DC’s New Batman ’89 Sequel Kills One Idea About Tim Burton’s Batman Movie Universe

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There’s always been discussion among fans about the continuity of the Batman movies. While Tim Burton directed the first two films, Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992), and they clearly connect, the films that followed—directed by Joel Schumacher, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin—have been more controversial. Although they’re officially considered the third and fourth movies in the series, the big difference in style between Burton’s films and Schumacher’s has led many to believe they take place in separate universes. Now, a new book sequel seems to finally settle the debate.

I’m really excited about the new Batman novel, Batman: Revolution! It came out last month and continues the story from Batman: Resurrection which was published in 2024. Both books are set in the same world as Tim Burton’s Batman films – it’s like they’re picking up where Batman ’89 left off. This new book starts after Batman defeated Karlo Babić and Hugo Strange, and now Gotham is facing a new threat: Norman Pinkus is challenging Batman in a battle of intelligence, and the fate of the city hangs in the balance. We finally get a full introduction to a new Riddler, but it’s made very clear this isn’t the same Riddler from Batman Forever – which makes me think those Schumacher movies aren’t actually connected to Burton’s films at all.

How Does Batman: Revolution Change Burton’s Movie Universe?

While it might not completely contradict the Riddler’s portrayal in Batman Forever, having him appear in a follow-up novel raises some questions, mainly about when it takes place. Both Batman: Resurrection and Batman: Revolution are set between the first two Batman films, meaning The Riddler would appear earlier than he did in Batman Forever. Additionally, his background and how he became a villain are different, clearly distinguishing the versions created by Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher.

In Batman Forever, Edward Nygma begins as a quirky and self-centered scientist working for Wayne Enterprises. He shows Bruce Wayne an invention that could transmit TV signals directly into people’s brains. When Bruce dismisses the idea, worried it could be used to control minds, Nygma becomes enraged. He kills his boss, leaves his job, and begins plotting revenge against Bruce, sending him riddles as a preview of what’s to come. Ultimately, he fully transforms into the Riddler and forms an alliance with Two-Face.

The Riddler in Batman: Revolution is a significant departure from previous versions. First appearing in Batman: Resurrection, this Riddler is Norman Pinkus, a reporter and investigator for the Gotham Globe who sees Batman as a competitor and tries to gain his notice through riddles. He writes puzzles for the Globe under the name Edward Nygma. Because Nygma is a journalist with no ties to Wayne Enterprises, this version of the Riddler is distinctly different. Although some might suggest a connection between this Riddler and the one in Batman Forever, the film doesn’t acknowledge any prior history for the villain, portraying him as a new threat emerging for the first time.

Is Batman: Revolution Really Canon?

It’s complicated when it comes to whether Batman: Revolution fits into the official Batman storyline. After Batman Returns, Tim Burton envisioned a third movie, but the film wasn’t as successful as the first Batman and many felt it was too gloomy for younger viewers—even McDonald’s cancelled a planned Happy Meal promotion because of the dark tone. This led Warner Bros. to replace Burton with Joel Schumacher as director for the next installment.

As a big Tim Burton fan, it’s always been a shame he never got to finish his Batman trilogy. He had so many ideas for that world, and one of the biggest disappointments was never seeing his take on the Riddler. That’s why these books are so exciting – they finally let us explore what that Riddler might have been like and, in a way, continue Burton’s vision. Now, this doesn’t erase Joel Schumacher’s films – they’re still officially part of the Batman movie series. But for those of us who really loved Burton’s darker, gothic take, these books offer a chance to build on that continuity, cherry-picking what we like and essentially rewriting that part of Batman history for ourselves, even after all this time.

Batman: Revolution is on sale now.

Does the comic book series Batman: Revolution essentially erase the Batman movies directed by Joel Schumacher from the timeline that began with the 1989 film? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-11-06 05:12