10 Best Animated Comic Book Films Of The Decade
2. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
In all due frankness (geddit?) a list of best comic book movies of the decade would never be complete without this. The raw emotion, the conflicting ideologies, the brilliant storytelling, everything about this two part classic brought the audience to the edge of their seats.
The premise is based on an older Bruce realizing he must come out of retirement. However, during his time away things have gotten far more complicated and Bruce realizes his old tactics may not cut it anymore. He finds a new ally in the form of a teenage girl who then goes on to become the next Robin. With her help, Batman is able to defeat the leader of a new criminal group plaguing Gotham known as the mutants. Subsequently he uses his victory as a symbolic gesture to sway its young members away from a life of crime.
While Part One was excellent, Part Two was simply legendary. Here, the story culminates with the Joker returning to the fray and Superman, now a government enforcer being assigned to stop Batman’s activities. This eventually ends with the iconic showdown between the Last Son of Krypton and Gotham’s Bat where using a variety of ingenious tactics and help from Robin and Green Arrow, Bruce comes out on top. He then delivers one of the most iconic monologues ever heard in comic book lore to bring the story its gripping end.