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For the film, see: Batman (1989 film)

Batman '89 is a comic book limited series following the Michael Keaton version of Batman. It serves as a continuation of the Batman film series; following on from Batman and Batman Returns, but ignoring the events of Batman Forever and Batman & Robin. The series began publication from August 2021 and concluded in July 2022. A sequel comic series titled Batman '89: Echoes is due for release in November 2023.

Synopsis[]

Continuing the twisted adventures of DC’s Dark Knight from Tim Burton's seminal classic Batman movies, Batman ’89 brings in screenwriter Sam Hamm (Batman, Batman Returns) and artist Joe Quinones (Dial H for Hero) to pull on a number of threads left dangling by the prolific director. The gothic mentality behind the world, while still rooted in a sense of realism, helped inform many of DC’s global fans’ first impressions on the Dark Knight's Gotham. In the new Batman ’89 comic, Hamm and Quinones will help usher in the return of Selina Kyle/Catwoman and will debut a new Robin! Plus, Quinones has a vision for Harvey Dent/Two-Face that is as close to movie magic as a comic can get!

Issues[]

Production history[]

Batman 89 title treatment

Original Batman '89 pitch

In 2015, Joe Quinones originally pitched the concept of the Batman '89 comic series with Kate Leth, planning a series in the vein of the then-running Batman '66 series. Like the final product, it was planned to feature reimaginations of Robin, Barbara Gordon and Two-Face and ignore the films after Batman Returns. It would have also featured "Burtonverse" versions of Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn (the former having previously appeared in Batman & Robin and the latter was planned to feature in the cancelled Batman Unchained). However, it was rejected by DC for unspecified reasons.[1]

In 2019, CCO Jim Lee acknowledged that many DC artists and writers have pitched the idea of doing a Burton/Keaton era comic series over the years.[2] No explanation has ever been given about why such a project had never been approved. The series was announced in February 2021 after DC Comics and WB were bought out by AT&T. It's been speculated that the series was commissioned due to Michael Keaton's return as Batman in The Flash movie, with placing emphasis on him being seen as valuable.

Art director Darran Robinson was granted access to WB's archives to use scans of Bill Garland's original airbrushed typography for the logo treatment.[3]

The series was initially announced with July 27th release date for digital versions of the first three issues. However, these plans were abandoned without notice during the time period. The same had also been done for Batman: The Adventures Continue - Season Two. A collected edition was also expected for release October 26, 2021, though this has also been delayed. Due to printing shortages, #4 was delayed from November to December 2021. #5 and #6 were initially scheduled to be released in February 2022 but were later moved to April and July, respectively.

Gallery[]

Concept art

Notes[]

  • The series includes a number of similarities to Batman Forever, such as Two-Face being one of the main antagonists, the story's opening sequence involving a bank robbery, Bruce having doubts about Batman's effectiveness and the inclusion of Robin.
  • Although set in the "Burtonverse", the characters' appearances are partially based on the character designs used in Batman: The Animated Series. This is likely done to avoid paying royalties or likeness fees to actors and their estates. Gotham's architecture also feature more Art Deco designs than the films, drawing comparison with the the show's version of the city.
  • Jerry Ordway, who previously worked on the 1989 Comic Adaption, contributed a variant cover for Batman ’89 #1.

References[]

Links[]

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