Credit: DC / Warner BrosTim Burton’s Batman (1989) universe, famously dubbed the Burtonverse, is expanding. The 1989 film paved the way for the dark and gritty superhero movie, and its 1992 sequel, Batman Returns, fleshed out the quasi-gothic world established in the original even more.
Michael Keaton may have hung up the cape and cowl before the Joel Schumacher-directed follow-ups, Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997), which starred Val Kilmer and George Clooney respectively, as the Caped Crusader, but he has since returned.
2023’s DC Extended Universe (DCEU) film, The Flash, which revolves around the DC Multiverse, allowed for Keaton’s return (albeit a Multiversal variation). However, the original version of his Dark Knight has also made a comeback in recent years, in both a comic book series and an official book, both of which are considered Burtonverse canon.
Now, Michael Keaton’s iconic hero is set to return once again in a new novel titled “Batman: Revolution.” Penned by John Jackson Miller, the author behind last year’s “Batman: Resurrection,” which takes place in the aftermath of The Joker’s death as seen in the 1989 film, “Revolution” also predates 1992’s Returns, following “Resurrection” by just weeks.
Related: Michael Keaton’s Batman History Explained as Official “Burton-Verse” Sequel Looms
The official synopsis for “Batman: Revolution” has already been revealed by Penguin Random House. It promises a battle between Bruce Wayne/Batman and the Burtonverse version of The Riddler, whose real name is Norman Pinkus, not Edward Nygma as depicted in the now-standalone 1995 sequel, Batman Forever, which stars Jim Carrey in the role.
In addition to Michael Keaton’s Dark Knight, the blurb also confirms the return of other characters from the two Tim Burton films.
There’s corrupt Gotham City industrialist Max Shreck (played by Christopher Walken in Returns), Bruce Wayne’s butler Alfred Pennyworth (portrayed by Michael Gough in all four original films), and Commissioner James Gordon (played by Pat Hingle in all four films).
These characters also appear in “Resurrection” alongside Michelle Pfeiffer’s secretary Selina Kyle (who eventually becomes Catwoman) and Robert Wuhl’s reporter Alexander Knox.
Related: ‘Batman’ (1989) Sequel Introduces Fan-Favorite Villain to the Burtonverse
In a statement about the book, Miller also said that there will be “old favorites” as well as “some new” characters: “Both ‘Resurrection’ and ‘Revolution’ take place between Batman and Batman Returns, and I tried to write them both as if they came out then, too — drawing on characters who appeared in both films. You’ll see old favorites — and some new ones, which I again approached with an eye to Tim Burton’s tragi-comic aesthetic.”
He added that the “Batman ’89” comics, which take place after 1992’s Batman Returns, remain canon within the Burtonverse: “Readers helped make ‘Resurrection’ a runaway success; they’re amply rewarded here, with a story whose roots we planted in the first book. ‘Batman ’89’ comics readers will also find that ‘Revolution’ coexists neatly with the two DC series, which are set later. All will be revealed in the super-hero novel adventure of the year!”
“Batman: Revolution” will be released in October.
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