Batman, the superhero who represents Gotham City in this time period, is also a King John. Batman is set within a world where men desire power. Richard I. the Lionheart has no son, and King John is ruled by uncertainty because he does not have a successor. Batman is an anti-hero, who doesn’t follow the rules of law. Gotham City finds it difficult to accept that Batman does this. Batman’s role as protector of Gotham City is also fraught with doubt and uncertainty. Batman, while he occasionally works alongside the police, operates primarily outside the law. King John is also a law-breaker, as he ordered Arthur to be killed. The robbery by King John of the monasteries also violates the law. Both Batman’s and King John’s use of power to achieve goals is amoral. Batman may do the right thing, but not always for the right reasons, whilst King John generally acts out of self-interest.Overall, the newscasters of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns are undecided on their viewpoint of batman, whether he is a crusader, or menace to Gotham City. Some people call batman psychotic and consider his excessive use of force as a crime. Batman is seen by some as a symbol for justice and fairness. Pembroke-Salisbury views King John’s character as dishonest and underhanded. They do not trust King John’s strength or reliability as a leader of the country. The noblemen are primarily mistrusting and doubting King John as a result of Arthur’s demise. The newscasters from Batman: The Dark Knight Returns split their opinions on Batman. Pembroke-Salisbury, however, viewed King John with a lack of moral principles.
In the Dark Knight Returns first book, Bruce Wayne’s flashback to his childhood in which he has nightmares is important for the graphic story. In the flashback Bruce Wayne meets the bat responsible for breeding the batman. The significance of this scene for the graphic novels is that it indicates the intertwining of Bruce Wayne and batman. Mental illness can strike at any age. Batman had retired and was old. But he returned to life as Batman. Even if someone is in perfect health, mental illness may return. The flashback showing Bruce Wayne meeting the bat in the Cave is symbolic for the powerlessness of mental illnesses and the loss of freedom they cause.
