James Reviews -Batman: Resurrection (2024)

 

For nearly a century, DC's Batman has inspired, and mesmerized the world with his battles and stories in many forms from comics to TV to games. The movies have been no exception, with many directors and actors offering the greatest of takes on the Caped Crusader. In 1989, following the goofiness of '66, Warner Bros delivered one of Batman's most important outings ever. Batman (1989), directed by Tim Burton, saw Batman (played by Michael Keaton) battle the demented Joker (Jack Nicholson). The film was well-received, and Keaton reprised the role a few years later in the sequel, Batman Returns (1992).

Now, we get to today's topic. In 2024, Penguin Random House released BATMAN: RESSURECTION, a novel written by John Jackson Miller. 

Set in the Burtonverse after the conclusion of Batman 1989, the story addresses the aftermath of The Joker's defeat and follows Batman's desperate resolve to protect Gotham City as a new threat arises. The book captures the feel and aesthetic of Burton's movie(s), offering a deep story, and looks at Batman's state of mind after his final battle with The Joker, with appearances from Batman Returns' characters Max Schreck and Selena "Catwoman" Kyle, the latter of whom has yet to become Catwoman.

The villain for this novel is Clayface, who impersonates The Joker for a time, along with Doctor Hugo Strange, and the condition the former is dealing with is heavily tied to The Joker's actions in the first movie. When it comes to the characters, you can clearly picture Michael Keaton as Batman with the late Michael Gough as Alfred. As for Clayface, given that he is a shapeshifter, you can imagine various actors playing him with Jack Nicholson playing his fake Joker disguise.

Batman Resurrection, the first in a series of Batman 89 novels, fits the world established by Burton in the first movie, and captures the dark tone that Batman stories are known for without going too far. I would highly recommend this for anyone who is looking to get into the Dark Knight's adventures, and if you are a fan of the 1989 movie. 10/10, I would happily reread this, especially as I finished reading it ages ago.

Take care out there, folks.

-James M