Batman leads the charge against the Kandorians.
One of the recurring flaws with this Dark Knight Returns sequel is that it's much less efficient and tightly paced than its predecessors. That problem is all the more apparent in issue #5. This new chapter includes some satisfying bursts of action as the Caped Crusader goes on the offensive, but the story wraps up too quickly and doesn't offer enough to keep readers satisfied for another two-month wait.
In the original DKR, Batman had to employ every trick in his arsenal to defeat Superman in open combat. How is he supposed to defeat an entire army of Superman-worthy foes, especially now that his body is even older and more vulnerable than before? Well, an extra dose of prep time always helps even the odds. This month readers see Batman and his allies work to even the score a little and turn the tables on Quar and his minions. It's very satisfying to see this older but still highly resourceful Caped Crusader prove why he's not a foe to be underestimated.
The problem is that there's not much more to the story than that. Miller and Brian Azzarello briefly reconnect with most of the main players in this chapter, but the plot only inches forward. There's too little insight into Carrie's mindset as she takes her place alongside her fellow heroes. There's too little attention paid to Wonder Woman. The social satire angle that was so prevalent in the first two mini-series is barely at play anymore. The book is starting to feel empty even as it should be building steam. It's becoming too much a straightforward Batman story.
It doesn't help that the art quality takes a sharp dive in this issue. Andy Kubert's page layouts are as strong as ever, but his line-work is noticeably looser and less refined. In wider shots, many characters are barely more than silhouettes. This issue has a rushed quality, as if the deadline pressures are beginning to take their toll on Kubert's output. Miller's work in the Supergirl backup story is equally disappointing. As if it weren't bad enough that this story adds so little to the larger narrative, Miller's pages look more like rough layouts than finished art. There's a certain boldness to Miller's style that is always apparent, but as far as these backup tales go, this one is by far the weakest.
The Verdict
The Dark Knight III is losing steam as the series begins moving towards its climax. While there's a certain appeal in seeing Batman fight back against a seemingly unstoppable foe, the story is only feeling more empty as it moves along. And with the visual quality taking a noticeable dive compared to previous chapters, the future isn't looking good for this Dark Knight Returns sequel.
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