In The Dark Knight Returns, published in 1996, Frank Miller recreated Batman as a more challenging and savage character. He then published Batman: Year One, confirming his understanding of the character, which will have an effect on several writers.
All of these stories are set in Earth-31, which is also referred to as The Dark Knight Universe or Millerverse, in the DC Universe pre-flashpoint. The greatest and worst of Batman’s tales are told on planet Earth.
Frank Miller’s Batman: Publication Order
The Return of the Dark Knight (1986)
Ten years have passed since an aged Batman retired, and criminal behavior and immorality have increased in Gotham City.
Now, in a moment of beauty, the Dark Knight arrives just when his city needs him most. Batman hits the streets with young female Robin Carrie Kelly to put an end to the danger presented by the monster criminals that have taken over the city.
And after fighting his two biggest enemies, the Joker and Two-Face, for the last time, Batman finds himself involved in a deadly fight with Superman, his previously partner, in an argument that will only end in death for one of them.
Batman Zero Year Reading Order (Batman New 52)
- The Dark Knight Returns 2002 Edition
- Absolute Dark Knight
- Batman Noir: Dark Knight Returns
- Batman: The Dark Knight Saga Deluxe Edition
- The Dark Knight Returns 30th anniversary
- The Dark Knight Returns Slipcase Set
Batman: First Year (1987)
Batman travels a much darker Gotham City in his first year of work than the one he left behind. Half the fight is already lost for the Dark Knight when he teams up with Captain James Gordon to put an end to the town’s criminal population; the other half is up against a police force that is even more dishonest than the filth on the streets.
- Batman: Year One (1997 Trade Paperback)
- Batman: Year One Deluxe Edition
- Absolute Batman Year One
- Batman: Year One Book & DVD Set
Batman/Spawn (1994)
Frank Miller wrote this one-shot comics book, which Todd McFarlane colored and Image Comics published. In search of a supplies of modern weapons and robots with cut human heads serving as their brains, Batman travels to New York City.
Before learning they are interested in the same enemy, Develop and Batman have fights because they are harmful, rude, and nervous of one another. They reluctantly agree to collaborate. They are looking for someone who has been kidnapping and murdering homeless people to use their parts in robots, but that’s not all there is to the plan a deadly weapon is also waiting to be used.
- Spawn/Batman
2001’s The Dark Knight Returns Again
Batman has to make another chance three years after Batman: The Dark Knight Returns in order to save the world from itself. Batman has been keeping an eye on the world above while faking his own death and building an underground society.
It is up to the Dark Knight to come out of the shadows under Kingdom and restore order to confusion as it hits its breaking point. In this epic story involving Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Martian Manhunter, and the Atom, a dying Batman fights a last struggle against an injured planet with the help of his army of Bat-soldiers and his female partner, Catgirl.
- Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again
- Batman Noir: The Dark Knight Strikes Again
- Absolute Dark Knight
- Batman: The Dark Knight Saga Deluxe Edition
All-Star Batman & Robin, The Boy Wonder (2005)
All hell breaks free at the fair as Bruce Wayne and partner Vicki Vale see a little boy’s life destroyed in front of their eyes. Dick Grayson, the orphaned boy, is left with nowhere to go and no one to turn to but Bruce Wayne.
A sequel was announced, but the series was never published.
- All-Star Batman & Robin, The Boy Wonder, Vol. 1
- Absolute All Star Batman & Robin the Boy Wonder Volume 1
The Master Race, or The Dark Knight III (2015)
Three years have passed since Batman beat the evil Lex Luthor and saved the world from power. The person in charge of Gotham City hasn’t been seen alive for three years. Wonder Woman, the Amazon Queen…Hal Jordan, the Heavenly Being…All of the Dark Knight’s friends have walked away from the front lines of the fight against injustice, even Superman and the Man of Steel.
However, a new war is about to start. Superman’s own daughter manages a force of incredible might that is ready to take Earth as their new home. Batman is dead, the only power capable of stopping this master race. Congratulations to the new Batman!
- The Dark Knight III: The Master Race
The Last Crusade: The Return of the Dark Knight (2016)
Bruce Wayne is having problems teaching Jason Todd, his partner and future heir, as the Joker returns madly to Arkham Asylum. As Batman and Robin explore the latest round of odd killing sprees attacking Gotham City’s elite, critics start to wonder if the Dark Knight has the right to put a child’s life in risk. What happens to a youngster when they experience danger and anger night after night? What plans does the Joker have?
- The Dark Knight Returns: Last Crusade
Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child (2019)
The events of Dark Knight III: The Master Race took place three years ago. Carrie Kelley has been developing into her new role as Batwoman, while Lara has been spending time learning how to be more human. Lara and Carrie, however, have a secret weapon that they can use to work together to take out this increasing danger as a horrible evil has returned to Gotham City. Jonathan Kent, sometimes known as “the golden child,” has a force that will soon be released that no one has ever seen before.
- The Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child Deluxe Edition
The Dark Knight Universe in Chronological Order (sometimes called Earth-31)
- Batman: Year One
Gathers Batman issues #404-407.
- Superman: Year One
Gathers Superman: Year One issues #1-3.
- All-Star Batman and Robin, The Boy Wonder
Gathers All Star Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder issues #1-10.
- Spawn: Batman
A one-shot comic book written by Frank Miller, illustrated by Todd McFarlane, and published by Image Comics.
- The Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade
Prestige One-Shot
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Gathers Batman: The Dark Knight Returns issues #1-4.
- Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again
Gathers Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again issues #1-3
- Batman: The Dark Knight: Master Race
Gathers Batman: The Dark Knight: Master Race issues #1-9.
- The Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child
A prestige format one-shot under DC Black Label.
