Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

Whenever you hear people talking about Batman these days, the majority will know him as a sour, determined man with an industrial-grade scowl - that image was popularised by Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns.

An animated adaptation of the 1986 comic book story arc was released in two parts, the first late in 2012 and the second at the start of 2013.

Being only vaguely familiar with the source material, The Dark Knight Returns was a shockingly grim look at the Batman world, but nevertheless an enjoyable one. 

The year is 20Unspecified and Batman hasn't been seen for 10 years. Things have gone straight to hell in Gotham City without the Caped Crusader to keep crime under control.

Bruce Wayne (SPOILER, BRUCE WAYNE IS BATMAN) is now 55 and attempting to live his life without being Batman, ostensibly by finding a "good death." Not a particularly bright outlook from the get-go, really.