Frank Miller: Rebirth from Hell and Back
Controversy thy name is Frank Miller. On today's Creator Highlights, we'll be overanalyzing the creator who goes from the top of the world to the bottom. Miller is a writer who helps define the Dark Age of comics. The more bleak settings and monologuing characters define a generation of the grim and gritty. However recently Miller, is coming back into the pages of comics through a character he regularly criticizes. How does someone rise so high, crash from the height, and still have the strength to get back up?
The Early Years
Frank Miller like many writers is a comics fan who gets to live the dream. However rather than rely solely on connections he has to start small. That doesn't mean his recommendation by Neal Adams did not propel him forward. While Neal Adams serves as kind of joke for his writing, his contributions never go without notice. In other words, you have this guy to thank/blame for the Dark Age of comics.
Anyway, Miller would publish to many areas, often without having his name on places like on the Twilight Zone comics. He gets credit for some war comics which is what allows him to get more recommendations. However, this means more work that for the most part goes without notice. Yet it is those jobs that allow Miller to develop his writing, art styles, and notice trends. Pretty soon though, Miller meets another who goes without notice, Daredevil.
Frank Miller as The Visionary
Finding a kindred spirit in the Man Without Fear, Miller reworks some of the aspects of Daredevil during a finale. Daredevil has a reencounter with an old enemy under a new name. The villain's change from a comical mad scientist, to a literal ghost of the past brings up a significant change. The Noir style combines with a form of German Expressionism to make the comic world breathe anew. Miller receives the recognition he wants but he and Daredevil want to make further steps. Miller eventually gets his chance thanks to editor Dennis O'Neil. Prior to this, Miller gets an introduction to manga as well as the martial arts subgenre. Not least of which is Lone Wolf and Cub by Kazuo Koike which he creates cover art for years later.
Returning to Daredevil, the change from swashbuckler to ronin becomes praiseworthy. Audiences get a clearer picture of Matt's life prior to becoming Daredevil; a sensei who Miller practically becomes and a love interest who could use the swashbuckling. Over time however, Miller starts to get overwhelming amounts of work and has to rely on others. This in turn helps in the development of several of his later work.
The Surprising Tale to End it All
Miller is grateful to have good people in his life, as much as Murdock has Foggy Nelson. But with his run coming to a close, Miller reveals a loss of what he loves. First it comes through the death and failing resurrection of Elektra. Matt even comes close to killing Bullseye with Miller serving as the revolver in Russian Roulette. With each panel, Miller demonstrates every shot that Daredevil makes. From vengeance, aggression, blame, guilt, doubt, and complications; each trigger pull reveals layers that Miller entrusts to his friend Denny O'Neil.
Frank Miller Likes to Play Operation
O'Neil proves to be a good confidant to Miller who introduces the creator to characters who inspire him. Batman, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and the Punisher all bring in the sense of humanity and grittiness that Miller defines. All of this and previous experiences allow Miller to work like a morgue surgeon to understand characters. It what allows for the development of Wolverine with Chris Claremont. Originally just a berserk killer the X-Men throw at, Claremont and Miller introduce his more tragic human side. The tragedy being that despite his great skills and inability to die; Logan keeps losing the people he loves.
Claremont is on the verge of giving the characters he organizes a new light. However for someone like Logan, he finds what he needs in Miller. Miller makes Logan more along the lines of a ronin, a warrior with no loyalties other than himself. But Logan has a sense of honor that befits his place as a samurai. It certainly is on display when facing the Hand, another of Miller's influences. While Claremont heads most of the writing, Miller certainly makes Wolverine the best at what he does.
An Idea Man
Miller meanwhile has ideas that do not need limits on constantly changing characters. In comes Ronin, a series at DC that in some cases serves as a prototype of the Vertigo comics. Ronin uses the research Miller does for Daredevil and combines with manga and bande dessinee art styles. Ronin also serves as a long relationship Miller has with comics as a whole. Miller likes to experiment with different styles to create something new and unique. However, it's also where Miller comes into contact with limitations. Originally a Marvel Graphic Novel, Miller gets a better offer at DC. I'm noticing a track record with DC.
Those limitations also seem to follow Miller around. Back in Marvel, Miller's plans for Dr. Strange fall through due to some commitment issues. Even at DC, his plans fail to pull through. Metropolis is Miller's wish to reintroduce DC's main trinity to a modern audience. But due to unknown circumstances, likely due to censorship, DC doesn't accept the proposal.
Frank Miller: The Legend Reborn
However, not willing to abandon his concepts, Miller distills the proposal for Batman. Fittingly, the new title reflects this change of pace: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.
Miller himself gets overwhelming attention when he becomes such a noticeable writer. Through Batman, Miller straightens his life out in comics. As a bonus the Dark Knight makes Miller a legend in the industry. Releasing along the same time as Watchmen, he and Alan Moore eventually become friends. Together along with the continuing releases of trade paperbacks, they herald a new age of comics. How dark it is depends on the point of view.
For Miller, his new fame gets him the opportunity to work with Daredevil again. Unlike the Dark Knight though, Daredevil dives in headfirst to the grim and gritty. However, it's not a celebration of the concept, it's a criticism. Daredevil being in the dark for so long could really use some of his old swashbuckling days. Thank you, Mark Waid. Starting off in the Badlands eventually has Miller do the most character defining Daredevil arc, Born Again.
Miller even fully characterizes Captain America and his own journey in rediscovering his beliefs. In a way Steve Rogers himself is born again with this phrase: "I am loyal to nothing[]... except the dream". Daredevil and Cap aren't the only ones with this treatment either. The Kingpin, Elektra, and even Batman have a proper look at each character and the worlds they live in. It's a shame that even during this time that Miller begins to lose his own faith in the publishers.
Striking Out
Frank Miller and some other writers and artists including Moore and Howard Chaykin dispute with DC for a while. DC even today has ideas that focus on demographics; but during Miller's time this is more like censorship. As such Miller cuts ties after what seems like a betrayal. So he makes his home at Marvel and Dark Horse. With focus on more mature topics, Miller is able to tackle difficult subjects like obsession. This is perhaps on the best display with his satirical depictions of violence and socio-politics. It's a shame his screenwriting for RoboCop 2 and 3 doesn't match up to those. Then again, any major studio is going to come with creative differences.
During this period, Miller starts his revitalization process in another genre. In Sin City, crime fiction gets a makeover in both narratives and appeal. The shading and simplistic artwork demonstrates the nature of the titular setting as well as character morality. The few times there is color, it often means danger for someone. Red is an obvious sign of a femme fatale, especially implying blood; but yellow in quite easily the most black and white story implies a serious threat.
A couple of times there are episodes of Miller's career that seem to contradict one another. He gives Daredevil a Year One treatment in Man Without Fear. While this has the grim and gritty brand of Frank Miller; Matt wearing his yellow costume shows a need for optimism. That can even be a reason for Miller's co-development for Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot.
Influences to Downward Spirals
Even though Miller cuts ties with DC; since Sin City and later work with Spawn, there is this sense of wanting Batman back in his life. As he gets older, it's almost as though Miller wants to channel Bruce to reinvigorate his real life. Miller gets his chance after a successful run of 300 at Dark Horse. Unfortunately this is also the period where some outside forces begin to affect him. With the 9/11 attacks occurring near where he lives, Miller like so many others feels the aftereffects. With insecurities and anxieties on the rise, Miller wants Batman to straighten things out for him.
Say...
Unfortunately, this is the start of a period of depression for Miller. The frustrations he feels about what happens causes a mess with his career. Internet comic reviewer Linkara has a playlist in dedication to this, Miller Time. Here the world of the Dark Knight only tries to outdo it's original grim and grittiness. The world itself becomes more like a dystopia rather than just leaving it to Gotham. For that matter, Earth's greatest heroes become complete parodies of themselves. At the heart of The Dark Knight Strikes Again is a conspiracy, likely in reference to 9/11 conspiracy theories. Miller's artwork also becomes much more erratic to match with Sin City.
Needless to say fans are not happy about these developments. But apparently the numbers sell well enough for DC to get Miller to do All-Star Batman and Robin. However, it blows up in their faces. Miller isn't even their first choice; Jeph Loeb was in the middle of his own downward spiral that eventually results in Ultimatum. After the All-Star catastrophe Miller doesn't even get the opportunity to work on other Batman projects for a while. But it's debatable if he even wanted to. Holy Terror has Batman-like characters because it's originally a Batman series. But apparently he didn't feel like it would be something Batman would do. In this case, an Anti-Islamic nature.
Let's Take a Better Look
As Frank Miller states "[He] wasn't thinking clearly" when writing some of Holy Terror. This frustration at how the world is turning out likely influences his work. The requirement for hopeful new beginnings fades with insecurity escalating. Miller even goes out of his way to publish Holy Terror because if it doesn't, these feelings never occur. Miller wants to tell the world how he feels. Unfortunately some people hate how he presents it; it just sounds like the ravings of a mad man. Miller even divorces from Lynn Varley, his partner both in marriage and work because of this.
As such Miller enters a long period of depression. Even the character who helps propel Miller to fame doesn't empower him anymore. Not to mention the expectations that come with him.
The Magic of Cinema
The depression somewhat mitigates when Miller gets into filmmaking. Robert Rodriguez proves to be a positive influence on Miller. Miller like Moore isn't too fond of adaptations to his work. However when Rodriguez presents a Sin City short film with a complete understanding of the source material; Miller ends up working with him. The result is a full length movie that looks like the comic book comes to life. Sin City gets more attention, revitalizing interest in Miller. Unfortunately, it also gives rise to some of the more controversial aspects of Miller's series.
Remember Zack Snyder? That director who practically ruins whatever he tries to do. Well I'm pretty sure you remember this from the memes.
300, the movie adaptation of Miller's comic. This movie practically embodies both Zack and Miller's edgelord phase. It doesn't help that this and Snyder's Watchmen movie also nearly ends the DCEU before it even begins. It's so controversial that people are on the fence about Miller's abilities. It's somewhat justifiable considering Miller's take on The Spirit. The movie is practically trying to blend Will Eisner's iconic character with Sin City; a pair of uncomplimentary opposites. The pulpy and adventurous Spirit just doesn't fit with Miller's grittiness.
Frank Miller back in Comics
After a long time away from comics and some therapeutic insights; Miller comes back to DC for one last shot with the Dark Knight Elseworlds universe complete with Klaus Janson. This time however, Miller handles the outline and premise of the story. Newcomers Brian Azzarello and Andy Kubert handle the details in writing and art respectively. The series does more than just reinvigorate Miller and Batman, it allows him to step back and take risks. What better way to announce his return than with Superman?
Divisive as Always
Superman Year One is Miller's turn at an origin for Clark Kent. Unlike other iterations of the Man of Steel however, this story brings home Superman being an immigrant. Kal-El is a toddler and marks himself as different by lifting up his door to the escape pod. A couple of critics call this Superman a sociopath; but that's not exactly true. Unlike the infant origin people are aware of, this Superman has the behavior of an alien. It's a new world full of possibility but Clark doesn't understand it yet. He's still a child learning the ways of Earth including how his powers fit in. This childlike glee has an optimistic boy trying to learn his place in the world. As someone who has a mental social disability, I can actually relate to this Superman a little more.
Unfortunately due to Miller's reputation and maybe some of his more dated techniques, he might be considering retirement. In Miller's final Dark Knight Comic, The Golden Child Miller expresses his hopes for the future. Focusing on the younger heroes like Batwoman and his version of Jon Kent, Miller hopes that the future of comics can have creators who succeed him in every way. Not just as a creator but as a person getting through tough times.
Frank Miller Born Again
With this in mind I can say this, people are complicated and Frank Miller is no exception. Even the best of artists can have bad days and even streaks of going in bad. To act like they never happen is a terrible thing to do for fans and creators. Yes with someone dragging their own reputation through the mud, it's hard to get out of it. For Frank Miller though, it's learning to recognize what makes someone get the motivation to act. Comics are a way of communicating a person's beliefs, feelings, and struggles. But it's the journey to overcome those struggles that are the most important.
What do you all think? Is Frank Miller irredeemable? Are his best days long behind him? Leave your thoughts and as always remember to look between the panels.