Dark Knight III: The Master Race #9 - DC Comics

DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE No. 9, July 2017

Despite this twenty-seven page periodical being “initially advertised” as the culmination of Frank Miller’s nine-issue long “DC Comics” storyline, as well as “the conclusion to the Dark Knight series” itself, it is clear from this publication’s tantalising conclusion, which depicts both a rejuvenated Batman and symbolically less colourfully-attired Batwoman taking to Gotham City’s roof-tops in order to continue their ever-vigilant fight against crime, that the Maryland-born screenwriter undoubtedly still had a number of “plans that have been running through my mind” as to the future of the Caped Crusader’s “noir-style” adventures on Earth-31. In fact, the Inkpot Award-winner actually announced “in November 2015… [that] he planned to produce a fourth mini-series to conclude the story” after ‘thoroughly applauding’ what his collaborator, Brian Azzarello, had accomplished with this title.

Perhaps somewhat contentiously though, arguably the most exciting of these potential future plots is actually the penning pair’s exploration of the Man of Steel rather than Bruce Wayne’s alter-ego. Naturally, the narrative behind Book Nine of “Dark Knight III: The Master Race” understandably depicts the titular character leading the fight against the remaining Kandorian cultists, and rather ably outwitting them with the aid of thousands of screeching bats; “To hell with they. I mean, they say money is the root of all evil, right? And that an old dog can’t learn new tricks. But nothing about a new dog using old tricks.”

However, whilst this innovative sequence not only disposes of nearly all the Leader of the Master Race’s forces, but also shows just how well “the world's greatest detective” understands what people will do “in unexpected extreme situations” and his ability to use such “friendly fire” to his advantage, it is soon quickly surpassed by a genuine ‘Superman’ moment as Jor-El’s son shockingly reveals just how much “he’s been holding back” in his past battles by shattering the collarbone of the truly obnoxious Baal, and doubtless causing 103,319 exhilarated readers to suddenly hear the familiar opening notes to John Williams’ iconic 1978 motion picture theme tune in their heads. Such one-upmanship by the “Big Blue Boy Scout” arguably leads to Jerry Siegel’s co-creation overshadowing Batman during this magazine’s most memorable moment, and suggests a pattern which debatably could well intensify further should Miller make good on his promise for a fourth instalment...

Sadly, the same cannot be said for Frank’s “Dark Knight Universe Presents: Action Comics” script, with the micro-magazine not quite managing to replicate the enthralling mix of characters which this book’s main story succeeds in achieving, and resultantly simply appears to little more than a rather lifeless list concerning the exploits of Batman, Batwoman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Wonder Woman, The Atom, Lara and Superman. Admittedly, the American author desperately tries to imbue this ‘short’ with some emotional gravitas, courtesy of its dramatic narration, yet even Diana’s tantalising confrontation with a multi-headed hydra or Hal Jordan’s all-too brief intervention with an erupting volcano, can’t help liven up Clark Kent’s laboriously-long conversation with his disagreeably dislikable daughter.

Story: Frank Miller & Brian Azzarello, Pencils: Andy Kubert, and Inks: Klaus Janson

Dark Knight III: The Master Race #8 - DC Comics

DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE No. 8, May 2017

Considering that this was the second biggest-selling comic book of March 2017, having shifted an impressive 107,892 units, it’s hard not to still imagine many of this publication’s audience momentarily double-checking to see whether they’d inadvertently picked up a copy of the author’s “historically inspired 1998 comic book limited series” “300” rather than the penultimate instalment to Frank Miller’s fourth Batman-related magnum opus. Indeed, such are the blood soaking similarities between the Maryland-born writer’s “fictional retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae” and “the Kryptonians… war against the Amazons”, that some readers could arguably have almost heard actor David Wenham’s voice relating Wonder Woman’s merciless defeat of Kandor’s citizens in a manner indistinguishable from how he did so "before the historic Battle of Plataea” in Zack Snyder’s 2006 American epic war film.

For starters the Palme d'Or nominee’s narrative certainly doesn’t shy away from the utter savagery of the conflict’s barbarity, with Diana’s evident glee at the extra-terrestrial invaders’ intention to ‘kill every one’ of her people clearly signalling the Amazonian Queen’s relief that she need not hold back the formidable ferocity of her force’s ruthlessness. There genuinely will be absolutely no quarter given, nor arguably asked for, as sharpened swords and laser-beam eyes uncaringly carve a bloody wake through ravaged torsos, headless necks and dismembered limbs.

Interestingly, this pulse-pounding passage, awesomely pencilled by Andy Kubert, also provides an intriguing insight into the age-old “DC Comics” question as to who would win in a straight-up fight between Superman and Themyscira’s ruler. Clearly Quar’s arrogant, overly-confident forces believe their proximity to the “Earth’s yellow sun” and all the incredible powers which it provides them with, makes them invulnerable to the seemingly backward weapons (and tactics) of a sword and shield-carrying adversary. But one can soon see the utter disbelief and rising terror in the Kryptonian’s eyes when they realise that they are actually badly outmatched by the “immortal” female warriors’ worship of the sun as a god, and the inexplicable “magic” that belief provides; “We are Amazons. We will die before we surrender! We will avenge every drop of blood you spill! We will never bow our heads to alien tyranny! I promise you… We will rule this day.”

Similarly as scintillating, albeit the twelve-page mini-periodical focuses upon an infinitely less grand confrontation, is Miller’s plot for “Dark Knight Universe Presents: Detective Comics”. Focusing upon Commissioner Ellen Yindel’s skirmish with the shaven-headed, bare-breasted psychopath Bruno and her Joker Boys, this ‘short’ provides plenty of tension as the police officer is about to be sliced into sausage meat on an electrically-powered table-saw, and only survives due to the timely arrival of Gotham’s now-colourfully costumed Caped Crusaders.

Story: Frank Miller & Brian Azzarello, Pencils: Andy Kubert, and Inks: Klaus Janson

Dark Knight III: The Master Race #7 - DC Comics

DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE No. 7, February 2017

Focusing upon the disconcertingly disorientated Kryptonians and Quar’s efforts to help his people “regain their strength” from the formidable assault they recently received at the hands of Gotham City’s irate population, many of this comic’s 119,114 readers probably felt that Frank Miller’s portrayal of Lara Kent erred somewhat during this particular twenty-two page periodical. For whilst Book Seven of “Dark Knight III: The Master Race” manages to maintain the character’s momentum as a truly troubled adolescent whose misplaced allegiance to “the inhabitants of Kandor” is as much a rebellious gesture towards everything which her forth righteous parents stand for, as it is an extraordinarily poor choice in friends, it’s hard to imagine even the illogical, emotionally-crazed half-Amazonian being won over to abduct her own baby brother by the terrorist’s super-powered leader angrily smashing her across the face with a closed fist; “What are you? Are you one of them? Or one of us?”

Similarly, having experienced first-hand just how sadistically sick and immature the now facially malformed Baal can be, when he thoughtlessly tossed a family-filled car up in the air with no intention of rescuing its occupants in a previous issue, it’s difficult to comprehend Superman’s daughter would willingly stand by and watch the cold-hearted killer be given Jonathan Kent “as a plaything” by the murderer's father, let alone actively participate in the criminals’ demented raid upon Themyscira by spearheading the toddler’s actual kidnapping. Of course, such illogical behaviour, even for a young woman who happily beat her ‘boy scout’ father into submission, could all be part of some massive deception in order to outmanoeuvre a clearly psychopathic extra-terrestrial invasion force. But even so, the so-called super-heroine’s willingness to participate in such insane shenanigans somewhat grates upon the senses, especially when the “Leader of the Master Race of Kandorian cultists” is so clearly deranged.

Fortunately, alongside a rather less contentious sequence depicting Superman plunging Batman's body into a Lazarus Pit in order to save the Caped Crusader’s life, this publication also contains the far more enjoyable mini-comic “Dark Knight Universe Presents: Strange Adventures”. Pencilled by Frank Miller, this ‘short’ demonstrates precisely why Hal Jordan is truly a man “without fear” as he ‘wings’ an attempt to steal “his lost hand with the Green Lantern Power Ring attached to it” from a band of desert-dwelling arms dealers and ultimately “retrieves the ring and his powers” with “Hawkman and Hawkgirl's help”. Far more dynamically penned than this book’s lead story, it’s a pity editor Mark Doyle didn’t decide to elaborate upon this abbreviated tale within the magazine’s main body, and perhaps utilise the far more sedentary, multi-panelled Bat-signal based conversation between Commissioner Ellen Yindel and Carrie Kelly for the micro tome instead.

Story: Frank Miller & Brian Azzarello, Pencils: Andy Kubert, and Inks: Klaus Janson

Dark Knight III: The Master Race #6 - DC Comics

DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE No. 6, December 2016

Dousing the vast majority of their cast in the ghostly green-hued droplets of synthetic Kryptonite, Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello’s narrative for Book Six of “Dark Knight III: The Master Race” must surely have been as gritty and enthrallingly compelling as any of its impressive 133,642-strong readership could have wished for with its bloody depiction of pugilistic violence and barbaric savagery. In fact, this twenty-page periodical’s sadistic shocks simply don’t stop and range from the gratuitously graphic demise of a baseball bat-carrying vigilante by Baal through to the Kryptonian terrorist’s own gruesome facial mutilation courtesy of Robin and her primitive hand-held catapult.

Regrettably though, not all of the Maryland-born writer’s sense-shattering surprises are as fortuitous as Carrie Kelley’s aim with “a ballistic device” and Kryptonite pebble. True, for large portions of the text the weakened Kandorian cultists literally get their clock’s cleaned by the formerly downtrodden people of Gotham City and Commissioner Gordon’s immovable riot police. But before long a handful of foolishly brave Batboys are burned alive by an enraged son of Quar, whilst even the formidable tank-like Batmobile is disconcertingly demolished within the space of a few panels; “My, my. How totally human… Bringing a car, to a god fight.”

Foremost of these unhappy happenstances however, occurs during this publication’s particularly harrowing cliff-hanger ending, when its titular character is apparently mortally wounded by the cowardly “Leader of the Master Race” using his heat vision. An unbelievably emotive moment already, due to Andy Kubert’s superb pencilling of the heavily-armoured crime-fighter lifelessly falling into Clark Kent’s anguished arms, this heart-wrenching instant is made all the more bitter by the American artist subtly sketching in a cruel grin upon the lips of Quar as he cowardly flees the scene of his alien people’s unforeseen defeat.

Equally as engaging to any perusing bibliophile is this book’s mini-comic “Dark Knight Universe Presents: World’s Finest”. Initially focusing upon Batman’s livid green and purple costumed “Chosen One” and her outmatched confrontation with Superman’s all-powerful offspring Lara, this ‘short’, marvellously drawn by Frank Miller, swiftly transforms itself into a pulse-pounding punch-up between Wonder Woman and her errant daughter; “I’ve never experienced an earthquake, but no way it could measure up to this.”

Story: Frank Miller & Brian Azzarello, Pencils: Andy Kubert, and Inks: Klaus Janson

Dark Knight III: The Master Race #5 - DC Comics

DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE No. 5, August 2016

The sixth best-selling title of June 2016, at least according to “Diamond Comic Distributors, Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello’s script for Book Five of “Dark Knight III: The Master Race” finally provided it audience of 139,919 readers with a glimmer of hope that the "dystopian near-future version of Gotham City" would not become irreparably ravaged by the recently restored inhabitants of Kandor. Indeed, for a narrative partially penned by a writer “noted for combining film noir and manga influences in his comic art creations”, the plot to this twenty-three page periodical arguably contains an incredible amount of optimism, faith and just the occasional moment when one can almost hear the opening notes of John Williams’ theme to “Superman”…

Foremost of these marvellous moments must undeniably be Robin’s miraculous voyage to the dark depths of the ocean floor, some “twenty thousand leagues under the sea”. Accompanied by Aquaman riding a gigantic Hammerhead shark, a cohort of squid-riding Atlanteans and a whole posse of Anglerfish, Carrie Kelley’s successful search for Superman’s black matter tomb and the Man of Steel’s subsequent escape proves to be a genuinely uplifting experience, especially when it transpires that as far as Kal-El is concerned “it seemed centuries had passed” since he allowed his daughter to best him in a fist-fight and that "was all the time I needed to search my soul. Do you want to save the world?"

Equally as heart-warming is the Palme d'Or nominee’s conclusion to this publication. With the re-emergence of Clark Kent’s alter-ego, alongside the appearance of the Flash, Wonder Woman and Atlantis’ King, it is potentially all too easy to forget that this mini-series is actually the continuation of Miller’s story concerning an “aged Bruce Wayne.” This reality truly bites home when Batman squares off against one of the Kryptonians, who despite being robbed of his super-powers due to being drenched in synthetic Kryptonite, quickly shows the Caped Crusader why the old man “shouldn’t physically engage” as he is “not really in the shape to.” Fortunately however, an armour-encased Superman suddenly appears at the Dark Knight's side, informing his elderly friend not to worry, as “I got your back.”  

Disappointingly, far less enjoyable, or even understandable, is this comic’s mini tie-in “Dark Knight Universe Presents: Lara”. Focusing upon Baal’s childish attempt to woo Wonder Woman’s daughter by murderously hurling a car of humans into the air and then ‘stealing’ a kiss from her, the dislikeable killer perhaps unsurprisingly receives a foot to the mouth for this troubles. But then seems to win her heart despite the terrorist clearly standing for everything which the girl’s parents passionately stand against…

Story: Frank Miller & Brian Azzarello, Pencils: Andy Kubert, and Inks: Klaus Janson

Dark Knight III: The Master Race #4 - DC Comics

DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE No. 4, June 2016

For those of the 143,055 readers who bought this book and weren’t actually fans of Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster’s Kryptonian creation, Issue Four of “Dark Knight III: The Master Race” must arguably have proved somewhat satisfying with its depiction of the daughter of Kent beating her father up “tirelessly”, “ceaselessly” and “mercilessly.” Certainly the ultimately bloody and seemingly fatal sequence is savagely reminiscent of Kal-El’s gory demise at the hands of Doomsday in the 1992 comic book storyline “The Death Of Superman”.

Yet whilst Editor Mike Carlin’s enormously successful plot showed the Justice Leaguer valiantly dying in order to save Metropolis from “The Ultimate”, Brian Azzarello’s portrayal of the Big Blue Boy Scout’s downfall appears infinitely less meaningful as the “shame of Jor-El” impotently allows himself be beaten to a pulp by his angst-ridden daughter, and subsequently leaves the entire world vulnerable to the homicidal machinations of Quar. Such a chillingly paternal sacrifice at the hands of one’s child may well have been a noble, even heroic, gesture on behalf of Clark Kent’s alter ego, but it hardly succeeds in ousting possibly the greatest threat to the planet so far seen in storyteller Frank Miller’s acquiescently bleak ‘alternative’ universe.

Indeed, all Superman’s end really causes is a very real threat to the titular character’s life as the triumphant Leader of the Master Race of Kandorian cultists turns his attention “to more pressing matters” and gives the people of Gotham City just thirty-six hours to hand over “your Batman” or “one of my children will cleanse this Earth of you.” A situation which is made doubly dire by Wonder Woman’s determination to stand by the disagreeable decision made by her love, humanity “collectively”, and her own daughter for the Amazonian Queen not to interfere in the affairs of the modern-day world...

Somewhat more encouraging and hearteningly less dour, is Miller’s writing for this twenty-three page periodical’s mini-comic “Dark Knight Universe Presents: Batgirl”. Featuring Bruce Wayne’s “accomplice” Carrie Kelly, this short but garishly coloured tale follows the lime-green and pink attired heroine battling her way to then end of Gotham City Pier through a horde of enraged citizens. Enthusiastically drawn by the Maryland-born penciller, this narrative once again provides the title’s audience with plenty of physical evidence as to just why the Caped Crusader has selected the young female Robin as his successor, and additionally features a nice cameo by a sea-beast riding Aquaman too.

Story: Frank Miller & Brian Azzarello, Pencils: Andy Kubert, and Inks: Klaus Janson

Dark Knight III: The Master Race #3 - DC Comics

DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE No. 3, April 2016

The top-selling book in March 2016, at least according to “Diamond Comic Distributors”, Issue Three of “Dark Knight III: The Master Race” must have proved a genuinely frightening reading experience for the vast majority of its 146,044 owners with an opening that sees an elderly, and evidently impotent, Bruce Wayne witnessing the atomic destruction of several major international cities as a result of Quar of Krypton’s much-maligned influence. Indeed it’s hard to imagine a more horrifying world than one in which super-strong flying ‘Gods’ can arbitrarily pluck hapless humans from the world’s surface, nonchalantly break their spines in front of a television cameraman, and then offhandedly allow the corpse to tumble back down through the clouds towards the ground far below; “People of Earth… It’s over. All of it. This is the end of your depression. Your shackles are gone. Fall to your knees…”

However, the harrowing sight of Moscow being flattened beneath a mushroom-shaped explosion is just the start of Frank Miller’s remarkably unpleasant vision of living (and dying) within his ‘Dark Knight Universe’, as the multiple Kirby-Award winner’s plot quickly establishes that the “broken” Batman is only going to be able to save the day by traipsing to Superman’s Fortress of Solitude in order to cajole the Man of Steel from out of his icy slumber. Dispiritingly though, even the Boy Scout’s colourful revitalisation and promise of righting wrongs is swiftly scotched and replaced with more maddening desolation, courtesy of Kal-El’s horrific realisation as to what “my people” have done during his absence, and his daughter’s subsequent defection to the side of the murderous Kandorians.

All of this desperation and despair is superbly rendered by Andy Kubert, “a veteran in the industry, but a newcomer to the Dark Knight saga”. In fact the America penciller’s exposure to the “old-timers” whilst studying “at my dad’s [Joe Kubert] school” has clearly enabled him to mimic the Maryland-born author’s easily recognisable old drawing-style to perfection, and his single splash depicting Superman effortlessly escaping his frozen throne simply by standing up is demonstrative of an illustrator operating at his professional best.

Equally as bleak and disheartening as this publication’s lead narrative, is its mini-comic concerning Hal Jordan’s initial meeting with three of Quar’s ‘daughters’ as they deface the Sphinx in Egypt. Initially bemused by the beauties sexually-charged request for him to change them and “make us surrender… to you”, Brian Azzarello’s script shocking turns very dark as John Romita Junior draws the Green Lantern suddenly having his ring-hand severed by one of the young ladies laser eye-beams.

Story: Frank Miller & Brian Azzarello, Pencils: Andy Kubert, and Inks: Klaus Janson

Dark Knight III: The Master Race #2 - DC Comics

DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE No. 2, February 2016

Containing one of the most touchingly haunting Bruce Wayne death scenes imaginable, as well as an incredibly dramatic return of the Batmobile, Issue Two of “Dark Knight III: The Master Race” must surely have delighted its 158,188 strong audience, including the lucky 125 “dedicated” Frank Miller fans “(all chosen via lottery) who lined up in the rain outside [Midtown Comics] waiting to meet their heroes and get their Dark Knight III copies signed” in December 2015. Certainly its heavy focus upon Carrie Kelley’s brutal incarceration at the hands of Commissioner Yindel, its insinuation that the titular character died following the injuries he suffered “three years ago” fighting “a toad of a man”, and its shocking emergence of a fully-sized murderous Kryptonian cult from within the miniaturised city of Kandor, can only have reaffirmed the status of the mini-series’ Maryland-born architect as “a lightning rod for controversy”.

Fortunately, not only is this twenty-eight page periodical’s narrative somewhat contentious, it is also extremely well-written by Brian Azzarello, with the Eisner Award-winner’s handling of young Robin’s touching, final bedside goodbye to her “boss”, genuinely proving to be an emotional read. Indeed, the scene would truly have been a fitting end for the Caped Crusader as, semi-delirious, he slips away “taking solace from” the fact his parents died together, if this book’s ending had not made it emphatically clear that the restrained ‘Jane Doe’ had been dishonest in her recollection as to his demise.

Equally as impactive, yet a far more exhilarating experience, is the American author’s action-packed depiction of Kelley’s rescue from a prison transport by the heavily-armoured, formidable-looking ‘Bat-Tank’. This high-octane sequence is somewhat disappointingly short in length. But certainly makes up for its brevity by having Batman’s gigantic tracked vehicle arbitrarily crunch numerous police cars, fire all manner of (non-lethal) ordnance at its pursuers and breathtakingly propel itself across Gotham City’s largest movable bascule bridge.

Something of a minor disappointment however is this publication’s Wonder Woman mini-comic, which whilst amply demonstrating the friction between William Moulton Marston’s Amazonian co-creation and her half-Kryptonian daughter, does so by populating the entire miniscule magazine with a somewhat tiresome ‘mock’ fight scene; something that perhaps a simple panel depicting a defiant obstinate-faced Lara would surely have sufficed in doing..?

Story: Frank Miller & Brian Azzarello, Pencils: Andy Kubert, and Inks: Klaus Janson

Dark Knight III: The Master Race #1 - DC Comics

DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE No. 1, January 2016

Topping the “Diamond Comics Distributors” November 2015 Comic Book Sales Figures Chart having sold a truly staggering 440,234 copies, this first instalment of Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello’s eight-issue “DC Comics” limited series certainly lives up to the Maryland-born writer’s promise of the narrative having “more deliberate focus on women than [in] previous volumes”. In fact, the twenty-eight page periodical almost exclusively focus’ upon the super-heroines of the Kirby Award-winner’s “Dark Knight Universe” such as Wonder Woman, Carrie Kelley (Robin) and Superman’s daughter Lara.

But just because Azzarello’s script, apparently written “with Miller’s blessing and guidance”, is devoid of Bruce Wayne doesn’t necessarily mean that its titular character is absent as well. Indeed it is the apparent brutal return of the Caped Crusader at the very start of the story, pounding a couple of flatfoots into submission when they’re about to shoot an unarmed fleeing ‘fugitive’ in the back, which sets proceedings in motion and ultimately results in a ferociously bloody confrontation between Batman and Gotham City’s Police Department at the comic’s conclusion; “Had enough? Using that right to remain silent…”

Equally as perplexing as the Dark Knight’s rather ‘gung ho’ attitude to his home’s law enforcement officers, albeit this motivational change is arguably answered by the crimefighter’s eventual unmasking, is this comic’s slightly disappointing dedication to events which occur outside the vigilante’s metropolis. For just under half of the storyline to “Book One” actually spotlights Wonder Woman’s Amazonian rule as Queen Diana and Supergirl’s visit to her father’s Fortress of Solitude rather than the main protagonist’s mysterious three year-long absence.  

Fortunately such potential distractions concerning the other members of “DC Comics” Trinity are totally justifiable when they are so well-drawn by Andy Kubert. The New Jersey-raised penciller’s style strongly mimic’s that of Miller’s own artwork during this series’ original 1986 four-issue run and proves especially energetic during Diana’s jungle battle with a four-legged Minotaur and Batman’s fisticuffs with Commissioner Yindel’s men.

This edition also features the additional bonus of a twelve-page “mini-comic focusing on a different character from the Dark Knight continuity”. Co-written and actually drawn by Miller himself, “The Atom” provides any bibliophiles willing to scrutinize the diminutive publication with a tiny amount of background as to what has occurred to Doctor Raymond Palmer since his wife divorced him and also manages to progress the storyline started by Lara’s angst-ridden trip to her icily immobile father’s abode.

Story: Frank Miller & Brian Azzarello, Pencils: Andy Kubert, and Inks: Klaus Janson