Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

This week the assigned reading was Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and the film that accompanied it was Batman released in 1989. When comparing the two mediums there are a few things to highlight, the way the media push the storyline along as well as the tone in this film. In both mediums it is the media that pushes the storyline along. Various news programs are critiquing the styles of Batman and the Joker. The media see Batman as a menace to society and the Joker as another citizen. Throughout the film there are attempts to try and have Batman stop what he is doing. In the novel this is seen clearer because there is a warrant for Batman's arrest. Plus there are constant debates as to if the Batman helps to make Gotham a better or worse place with his vigilante style of crime fighting.  This is interesting because the marjoity of the public seem to agree with the negative portrayal of Batman. This is interesting because most of the reports of Batman and his accomplishements come from a talking head. That is to say that these people are most ilinformed of what is really going on, yet the claim to be bringing the news.

Secondly the tone of the film and the novel. In the novel the tone is much darker. The way the comics are drawn casting more shadows on the faces of characters and the way Batman himself is portrayed. His thoughts are much darker. In the film Batman's character is relatively dark but not as dark as the in the novel. In the scenes where he is In his cave alone trying to uncover the plot of the Joker. Also when Ms. Vale realises who Mr.Wayne really is the scene itself seems realtively dark to compare with other films shot during that time period. Comparing this film to something like Superman, made roughnly around the same time,  the feel and tone of this film seems extremely dark. However if one were to compare it to Batman films of late this film would seem not as dark.