The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller is now a household name for many fans. It’s a title that changed the face of comics as we know it. Shaped the mythos of Batman forever. Miller created a masterpiece, and readers everywhere wanted more of the Dark Knight Universe. See where the aged detective went to. And so Miller gave us The Dark Knight Return: Strikes Again, which did not fully resonate the same grace the original made. But many years later Miller brought us the 3rd continuum. TDKR: The Master Race. Which in my opinion gave us a solid story and end to Batman’s story. Today after much anticipation after the announcement; We are given a new chapter to the DKR Universe. Which the children of the world’s finest take hold of the mantles and protect the world from tyranny and evil. THE GOLDEN CHILD…
I will start by saying this story will be very different from much that you have already been reading. And to just state, this is a story without Batman or Superman besides being namedropped in some panels, so you will get to see how the teens grew since their mentors left. Lara (Superman Daughter) is now the protector of the world and caretaker of her younger brother Jonathan. Jonathan has already shown many abilities besides the typical Kryptonian power set. His view of the world has already taken shape as he listens to his sister and father. Now fast forward 5 years and Jonathan seems to be on a level of his own. Flying and observing the world with new eyes; while Lara discusses her disgust with humanity. The amazonian cares very little for the common man but Jon has some hope for them. In this, you see she knows and feels her superiority is wasted on earth but she herself still stays. It’s a one-sided view of a person that only has so much information to go on. (That’s a theme btw)
Moving onto Gotham City. The story is politically themed on current events. Much of it has President Trump at its forefront of the chaos ensuing. For upcoming re-election, and a new player Joker-Boy has made the Voter Polls scenes of violence and fear, gangs of Jokers are either threatening voters to vote one way. Or physically removing them from the area. But the new Batwoman has come to see that the freedom to vote is met with full force. Containing the riot and sending them running. We later see that Darkseid is a prime player in the events unfolding and the team had already deduced that he may even be him. The story goes on for an all-out battle with Darkseid and his Anti-Life Equation, as he attempts to enslave the world and the children of Superman. And I will leave out the juicy stuff for you to read.
I will leave you with this, The Golden Child I give a 3 out of 5. Here’s why. Though the arching theme of Darkseid evil parallels to the political heavy theme’s were experiencing of hate and violence. The overall story felt lacking. With overstating character narrations, that at some points you need to re-read to make sure who actually is speaking. Not to say the Batwoman scenes weren’t pretty cool, but Carrie Kelly’s new role as the Dark Knight felt more as if she was just going with the flow, and not fully embraced as the new protector. Then to the unenthusiastic fight scenes between the powered people of the story, there are only so many types of eye blasts that a person can take. As incredibly scary as our political climate can be perceived as; the story does not scream impending doom to me. But if this is just the first issue of the series there can be some saving graces to the book. And the remainder of the story can turn into a worthy addition to the Dark Knight Returns history.
Let me know what you thought in the comments below!