The folks over at Bleeding Cool just dropped an atom bomb of a rumor for the comic book industry. According to their sources, it seems a third installment of Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns series is on its way from DC Comics, and it will be co-written with Miller by the biggest name in Batman comics right now, Scott Snyder.  The combination of arguably the most seminal writer of Batman’s past and the biggest Batman writer of the present has got to have everyone at DC seeing dollar signs in their eyes right about now, and fans everywhere giddy with anticipation.

According to Bleeding Cool, “the story would concern Carrie Kelley, the Robin of Dark Knight, now in her elder years. She is now in a similar position to that of Bruce Wayne in the original Dark Knight, and she is seeking her own successor to protect Gotham.” Since Miller is too ill to handle the art chores himself, DC is very keen on having a rotating cast of artists illustrate each chapter, with the obvious names being bandied about like Greg Capullo, Jim Lee, Andy Kubert and Marc Silvestri (who is already rumored for another Batman book.)

Of course, this wouldn’t be the first sequel to The Dark Knight Returns from Frank Miller. Back in 2001, he produced the three issue The Dark Knight Strikes Again, which, while financially successful, was considered a failure by both fans and critics alike. I think of it as The Phantom Menace of comics — following up a beloved and revered property some sixteen years after the fact, with mountains of hype to go with it, only to end up being kind of a hot mess that really didn’t please fans, new and old alike.

So what’s the difference now? Scott Snyder is the difference. He’s at the top of his game right now, and following up a four-year run on the main Batman title with Dark Knight 3 with Frank Miller’s blessing and involvement would be the ultimate feather in his cap. Add to that, all the different artists mentioned would make sales go through the roof. 2016 is the thirtieth anniversary of the original Dark Knight Returns, and also sees the release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice which is said to be heavily Dark Knight influenced, so if it’s true, the timing for this couldn’t be more perfect.

[HT: Bleeding Cool]