Episode 105 – Andy & Mike Look At The Dark Knight Strikes Again

Welcome back to The Overlooked Dark Knight, the show where Andrew Leyland and Michael Bailey shine a light on Batman stories people tend to…overlook.

It’s right there in the name.

Originally, this episode was going to be Andy and Mike’s discussion about Batman: The Three Jokers. But for reasons explained in the show, and somewhat later in these notes, they went in a different direction.

Back in December of 2001, DC Comics released the first issue of Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again. Written and drawn by Frank Miller with color by Lynn Varley, this three issue series is the sequel to 1986’s The Dark Knight Returns. To say this was a big deal in the comic book world is an understatement. There were no stops on the hype train and hopes were high for the follow up to one of the most important Batman stories ever.

And then it came out.

And reactions were…mixed.

To mark the upcoming 25th anniversary (because it definitely can’t be called a celebration) and to serve as a low key follow up to Andy and his some Micheal talking about the original series over on Hey Kids Comics (which you can find by clicking on this link) Andy and Mike look at The Dark Knight Strikes Again. They talk about the lead up to the series, how the story defies conventional commentary, what Frank Miller might have been saying, ask if this was supposed to be taken seriously in any, way, shape or form, compare it to another Frank Miller Batman story that has become controversial, how the story relates (or maybe doesn’t relate) to 9/11, how the idea that Frank Miller’s Batman became the template for decades to come isn’t exactly true, and more.

Mike also previews the Batman related panels he’ll be part of at this year’s DragonCon!

Also, after the main show, stick around for the tangents that Mike cut out of the main show. Because this is something that Andy and Mike are trying. To read the article that Mike mentions during this portion of the show click here.

Below are the cover and select pages and sketches from Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again.

It may not seem like it, but Andy and Mike do like feedback even if they are crap at getting to it. The most direct way to do this is to email them, which you can do by directing your thoughts to overlookeddarkknight@gmail.com. You can also leave a comment over on their Facebook page. You can also leave a comment at the new web home of the show, The Bailey Planet.

Next Time: Andy and Mike take a look at Batman: Three Jokers. For reals this time.