Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012)

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012), an adult animated superhero film, is based on Frank Miller’s 1986 comic book of the same name and shares continuity with Batman: Year One. Following the death of his protege Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne retired as Batman. Ten years later, in the mid-1980s, Gotham City is plagued by crime and terrorized by the Mutants gang. Wayne, now 55 years old, remains friends with 70-year-old retiring Police Commissioner James Gordon (who knows his secret identity), but has lost touch with Dick Grayson. Meanwhile, the Joker has been in a catatonic state at Arkham Asylum since Wayne’s retirement. Former district attorney Harvey Dent also resurfaces after undergoing plastic surgery to repair his disfigured face. Though he is deemed sane, Dent goes into hiding soon after his release. The combination of Dent’s disappearance, news of the city’s crime epidemic, and painful memories of his parents’ deaths ultimately lead Wayne to once again take up the mantle of Batman.

As he takes on crimes and saves 13-year-old Carrie Kelley, the physical constraints of age become a challenge. Opinions are divided among the public regarding his reappearance. Dent’s therapist Bartholomew Wolper holds Batman responsible for developing his own group of enemies. When Dent resurfaces, he demands a ransom in exchange for not blowing up a building. Despite Batman defeating Dent’s accomplices, he discovers that the bombs will still explode even if the ransom is given. One bomb is deactivated by Batman, while the other detonates without causing harm. In their confrontation, Dent admits to feeling disfigured due to his failed reconstructive surgery on his non-injured half. Meanwhile, Kelley adopts the persona of Robin and searches for Batman. He attacks a gathering of the Mutants using his Batmobile, taking down most of them. The leader of the Mutants provokes Batman to engage in a duel, which he agrees to as a means of proving himself victorious.