Tim Burton’s iconic Batman films, starring Michael Keaton, remain a cornerstone of the superhero genre. But the legacy of the Burtonverse continues to expand.
Jack Nicholson’s The Joker and Danny DeVito’s The Penguin are among the two films’ many memorable performances. Now, with the upcoming novel, “Batman: Revolution,” fans of Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992) are about to see another classic Rogues Gallery villain take center stage, albeit in a new form: The Riddler.
In the new story, fans will be introduced to a completely different version of The Riddler—Norman Pinkus. While many associate the question mark-clad baddie with the iconic portrayal by Jim Carrey in Batman Forever (1995), this take is part of the officially recognized extended Burtonverse media, first established by the “Batman ’89” comic series.
This new incarnation of Edward Nygma, as he’s more commonly known, is being presented as a puzzle-making genius with an entirely different aesthetic, a shift that is sure to surprise fans who expect the more colorful, theatrical villain from the 1995 film, in which Carrey starred opposite Val Kilmer’s take on the Dark Knight.
The Riddler won’t be the same as the one we saw in Batman Forever, though. While Carrey’s performance remains iconic, the Burtonverse’s take will introduce a darker, grittier Riddler, one that fits more in line with the quasi-gothic tone of Burton’s 1989 film.
Fans may remember the buzz around the late Robin Williams, who was initially set to play The Riddler in Tim Burton’s Batman 3 before the project was scrapped and ultimately became Batman Forever. The character in the “’89” comics, however, appears to resemble actor Martin Short rather than the late Williams, making for an interesting reimagining.
Related: ‘Batman’ (1989) Sequel Brings Clayface Into the Burtonverse for the First Time
“Batman: Revolution”, written by John Jackson Miller, will continue the story of Michael Keaton’s Caped Crusader, closely following the events of “Batman: Resurrection”, which deals with the aftermath of The Joker’s death as seen in the 1989 film.
As with the “’89” comics, the novel maintains its connection to the original Burtonverse, and Miller has confirmed on Twitter that both novels stay true to the world that Tim Burton created, and exclude the influence of the two later films, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin (1997), which were directed by Joel Schumacher.
Miller has also made it clear that “Revolution” will follow the continuity set by the comic series, so fans of the Burtonverse can expect a cohesive, well-thought-out continuation in which Michael Keaton’s beloved hero continues to protect Gotham City.
The new book from John Jackson Miller is set to be released on October 28, 2025. You can read the full synopsis on the official Penguin Random House website.
Are you excited to be seeing more of Michael Keaton’s Dark Knight? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!
