That’s right — the legendary tome saw its 40th anniversary last month.  (I’ve always had the habit of referring to its graphic novel format, but of course it was initially published as a four-issue limited series.)

Forty years — I can’t wrap my mind around that.

For a little perspective, imagine being a young person in 1986 and discovering The Dark Knight Returns for the first time.  (I myself was introduced to it a few years down the line, but still.)  Now picture an older comics fan in 1986 trying to interest you in a title that was published 40 years prior.

THAT COMIC WOULD HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN 1946 — a year after the conclusion of World War II.  It would have to be a title like Tintin or the Mark Trail comic strip.

Damn, we’re old.