Setting and mood

In Batman: Resurrection, John Jackson Miller captures the atmospheric depth of Gotham City as envisioned by Tim Burton. Like Burton’s original Batman film, the novel is set in the late 80s and early 90s, and retains the dark aura characteristic of Burton's metropolis. The novel vividly depicts familiar settings like shadowy streets and urban decay. The story explores the lingering impact of the Joker, capturing the persistent unease among the city's residents. Miller also populates Gotham with characters consistent with Burton's universe. 

Themes

Throughout Batman: Resurrection, the following themes and related actions reinforce the Joker's continuing influence on Gotham and its resident, as well as Batman: 

Arson and anarchy 

The Joker's legacy continues in Gotham as his former gang amplifies its destructive activities. Inspired by the Joker's ideology, the group carries out arson attacks, creating chaos exploited by figures like millionaire Max Shreck.

Smylex survivors

The toxic fallout of the Joker's chemical weapon, Smylex, still affects Gotham's citizens and strains the healthcare system. Batman works with a scientist to address this crisis, which underscores the ongoing impact of the Joker's actions on the community.

Batman’s obsession

The Joker's influence deepens Bruce Wayne's commitment to protecting Gotham. This dedication strains his relationships and fuels his nightly efforts, keeping psychological scars from their previous encounter active.

Sinister manipulations 

Turmoil in Gotham intensifies due to unseen forces manipulating events. These actions suggest the possibility of the Joker's survival, mirroring his unpredictability and challenging Batman's investigative skills.

Resolving cinematic gaps

In Batman: Resurrection, John Jackson Miller addresses narrative gaps from Tim Burton's films. The book explains the absence of characters like Vicki Vale and Alexander Knox between Batman and Batman Returns. Miller reintroduces these characters to maintain continuity and enhance the universe for fans.

The book also resolves the 1989 Batman's climax, where the Joker's goons appear on the Gotham Cathedral roof without explanation. Miller clarifies that Joker placed them there to monitor federal agents. This provides insight into the Joker's actions as well as raises questions about his intentions and death, affecting Bruce Wayne's reflections on past events.

Hugo Strange is introduced working with the Joker on the Smylex toxin, expanding Batman's adversaries and deepening Gotham's conflict with Joker's legacy. These narrative enhancements add context to Burton’s films for avid Batman fans.

Quick facts

• Batman: Resurrection is a direct sequel to Tim Burton's iconic 1989 Batman movie, set between the original film and its sequel, Batman Returns.

• Author John Jackson Miller was passionately inspired by Tim Burton's Batman,  watching the 1989 film 12 times and studying it rigorously.

• The story focuses on Batman facing a mysterious new threat even after the Joker’s confirmed death, a significant thematic element.

• Batman: Resurrection introduces notable villains like Clayface, Hugo Strange, and the Riddler, adapted to fit Tim Burton’s dark vision.

• Survivors of Joker’s chemical weapon Smylex remain a focal challenge in Gotham, driving key aspects of the plot.

• Bruce Wayne partners with a charismatic scientist to address Gotham's health crisis resulting from Joker’s attack.

• Batman: Resurrection captures the Joker’s lingering influence in Gotham, raising doubts about a possible resurrection or survival.

• The novel emphasizes Batman's detective skills, with less traditional superhero action and more mystery solving.

• Important character arcs are explored, including Bruce Wayne’s strained relationships with Vicki Vale and Alfred after the Joker’s demise.

• Returning characters such as Vicki Vale and Alexander Knox help to maintain continuity with Burton’s original Batman film.

• Selina Kyle briefly appears in the novel, foreshadowing her transformation into Catwoman in Batman Returns.

• A planned sequel, Batman: Revolution, will continue the story and is scheduled for release on October 28, 2025.

About the author

John Jackson Miller (1968-) is a science fiction author. He is known for writing the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic comic book series, spanning 50 issues. In Batman: Resurrection, Miller uses his skills in narrative construction to expand on themes introduced in Tim Burton's Batman, examining the lasting impact of the Joker on Gotham City. In the novel, Miller adds new dimensions to the Batman narrative, enhancing understanding of both the character and his world.