and insightful into to now insane mind of Frank Miller. love these

My first reaction looking at this “what the hell happened to the artwork,the original had amazing artwork and a great style and WHY ARE THERE FACES ALL OVER THE PLACE”

First time I’ve seen one of your videos and it was excellent. Great work!

I'd agree with your overall idea on the quality of this comic but you don't really seem to understand the creative license involved in comic/art and you also make a slightly mute point about how long it takes you to recreate a panel from the comic, a point that is pretty irrelevant to the quality of craftsmanship, i don't disagree that the arts a big mental and the colouring seems like it's indicative of someone just discovering the new digital techniques of the time but that wasn't a way to measure it

awesome man, i just found your channel and came across this video. ive been waiting for years for someone to do an overview on this comic without just ranting and raving their opinions everywhere. digging the throwback comics and not just doin the same new ones everybody and their mom reviews or talks about. Is there anyway you could make a video like this on either Emerald Twilight/ New Dawn Green Lantern or maybe a good Mon-El storyline from the legion of super heroes or something? That would rock

Interesting take. For myself, I really, really liked it. I found Miller's thematics very bold (always have and that's why I like him) at a time in History (2001) when 'Bold' was - as far as everyone else was concerned - nowhere in sight. And the anger that permeates the pages seemed to me to be more than apt or justified. As Luthor in it said : "Freedom of speech is great - as long as no one is paying any attention".

Wow your channel is awesome

I actually really like Dark Knight Strikes Again - both the art and writing are wilder and messier to match the confusing, futuristic world that the heroes find themselves in. It was released almost twenty years later into a very different world, and I think the change in style reflects that, while keeping it under control enough to tell a ripping superhero yarn. And Miller cheekily starts it off with a few pages with detailed linework and muted colours that hark back to his Ronin style, just to show us that he could do it that way if he wanted, before he blasts us in the face with all that leopard print! (DKIII was dreadful, though.)

Frank Miller's logic: "comics have become way too dark and serious! Hold on. We'll talk about this later. I'm busy writing this issue of all star batman and robin where batman kidnaps and tortures a child by forcing him to eat a dead rat. I'm almost done. And then batman punches the 12 year old child in the face and says "I'm the goddamn batman!" Perfect! What were we talking about again? Oh yeah! Comics are way too dark and serious!"

I think DK2 is the last time FM drew some pretty good art before just going off a cliff completely (master race art he did really sucked), so im glad to have it. Also, he simplified his art to reach more purity. Why draw a complex machine when a circle will do the job with the help of our imaginations.

Great video, well edited! Saved me having to read the novel :-P

4:03 so that's why our parents told us not to slouch

this guy is virgin prime.

I do believe that Holly Terror was supposed to be DK3 yet its artwork and its plot are are low in quality as DK2's.

I heard it was bad but I would never expect the art to be lackluster

I thought DK2 was alright it's not as good as all star batman and Robin, or Dark Knight returns, year one, I just don't think it's as bad as everyone thinks it is the art work isn't great and I didn't like superman and wonder woman romance otherwise it's alright haven't read DK3

Miller is the writer....not the artist.

I guess the nuclear winter from TDK let sequels on the humans.

I like stylistic stuff, it’s refreshing from hard realism. Sometimes it can be difficult to draw a line between bad art and stylized work. That said, holy crap that art is bad.

My biggest question: Why did Batman lose his teeth?

The artwork is a lot better in noir

You know, there was a time when Frank Miller was actually an excellent and exceptional Artist. I don't know exactly when his talent as an artist began to devolve into what ever his current "style" is now. It's truly horrible. It is like he just doesn't care anymore.

I loved this comic and am pissed it always gets shit on

Sooo... am I the only one that kinda enjoyed the comic?

DAT THUMBNAIL THO.

Can I skip this one and read The Master Race, or is it necessary to understand the story?

Made me subscribe

You can have gigantic hands(9:45)+good art. Digimon, angemon

I must be the only one who liked this book. DK3 is also great. My fave Batman universe by far.

Even if there was a good story it wouldnt matter because the art is just terrible

You just DON'T get it!

Was there anything after this or was this the end of all of it?

i actually love dk2 except for batman and superman killing

i feel lynn varleys coloring makes up for the bad art

the art is fine, it’s stylized dude.

The artwork maybe bad for a comic and a fuck you from Miller but is some of the most expressive art by it,s self. You and I could draw a lot of these images but can you make something that make you fell something by drawing it and was intend as fuck you and get paid for it. Miller is a troll god bow before his greatness .

Sheeple ......

Dark Knight Strikes Again is an awesome, and very underrated, comic book. The artwork could have and should have been more detailed (like the first one) but overall the book was good. Miller always said his comics portray his vision of the world, both scary and silly at the same time, is is very much in tune with DKSA (and Elektra Assassin, among others). While there have been criticisms toward the book, many of them have been out of misunderstanding it IMO. Hopefully, DCWB adapt DKSA into an animated feature soon

It's ashame that Bad art can be forgive accorded to The fans if correct if not

took me over 8 months to read this book. had to force myself to pick it up every few weeks and couldnt get further than a couple pages! rubbish!

I think that Frank Miller's recent art mirrors his physical and mental decay. When he was young and healthy his work was vibrant, powerful and bold. Older and frail Frank Miller's is a painful attempt at social criticism and at using the reader as punching bag, and even though it might have its audience, is a far cry from his heydays qualitywise. (I do believe that most comics artists draw versions of themselves - just look at the pictures of the most famous comics artists and see it for yourself). I simply love Frank Miller's work on Daredevil, Ronin, Batman, 300 and Sin City. And there's his contributions with Simon Beasley (Batman vs Lobo) and Todd Mcfarlane (Batman and Spawn) which were simply great.

8:09 "Hawkeye's son" Huh, didn't know this was a marvel crossover.

Thank god ive never read this

I think you are way overthinking what Miller wants to say and are thinking yourself to self-important that you know better what the author is saying. Comment on what he says and what you agree with or not but don't be petty. That's what a person with less talent usually does.