DK III, Book One

DK III: The Master Race, Book One is the beginning of one of the most popular series of 2015 and 2016.  Here's why: in 1986, Frank Miller penned one of the greatest Batman stories of all time, The Dark Knight Returns.  Yes, 2001's The Dark Knight Strikes Again was a disappointment, as has much of Miller's work in the past 15 years, but this title has a buzz about it, perhaps because it's co-authored by Brian Azzarello or perhaps because the all-star art team of Andy Kubert, Klaus Janson, and Brad Anderson are behind the two (there will be a rotating cast of artists).

The story starts out with an unknown person in the Bat-Cave, stealing the Bat-Suit.  Batman intervenes on behalf of a criminal who's about to be shot by the police.  The reaction is pure 2015.  The evening news reacts to grainy, unclear photos all while speculating on whether the perp should have surrendered immediately instead of risking being shot or beaten.  This is an oversimplification of the story which includes the entire DC Universe.  Wonder Woman and Superman have a couple of kids.  The Atom has his own mini-comic.  Lots of people died.

DK III, Book One costs $5.99, but it's totally worth it.  The stock on the cover and the paper is of exceptional quality.  For the first time in my life, I've felt bad about getting fingerprints all over a comic.  The mini-comic, drawn and written by Frank Miller, is in a style similar to the rest of the comic, with a few minor differences.  It's a little more noir and a little less grandiose.  I'm excited about the series, and it sold millions of copies because it's good, not just because of hipster love for the Frank Miller brand.