Tell me, have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight? If you have, that’s great. I’m sure it was a memorable experience. But me, I prefer to spend my weekends reading comics. Two days is the perfect length of time to settle down with a good graphic novel, while still leaving plenty of time for friends, family and devil dancing, if that’s your thing.

As is probably pretty evident, I have Tim Burton’s Batman movies on my mind. Ever since seeing The Flash, I’ve been on a bit of a Keaton kick. Not that I mind. After all, DC has just the comic for that! Batman ‘89 is a six-issue limited series set within the continuity of the Tim Burton movies. You can read the individual issues on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE or grab the trade collection, if you prefer reading your comics in print. Either way, if you’ve found yourself rewatching Batman and Batman Returns lately, this title is the perfect choice for your next Weekend Escape.
 

The Premise:

The Penguin and his Red Triangle Gang have been defeated, but Gotham’s problems are far from over. Crime is on the rise, and not everyone has the city’s best interests at heart. District Attorney Harvey Dent pins the blame on Batman and begins a manhunt to take the Caped Crusader down. Joined by his girlfriend, police sergeant Barbara Gordon, Dent’s quest to apprehend Batman takes him down a dark road, which ultimately leads to his downfall. If you’re familiar with the name Harvey Dent, you probably have a good idea what I’m talking about.
 

Let’s Talk Talent:

One of the reasons this comic feels authentic is because it’s written by Sam Hamm. The critically acclaimed screenwriter had a hand in shaping the script for the 1989 Batman film and worked on story outlines for Batman Returns. Hamm was one of the individuals responsible for shaping Burton and Keaton’s Batman universe, making him the perfect candidate for this title.

Thanks to his background as a screenwriter, Batman ’89 has a real cinematic feel. In fact, it feels like a movie that was produced in the ‘90s, which is exactly what you would want from a lost Tim Burton Bat-sequel. (By the way, if you like Hamm’s work on Batman, be sure to check out Detective Comics #598-600.)

The miniseries is penciled by Joe Quinones, a talented artist who’s able to perfectly capture Burton’s Gotham City. Writing a script set in the film universe is one thing, but this comic never would have worked without Quinones’ expert touch. Bruce Wayne, Harvey Dent and Selina Kyle look enough like Michael Keaton, Billy Dee Williams and Michelle Pfeiffer to sell it, and Gotham City looks just as it did in the Burton films.
 

A Few Reasons to Read:

  • Did The Flash leave you hungry for more of Michael Keaton’s Batman? Did the film lead you to wonder what the Dark Knight has been doing since 1992’s Batman Returns? If so, then this comic will scratch that itch.
     
  • I don’t want to spoil too much, but we finally get to see the Billy Dee Williams version of Two-Face! Don’t get me wrong, I love all the other live-action Two-Face actors, but it’s a shame that we never saw Williams in the role. (I’m not counting Lego Batman.) Batman ‘89 gives us a sense of what Williams’ take on the notorious villain would’ve been like, and it’s glorious.
  • The Michelle Pfeiffer version of Catwoman is back! Admit it, your heart ached when she and Bruce parted at the end of Batman Returns. This limited series gives us the reunion we've been pining for since 1992. However, it’s Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle, so don’t expect a happy ending.
     
  • Michael Keaton’s version of Batman never had his own Robin—until now! You may have heard about how Marlon Wayans almost played Robin in Batman Returns, and this comic shows us what that might have been like. Drake Winston is illustrated to look like Wayans, and he’s a great addition to the title. Drake isn’t quite like the other Robins from comic book canon, but that’s a good thing! He feels like a character from a ’90s movie, which is pretty much the point.
     

Why It’s Worth Your Time:

Do you remember when comic books used to publish movie adaptations? Think of this as a comic book adaptation for a movie that was never produced. You can even enhance your experience by making it a “‘90s night.” Pretend you’ve picked up Batman ’89 from your video rental store, order some pizza, pop some popcorn and begin reading. You can even blast Danny Elfman’s classic soundtracks in the background for maximum effect.

Of course, Batman ’89 has more going for it than nostalgia. At its core, it’s a heart-wrenching tale of friendship, betrayal, triumph and tragedy. Even if you didn’t grow up obsessively rewatching the Burton Batman films, this comic is still a blast from the first page to the last. Do you want to get nuts? Then let’s get nuts by kicking off the weekend with Batman ‘89.


Batman ’89 by Sam Hamm, Joe Quinones and Leonardo Ito is available in print as a trade paperback and can also be read in full on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE.

Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, movies and comics for DC.com, is a regular contributor to the Couch Club and writes our monthly Batman column, "Gotham Gazette." Follow him on Twitter at @TBUJosh.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and do not necessarily reflect those of DC Entertainment or Warner Bros., nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.