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After giving these designs another look I like the retro approach they are taking. Going for something near identical to BTAS would've been a mistake. From what I saw Clayface and Harley were my favorites. A show that digs deep into the original comics would be very interesting to see now I give this more thought, and could actually help make the case for Burton given the references his two Batman films have.

What is clear is that customers are not just buying, but devouring new stories set in the Burton Universe, so somebody at WB pushed the button. This is the next step. I never thought I'd see the day when Burton's Batman got an expanded novel universe, but here we are.

When I think about future Burtonverse novels, the immediate aftermath of B89 would be the holy grail. The only other project that could generate similar excitement for me would be a prequel to B89, detailing Batman's early appearances such as the Johnny Gobbs encounter. Throw in a side plot involving Grissom and his gang, with details about Bruce's travels and arsenal collection. If Resurrection is a success that's where I'd like the story to go. Anything that goes beyond Returns is hypothetical in execution - at least lead in content has connective tissue to lean on that can help enrich the films themselves. And whether I like it or not, the comics are handling that part of the timeline already.

If Max was involved in criminal activity in Resurrection (likely) it'd be a neat touch to have him flush it down the drain, which ultimately Penguin shows him in shredded form when he's kidnapped.

It makes me wonder if the author will go as far as explaining Knox's absence in Returns. It's not entirely necessary, because he could absolutely still exist in Gotham but he just wasn't shown again in the films. Or he could've left town after a broken heart or maybe something more sinister happened.

I'd be interested to read about where Joker's body was taken and what they did with it. Perhaps that side of things is heavily obscured by the authorities which leads Bruce to question what really could have happened.

But there would have to be something highly convincing to make such a fall seem survivable if Bruce starts to believe he could still be alive. That's going to be where the story works or doesn't given it seems to be the main crux of this story.

This trailer has energy. This trailer has excitement. The JOKER films know the power of musical montages and juxtaposition, and the emotion it elicits. These sequences from the trailer put the character's psychosis on full blast and show how his state of mind is the character's superpower. Even in a drab cell he can escape to this zany happy place to make his torment easier, and he can also use this mania when killing and escaping.

It seems to me the sequel is going to be a dive into insanity even more than the first. The references to the original film work nicely too, namely the gestures, body language and locations. This looks and feels like the same universe while pushing into new territory. I also dig how it seems Harley exists but could be left up to interpretation just how much of their relationship is real. Can't wait. Movie of the year incoming.

While the Burton films were masterpieces by themselves, they lacked continuity when looked at as a complete story. Here's a chance to really explore that period in between movies and create a smoother transition.

The novel showing Vicki and Bruce breaking away from each other can give her absence in Returns more meaning. I like the Smylex poisoning victims clogging Gotham hospitals subplot, and I think Shreck will be introduced at some point in the story. It would be neat if he's behind these coordinated arson attacks, just as he used the Red Triangle Circus Gang to force a mayoral recall. A clean segue in to Returns would be good, or at least planting seeds to show where the story will eventually lead.

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Batman Resurrections, set immediately after B89, is being released October 15.

Here's the synopsis:

The Joker is dead, but not forgotten. Gotham City is saved, but it is still not safe. By night, its new symbol of hope, Batman, continues his fight to protect the innocent and the powerless. By day, his alter ego, Bruce Wayne, wonders whether there may someday be a future beyond skulking the city's rooftops or the cavernous halls of his stately manor alongside the ever-dutiful Alfred Pennyworth.
 
But even after death, the Clown Prince of Crime's imprint can be seen in more than just the pavement. Remnants from The Joker's gang are leading wannabes fascinated by his bizarre mystique on a campaign of arson that threatens the city—even as it serves greedy opportunists, including millionaire Max Shreck. And survivors of exposure to The Joker's chemical weapon Smylex continue to crowd Gotham City's main hospital.
 
To quell the chaos, Batman needs more than his cape and his well-stocked Utility Belt. Bruce Wayne is forced into action, prompting a partnership with a charismatic scientist to help solve the health crisis. But as he works in both the shadows and the light, Bruce finds himself drawn deeper into Gotham City's turmoil than ever before, fueling his obsession to save the city—an obsession that has already driven a wedge between him and Vicki Vale. The loyal Alfred, who had hoped Bruce's efforts as Batman could help him find closure, finds the opposite happening. Nightmares begin to prompt Bruce to ask new questions about the climactic events in the cathedral, and investigations by Commissioner Gordon and reporter Alexander Knox into the arsons only amplify his concerns.
 
Having told the people of Gotham City that they'd earned a rest from crime, Batman finds the forces of evil growing ever more organized—and orchestrated—by a sinister hand behind the scenes. The World's Greatest Detective must solve the greatest mystery of all: Could The Joker have somehow survived? And could he still have the last laugh against the people of Gotham City?

This sounds way more appealing to me than the comics set after Returns. I especially love that it's going to be a novel, allowing the author to really dig in to the psychological elements and really flesh out details. Not showing costume designs or city aesthetics allows us to imagine them ourselves which I think has more power and a sense of authenticity, especially when the comics don't match up with what we think. I'll be keeping an eye on this.

Pre-order links here:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/750157/batman-resurrection-by-john-jackson-miller/

My anticipation for this movie remains strong.

Looks f***ing great.

A film set some time after Revolutions with Laurence Fishburne in the lead role would bring down the house, especially after his absence in film four. Depicting what they tell us about in Ressurections - Morpheus believing the truce will hold but the Oracle saying trouble is brewing. Show his death and the final destruction of Zion, with the establishment of IO. Plus expand upon the Machines that rebelled and joined the humans. They could reference Neo, saying people believe he will return one day. But none of them ever live to see it.

There's potential for a good good movie with that content, and with room to expand from there with new characters while respecting where the canon eventually leads. 60 years is a lot of time to play with. They could keep Resurrections as The End, with Neo and Trinity alive and basically gods who can control the fabric of the Matrix as they see fit. But I'm also open minded about a pure continuation from Resurrections.

I'm also at the point of being okay if the franchise continues without Keanu and Carrie-Anne, if that's what happens. There are many great stories that have been told, and can be told, without them. The Animatrix and comics are proof of that. But at the same time I'm not saying no if they're in the script.

I did not see this coming. I thought after Resurrections the entire franchise was done and never to be seen again. But no. We are getting a fifth movie.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/the-matrix-new-movie-drew-goddard-1235865603/

Resurrections was fine story wise. It was lacking in the action department. I'm here for this, even though I'm certain many will be saying how unnecessary it is and the like. I love the mythology of the franchise and if it means Keanu and Carrie-Anne coming back, then hell yes. I'm also still waiting for the day we get another videogame, which this announcement can only help.