DC Comics Celebrates 30th Anniversary Of The Dark Knight Returns

02/23/2016 04:56 pm EST

In 1986, DC Comics, along with Frank Miller, Klaus Janson and Lynn Varley, changed the way the world looked at Batman, The Joker, and Gotham City with the release of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. Miller's take on an aging retired Batman in a dystopian near-future Gotham City full of 24 hour news media and citizen apathy revitalized the character, and the four issue mini-series garnered praise from both comic and mainstream media.

This year, DC Comics is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the iconic story with several commemorative books and miniature busts.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns has been printed into a 30th Anniversary Edition, featuring bonus material in the form of a cover gallery, Frank Miller's original Dark Knight proposal to DC Comics, and a gallery of his pencils for The Dark Knight Returns. The collector's item is available February 24.

Also available are the 15-year-old Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again (available now) and Dark Knight III: The Master Race with a mini-comic The Dark Knight Universe Presents (available on September 21) and two weeks later the hardcover Collector's Edition will be released.

Finally, the $50 Batman bust celebrates The Dark Knight Returns portrayal of Gotham's vigilante hero. The highly detailed, gritty bust stands 5" tall and is sculpted by Alterton. It will be available in March of 2016.

The Dark Knight Returns is a major influence on comics today but also heavily influences the upcoming Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice's portrayal of the Caped Crusader.

Check out some of DC Comics' commemorative new products in the gallery below!

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