The new city is overrun with crime. Specifically, the city is being taken over by the Mutant Gang. We get our first sense of a city quickly going to hell. Not only is it extremely hot outside, but smoke also arises from broken buildings and the sun beats down on the citizens of Gotham. As this heat increases, the social tension seems to rise as well. It seems that there is no possible savior for Gotham. A decade before, the great cowboy of the suburban jungle would protect them. However, its been ten years after Batman's retirement and the city has given up all traces of hope. We get this sense of doom while the zombies walk around holding signs "We are damned!" (Miller, 12).
Establishing Masculinity.
Masculinity is explored on multiple levels in this graphic novel. However, before discussing how Batman's masculinity is defined, we must look at the many factors that decide what is masculine within Miller's Batman: Dark Knight Returns. To begin, I searched for an example of someone who is not masculine within Gotham. After surveying the mayor, a man who is insecure and overweight appears to be running the city. For a man who supposedly has all the power, he appears to be emasculated by his inability to take responsibility and carry out orders. While trying to negotiate terms with the Mutant leader, who oozes masculinity, he gets destroyed. This is a striking difference to the masculinity that Batman possesses. Although masculinity and femininity are complete opposites, often times they revolve around each other. To get a better understanding of the masculinity in Batman, we must take a look at the role of females. .
Because of this, I can not discuss masculinity without talking about femininity. Within this graphic novel, we find apathetic females who are dependant on the male counterparts. Most of Gotham's news reporters are woman and are there to be subjected to male eager eyes.
