If you’re a comic book fan… and I don’t mean the kind of comic book fan that says they like comics because they thought the IRON MAN flicks and Christopher Nolan BATMAN movies were “sweet”… I mean a REAL comic book fan, then you will of course know and appreciate the greatness that is Frank Miller’s THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. Published in 1986, the four-issue miniseries showed us an old Bruce Wayne, dragged back into Gotham’s underworld, paired up with a new Robin (who happens to be a girl this time). The story involved The Joker, Wonder Woman, and even an epic battle between The Caped Crusader and Superman, and it was all gritty as hell. Now DC Premiere is following up their release of the animated BATMAN: YEAR ONE (also based on Miller’s work) with THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS Part 1, which features the one and only Peter Weller voicing Bruce Wayne/Batman, David Selby voicing Commissioner James Gordon, Ariel Winter (MODERN FAMILY) as Carrie Kelley/Robin, Wade Williams as Harvey Dent/Two Face, plus Michael McKean, Gary Anthony Williams, Maurice LaMarche and Rob Paulsen.
Don’t let the direct-to-DVD release of this fool you, the budget is estimated to be $3.5 million, and if this is anything like BATMAN: YEAR ONE, we’re all in for a treat. Check out the trailer for Part 1 below. Part 2 is what I’m waiting for, but that’s another year away…
Batman has not been seen for ten years. A new breed of criminal ravages Gotham City, forcing 55-year-old Bruce Wayne back into the cape and cowl. But, does he still have what it takes to fight crime in a new era?
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
