Warner Bros reveals the first images from their upcoming film version of The Dark Knight Returns

In 1986, two comics were published that raised the bar for all comics that came after. One was WATCHMEN and the other was THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. Now, DC Comics Premiere and Warner Bros are finally bringing Frank Miller’s Batman epic to life.

The animated version of THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS will be split into two parts. One will be released on blu-ray this fall and the other in 2013. The film retains the signature look and feel of the comic and has an awesome voice cast featuring Peter Weller as Bruce Wayne/Batman. That’s right, folks: Robocop is Batman!

Plot: One of the most influential comics of all time, Dark Knight Returns is set in a near future where Batman is retired and Gotham City has slid into a dystopian state ruled by a gang of hooligans called the Mutants. The 55-year old Bruce Wayne is forced to don the cape once more, this time partnering with a female Robin to not only stop the Joker but keep the peace when the city falls into chaos after being hit by an electromagnetic pulse.

The four-book miniseries, along with Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ Watchmen, also published that year, was praised for its mature and psychological take on superheroes. It set a violent and realistic tone in superhero comics and served as a big influence on Christopher Nolan’s Batman movie trilogy, the last of which opens July 20.

Also in the cast are Ariel Winter (MODERN FAMILY) as Robin, David Selby, Wade Williams, and Michael McKean. The film was directed by Jay Oliva, who storyboarded Zack Snyder’s upcoming Superman movie Man of Steel and directed sequences of Warners and DC’s animated feature Green Lantern: Emerald Knights.

As soon as a trailer is released, you will find it here. For now, take a look at these awesome images from THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS.