After ‘Batman: Resurrection,’ John Jackson Miller Will Continue Burton’s ‘Batman’ Films with ‘Batman: Revolution’
Tim Burton’s take on Batman is getting bigger, and I’m excited to see where it’s heading. If you’ve been keeping up, you know that John Jackson Miller already brought us ‘Batman: Resurrection,’ a novel that dives into what happened after Burton’s 1989 classic ‘Batman.’ Now, he’s back at it with ‘Batman: Revolution,’ set to land in fall 2025. Both books sit snugly between that first film and its sequel, ‘Batman Returns’ from 1992. It’s a chance to explore more of Michael Keaton’s Dark Knight in a way we haven’t seen on screen.
First off, let’s talk about where this all started. Burton’s ‘Batman’ hit theaters in 1989, with Keaton as the brooding hero and Jack Nicholson chewing the scenery as the Joker. It was dark, gothic, and a game-changer for superhero movies. Then came ‘Batman Returns,’ where Keaton faced off against Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman and Danny DeVito’s Penguin. Burton stepped away after that, and the series shifted with Joel Schumacher taking over for ‘Batman Forever’ and ‘Batman & Robin.’ But for many of us, Burton’s two films feel like their own special world, and that’s what Miller is tapping into.
‘Batman: Resurrection’ came out on October 15, 2024, and it picks up six months after the Joker’s death in that cathedral showdown. Gotham’s still a mess—survivors of the Smylex attack are clogging hospitals, and leftover Joker gang members are torching the city. Bruce Wayne, as Batman, is stretched thin, trying to hold it all together. The story throws in new villains like Clayface, a shapeshifting actor named Basil Karlo, and Hugo Strange, a twisted scientist messing with Smylex victims. It’s a bridge to ‘Batman Returns,’ even teasing characters like Max Shreck, who Christopher Walken later played.
Now, ‘Batman: Revolution’ is the next step, and it’s bringing the Riddler into Burton’s universe. We don’t know much yet, but Miller’s hinted at a character named Norman Pinkus, a newspaper copy editor with a knack for puzzles. This isn’t the wild Jim Carrey version from ‘Batman Forever’—expect something darker, more in line with Burton’s vibe. The book’s slated for a Halloween 2025 release, giving us another slice of Gotham before Selina Kyle and Oswald Cobblepot take center stage in ‘Batman Returns.’
My next novel, BATMAN: REVOLUTION releases from @DelReyBooks in the fall of 2025! The sequel to BATMAN: RESURRECTION, it's my second novel set between BATMAN and BATMAN RETURNS.
— John Jackson Miller 🔜 NYCC Writers Block Table 1 (@jjmfaraway) October 15, 2024
Return to Gotham City today with #Batman RESURRECTION — and continue the ride in '25 with REVOLUTION! pic.twitter.com/GQP4KdXloi
What’s cool here is how Miller’s filling in the gaps. Burton only made two movies, leaving years of untold stories between them. ‘Batman: Resurrection’ already showed us Bruce wrestling with the Joker’s shadow and his own limits, with Alfred trying to keep him sane. I love that we’re getting more of that world—Keaton’s Batman was always a thinker, a detective, and these books lean into it hard. Plus, it’s a treat to see familiar faces like Alexander Knox, the wise-cracking reporter from the ‘89 film, pop back up.
Burton’s Gotham has this unique feel—tall spires, eerie streets, and broken characters clashing in a twisted fairy tale. Miller’s keeping that alive, and I can’t wait to see how he spins the Riddler into it. We’re not getting a third Burton movie, but these novels are the next best thing. They stick to what made those films special while adding fresh threats for Batman to tackle. If you loved Keaton’s cape and cowl, ‘Batman: Revolution’ is shaping up to be worth the wait.