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

Tim Burton's iconic Batman universe is expanding once again with the release of a new novel titled Batman: Revolution. Authored by John Jackson Miller and published by Penguin Random House, this latest addition introduces the Burton-Verse's take on The Riddler. Fans can now preorder this eagerly anticipated book on Amazon.

Batman: Revolution follows up on the 2024 novel, Batman: Resurrection, also penned by Miller. Set between the events of the 1989 Batman and 1992's Batman Returns, the novel draws inspiration from Burton's never-realized third Batman film, which was rumored to feature Robin Williams as The Riddler.

Image Credit: Penguin Random House

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 set to hit the shelves 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 novel, DC Comics has been actively expanding the Burton-Verse through its comic series. Following the success of Batman '89, which served as a sequel to Batman Returns and introduced characters inspired by Billy Dee Williams as Two-Face and Marlon Wayans as Robin, DC released Batman '89: Echoes. This sequel features a Jeff Goldblum-inspired Scarecrow and a Madonna-inspired Harley Quinn. DC has also published two volumes of Superman '78, which continue the story from the Christopher Reeve Superman films.

For those interested in more about Burton's planned third Batman film and other unproduced DC movies, explore the list of DC movies that never made it to the screen.