I just read Batman: Noel by Lee Bermejo for the first time and noticed two frames that I thought were references to other famous Batbooks. Not sure if they actually are references or just coincidences, so I wanted to get some thoughts.

The first is in the portion of the story where Batman's chasing Catwoman. It's a flashback to his parents' death where everything is black and white except the red objects (his mother's hat and bag, and his parents' blood). Seems to me like this is a pretty clear reference to the re-coloring by Brian Bolland in the deluxe / hardcover edition of The Killing Joke.

Second is in the portion where Batman's flying about town with Superman. This frame with the blacked-out silhouettes seems to call out illustrations from The Dark Knight Returns to me.

Are these frames widely considered to be references to those books? Are there any other similar references in this book or other books that stand out to you particularly? I love finding easter eggs like this.

@the_bat_mobile: Well for sur the two stories you mentionned are reference stories that most comics readers have read. It wouldn't surprise me if they inspired Lee Bermejo.

Isolating a single color is hardly original. I don't think Bermejo had the killing joke in mind, but rather a strong visual.

Same for the second. Its just atmospheric and easier to illustrate :P