MOVIE NEWS – Tim Burton’s Batman franchise continues in an unexpected way…

There has been much debate as to whether or not Batman Forever and Batman and Robin are set in Tim Burton’s Batman universe. As a matter of fact, many fans of the more “gothic” Keaton films do not recognize them as official sequels. Even if we think they weren’t that bad, John Jackson Miller’s new book Batman: Resurrection takes place after the events of Batman and doesn’t acknowledge director Joel Schumacher’s later films.

While many would like to see more movies, it seems likely that Keaton’s last screen appearance as the caped crusader was in The Flash, so the books are the next best option. Batman: Resurrection is the first part of a duology and will be released on October 15th. Although Batman Returns is a Burton film, the book is a sequel to the 1989 film, so don’t expect any references to the events of the movie or the Penguin appearing anywhere. The book follows the events of Burton’s first film and the aftermath of the Joker’s death. From the synopsis (via Penguin Random House ), it sounds like Batman still has a lot of work to do cleaning up the streets, even if the “Clown Prince of Crime” is no longer on the prowl.

“Even after death, the Clown Prince of Crime’s imprint can be seen in more than just the pavement.”

“Remnants from The Joker’s gang are leading wannabes fascinated by his bizarre mystique on a campaign of arson that threatens the city—even as it serves greedy opportunists, including millionaire Max Shreck. And survivors of exposure to The Joker’s chemical weapon Smylex continue to crowd Gotham City’s main hospital…”

This isn’t the first time we’ve returned to Tim Burton’s Batman

Although this is the first time that fans have returned to Tim Burton’s Batman world in prose, it has already been done in the comics. Not even that long ago. In 2021, Batman screenwriter Sam Hamm worked with artist Joe Quinones in a six-volume miniseries, and the sequel has been published since 2023 under the title Batman ’89: Echoes. Unlike Resurrection, the comic series takes place after the events of Batman Returns, giving more freedom to introduce more characters. In the comic book series, for example, readers first saw Robin and Harley Quinn in the “Burtonverse.”

Both comic book series have received critical acclaim and are worth checking out if you’re looking for more content set in Burton’s Gotham City. The sequel, Echoes, is partly an adaptation of Burton and Joel Schumacher’s fifth, unfinished Batman Unchained collaboration. Unfortunately, if there were ever to be a film adaptation of these comics or books, it would likely be without Keaton due to his age. Sure, various actors have already proven their ability to take on the mantle of Batman, but it would still be weird if something was set directly in this universe and someone else played the role. But it looks like the story will continue through various mediums as long as there is interest from fans…

Source: Penguin Random House