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As two of the most innovative comic book movies, Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) and its sequel, Batman Returns (1992), are considered essential viewing for all Batman fans. Although they’re not the most faithful adaptation of Batman, the original film was the first piece of Batman media to have such a high budget. Consequently, they’re undoubtedly two of the most influential comic book movies ever made. However, after Batman Returns came out, Warner Brothers canceled Burton’s plans for the third film after numerous disagreements. As a result, the Burton Batman timeline received a soft reboot in Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever (1995).
Thanks to DC Comics, 2021 saw the release of the first issue of Batman 89, which is a comic that tells the story of the continued Burtonverse. The new comic series has continued the Burtonverse in multiple ways, like telling the story of Harvey Dent, who actor Billy Dee Williams portrayed in Burton’s first Batman film.
8 Continued Presence Of The Joker Gang
In Burton’s first Batman movie, the Joker (portrayed by actor Jack Nicholson) was the main villain. After falling into a vat of chemical waste, Jack Napier became the Joker. As Joker tried to become king of the criminal underworld, he formed a gang of thugs who committed crimes around Gotham. After dying at the film’s end, Joker didn’t appear again in the Burtonverse. However, in the first issue of the Batman ’89 comic, the Joker’s influence still lives on. This is because members of his gang are still terrorizing the streets of Gotham in the hopes of securing a solid position in the criminal underworld.
7 The Original Batman 1989 Screenwriter Returns
To ensure the Batman ’89 comic is a true continuation of the Burtonverse, DC brought back the original film’s screenwriter, Sam Hamm, to write the entire six-issue series. Rather than have a veteran Batman comic writer do the series, DC’s choice to go with the movie franchise’s original screenwriter was the right decision. It ensures that Burton’s original vision – or something very close to it – is shown in the comic series.
In the four issues released up to this point, Hamm’s writing is well reflected in the characters. They all talk and behave as they did in the films.
6 Drake Winston Becomes Robin
It’s well-known among fans of Burton’s Batman films that the third film originally had plans to introduce Robin in the form of an original character, Drake Winston. In fact, before the film fell apart, actor Marlon Wayans agreed to portray the role. In the comic continuation, fans have finally seen what Wayans’ Robin could have looked like in the film as Drake Winston. An underprivileged young man from a poor neighborhood in Gotham appeared in issue 1 of the story, donning a black hood with a yellow cape. Shortly after their initial encounter, Winston and Bruce Wayne met and discussed forming a partnership together as Batman & Robin.
5 The Introduction Of Barbara Gordon
Having never appeared in Burton’s Batman films, Barbara Gordon’s introduction into the Burtonverse has come entirely from the Batman ’89 comic. Introduced in the first few pages of issue one as the girlfriend of Harvey Dent, Barbara Gordon is a police sergeant who works alongside her father, police commissioner James Gordon.
Although Barbara Gordon eventually showed up in Schumacher’s Batman & Robin (1998), her story in the comic continuation is going down a completely different path to what’s shown in the film. Up until this point in the comics, Barbara has shown no sign of becoming Batgirl. She’s currently working as a police officer to stop Two-Face.
4 The Transformation Of Billy Dee Williams’ Two-Face
Introduced as the district attorney who’s joined the efforts to capture Batman, Harvey Dent (portrayed by actor Billy Dee Williams) was prominently featured in Tim Burton’s first Batman film but didn’t appear in the 2nd. In the comic continuation, Dent is still the district attorney, and he’s also the boyfriend of Barbara Gordon. On top of a romantic relationship, Dent is more fleshed out in this version of the story. His connection to inner-city neighborhoods shows as he walks through parts of Gotham and displays long-time relationships with locals. After running into a burning building at the end of issue 2, Harvey falls into a pool of gasoline, which catches fire and burns half of his face.
3 A More Developed Jim Gordon & Harvey Bullock
Two of the more underdeveloped characters in Tim Burton’s Batman films are police commissioner James Gordon and Lieutenant Harvey Bullock. Although these two are both long-time side characters in the Batman mythos, their roles in the movie – especially Harvey Bullock’s – are of two semi-foolish cops who appear in crucial scenes. They never do anything that seriously affects the plot or alters the path of other characters.
However, in the comics, the two’s impact has been bolstered and they’re both more serious characters. Readers even see Harvey Bullock verbally take Harvey Dent to task in more than one panel, as it’s made clear early on that Bullock sees Dent as nothing more than a politician.
2 The Classic Suit & Batmobile Return
One of the many reasons Tim Burton’s Batman films remain iconic is the beloved designs of Batman’s suit and Batmobile. With black metal plating complementing the small, yellow Batman logo, this version of the Batsuit is famous for being the first of its kind on-screen and greatly reflecting the character’s presence. The suit’s lower-chest area was slightly adjusted for Batman Returns and maintains the same vibe. The iconic 1989 Batmobile, which remained the same in the sequel, is still considered by some to be the best-looking Batmobile ever to grace the screen. Thankfully, both of these well-known designs are maintained in the comic story, reinforcing how fans are definitely reading about Tim Burton’s Batman.
1 Michelle Pfieffer’s Catwoman Is Alive
Introduced in Batman Returns, Michelle Pfieffer’s Catwoman has long been a fan favorite adaptation of the character. While her ultimate fate was left ambiguous after a fight with Maxwell Lord at the end of the film, whether Catwoman was dead or alive was a complete mystery to Burton Batman fans. But now, thanks to Batman ’89 #2, fans know that Catwoman survived her encounter with Lord and still roams the streets of Gotham, dancing the line of villain and anti-hero. At this point in the comic’s story, Catwoman’s involvement is unknown. However, it’s apparent that she’ll soon play a big part, as she recently hacked into Gotham PD’s computer system.
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