8 Times Good Comic Book Creators Went Bad!

2. Frank Miller - All Star Batman & Robin

Stan Lee Batman
DC Comics

You would think that Frank Miller and Jim Lee working on a Batman book outside of mainstream continuity, which would bridge the gap between Miller's legendary Batman: Year One and The Dark Knight Returns, should have been a licence to print money.

Judging the book on its artwork alone, Lee was firing on all cylinders and delivering some of the best work of his career; no doubt energised by working alongside a living legend.

Frank Miller's name is often said in the same breath as Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman when discussing creators who revolutionised the industry. His career highlights outside of Batman include Ronin, The 300, and the artistic tour de force that is Sin City.

When someone has that much creative goodwill, their decisions often go unquestioned, with editors and publishers giving them carte-blanche - only for the same editors and publishers to be surprised when the finished product is mean spirited, misogynistic and laughably crass.

On several occasions, All Star Batman & Robin even paints the Caped Crusader as either a silly caricature or deranged psychopath. The title's eventual cancellation came as a relief to most fans... and no doubt DC themselves.

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Contributor
Contributor

Kevin McHugh is a code-monkey by day and a purveyor of the unpleasant by night. Having had several comics published by Future Quake Press he is now moving into prose. An avid fan of punk rock, cheap horror movies and even cheaper fast-food Kevin can be found pontificating either on Twitter or over at WhatCulture Comics where he is a regular contributor. He lives in Edinburgh with his wife and two daughters.