Batman Day 2026: Frank Miller’s ‘The Dark Knight Returns’ Turns Forty

There is no doubting that Frank Miller, Klaus Janson and Lynn Varley‘s The Dark Knight Returns is a comic book series that still resonates through the ages, influencing many a comic book creator, old and new. And this year it turns 40. Which is quite staggering for this writer, as I still have very vivid memories of hitching the train to Liverpool and the now-gone Chapter One comic book store, just round the corner from Liverpool Lime Street Station, and grabbing a copy of the very first issue. So, surely it can’t be 40? That would make me … gulp!

Well, whether I suddenly feel like an ageing comic book fan or not, DC Comics is marking this milestone with a ComicPro appearance by Miller and Janson this month, as well as a facsimile edition of all four issues, with the first issue also debuting this month.

There will also be a series of The Dark Knight Returns 40th Anniversary variant covers adorning their books, as well as a new compact edition and Deluxe of the miniseries and various merch like t-shirts, hoodies and more.

So, whether an old fan, like me, or a new one, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with the celebrations one way or another.