Writer: Sam Hamm
Art: Joe Quinones and Leonardo Ito (colorist)
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: November 28th, 2023
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THE DISPATCH
Continuing off of last year’s Batman ’89 series set in the Burtonverse featuring Michael Keaton’s Batman, Batman ’89: Echoes #1 gives us a new tale in Tim Burton’s Gotham, again penned by the screenwriter of the original Keaton films, Sam Hamm. Hardcore bat-fans may recognize that this story is loosely based on Batman: Triumphant AKA Batman: Unchained, the scrapped sequel to Joel Schumacher’s Batman & Robin film, which would have included the Scarecrow and Harley Quinn as the villains. This story obviously ignores Schumacher’s films and focuses on Michael Keaton over Kilmer or Clooney, but it still shows us what some potential elements from that film might’ve looked like.
This story is set 2 years after last year’s Batman ’89 series, which featured Billy Dee Williams’ Harvey Dent finally becoming Two-Face, and in a shocking move, decided to kill off Commissioner Gordon. It also featured a new version of Barbara Gordon, and as those who read that series know, she discovered Bruce Wayne was Batman after being sent an incriminating photo of him unmasked. Also making a surprising return is a character from the original 1989 Batman movie, who was implied to have been killed off-screen in that film. Bat-nerds who are familiar with the history of Batman in film and television may recognize the name of Robert Lowery, who was the second actor to portray Batman onscreen in the 1949 film serial, Batman and Robin.
Some other plot points from this issue may serve as homages to Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, as well as the recently scrapped Batgirl film, which would have starred Leslie Grace as the titular heroine, and also featured Keaton back as Batman. The character of Firefly is mentioned in this issue, who would’ve been played by Brendan Fraser in the Batgirl movie. Hugo Strange is also mentioned in this issue, but is not seen. It is implied he might be dead, but he could show up in later issues, either in the present or via flashbacks.
ART
The art team of Batman ’89: Echoes #1 knocks it out of the park just as much as they did in the first series. Joe Quinones nails the likenesses of the actors. Harleen Quinzel looks to be heavily based on Madonna, who was rumored to be up for the part of Harley before the Batman Triumphant/Unchained film was scrapped. Jonathan Crane, meanwhile, looks to be based on Jeff Goldblum, who was also rumored to be considered for the part of the Scarecrow in the same film. Also, fans of the Batman film franchise will be pleased to learn that Michael Gough’s Alfred no longer has a mustache like he did in the previous comic series, making him look a lot more like the actor who portrayed him.
Also returning is Harvey Bullock, once again looking like the late Bob Hoskins. Barbara Gordon resembles Winona Ryder from the 1990’s as she did in last year’s series. There are also some great panels featuring images of Jack Nicholson’s Joker, based on screenshots from the 1989 movie. Harleen Quinzel is also adorned with outfits referencing her classic costume, such as earrings that are shaped like red diamonds. This most likely serves to foreshadow her eventual transformation into Harley Quinn There is also a good reproduction of the newspaper clipping from the first film featuring young Bruce Wayne being comforted by a police officer, and confirms that the police officer was a young James Gordon. It also shows an image of Pat Hingle’s Jim Gordon in a flashback as Barbara tells Alfred how she found out what she knows.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Batman ‘89: Echoes #1 is a great follow-up to last year’s Batman ’89 series so far. It provides twists, turns, mystery and intrigue. It also builds well off of what came before with both the previous Tim Burton movies as well as last year’s Batman ’89 comic series. Additionally, there are some clever homages to other Batmen such as the Nolanverse trilogy, the 1940’s film serials, and even shelved Batman movies. This opening issue leaves us with more questions than answers, but it is sure to be exciting as it unfolds. It certainly feels like a new cinematic adventure. What do you think will happen next?