Batman '89

***Batman '89*** is a DC Comics limited comic book series created by screenwriter Sam Hamm and artist Joe Quinones that is set in the Burtonverse, serving as a sequel to *Batman Returns* (1992). It presents a continuation from the film more in line with Tim Burton's vision, ignoring the events of Joel Schumacher's films *Batman Forever* (1995) and *Batman & Robin* (1997) in a new branched timeline.

The series debuted on August 10, 2021, and five more issues will be released monthly.

## Description

*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!*

## Background

### Original *Batman '89* pitch

Following the success of the *Batman '66* comic book series by Jeff Parker and Tom Peyer which served as a continuation of the classic *Batman* television series, comic duo Joe Quinones and Kate Leth pitched a new series entitled *Batman '89* to DC Comics, which would have picked up in the wake of the events of *Batman Returns*. It would have seen the return of Selina Kyle/Catwoman, while also introducing Burton-esque iterations of Robin, Batgirl, Poison Ivy, and Two-Face that ignore the versions of the characters seen in *Batman Forever* and *Batman & Robin*. The run also would have introduced an incarnation of Harley Quinn. However, by 2016 DC Comics had turned down the idea for reasons unknown. The most obvious reason being the expense of each actor's likeness, including imaginary casting of actresses like Geena Davis and Christina Ricci. In the final product the physical appearance of most characters seems altered, most notably Michael Gough and Pat Hingle. The supporting cast in *Batman '66* also rarely resembled the original actor.

### Project revival

On February 16, 2021, DC Comics announced that they would be introducing two new digital first comic book series, *Superman '78* and *Batman '89*, expanding the worlds of Richard Donner's Superman universe, and Tim Burton's "Burtonverse", respectively. For *Batman '89*, it was announced that screenwriter Sam Hamm, who had previously written screenplays for *Batman* and *Batman Returns*, would be helming the new series alongside artist Joe Quinones, who had pitched the previous *Batman '89* series several years prior.

The series was initially set to debut Digital First with six chapters on July 27, 2021, followed by new chapters every week for the following six weeks. The series would then be published as six physical issues between August and October, which would also be available as one hardcover collection in October. However, these plans were changed and the series will now be published digital and print simultaneously, though it will still be six issues.

## Issues

 2
 3
 4
 5
 6

## Gallery

### Covers

*Batman '89* artwork by Joe Quinones.Original linked art by Joe Quinones for *Batman '89*.
### Teasers

Art teaser posted on Twitter by Joe Quinones on February 18, 2021.Art teaser posted on Twitter by Joe Quinones on February 18, 2021.Teaser image featuring a heavily weathered "Oswald Cobblepot for Mayor" poster from *Batman Returns* (February 20, 2021)Teaser image of Batman posted by Joe Quinones (February 24, 2021)Teaser image of a ruined Harvey Dent poster (February 25, 2021)Teaser image of Batman (March 2, 2021)Teaser image of Batman (March 4, 2021)Teaser image of Alfred Pennyworth (March 6, 2021)Teaser image of the Batmobile (March 8, 2021)Teaser image of Batman in a rush (March 8, 2021)Batman in the city (March 16, 2021)Catwoman's claws (April 1, 2021)Catwoman's claws (April 1, 2021)Catwoman (April 2, 2021)“This guy must be the most worthless guy in America” (April 5, 2021)“Bruce... Wayne, n'est-ce pas?” (April 7, 2021)“Ladies, gentlemen...” (April 9, 2021)Harvey Bullock teaser (April 15, 2021)Batsuit vault (April 27, 2021)“I don’t know about you, miss kitty, but I feel so much yummier.” (May 1, 2021)“Hmm?" (May 6, 2021)“👀” (May 11, 2021)“Desk shot” (May 21, 2021)Cowl colored (May 24, 2021)Harvey Dent up close (May 26, 2021)“Let’s flip for it.” (May 30, 2021)Batsuit (June 4, 2021)“Just one more thing...” (June 10, 2021)“Meow.” (June 17, 2021)“Call it.” (June 24, 2021)Teaser image of Robin symbol (June 27, 2021)Teaser image of Batman in front of a clock (June 30, 2021)Teaser image of Harvey Dent flipping his coin (July 2, 2021)Colored Alfred Pennyworth teaser (July 3, 2021)Teaser image of Gotham City (July 6, 2021)“I don’t know about you, Miss Kitty, but I feel so much yummier” (July 7, 2021)Batman smiling (July 8, 2021)“…a kiss… can be even deadlier if you mean it.” (July 9, 2021)“It’s Monday! HSSSSS!” (July 12, 2021)“BAT-TIME approaches.” (July 14, 2021)“I believe in Harvey Dent.” (July 17, 2021)Robin teaser (July 18, 2021)Robin teaser (July 18, 2021)Wayne Manor teaser (July 19, 2021)Robin unmasked (July 23, 2021)Robin unmasked 2 (July 23, 2021)Robin unmasked and Bruce Wayne (July 23, 2021)Batman with his wings open (July 23, 2021)Batman with a shocked face (July 23, 2021)“¿Quién es esa niña?” (July 26, 2021)“¿Quién es esa niña?” (July 26, 2021)“¿Quién es esa niña?” (July 26, 2021)“¿Quién es esa niña?” (July 26, 2021)“What’s on your mind, Alfred?” (August 1, 2021)Gotham rooftop (August 7, 2021)Catwoman (August 8, 2021)“Hello (Miss) Kitty” (August 16, 2021)Catwoman leaping (August 17, 2021)Batman looking up (August 19, 2021)Hello There sign (August 23, 2021)Shocked cat (August 24, 2021)Sleeping cat (August 24, 2021)Batman ruler and cats (August 25, 2021)Catwoman bent over (August 25, 2021)Catwoman in Gotham City (August 29, 2021)Hello There sign in color (August 30, 2021)Catwoman crawling (September 1, 2021)Barbara Gordon (September 10, 2021)Catwoman hissing (September 12, 2021)Drake Winston (September 13, 2021)Drake Winston at his computer (September 13, 2021)Drake Winston hooded (September 14, 2021)Robin concept (September 14, 2021)Robin concept (September 14, 2021)Catwoman on roof colored (September 20, 2021)Batman on a call (September 20, 2021)Catwoman leaping (October 1, 2021)Wayne family portrait (October 8, 2021)Batman and Miss Kitty (October 20, 2021)Two-Face's bad side (October 23, 2021)"Bruce… Noir, n'est-ce pas?" (October 23, 2021)Robin teaser (November 10, 2021)Undersuit (November 10, 2021)Selina Kyle with Shreck's floppy disk (November 10, 2021)"Keeping mobile" (December 2, 2021)Batman with Two-Face's coin (December 11, 2021)
### Concept art

Batman concept art by Joe QuinonesRobin reveal concept art by Joe QuinonesAlfred, Harvey Bullock, and James Gordon concept art by Joe QuinonesJoker gang concept art by Joe Quinones
## References

1. ↑ “FIRST LOOK: Step Back Into the Gotham City of Tim Burton’s Seminal Classic ‘Batman’ movies!” - DC
2. ↑ "Check out the Burton-inspired, Batman ’89 comic DC decided not to make" - Syfy Wire
3. ↑ "The Movie Worlds of Superman '78 and Batman '89 Are Heading to Comics in Two All-New DC Digital First Series!" - DC Comics