Batman '89 #1immerses readers back into the world of Tim Burton's iconic films and continues his intended vision for the franchise thanks to a creative team who share a love for that world and helped shape it. With Richard Donner's Superman films receiving a similar treatment later this month and Michael Keaton slated to reprise his role as Batman in The Flash next year, the series couldn't have come at a better time. Read Full Review

This first issue is a dream come true for fans of Tim Burton's 'Batman' films. It also contains some truly exciting surprises for Batman fans of all kinds. Read Full Review

Batman '89 #1 has a big benefit of nostalgia, especially at a time where we know that Michael Keaton is returning to the role in The Flash, to lift this comic up. However, the creative team doesn't fully rely on that nostalgia to deliver this must-read issue, they present us with what feels like could be the logical third Batman movie from Tim Burton. Read Full Review

Personally, I'm thrilled that this book exists. As a fan of the original movies, it is exciting to see that universe expanding by the person who originally developed it. Here's hoping we get some sort of reference to this book on Andy Muschietti's The Flash, the 2022 film that will feature Michael Keaton returning as Batman. Read Full Review

I already want the remaining issues! Sam Hamm and Joe Quinones hit all the right notes. Clayton Cowles letters like the pro he is and Leonardo Ito splashes that 80's vibe across the pages that we so wanted! Again, love that "Prince" cameo and those fedoras. So many Easter Eggs and so much eye candy with a solid script! You can hear "Party Man" booming in the background! Read Full Review

Exactly what I'd want from a first issue set in the original movie's continuity. Read Full Review

John Quinones does great work with the art in the issue. I love the visual style of the issue and there are some subtle cameos from other Burton characters sprinkled in that are awesome. Read Full Review

The only criticism one might level at this is that if, say, you landed here from Alpha Centauri and didn't know what Batman's deal was, he gets the short end of the characterization stick. To be fair, if you're buying a Batman '89 book, you likely know what you're in for and surely know who felt yummier and where someone wonders if you danced with the devil. For Batman fans of all ages, this book is a treasure and superbly enjoyable. Read Full Review

For a first issue picking up where Burton left off, this was a promising start. Fans of the films shouldnt be disappointed in giving this a shot. Read Full Review

All in all, Batman '89 is an amusing work of nostalgia that perfectly captures the spirit of the films it is meant to follow. While a little rough at times, due to the inherent differences between film and comics, this is still an enjoyable read sure to please fans of the first wave of Batman movies. Read Full Review

A strong start that absolutely trades on nostalgia, brand recognition, and goodwill. The writing is solid, if not incredible, but the art and lettering are fantastic. It's hard to say it's a perfect representation of Burton's Batman, given that his two films were so drastically different from one another, but there are plenty of interesting ideas to keep you engaged. Read Full Review

Batman '89 #1 is a strong effort to introduce a new story set in a 32-year-old universe. There's more than enough setup here to keep things interesting even without the nostalgia factor, but this story's status as an official follow-up to the iconic Tim Burton films, with Sam Hamm returning as writer, gives it that extra bit of appeal. Visually, the issue isn't as consistent with the look of the movies as I'd like (apart from the stunning Joe Quinones cover), but makes up for that with the general faithfulness of its character designs and likenesses, as well as the impact of Batman's appearances. Overall this series shows a lot of promise, and between this and Keaton's upcoming return to the Batman role on film, it's great to see that this interpretation of the character is still loved and respected. Read Full Review

A strong opening issue that delivers more than promised. Read Full Review

Batman '89 #1 is a promising start to the continuation of Burton's version of the Batman legend. The characters look and sound great, and the plot works. However, the design of Gotham lacks the Burton flare, and the motivation behind Dent's actions feels forced. Read Full Review

Harvey is beginning a campaign to make Batman enemy #1 in Gotham City. The issue ends with Harvey and the Police attempting to capture Batman. Nevertheless, we don't spend much time on this issue from Batman or Bruce Wayne's point of view. Read Full Review

Batman '89 #1 is an ok start for the series. At moments it feels like the comic might have actually been helped with a digital release so it could take advantage of the focus on single panels as well as the ability to deliver cinematic transitions. It does a solid job of capturing the feel of the original film and delivers something new beyond the latest costumed “freak”. We'll see where it all goes but for now, this is one to keep an eye on but no need to rush out and get. Read Full Review

The essence of those Batman movies is present here, and this issue will allow those who always wanted more of them to revel in the continued saga. Read Full Review

I will admit that I have been caught up in the hype for this book; its currently on my pull list. How long it stays there will depend on if any of the ideas put forward that “weren't good enough' for the movie are actually “good enough for a comic”. Read Full Review

You should never rub another man's rhubarb and Burton will be spinning in his grave (he's not dead, he just sleeps in a coffin) at the thought of what this has done to his legacy. Do yourself a favour and watch the original movie and bypass this mutant halfbreed. Read Full Review

The story the makers wanted but couldn't. Including Billy Dee Williams' likeness on the road to becoming Two-Face and Dick on his first steps to becoming Robin. Not just that, but it presents why Robin will be necessary; he's a street vigilante wanting to help people who are struggling in Gotham. But it looks like it's going to require both him and Batman to be steered in the right directions.

I'm already wanting this more than Batman Forever; no executives to meddle here.

I wish I could say this is the Batman 3 I was originally hoping for, but I can't. Aside from being based on that continuity I really didn't get the feeling of the original movies continuing. They should've included a Robin Williams Riddler like we expected back then, but it looks like that's going to have to wait for vol. 2.
It's really just more of an Early years Batman story where the characters are based on the old movie versions. I really don't see why they felt it necessary to give Micheal Gough's Alfred a mustache. They also decided to totally replace Pat Hingle with a Gordon more resembling his regular portrayal.
Harvey's Batman attitude is the biggest change to note. It's taken a major shift from the end of the first movie. But that's the attitude more to be expected for the guy when he's about to become Two-Face. And did anyone else notice Large Marge in the corner during Halloween?
It's not a bad start for this series, but I'm still unsure if the story's really going to go anywhere. I guess this is one to keep following till we can be for sure what to really think. more

I really do not care about the Tim Burton Batman films. I watched them again within the last year or so, so I'm not going off vague memories when I say this. I just find them boring, most of the time, while recognizing their role in the Batman brand. The music is nice, I think Jack Nicholson did an okay job playing the version of The Joker they wanted him to play. I think Catwoman was super boring, as a character. Penguin is a great design, but as a character I found him lacking as well. The first movie is the better one. So, all that being said, I had basically no hope for liking this. But I gave it a shot. And it's good. The art is great, and the writing is surprisingly capable of keeping my attention. I've seen online that the scripts Sam Hamm wrote for both movies were very different than the final product, and this is more in line with those. And if so, I think I would have preferred more of his vision than Burton's. But that's being a screenwriter for you. more

Solid if not quite what I expected. Not sure why Bruce Wayne looks very unlike Keaton when Dent is totally Billy Dee. The most interesting thing is Hamm's attempts to write Dent with one eye towards questions of race and equity, the sort of thing he did long ago in the pilot for MANTIS. It's a noble endeavor but is a bit, err, ham-fisted.

Batman '89 #1 Review - Painting by Numbers

Batman ‘89 is one of the first films I remember seeing and theaters. I’m deeply nostalgic when it comes to these characters in this particular setting and have wanted to revisit them for decades now. Over the years I’ve imagined what Burton’s third Batman film would look like. The possibilities were practically endless and many of Batman’s rogues weren’t as saturated on the screen like they are today. Unfortunately, the film never happened and the world is poorer for it.

Batman ‘89 seeks to give long-term fans closure by drawing from the rumored plot threads that were left open by the films as well as reported casting from the time. This issue sets up the current status quo of Gotham. Bruce is a little older and still active as Batman. The Joker gang is wreaking havoc in Gotham and now operates independently of the Joker. Harvey Dent (Billy Dee Williams) is given a prominent role, playing up an inevitable transformation into Two-Face. In the back end of the comic, a new vigilante is introduced that will presumably become Robin.


Although the direction of the issue feels in line with a possible direction of the Burtonverse, it doesn’t feel particularly inspired. Which is the comics' biggest failure. We’ve seen the birth of Two-Face presented across media and the only difference here is that Harvey is Black. Harvey is a bit more hood than usual and has a little more swagger than I’m used to there isn’t much new ground here. The story also plays up the GCPD vs Batman angle we’ve also seen played out everywhere. Sam Hamm does a serviceable job with the script, it's just tired unless you’re removed from any Batman story that has been released in the past 30 years.

The art from Joe Quinones is drawn in what can be described as a DC house style. It looks decent and conveys the story well. However, the art direction is pretty bland especially when compared to the comic adaptation of the first film. The characters don’t share the likenesses of the original actors and on top of the generic nature of the script, Batman ‘89 feels like a low effort by DC to cash in on Keaton’s return to the character next year.


This is only the first issue so I won’t write off the series at this point. I hope Batman ‘89 has more to offer than a Generic Batman story. Burton’s take on Batman and Gotham is generally different from what we usually get from these characters. If the story becomes more about Sam’s take on a third Burton film than actually capturing the spirit of those movies than this series will be dead on arrival.

In Short: Batman ‘89 #1 stumbles out of the gate and offers readers a paint by numbers script that even the most casual Batman fans will pick up on.

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Doesn’t really have that special tone that the movie had. Not bad necessarily but so far it just feels like a generic Batman story with a few familiar faces and a fresh coat of paint

This was interesting and the art really is splendid but some things threw me off a little. For one, Batman being sloppy and getting people killed in situations he usually avoids just for the sake of the plot felt wrong. And regarding the race stuff, some lines there from Harvey felt very odd and morally questionable, I hope we get less of that in the future. Still I'm looking forward to this, it's a pretty tense situation.

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Mout - Aug 10, 2021

´´Kids need to see a prosperous black man who´s not a athlete``? why is this odd?

Merlyn - Aug 10, 2021

No, not that part. The part where supposedly he doesn't dress as black people do because he's now in "their" world. That seemed pretty odd and tribal to me.

Mout - Aug 11, 2021

Oh,yeah, i see what you mean

Merlyn - Aug 15, 2021

It's been a while since I've seen those movies but I do remember some people complaining that he killed people out of negligence and I did think of that while reading this.

Mout - Aug 15, 2021

he kills a lot, especially in the second movie

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The art in this book is tremendous. Really wanted a Catwoman tease at the very least, but the ending was fine. Can’t wait for Issue #2

Not as in-continuity as I hoped. Weird changes that make me cold.

I was somewhat disappointed by this.

I like Joe Quinones but neither Batman nor Gotham looked or felt right. The generic cityscape, populated with bland, cuboid skyscrapers, was not a worthy substitute for the gnarled, crooked, smog-ridden city which provided the unforgettable backdrop for Burton's films.

Additionally, Batman's competence seemed deliberately downplayed to enable plot progression.

I'm still intrigued enough to keep going but I have the nagging feeling that this is shaping up to be a wasted opportunity.

The opener of the new Batman series is pretty ok. It has to be admitted, however, that this comic works mainly by sentiment for Tim Burton's "Batman".
There is hardly anything innovative here, however the characters are drawn really well. We'll see in what direction the action will go, so far I'm a bit optimistic.

A decent first issue but the warning signs were already there that this was going to be anything but Tim Burton era Batman. White guilt and black victimhood both rear their ugly heads on numerous occasions, and we are all getting sick of this now including many people of colour. Yes, like all rational human beings I want a world where everyone is treat fairly and equally, but I am so tired of being patronised by this hateful unintelligent crap masquerading as the answer to all planet earth's problems. Eradicating white people from western culture will not solve the world's most genuinely serious issues like climate change and lack of biodiversity. The only "diversity" that truly matters. So either offer us escapism and entertainment or p*ss off. more

What's the point? The storyline is one we've seen countless times and the likenesses are too far off from the movie. The panel to panel continuity is poor with no flow. Other than the period style I've read this issue plenty of times before.

Reviewing the first issue of the new Batman '89 series. I wasn't sure what to expect going into this, and maybe that was for the best. The movie was slightly before my time as I grew up with the Schumacher movies (don't hold it against me). This issue was entertaining enough that I'll keep up with it, at least for now!

https://youtu.be/X0Q4M0y9Qkg

Hats off to Quinones for capturing the absolutely grotesque facial features of Michael Keaton. I know that Burton is always into things that would make an audience vomit, and while watching his Batman films I can wholeheartedly attest that Keaton did not obtain his role because of any "good" looks.
I was always more of a Superman kid, so any time that the '89 Batman came on I would be bored out of my gourd. As I grew older and got deeper into the mythos, I was disappointed to see Billy Dee Williams' Harvey Dent not get as much screen time as I would have expected him to within the Burton-verse.
Hamm rights that wrong here and shows a Dent that has grown up in Batgirl's stomping grounds of Burnside - save for in this iteration, Batgirl is engaged to be wed with Dent and of course the Commissioner isn't too happy about that.
The scene's where Dent speaks with a child on the corner, flashing his car to him and speaking with his barber from his upbringing are touching scenes that provide the background needed to support Dent as the eventual Two-Face that he should have by all means became (though Tommy Lee Jones was a highlight within the Schumacher films, or more so the concept of Sugar & Spice was ...) and offer an excellent contrast to his conversations with Wayne in an attempt to get his assistance in his crusade against Batman.
Strange bedfellows. The action sequences are as drawn out as the film's with hair-brained Joker plots; even with The Joker no-longer present. I've seen "Batman Beyond" do better. But the action sequence that really got me was the final scene featuring a possible Robin on the wrong side of the tracks due to issues of poverty. Jason Todd is my favorite Bat-sidekick, so I am a sucker for that shit. And if Hamm & Quinones can keep the heart within their action & dialogue sequences while not delving too much into the elements that made Burton's first foray into the Batman Universe so laughable, I will continue to be along for the ride.
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C.V.R. The Bard more

There's no denying the appeal of seeing the visual style of Batman '89 again. Quinones, as always, is brilliant, and the Keaton Bat-suit is just amazing. But this feels more like a continuation of Sam Hamm's vision for the Batman story rather than a return to the bizarre world of Tim Burton, which I think is much of the appeal of those films. This comic just isn't weird enough.

this did NOT feel like what we'd seen in these movies. it feels like they are trying to take the world of the Michael Keaton Batman movies and make it feel more typical of Batman of the comics. then what was the point of revisiting this universe in the first place?

did not care for the art at all. something very awkward about it.

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myconius - Aug 13, 2021

yeah, i mean i saw that other people really liked the art. it's just personal preference. i've definitely heard other's dislike artists that i myself really enjoy. like Simon Bisley or Richard Corben. ... that's actually not a bad idea. maybe i'll give the movies each a re-watch, then try reading this again.

myconius - Sep 8, 2021

did you get a chance to watche the Burton films then read the comic? how well did it hold to the tone of the films?

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