Tim Burton’s iconic vision of Gotham City is making a powerful literary comeback with the upcoming novel *Batman: Revolution*, written by acclaimed author John Jackson Miller and published by Penguin Random House. Set in the beloved Burton-Verse, this new release expands on the universe established in the 1989 *Batman* film and its sequel, *Batman Returns*. The story will explore an original take on The Riddler, drawing inspiration from Tim Burton’s unrealized third Batman movie, which once planned to feature Robin Williams in the role.
Batman: Revolution – Official Plot Summary
Gotham City is buzzing with optimism as summer arrives. With the lingering effects of The Joker finally erased from public memory, Mayor Boxer and billionaire entrepreneur Max Shreck prepare for a grand Fourth of July celebration meant to showcase Gotham’s revitalization. But beneath the city's gleaming surface, tensions are rising. Gang rivalries intensify, masked criminals grow bolder, and protests erupt against the growing disparity between Gotham’s elite and its struggling citizens.
Amidst it all, Norman Pinkus—a low-profile copy boy at the Gotham Globe—quietly serves as the city’s unseen protector. He’s the anonymous genius behind the newspaper’s wildly popular “Riddle Me This” puzzle column and has long been solving crimes via police tip-offs before even Batman becomes aware of them. Despite his brilliance, Norman remains unacknowledged and unnoticed. As he watches the city celebrate Batman while ignoring those like him, resentment builds. In response, he orchestrates a dangerous plan—one that pulls together Gotham’s simmering conflicts into a deadly game of riddles designed to challenge the Dark Knight himself.
As their battle of wits unfolds, Norman—who now calls himself The Riddler—uncovers buried truths about Gotham’s past that threaten to reshape its future forever. This thrilling origin story reimagines one of Batman’s most cerebral foes within the distinct tone of the Burton-Verse.
Release Date & Availability
Batman: Revolution is scheduled for release on October 28, 2205. You can already secure your copy by preordering on Amazon today.
Expanding the Burton-Verse Through Comics
In addition to the novels, DC Comics continues to build out the Tim Burton-inspired universe through its *Batman ’89* and *Superman ’78* series. The *Batman ’89* comic line picks up where *Batman Returns* left off, featuring a version of Two-Face inspired by Billy Dee Williams and a reinterpretation of Robin based on Marlon Wayans. The follow-up series, *Batman ’89: Echoes*, further enriches the world with a Scarecrow modeled after Jeff Goldblum and a Harley Quinn influenced by Madonna’s pop iconography.
Meanwhile, the *Superman ’78* comics continue the legacy of the Christopher Reeve Superman films, offering modern sequels that remain faithful to the visual and narrative tone of the classic movies.
Image Credit: Penguin Random House
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[ttpp]Cover Gallery: Batman '89: Echoes & Superman '78: The Metal Curtain
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To learn more about the evolution of Tim Burton’s unfinished third Batman film and other unrealized DC projects, explore our comprehensive guide to DC movies that never made it past development. Discover what could have been—and how these lost ideas continue to inspire new stories today.
