The Dark Knight Strikes Again

The Dark Knight Strikes Again
Cover of the trade paperback Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
Schedule	Monthly
Format	Limited series
Publication date	December 2001 – July 2002
Number of issues	3
Main character(s)	Batman Superman Carrie Kelly Lex Luthor Brainiac Dick Grayson
Creative team
Writer(s)	Frank Miller
Artist(s)	Frank Miller
Colorist(s)	Lynn Varley
Creator(s)	Frank Miller Lynn Varley Bob Kane Bill Finger

Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again, also known as DK2, is a 2001-2002 DC Comics three-issue limited series comic book written and illustrated by Frank Miller and colored by Lynn Varley. It was originally published by the imprint Elseworld. The series is a sequel to Miller's 1986 miniseries The Dark Knight Returns. It tells the story of an aged Bruce Wayne who returns from three years in hiding, training his followers and instigating a rebellion against Lex Luthor's dictatorial rule over the United States. The series features an ensemble cast of superheroes including Catgirl, Superman, Wonder Woman, Plastic Man and the Atom.

The series was originally published as a three-issue limited series published by DC Comics between November 2001 and July 2002. It has since been published as hardcover and paperback one-volume editions and as the Absolute Dark Knight edition with The Dark Knight Returns. Like its predecessor, this story takes place in a timeline that is not considered canonical in the current DC Comics continuity.

After going underground, Batman (Bruce Wayne) and his young sidekick Catgirl (formerly Carrie Kelley—Robin) train an army of "Batboys" (the former Mutants and other recruits) to save the world from a police dictatorship led by Lex Luthor. In a series of raids on government facilities, Batman's soldiers release other superheroes—including Atom, Flash and Plastic Man—from captivity. Elongated Man is recruited and Green Arrow is already working with Batman.