If Charles Dickens were alive today, he'd be writing graphic novels. But you knew that. If a graphic novel could be by Dickens, then the Dark Knight could be by Shakespeare. And the Joker would be our new Iago. Don't get me wrong -- it's fun, fast, furious. But it's also thoughtful, dark, and sad. About the loud part. I wore ear plugs the whole time and didn't miss even the quietest dialog. So did the teenager I was sitting next to. Forewarned is forearmed.