A new one-shot is bringing Tim Burton’s beloved Batman series into full DC canon. Now that Pariah has restored DC’s original setup in Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths, several worlds are getting official spots in DC’s multiverse, including the Earth modeled after the 1989 Batman movie.
In 1989, Warner Brothers released Batman, directed by Tim Burton with Michael Keaton starring in the title role. The intense positive critical and fan-based reception created a pop culture phenomenon known as “Batmania”. The movie was darker and more grand than the Batman show of the 60s, but fans everywhere took to Tim Burton’s Batman film as well as its sequel, Batman Returns. While neither Tim Burton nor Michael Keaton returned for the follow-up movies, Batman Forever or Batman & Robin, DC returned fans to the world with a direct continuation of the Burton films with the comic miniseries Batman ’89.
While Batman ’89 gave fans the continuation they had longed to see, it looks like there are plenty of adventures ahead for the Tim Burton interpretation of the Dark Knight. DC has recently announced Dark Crisis: Big Bang #1, a new one-shot comic to tie into its ongoing crossover event, Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths. In his efforts to serve the Great Darkness, Pariah has successfully resurrected the original limitless multiverse. This paves the way not only for the return of DC’s previous alternate Earths, but new ones modeled after more recent, non-canon tales. The comic’s solicit mentions several fan-favorite stories that will help make up the newly restructured multiverse, including Dark Knights of Steel, Jurassic League and, of course, Batman ’89. One variant cover for the series even shows a Joker henchman from Batman ’89 standing shoulder to shoulder with DC Super Hero Girls’ Wonder Woman.
DC is picking an apt time to make Michael Keaton’s Batman a canonical part of the DC Universe. With rumors of Keaton appearing in the upcoming Flash movie, this could be an indication for how large the resurrected multiverse actually is, with the movies and comics possibly sharing one expansive collection of worlds. At the very least, bringing Batman ‘89 into DCU canon continues to honor a franchise that helped start an entire generation’s love of Batman.
Tim Burton’s Batman was one of the largest media presences the character had had since the sixties with the television show made famous by Adam West’s portrayal as the Caped Crusader. Tim Burton’s Batman was loved by many, but unfortunately it was cut short after only two movies. After years of demand, DC finally gave fans the continuation they’d always hoped to see, but since the miniseries concluded, readers have been wondering what’s next for this version of Batman? Clearly, DC knows fans don’t want to say goodbye just yet, and are setting up the 1989 Batman variant for some real high-stakes adventures down the line. What’s going to happen to Tim Burton’s Batman is anyone’s guess, but the DC Universe better get ready, because things are certainly going to get nuts.
