Batman returns to the multiplex today, but he's been crusading nonstop at Six Flags for years. The comic book hero's presence varies from park to park and includes meeting and greeting guests, appearing in parades, fighting the forces of evil in his own stunt show, and serving as the inspiration for a number of coasters. The newest addition to the Batman thrill machines are the twin Dark Knight indoor coasters that recently opened at Six Flags Great America, near Chicago, and Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. Six Flags New England was supposed to host a third Dark Knight coaster, but the park scrapped the partially built attraction when it ran afoul of local building regulations. The rides, which are essentially traditional Wild Mouse coasters housed inside buildings, include some themeing to tie them in with the new Dark Knight movie. Other Batman coasters include the groundbreaking Batman: The Ride inverted coasters, found at nine Six Flags parks, the Batwing flying coaster at Maryland's Six Flags America, and the floorless Batman: The Ride coaster at Six Flags New England.

• Six Flags New England Overview
• Six Flags Great America Overview

Photo: Batman's imprint is all over The Dark Knight coaster at Six Flags New England. ©Arthur Levine. Licensed to About.com.

As the timeworn cars leave the loading station and crash through the swinging doors, its passengers are hyperaware of the foreboding surroundings. What monsters lurk in the darkness? What cacophonous sounds will elicit jolts of adrenaline? What macabre horrors are in store? Dark rides have long been a staple at amusement parks. And dark ride aficionados consider The Haunted House at Knoebel's amusement park in Elysburg, Pennsylvania to be one of the best. Dark ride aficionados extraordinaire, George LaCross and Bill Luca, whose Laff in the Dark Web site is a loving ode to classic dark rides, have just released a fabulous DVD that goes behind the scenes of The Haunted House at Knoebel's. It's packed with history and insight from park staff and includes a walkthrough and stunt-by-stunt (the gotchas that light up and animate as cars approach, also known as "tricks") deconstruction of the circa-1973 ride. The DVD can get a little geeky, as when the ride's supervisor discusses each of the buttons in the coffin-shaped control box, but dark ride fans will go gaga over it. Presented with great style and flair, the production value of the broadcast-quality video is first-rate. To order the DVD and for more info, go to Laff in the Dark.

• Find Pennsylvania Amusement Parks
• Nights in White Satin- The Trip Ride Review- Modern-day dark ride at Hard Rock Park, in Myrtle Beach, SC.
• More Dark Rides