Dark Knight Returns Production Page

I've been seeing some of these production pages on ebay lately, and thought I'd pick one up. Not exactly sure of their origins, but they appear to be printers proofs of some kind, and may have been distributed with anniversary copies of the DKR TPB. They consist of two layers; one is the color art (computer printout), and the other is a clear overlay containing the black and white line art. I took some time and created another overlay that contains the lettering so you can actually read the page (click for larger image). Coincidentally, this page immediately follows the original page that I own from the book.

CFA-APA 69 Frank Miller

Another exiting topic for me - one of my favorite comic creators, Frank Miller!! You can read my submission by clicking on the image.

The Dark Knight Returns

It's all downhill from here...

This is probably my favorite piece of art in my collection, a page from Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns. (click for larger image.) This half splash is page three from book one and it really sets up the whole premise of the book; Batman has been in retirement for ten years and he hates himself for it. He’s a man who is at war within; “…While in my gut, the creature writhes and snarls and tells me what I need...”

There’s an interesting bit of subtext that is going on in this page as well. I don’t know if it was Miller’s intent or just my interpretation, but it seems he's portraying Gordon as a manipulator of sorts. Gordon has sensed that Bruce wants to resume the role of Batman and, in a very underhanded way, tries to keep him in check by subtly reminding him of the tragic fate of Jason (the last Robin), and of his estrangement with Dick (original Robin). When Gordon asks “Spoken to Dick lately?” Bruce replies “Not for seven years, Jim. You know that.” (emphasis mine).

From an artistic perspective, this page struck a nerve with me the first time I read it and long before I knew anything about owning original art. I recall being a young artist back in 1986, and marveling at the delicacy of the two hands in the first panel, and also being intrigued by the lighting of the faces in the next three. Klaus Janson’s inks on this page are him at his finest and that really matters to me. Rumor has it that Janson fell behind on the inking chores and, by book three, had recruited assistants to help him (surprisingly, Todd McFarlane has reported that he was one of those assistants). Any cursory analysis of the art clearly shows a change in style after book two. I’m of the opinion that books one and two have far superior inks and have a strong preference for those pages, which is why it was such a thrill for me to be able to obtain this one (Frank Miller pencils, Klaus Janson inks.)

Found this video on youtube which discusses Miller's Dark Knight. Pay attention and you will see this page (just after the one minute mark).

WHAT I WANT

Now that I've got your attention... I am an avid collector of original comic art. While I enjoy nearly all genres of the hobby, my primary focus is on books from the 1980's. My short want list:

The Dark Knight Returns
Watchmen
The Killing Joke

I'm also looking for John Byrne Fantastic Four and Alpha Flight art. If you have art from any of these books, please contact me! I also love talking to other collectors about art - so feel free to shoot me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! (click image above to email me)