 Miller created a tough, gritty Batman, referring to him as "The Dark Knight" based upon his being called the "Darknight Detective" in some 1970s portrayals, although the nickname "Dark Knight" for Batman dates back to 1940.Released the same year as Alan Moore's and Dave Gibbons' DC miniseries "Watchmen", it showcased a new form of more adult-oriented storytelling to both comics fans and a crossover mainstream audience.