The Philosophy of "The Dark Knight Returns"

“A few years back, I was reading a news magazine--a lot of people with a lot of evidence said that Roosevelt knew Pearl [Harbor] was going to be attacked--and that he let it happen. Wasn’t proven. Things like that never are. I couldn’t stop thinking how horrible that would be...and how Pearl was what got us off our duffs in time to stop the Axis...but a lot of innocent men died...but we won the war. 

It bounced back and forth in my head until I realized I couldn’t judge it. It was too big. He was too big...”

--Commissioner Gordon, The Dark Knight Returns

If you are unfamiliar with Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns (TDKR), you’re still probably familiar with its iconography. Chris Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy took a lot of inspiration from it as well as Batman v. Superman. Zack Snyder even announced the film by having an actor read a quote from TDKR. Unfortunately Zack Snyder’s vision lacked the depth of the comic that inspired it. 

**Full Spoilers Ahead**

 

Commissioner Gordon’s quote (at the top of the page) is an explanation on why Gordon has allowed Batman to exist for so long. “It was too big. He was too big.” It’s something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately, how people in power have to make impossible decisions, and sometimes people get hurt either way. Did President Truman do the right thing when he bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki? It’s too big to judge. Is it right allowing Batman to take the law into his own hands. He’s too big.

 

Batman, breaking laws is nothing new, but is The Dark Knight Rises saying such behavior excusable?Sort of. Batman’s actions in TDKR allow him to recruit gang members, using them as a force for good during a nationwide blackout. This and other actions draw the attention of the US government. Who’s president sends Superman to intervene. The rhetoric used here isn't about the morality of Batman's actions. It is strictly about the public nature of them. Batman is helping Gotham, but it's an embarrassment to the rest of the United States.

“You’ve always had it wrong Bruce...giving them such a big target. Sure you play it mysterious--but it’s a loud kind of mysterious, man. Especially lately. . . . They’ve been covering for me, just like they covered up my escape. Sure, they’d love to frost me...long as they can do it without admitting I exist.”

--Green Arrow, Dark Knight Returns

Green Arrow’s beliefs are consistent with the behavior of the US government, in this comic. Superheroes are outlawed, yet they secretly keep Superman around for their dirty work. Green Arrow is allowed to operate as long as he keeps a low profile. Batman takes Green Arrow's advice and publicly fakes his death to continue fighting crime underground, and Superman allows this to happen. Superman didn't need to stop Batman. He only needed Batman to stop pissing off the President.

The Dark Knight Rises is an acknowledgement that people in power will bend and break moral principles when they deem necessary. More often than not they will hide those actions from the public eye. Maybe it's to avoid judgement. Maybe it’s too big to judge. 

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