Which of these do you consider the better ending to Batman? DKR or TDKR?

[Mr. Holmes]

The Dark Knight Trilogy for me is a classic case of superhero reconstruction, much in the vein of All Star Superman or Astro City. It takes a classic superhero and adapts the mythos into a very personal and humanizing story that while they go in dark places, are ultimately optimistic and hopeful. It's something I can connect to as a story of adulthood. I can root for this Bruce Wayne and his goal as opposed to a wannabe Travis Bickle in a cape.

I mean don't get me wrong, Dark Knight Returns is a true achievement, but it's not really a Batman I can get behind, it's just a good story.

[darkseidpwns]

Yes indeed, that is the fundamental difference between Nolan's Batman and the comic-book Batman as represented by Miller.

Nolan's Bruce Wayne is first and foremost Bruce Wayne...Batman is just a tool, a symbol he has created to facilitate his war on crime and to inspire people. Whereas, Miller's Bruce Wayne is pretty much a 'shell' for the persona of the Batman, who is arguably the 'real' persona. That is the prime reason why Nolan's Bruce was able to get away from it all in the end, while Miller's Bruce will always be bound to Batman's mission, even if he isn't wearing the cowl anymore.

I mean, look at the way the retirement is treated in both stories. In TDKR, Bruce retired as Batman because Batman wasn't needed anymore but, faced with a loss of purpose and haunted by the death of Rachel and his dreams for a normal life, lived in virtual seclusion. Whereas in DKR, Bruce retired and spent ten years trying to 'repress' the Batman persona, by taking to drinking and life-threatening activities, simply in an attempt to 'stay retired'. TDKR Bruce returned to the cowl to deal with the specific threat of Bane, owing to Blake and Gordon's request...DKR Bruce returned to the cowl simply because he was unable to hold back the Batman persona any longer.

Nice summary of the Batmen,and this is why I prefer Nolan's Batman.He's a true hero while the other guy does what he does cause he has nothing better to do.

[ispacehead]

,.....while the other guy does what he does cause he has nothing better to do.

Very funny.

Obviously he does it because he's driven to. Haunted by the tragedies of his past and his refusal to stand idle he does what he does because he feels he must.

[Nefarius]

Yes indeed, that is the fundamental difference between Nolan's Batman and the comic-book Batman as represented by Miller.

Nolan's Bruce Wayne is first and foremost Bruce Wayne...Batman is just a tool, a symbol he has created to facilitate his war on crime and to inspire people. Whereas, Miller's Bruce Wayne is pretty much a 'shell' for the persona of the Batman, who is arguably the 'real' persona. That is the prime reason why Nolan's Bruce was able to get away from it all in the end, while Miller's Bruce will always be bound to Batman's mission, even if he isn't wearing the cowl anymore.

I mean, look at the way the retirement is treated in both stories. In TDKR, Bruce retired as Batman because Batman wasn't needed anymore but, faced with a loss of purpose and haunted by the death of Rachel and his dreams for a normal life, lived in virtual seclusion. Whereas in DKR, Bruce retired and spent ten years trying to 'repress' the Batman persona, by taking to drinking and life-threatening activities, simply in an attempt to 'stay retired'. TDKR Bruce returned to the cowl to deal with the specific threat of Bane, owing to Blake and Gordon's request...DKR Bruce returned to the cowl simply because he was unable to hold back the Batman persona any longer.

Excellent post.I love both versions.The Miller's version is more well executed,but i can't help but loving seeing Bruce having a happy end.I mostly prefer the approach of "Batman and Bruce Wayne the socialite are both masks" and the true Bruce is with Alfred and his Bat-family,but in my personal continuity,i could see this Batman turning into Miller's Batman.Let's not forget that if Batman started his career at 25 years old and retired in 45(he was 55 when he returned),he fought crime for 20 years,enough time to mess your character and turn you into a nutjob(especially if you combine that with personal loses,like Jason Todd).

[bat39]

Excellent post.I love both versions.The Miller's version is more well executed,but i can't help but loving seeing Bruce having a happy end.I mostly prefer the approach of "Batman and Bruce Wayne the socialite are both masks" and the true Bruce is with Alfred and his Bat-family,but in my personal continuity,i could see this Batman turning into Miller's Batman.Let's not forget that if Batman started his career at 25 years old and retired in 45(he was 55 when he returned),he fought crime for 20 years,enough time to mess your character and turn you into a nutjob(especially if you combine that with personal loses,like Jason Todd).

Well, to an extent, Nolan DID try the 'Batman and Bruce Wayne the socialite are both masks' angle, especially in Begins, but in the latter two films he mostly dropped that angle, and just had the protagonist be Bruce Wayne, with Batman as the symbol he dons to fight injustice.

Miller's character IS Batman...mind, body and soul. 'Bruce Wayne' is the mask and the shell he tries to hide behind for ten years but ultimately fails.

[nightfolk]

Returns

Loved Frank millers batman only Chris Nolan could replicate a close second rendition to film
I really hoped Nolan woulda kept bruce dead, but I'm just whining meh just Woulda felt right for me