Before diving into Part 2, it's essential to acknowledge the impact of the first part. "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 1" serves as a direct sequel to Miller's original miniseries, picking up where the legendary story left off. Written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Lee Bermejo, this 2012 series expertly captures the gritty essence of Miller's Gotham, introducing readers to an older, grittier Batman who has come out of retirement.