Batman year one VS the dark knight returns!

[Enjoypolydor]

I hate DKR's micro panels and extreme face close-ups in every panel.

[Karl O'Neill]

Dark Knight Returns.

[csis]

I think I like Year One more as a story, but Dark Knight Returns is technically better.

[vampiric_cannibal]

Year 1. Both are overrated, on the other hand, both are pretty damn good. They made Batman interesting, but DKR made him into a jerk, and that basically was his character for the next 20 years: hypercompetent sociopathic jerk.

[Captain Jim]

If you ever have the chance, give "The Untold Legend of the Batman" by Len Wein a chance. It's an earlier origin story by a few years, less known, and (in my opinion) the most intelligent and moving origin of Batman to date that truly captures and reconciles his multiple depictions across the years. And, it may not be Miller, but it's pretty dark.

Incidentally, the crappy cover is not a reliable indication of the plot nor tone of the story.

It was also DC's second ever mini-series, after World of Krypton, IIRC.

[Captain Jim]

I was never a big fan of Returns, but I've always liked Year One.

I'm really surprised to see the poll going almost 2-to-1 in this direction, though.

[El Sombrero]

DKR is better. Year One is more "technically flawless" but DKR is more fun to read and is a lot more daring and energetic.

[Mr. Holmes]

Voted for Year One, though I'm surprised it's winning with such a margin.

[NickGuy]

Year one is a great story

DKR is an epic poem

[TheCatBoy]

Voted for Year One, though I'm surprised it's winning with such a margin.

If it wasn't for DKR, Year One wouldn't have happened... but Year One is such a definitive story to the Batman universe.

[MikeCr]

Year One is a great story, carefully told, and beautifully illustrated. It's easy to love and unlikely to be offensive to just about any reasonably open minded reader.*

But DKR is a much richer and ambitious piece of work with far more meat to sink your teeth into. It's flaws are more interesting than Year One's successes.

[UKComicFan]

I find the Dark Knight Returns criminally over-rated, whereas Year One really IS as good as everyone says. So def. Year One for me.

[dancj]

Year One is absolute perfection in a comic, but...

The Dark Knight Returns has such a viscous black sense of humour running through it that lifts it above Year One for me.

It's so close as to be negligible though.

[deadboy80]

If you ever have the chance, give "The Untold Legend of the Batman" by Len Wein a chance. It's an earlier origin story by a few years, less known, and (in my opinion) the most intelligent and moving origin of Batman to date that truly captures and reconciles his multiple depictions across the years. And, it may not be Miller, but it's pretty dark.

Incidentally, the crappy cover is not a reliable indication of the plot nor tone of the story.

I have that series, and yes it is a very good tale. The only thing they got wrong was Altered joint stately Wayne manor after Dick Grayson if I remember correctly.

[FailureByDesign]

Batman : Year One was the story that got me back into comics and is THE definitive Batman for me.

DKR i never really cared for, sure i can see its importance at time of release, but i don't care for the art or parts of the story.