The most relevant feature at work here is semiotic. In this passage, and for the whole duration of the novel, “Miller replaces conventional comic book panels with representations of television screens” (Wandtke 2007: 92). Readers are thus presented with news reports, televised messages, and talk shows. These screens serve as a Greek chorus commenting on the events narrated, while different interpretations of Batman’s actions are disputed: the main character is alternately described as “ruthless, monstrous vigilante, striking at the foundations of our democracy” (The Dark Knight Returns, 65) and “a symbolic resurgence of the common man’s will to resist…a rebirth of the American fighting spirit. These screens – after DRK crystallized as one the author’s distinctive stylistic features – represent and mediatise the moral impasse that leaves the novel unresolved. As Wandtke suggests, “Media outlets are depicted as unwittingly supporting the move away from concepts such as good and evil” Identify the ways in which Batman is framed within a postmodern scenario, challenging his inherent modernity and raising complex ethical and political questions

Question

The most relevant feature at work here is semiotic. In this passage, and for the whole duration of the novel, “Miller replaces conventional comic book panels with representations of television screens” (Wandtke 2007: 92). Readers are thus presented with news reports, televised messages, and talk shows. These screens serve as a Greek chorus commenting on the events narrated, while different interpretations of Batman’s actions are disputed: the main character is alternately described as “ruthless, monstrous vigilante, striking at the foundations of our democracy” (The Dark Knight Returns, 65) and “a symbolic resurgence of the common man’s will to resist…a rebirth of the American fighting spirit. These screens – after DRK crystallized as one the author’s distinctive stylistic features – represent and mediatise the moral impasse that leaves the novel unresolved. As Wandtke suggests, “Media outlets are depicted as unwittingly supporting the move away from concepts such as good and evil” Identify the ways in which Batman is framed within a postmodern scenario, challenging his inherent modernity and raising complex ethical and political questions

Answer 1

1. Deconstruction of traditional superhero tropes: By portraying Batman as a complex and morally ambiguous character, the novel challenges the traditional black-and-white morality often associated with superheroes. This deconstruction of traditional superhero tropes aligns with postmodernist philosophy which questions established narratives and binary concepts.

2. Media representation and manipulation: The use of television screens in the novel reflects the postmodernist idea of hyperreality, where reality and representations of reality become blurred. The media outlets in the novel shape the public's perception of Batman, highlighting the power of media in constructing and distorting reality.

3. Moral ambiguity and subjectivity: The conflicting interpretations of Batman's actions presented on the television screens underline the subjective nature of morality. This challenges the notion of objective truth and highlights the complexity of ethical questions in a postmodern context.

4. Critique of power structures: The portrayal of Batman as a vigilante challenging the established power structures can be seen as a critique of modern institutions and authority. This subversion of traditional power dynamics aligns with postmodernist critiques of hierarchies and systems of control.

Overall, The Dark Knight Returns frames Batman within a postmodern scenario by deconstructing traditional superhero narratives, highlighting the role of media in shaping reality, emphasizing moral ambiguity, and critiquing established power structures. This not only challenges Batman's inherent modernity but also raises complex ethical and political questions that resonate with a postmodern worldview.