Episode 141, “Debts and Obligations”
Wolverine #2, October 1982
“Debts and Obligations”
Written by Chris Claremont, Pencils by Frank Miller, Inks by Josef Rubinstein, Lettered by Tom Orzechowski, Colors by Glynis Wein, Edited by Louise Jones, Editor-In-Chief Jim Shooter.
It Was A Dark And Returny Knight!
In Which We Discover That While Ladies Dig The Abs They Are Turned Off By Murder Sprees, That From Nefari- To Treacher-, Lord Shingen Has All the -Ous’s, And That It’s Raining Ninja Men! Halllejah, Amen!
The Summer Series Continues! Yes, I Am Sure It Is Still Summer! It Ends On The Equinox! Go Ahead, Google It!
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The Dark Knight Returns is generally considered one of the greatest works in mainstream comics. It had a massive influence on the comic industry and, along with The Watchmen, laid the groundwork for more mature superhero comics with mainstream appeal. Above is part of the sequence retelling the murder of Bruce Wayne’s parents, using many tiny panels to simulate a slowing of time.
In addition to deconstructing Batman, Miller’s Dark Knight Returns also focused its critical lens on a variety of societal tentpoles, like patriotism and the media. We can see three more DKR pages above, showing Miller’s slightly more cartoony style and his inventive layouts.
Another artist Frank Miller collaborated with during this time period was Bill Sienkiewicz. Together they produced Daredevil: Love and War (1986; above left) and Elektra: Assassin (1987;above right), beautiful painted art that pushed the boundries of comics and fine art. And of course, since this is Frank Miller, plenty of ninjas and violence.
2020, am I right?
– The Management.
