Batman: The Dark Knight - Master Race by Frank Miller, Brian Azzarello, Andy Kubert & Klaus Janson.

Excerpt:

One of the most highly anticipated sequels of all time is finally here in BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT: MASTER RACE!

In 1986, Frank Miller introduced his iconic take on Batman and changed the face of comics forever. Now, three decades after BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, Miller himself has returned with the third chapter to his groundbreaking saga.

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT: MASTER RACE continues Frank Miller's landmark DARK KNIGHT SAGA that began with 1986's THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS and continued with its 2001-2002 sequel THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN. Co-written by Brian Azzarello and drawn by Andy Kubert and Klaus Janson, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT: MASTER RACE returns to a world gone awry left in the aftermath of the toppling of Lex Luthor and the apparent death... of Batman himself? Then who will save Gotham City and the rest of the planet against the mysterious Master Race?

Also collected in this graphic novel are the nine mini-comics that originally appeared in the monthly periodical release of BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT: MASTER RACE, each of which focuses on a different character from within the world of Miller's Dark Knight. The minicomics are also written by Miller and Azzarello and drawn by some of the greatest artists currently working in comics, including Miller himself, Eduardo Risso and John Romita, Jr.!

Collected here are all nine chapters of BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT: MASTER RACE as well as the nine mini-comics.

My Review:

In this graphic novel, the third in the Dark Knight series, there will be many details and story arcs about different characters within the DK universe. The novel continues with the timeline that was left at the end of the dark knight strikes again. The story begins with Carrie who is a new vigilante in Gotham City. She does her best to improve the city for everyone while following Bruce Wayne's path, so he can guide her and also help him get back in shape while helping him save the planet from the upcoming invasion of the Kandor's with assistance from his past justice league members.

There is also a mini-comic feature in the book with different comic book artists and writers like John Romita Jr. and Eduardo Risso with their take on the storyline in the DK universe. The book has featured Atom, Flash, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern Superman and Batgirl. The story gets intense every page and panel of the book with a new element added that has never been in the canon ever before. Each of the major characters is shown in their purest form and their significance in the overall story of how they can represent and assist Bruce Wayne and Carrie in their conflict.

Throughout the book, Andy Kubert and Klaus Janson provided stunning panels and flash pages that capture the most emotional moments and showed great respect for their art forms in addition to their distinctive style and bringing the nostalgia of the old DKR comic. There is no doubt that Brian Azzarello and Frank Miller are world-class writers in managing the storyline in order for it to have suspense, thrill, emotion, and fun moments that are fitting to the characters of the book. You will also appreciate their work in the Mini-Comic series, which features a rotating roster of writers and artists.

Final Verdict: As a series, it delivered its share of highs and lows, but this latest instalment shows a lot of improvement from the first and second book, bringing in modern versions of Wonder Woman, Supergirl, and Batgirl, in addition to demonstrating their greater involvement in helping Batman and Superman recover and taking the initiative to fight Kandor's Kryptonian army. The book would be of particular interest to Batman fans who enjoy reading about Carrie (Batgirl) and the Cape Crusader and discovering what the next chapter holds for the Dark Knight.

My Favourite Variant Covers: