"Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1" is the latest direct to DVD/Bluray animated film release from Warner Home Video.

The storyline is adapted from writer/atist Frank Miller's 1986 DC Comics groundbreaking story of the same name which centers around a 55-year-old Bruce Wayne who has been retired from the mantle of Batman for ten years. When he sees violence running rampant and his personal demons can no longer be denied, he is forced to return.

The story was initially released as a four-issue, comic book limited series comprising of "The Dark Knight Returns", "The Dark Knight Triumphant", "Hunt The Dark Knight" and "The Dark Knight Falls."

"Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1" follows Miller's storyline very closely and kicks off with Bruce Wayne re-assuming the mantle of Batman following a ten year retirement after he learns of the return of Two-Face (aka Harvey Dent) and witnesses a news broadcast detailing all the criminal acts that have plaqued and overwhelmed Gotham City by a violent gang called "The Mutants."

Batman eventually confronts Dent who, thought to have been cured after Wayne paid for plastic surgery to repair his disfigured face, is holding the city for ransom with a bomb. Their confrontation leads to Batman learning that Dent, whose face is swathed in bandages, was physically rehabilitated but is still disfigured in his own mind.

The city is saved, but the populace debates whether Batman's brand of vigilantism has any place in society. The media plays a large role in DKR, with the narrative broken up by news reports and "talking head" editorials debating events in the story as they unfold. Meanwhile Commissioner Gordon, at age seventy, is forced to retire due to his age. He is replaced by Ellen Yindel, a fierce critic of Batman.

At the city dump, Batman takes on the Mutant's leader but he is badly injured and eventually defeated due to years of physical trauma. However, thanks to the action of 13-year-old Carrie Kelley (who Batman earlier saved from a Mutant attack), the mutant leader is distracted long enough for Batman to pacify him. Kelley pulls Batman into the tank-like Batmobile and attends to his wounds as the vehicle drives toward the Batcave. Once home, Batman takes Carrie on as the new Robin despite the objections of his butler, Alfred.

Once jailed, the Mutant Leader threatens to unleash his army on the city. In an attempt to stop the impending attack, the Mayor tries to negotiate with the Mutant leader but he is killed when the leader rips his throat out with his teeth.

Batman and Carrie quickly devise a plan to put an end to the mutants once-and-for-all. After Carrie infiltrates their ranks to spread a rumor that the Leader wants an assembly, former Commissioner Gordon allows the the Mutants leader to escape from jail. With all the members of the mutants looking on, Batman draws the Mutant leader into a mud fight in front of the assembled gang and eventually defeats fim. The Mutants disband as a result of his humiliation, forming several smaller gangs including the "Sons of the Batman" with the sole purpose of purging Gotham of its criminal element albiet with questionable methods..

The film ends with a perfect set-up to "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2" featuring a scene of the Joker, who has been catatonic for 10 years in Arkham Asylum, having his catatonia breaking when he discovers that Batman has returned to Gotham and ecstatically exclaiming the phrase "B-B-B-Batman, darling."

Batman is naturally a character some of us would like to be. Not just with his skills or gadgets but with his ideals and how he is able to have so much hope in ridding all crime from humanity. Through all the violence that takes place in the film there is still a great sense of hope that Batman is able to instill towards the end that, even if you are left questioning where things go next, he will still be there.

Gritty superheroes have become more popular and realistic in this post-9/11 world and the success of a darker Batman in various media, as well as the X-Men movies seems to support this assumption. Until the emergence of Christopher Nolan's film "Batman Begins", many would argue that there had not been a quality Batman film since Tim Burton's "Batman" in 1989. Thanks to the franchise-killing "Batman and Robin" in 1997, the road to bring one of the most recognized names back to the big screen had been tumultuous to say the least.

Thankfully, Nolan continued to succeed with Batman trilogy by treating fans to "The Dark Knight" and this past summers, "The Dark Knight Rises." The success of these films coupled with the popularity of a darker, edgier Batman in the comic book world helped pave the way for an animated adaption of Miller's 1986 masterpiece.

It is extremely obvious that writers Bob Goodman and director Jay Oliva took major strides to make sure "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1" transitioned well into an animated feature and works well as a stand-alone piece of entertainment. "Part 2" should be just as exciting especially to those who are familiar with the original story and know what is coming in terms of the Joker and Superman.

With all that said, I can confidently state that "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1" is hands-down one of, if not the best Batman animated movie from Warner Home Video & DC Entertainment thus far. The movie has all the character development and action that you can ask for and then some. From the script, directing, animation & voice acting; everything comes together extremely well and, whether you have read the original Frank Miller storyline or not, this is definitely one title you will want to have in your DVD/Bluray collection.

"Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1" hits store shelves on June 12th and is available on both DVD and Bluray.

The "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1" Blu-ray Combo Pack has more than 2 hours of exciting content, including:

Standard and high definition versions of the feature film

UltraViolet

Sneak Peak at "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2", the next DC Universe Animated Original Movie

Featurette – "Her Name is Carrie... Her Role is Robin" – An all-new featurette. Experience the role of Robin, through the eyes of a female warrior.

Featurette – "Batman and Me: The Bob Kane Story" – A documentary comprehensively chronicling the remarkable life of the creator of Batman.

Two bonus episodes from "Batman: The Animated Series" handpicked by producer Alan Burnett: Two-Face, Parts 1 and 2

Digital Comic – “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns” (digital comic with cover art and three full comic pages)

* "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1" UltraViolet Digital Copy is a limited time offer. Restrictions and limitations apply.

Go to ultraviolet.flixster.com/info for details.

Cast

Peter Weller - Batman / Bruce Wayne
Ariel Winter - Carrie Kelley / Robin
Paget Brewster - Lana Lang
Maria Canals Barrera - Police Captain Ellen Yindel
Michael Emerson - Joker
Michael Jackson - Alfred Pennyworth
Michael McKean - Dr. Bartholomew Wolper
David Selby - Commissioner James "Jim" Gordon
Gary Anthony Williams - Mutant Leader
Wade Williams - Two-Face / Harvey Dent
Carlos Alazraqui - Hernando
Dee Bradley Baker - Don
Cathy Cavadini - Joanie
Townsend Coleman - Morrie
Grey DeLisle - Anchorwoman Carla
Richard Doyle - Mayor
Greg Eagles - Mackie
Danny Jacobs - Merkle
Maurice LaMarche - Dr. Willing
Yuri Lowenthal - Son of Batman
Sam McMurray - Anchorman Ted
Jim Meskimen - General Briggs
Rob Paulsen - Rob, Robber
Andrea Romano - Woman
Tara Strong - Michelle
James Patrick Stuart - Murray
Gary Sturgis - Silk
James Arnold Taylor - Mr. Hudson
Bruce Timm - Thomas Wayne
Jim Ward - Femur's Lawyer
Frank Welker - Deputy Mayor Stevenson
Jim Wise - Femur
Gwendoline Yeo - Lola Chong