<P> Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is a two - part direct - to - video animated superhero film, an adaptation of the 1986 comic book The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller . It was directed by Jay Oliva, who worked as a storyboard artist on Man of Steel, Under the Red Hood, Year One and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice . Several other Batman veterans were also involved in the film . Part 1 was released September 25, 2012, and Part 2 was released January 29, 2013 . A deluxe edition combining both films was released on October 8, 2013 . It is the 15th film in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series . </P> <P> After the death of his protégé Jason Todd, billionaire industrialist Bruce Wayne was forced to retire from his Batman persona . Ten years later, Gotham City is overrun with crime and terrorized by a gang known as the Mutants . The 55 - year - old Wayne maintains a friendship with 70 - year - old retiring Police Commissioner James Gordon (who knows Wayne was Batman), while the Joker (Batman's archenemy) has been catatonic in Arkham Asylum since Wayne's retirement . Arkham inmate and former district attorney Harvey Dent undergoes plastic surgery to repair his disfigured face . Although he is declared sane, he quickly goes into hiding following his release . Dent's disappearance, news stories of the crime epidemic throughout the city and the memory of his parents' deaths drive Wayne to become Batman once more . He combats serious crimes, rescuing 13 - year - old Carrie Kelley, but now struggles with the physical limitations of age . </P> <P> Public reaction to his return is divided . Dent's psychologist Bartholomew Wolper blames Batman for creating his own rogues gallery . Dent resurfaces, threatening to blow up a building unless he is paid a ransom . Batman defeats Dent's henchmen, learning that the bombs will explode even if the ransom is paid; he realizes that Dent intends to kill himself . Batman disables one bomb, and the other detonates harmlessly . He defeats Dent, who reveals that he thinks the reconstructive surgery was botched, as he considered his undamaged half as disfigured . Kelley dresses as Robin and looks for Batman, who attacks a gathering of the Mutants with a tank - like Batmobile (incapacitating most of them). The Mutant leader challenges Batman to a duel . He accepts to prove to himself that he can win . The Mutant leader (who is in his prime) nearly kills Batman, but Kelley distracts him long enough for Batman to subdue him . The leader and many gang members are arrested . Injured, Batman returns to the Batcave with Kelley, and allows her to become his protégée in spite of protests from his butler, Alfred Pennyworth . </P> <P> Batman has Kelley disguise herself as a Mutant, and she lures the gang to a sewer outlet at the West River . At the Gotham City Police Department, the Mutant leader murders the mayor during negotiations . Commissioner Gordon deliberately releases the leader, providing an escape from the building, which leads to the sewer outlet . Before the amassed Mutants, Batman fights the leader in a mud pit; the mud slows the leader, removing his physical advantage, and Batman overpowers him . Seeing their leader's defeat, the Mutants divide into smaller gangs; one becomes the "Sons of Batman", a violent vigilante group . Batman's victory becomes public and the city's inhabitants are inspired to stand up against crime . Gordon retires after meeting his anti-Batman successor, Ellen Yindel . In Arkham, televised reports about Batman bring the Joker out of his catatonic state . </P>

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