"Justice returns... vengeance returns... redemption comes to Gotham."
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
Tonight, we are the law. Tonight, I am the law.
— Batman
Context:
Batman says this to the newly recruited members of the 'Sons of Batman' gang after the EMP blast plunges Gotham into darkness. He is deputizing them into his personal army to restore order on his terms.
Meaning:
This quote encapsulates Batman's entire philosophy in the film. He has completely rejected the legitimacy of the official legal system and has positioned himself as the sole arbiter of justice in Gotham. It is an unapologetic declaration of his authoritarian approach to crime-fighting.
I want you to remember, Clark. In all the years to come, in your most private moments, I want you to remember my hand at your throat. I want you to remember the one man who beat you.
— Batman
Context:
Spoken by a seemingly dying Batman at the climax of his brutal fight with Superman, just as he has him beaten. He fakes a fatal heart attack moments later, leaving these words as his apparent last will and testament to his rival.
Meaning:
This is Batman's ultimate psychological victory over Superman. More than just winning the physical fight, he needed to permanently shatter Superman's perception of superiority. It's a brutal assertion that humanity, with its cunning and will, can triumph over god-like power, a lesson he wants to haunt Superman forever.
All the people I've murdered... by letting you live.
— Batman
Context:
Batman says this to the Joker during their final, bloody confrontation in the Tunnel of Love, expressing the weight of all the Joker's victims for whom he feels responsible.
Meaning:
This line reveals the immense guilt and psychological toll Batman's 'one rule' has taken on him. He finally accepts responsibility not just for his actions, but for his inaction, acknowledging that his refusal to kill the Joker has enabled countless deaths over the years. It marks a shift in his code, as he is now prepared to end the Joker permanently.
It doesn't matter. It's their world, and they won't stand for you anymore. If it isn't me, it'll just be someone else.
— Superman
Context:
Superman says this to Batman in Crime Alley just before their epic battle, trying to reason with him and explain that the government will not stop hunting him.
Meaning:
This quote highlights Superman's resignation and his role as an instrument of the state. He is no longer an independent moral agent but an enforcer of the established power structure. He is warning Batman that the system itself, not just Superman personally, has deemed him obsolete and dangerous.