The latest sequel to 1989’sBatman– John Jackson Miller’sBatman: Resurrection– has a number of connections to Tim Burton’sBatmanseries and its comic continuation. The twoBurtonBatmanfilms are part of several branching timelines, with the first being the Joel SchumacherBatmanfilms –Batman ForeverandBatman & Robin. Sam Hamm and Joe Quinones’sBatman ’89andBatman ’89: Echoescomics also continue the story of Michael Keaton’s Batman, aligning far more with 1989’sBatmanandBatman Returns.
Miller’sResurrectionis set between the events of 1989’sBatmanandReturns, providing some much-needed connective tissue between the two movies. What timelineResurrectiontakes place in was initially unclear, as a story set between the two Burton movies could potentially reference lore from the Schumacher films, theBatman ’89comics, or even the DC Extended Universe’s Flashpoint universe fromThe Flash. However,Resurrectionis not only set in the same timeline as theBatman ’89comics, but it also includes numerous references to the‘89comics, making the BurtonBatmanuniverse larger and more cohesive than ever before.
How Batman: Resurrection Connects To The Batman 1989 Movie & Batman ‘89 Comic
While following directly on from the events of the 1989Batman, the Joker’s henchman, Lawrence (who carries his boombox inBatman) is revealed to have survived his seemingly fatal fall in Gotham’s cathedral inBatman ’89, andResurrectiontakes this even further. How Lawrence survived is explained inResurrection, which also gives him a prominent role as an enforcer for Max Schreck.Batman Villain Hugo Strangeis a main villain inResurrection, and he survives the events of the book,coinciding with mentions of Strange inBatman ’89: Echoes.
Hugo Strange is also revealed to be the Axis chemicals scientist who briefly appears in 1989’sBatman.
Resurrectionincludes a brief appearance by Barbara Gordon, who is shown to be in the Gotham Police force and has a strained relationship with her father – coinciding with’89.Drake Winston – an original character who becomes the Burton iteration of Robin in’89– also has a brief appearance inResurrection.Resurrectionforeshadows the copycat Batman gang from’89and Bruce Wayne’s portable Batman suit inEchoes.
Do Resurrection & ‘89 Reference The Flash?
With Michael Keaton reprising his role asBatmanin 2023’sThe Flash, some might wonder ifResurrectionand theBatman ’89comics take place in the DCEU’s Flashpoint universe. Notably,Resurrectionreferences The Flash’s home city of Central City and Superman’s home of Metropolis, with both having made prominent appearances inThe Flash. While seemingly possible,Resurrectionand’89most likely are not set in the DCEU’s Flashpoint universe, as DC Comics has already designated their reality as Earth-789, which also includes the Richard DonnerSupermanmovies and theSuperman ’78comics.
Batman
Cast
Batman is a 1989 superhero movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne. The film features Jack Nicholson’s chilling portrayal as Jack Napier, who turns into the Joker and reigns terror on Gotham. Kim Basinger also stars in the film as Vicki Vale, along with Michael Gough as Bruce’s trusty butler named Alfred.
