Tim Burton’s 1989 film, Batman, starring Michael Keaton as the hero and Jack Nicholson as the Joker, wasn’t the first superhero or Batman movie, but it was a massive hit. It wasn’t just critically acclaimed and financially successful—it became a global sensation. Author John Jackson Miller, writing in Batman: Revolution, even called it “the most important comic book movie ever made” in an interview with TopMob.
Miller’s novel, Revolution, is the second book in a pair set between the films Batman and Batman Returns. The follow-up, Resurrection, introduces a fresh take on the Riddler and includes two obscure Batman villains. Considering Miller’s well-known love for the character, I recently asked him why he believes the Batman story continues to resonate with audiences after so many years. He responded by saying:
Batman ’89 fundamentally changed how comic book movies were made. Before it, Hollywood largely saw superheroes as silly or campy. This film proved that these characters and stories could be taken seriously, paving the way for the darker, more complex superhero films we see today.
John Jackson Miller shared a story about a TV Guide review of The Incredible Hulk series. The critic felt it was too serious and would have been better as a lighthearted, comedic show. Interestingly, The Incredible Hulk was a major success – the most popular comic book-based TV show after the Batman series starring Adam West and Burt Ward – even though, as Miller pointed out, it differed significantly from its comic book source material. He also explained that while the first two Christopher Reeve Superman films helped set the stage for Batman’s success, it was the rise of the comic book direct market in the 1980s that demonstrated that comic books and their movie adaptations could explore more complex themes and be truly unique.
If you enjoyed reading Batman: Resurrection, continue the story with Batman: Revolution. It shows more of Batman’s early adventures in Tim Burton’s Gotham City, before the appearances of The Penguin and Catwoman. View Deal
John Jackson Miller credits producer Michael Ulan with saving the Batman film, calling him the “hero of the story” because Ulan secured the rights and demanded the character be treated with respect. Though some people initially questioned casting Michael Keaton and hiring Tim Burton, this serious approach ultimately proved successful and set a new standard for comic book movies. Miller points out that without Ulan’s work, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles might not have had a wide release, Dick Tracy wouldn’t have used Batman’s marketing strategies, and projects like The Flash TV series, The Rocketeer, The Crow, and even Batman: The Animated Series might never have been made.
It’s hard to believe these films would have been made without the success of the 1989 Batman movie and its impressive $48 million opening weekend. For those of us who experienced that time, these films were truly groundbreaking for the world of comics. Beyond that, the stories are excellent, the acting is strong, and the unique world they create really enhances the Batman mythos. They left audiences wanting more, which allowed us to expand the story through several books, almost as if we were living in 1990 and 1991 again.
The huge success of the first Batman movie – earning over $411 million – convinced Warner Bros. to make a sequel, Batman Returns. Although Batman Returns didn’t perform quite as well, and the following films directed by Joel Schumacher weren’t as popular, the original Batman was crucial to ensuring we still get live-action Batman movies today. According to John Jackson Miller, Batman‘s impact goes even further – it’s the main reason comic book movies are still so successful.
If you’re interested, you can revisit the classic late 80s Batman movies on HBO Max. Also, be sure to check out the graphic novels Batman: Revolution, Batman ’89: Shadows, and Batman ’89: Echoes. These comics continue the story after Batman Returns and, like Resurrection and Revolution, aren’t connected to the storylines of Batman Forever or Batman & Robin.
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2025-10-25 02:08