"Batman: Revolution Unveils Burton-Verse's Riddler in 1989 Sequel"

Tim Burton's iconic Batman universe is set to expand further with the release of a new novel titled Batman: Revolution. Authored by John Jackson Miller and published by Penguin Random House, this eagerly anticipated book introduces the Burton-Verse's take on The Riddler. You can now preorder your copy on Amazon.

As reported by ComicBook.com, Batman: Revolution is a sequel to the 2024 novel Batman: Resurrection, also penned by Miller. Both novels are set in the narrative gap between the events of Burton's 1989 Batman and 1992's Batman Returns. Revolution draws inspiration from Burton's unproduced third Batman film, which at one point was set to feature Robin Williams as The Riddler.

Here's the official synopsis for Batman: Revolution:

It’s summer, and Gotham City has cause for celebration. The last vestiges of The Joker’s toxic legacy have finally faded, just in time for the mayor to partner with retail magnate Max Shreck to stage a Fourth of July celebration for the ages. But not everyone is rejoicing. Batman’s eternal vigilance continues as threats from rival gangs and masked criminals escalate by the day. Meanwhile, on the streets, protests grow in opposition to the city’s lavish excesses.

No one is experiencing the struggle between Gotham’s optimism and doubt more than Norman Pinkus. The Gotham Globe’s humble copy boy, he’s the unacknowledged mastermind behind the newspaper’s mega-popular Riddle Me This word puzzles. But Norman harbors a secret. He is the smartest man in Gotham City, using his prodigious skills to solve crimes anonymously for years via the police tip line—before Batman even knows there’s a crime to solve.

While neither fame nor fortune finds Norman, he believes in the promise of Gotham and what’s right . . . until he doesn’t. The man no one notices watches time and again as the city and its leaders cast their eyes high above the rooftops toward Batman. Dejected and unappreciated, Norman devises a scheme: With the help of dangerous new friends, he exploits the simmering tensions of the long hot summer to draw the Caped Crusader into a volatile game of riddles to crown Gotham’s true savior. As they clash, Norman—now known as The Riddler—and Batman will uncover hidden secrets about Gotham’s past that will have dire consequences for the city’s future.

Batman: Revolution is slated for release on October 28, 2025, and is available for preorder on Amazon.

Batman '89: Echoes & Superman '78: The Metal Curtain Cover Gallery

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In addition to the novels, DC Comics has continued to expand the Burton-Verse. They released Batman '89, a sequel to Batman Returns, featuring a Two-Face inspired by Billy Dee Williams and a Robin inspired by Marlon Wayans. This was followed by Batman '89: Echoes, which introduces a Scarecrow inspired by Jeff Goldblum and a Harley Quinn inspired by Madonna. DC also published two volumes of Superman '78, serving as sequels to the Christopher Reeve Superman films.

For more insights into Burton's planned third Batman film and other unproduced DC projects, explore the list of DC movies that never saw the light of day.