Tim Burton's influence on the DC Universe remains strong, even decades after his last Batman film. Michael Keaton's return as Bruce Wayne in 2023's The Flash brought his iconic portrayal back into the spotlight, albeit briefly within the DCEU. The Burton-Verse continues to grow with new comic books and novels, such as the recently announced Batman: Revolution.
Navigating the entire Burton-Verse can be complex, but we're here to guide you through it. Below, you'll find a comprehensive breakdown of how Tim Burton's Batman movies, novels, and comics interconnect.
For a broader look at the Batman franchise, check out our guide on watching all the Batman movies in order.
Including the upcoming Batman: Revolution, there are seven projects within Burton's Batman universe. This includes three films: Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), and The Flash (2023); two novels: Batman: Resurrection and Batman: Revolution; and two comics: Batman '89 and Batman '89: Echoes.
Note that Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997) are no longer considered part of Burton's Batman universe, a topic we'll explore later.
While Burton's Batman movies are available to stream on Max and the Batman '89 comics can be read on DC Universe Infinite, owning physical copies can be a rewarding experience. Here are some options for purchasing the Burton-Verse movies and books:
Batman Favorites Collection [4K UHD + Blu-Ray]
Includes Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, and Batman & Robin.
$90.00 save 28% - $64.99 at Amazon
Batman '89
$24.99 save 39% - $15.27 at Amazon
Batman '89: Echoes
$24.99 save 10% - $22.49 at Amazon
Preorder for October 15 - Batman: Resurrection
After The Joker’s death, Batman and Gotham City face a mysterious new threat in this direct sequel to Tim Burton’s iconic Batman.
$30.00 save 8% - $27.49 at Amazon
Out October 28 - Batman: Revolution (Hardcover)
$30.00 save 10% - $27.00 at Amazon
Each blurb provides a broad overview of the plot and mentions the heroes/villains featured.
This is the original film that launched the Burton-Verse. Michael Keaton's Dark Knight faces off against Jack Nicholson's Joker in this early chapter of Batman's career, sparking a wave of "Bat-Mania" and proving the demand for darker superhero films.
John Jackson Miller's novel follows the aftermath of the first movie, with Batman confronting the remnants of the Joker Gang and the rise of Clayface. It bridges the gap between Batman and Batman Returns, introducing Max Shreck and exploring the end of Bruce Wayne and Vicki Vale's relationship.
Miller's second novel introduces the Burton-Verse's Riddler, Norman Pinkus, a newspaper copy editor turned criminal mastermind, set between Batman and Batman Returns.
Burton and Keaton return for this sequel, set a few years after the first film. Batman battles Catwoman and Penguin during a tumultuous holiday season in Gotham. Plans for a third film fell through, leading to Batman Forever.
This comic, written by Sam Hamm and illustrated by Joe Quinones, serves as a direct sequel to Batman Returns. Set three years later, it explores Burton's abandoned plans for a third film, featuring Harvey Dent's transformation into Two-Face and the introduction of Robin.
Click here to learn more about how Batman '89 adds to the Burton-Verse.
Hamm and Quinones reunite for this follow-up, acting as a hypothetical fourth Burton movie. Three years after Batman '89, Bruce Wayne goes missing, leaving Robin and Batgirl to face Scarecrow and Harley Quinn.
Despite mixed reviews, The Flash offers closure to Keaton's Batman saga. An older Bruce Wayne is drawn out of retirement by Barry Allen's time-travel antics and the threat of General Zod.
Batman Forever and Batman & Robin were initially seen as sequels to Burton's films, despite the absence of Burton and Keaton. Shared characters like Commissioner Gordon and Alfred provided some continuity. However, these films are now considered part of a separate DC Universe, with the Batman '89 comics serving as the official sequels to Batman Returns.
Warning: this section contains spoilers for The Flash!
Keaton's Batman was set to continue in the DCEU, including a role in the canceled Batgirl movie. Keaton would have played a mentor to Barbara Gordon, with J.K. Simmons and Brendan Fraser also involved. Unfortunately, the film was canceled during post-production as a tax write-off, marking a significant shift in DC's cinematic plans.
For more on DC's future, explore why Gunn needs to keep Robert Pattinson’s Batman out of the DCU and every DC movie and series in development.
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