How Batman 1989's 2024 Sequel Connects To The Original Batman Movie Timeline

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The latest sequel to 1989’s Batman – John Jackson Miller’s Batman: Resurrection – has a number of connections to Tim Burton’s Batman series and its comic continuation. The two Burton Batman films are part of several branching timelines, with the first being the Joel Schumacher Batman films – Batman Forever and Batman & Robin. Sam Hamm and Joe Quinones’s Batman ’89 and Batman ’89: Echoes comics also continue the story of Michael Keaton’s Batman, aligning far more with 1989’s Batman and Batman Returns.

Miller’s Resurrection is set between the events of 1989’s Batman and Returns, providing some much-needed connective tissue between the two movies. What timeline Resurrection takes place in was initially unclear, as a story set between the two Burton movies could potentially reference lore from the Schumacher films, the Batman ’89 comics, or even the DC Extended Universe’s Flashpoint universe from The Flash. However, Resurrection is not only set in the same timeline as the Batman ’89 comics, but it also includes numerous references to the ‘89 comics, making the Burton Batman universe larger and more cohesive than ever before.

How Batman: Resurrection Connects To The Batman 1989 Movie & Batman '89 Comic

Art for Batman '89, illustrated by Joe Quinones, of the Dark Knight spreading out his cape to soar.

While following directly on from the events of the 1989 Batman, the Joker’s henchman, Lawrence (who carries his boombox in Batman) is revealed to have survived his seemingly fatal fall in Gotham’s cathedral in Batman ’89, and Resurrection takes this even further. How Lawrence survived is explained in Resurrection, which also gives him a prominent role as an enforcer for Max Schreck. Batman Villain Hugo Strange is a main villain in Resurrection, and he survives the events of the book, coinciding with mentions of Strange in Batman ’89: Echoes.

Hugo Strange is also revealed to be the Axis chemicals scientist who briefly appears in 1989’s Batman .

Resurrection includes a brief appearance by Barbara Gordon, who is shown to be in the Gotham Police force and has a strained relationship with her father – coinciding with ’89. Drake Winston – an original character who becomes the Burton iteration of Robin in ’89 – also has a brief appearance in Resurrection. Resurrection foreshadows the copycat Batman gang from ’89 and Bruce Wayne’s portable Batman suit in Echoes.

Do Resurrection & '89 Reference The Flash?

Michael Keaton returning as Batman in The Flash

With Michael Keaton reprising his role as Batman in 2023’s The Flash, some might wonder if Resurrection and the Batman ’89 comics take place in the DCEU’s Flashpoint universe. Notably, Resurrection references The Flash’s home city of Central City and Superman’s home of Metropolis, with both having made prominent appearances in The Flash. While seemingly possible, Resurrection and ’89 most likely are not set in the DCEU’s Flashpoint universe, as DC Comics has already designated their reality as Earth-789, which also includes the Richard Donner Superman movies and the Superman ’78 comics.

Batman is a 1989 superhero movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne. The film features Jack Nicholson's chilling portrayal as Jack Napier, who turns into the Joker and reigns terror on Gotham. Kim Basinger also stars in the film as Vicki Vale, along with Michael Gough as Bruce's trusty butler named Alfred.