Batman: 80 Greatest Ever Moments

14. “This Is The Weapon Of The Enemy” - The Dark Knight Returns

The Dark Knight Returns No Guns
DC Comics

Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns may not have redefined the character to the extent some commentators have claimed, but it did usher in a new era for the character. Batman was already dark, you see, but Miller's comic went a step further in situating the figure in a hopeless dystopia. It reiterates the Caped Crusader's inspirational qualities, and is stuffed to the brim with more iconic moments than some actual comic book runs have in their entire duration.

There's the fight between Bats and the Mutant Leader ("this is an operating table"), Joker's death and the throwdown between Bruce and Supes to consider. However, the moment the Dark Knight rides in on a horse, breaks a shotgun in two, and declares it to be "the weapon of the enemy" has to be the best.

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13. Duelling Ra's Al Ghul - Head of the Demon

Batman Demon
DC Comics

Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams' revered stint on Batman conjured plenty of brilliant moments, but perhaps the best came when the Dark Knight duelled Ra's al Ghul shirtless with his mask still on.

What else needs to be said? It's the World's Greatest Detective fighting the Head of the Demon with a sword. Images don't get much better.

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I like my comics like I like my coffee - in huge, unquestionably unhealthy doses.