3 newBatmanproperties in 2024 all explore the same basic theme. TheBatmanmythos – which turns 85 in 2024 – have grown to encompass more mediums than their original comic books, withBatmanTV and film adaptationsbeing exceptionally popular and successful. Batman, his supporting characters, and their collective corner of the DC Comics universe are perhaps the most malleable in the superhero genre, yet even the most distinctive interpretations ofBatmanare prone to sharing certain thematic elements.
Fittinglyfor Batman’s 85th Anniversary, 2024 has included numerousBatmanproperties.The Matt Reeves universe that began in 2022 received a spinoff TV series –The Penguin– which is set between the events ofThe Batmanand its forthcoming sequel.Joker: Folie à Deuxcontinues the story of Arthur Fleck from 2019’sJoker, exploring the bleak consequences of his murders and adoption of the Joker persona. The story of Tim Burton and Michael Keaton’s Batman has gained a new chapter as well via John Jackson Miller’s novelBatman: Resurrection, which bridges the gap between 1989’sBatmanandBatman Returns.
Batman: Resurrection, The Penguin, & Joker: Folie à Deux All Deal With Legacy
Each of the three properties explores the themes of legacy and living symbolsin some way. The Penguin deals with the fallout of the Riddler’s plot inThe Batman, with Gotham City still reeling from the damage of the flood he orchestrated and some citizens – such as Victor Aguilar – suffering PTSD from the attack. Even with Riddler incarcerated, his cult of terrorists continues to operate, with one member doing so openly in an episode ofThe Penguin. The Riddler’s extremists all wear nearly identical outfits to the Riddler, serving as his figurative and literal legacy.
Part of Batman’s character arc inThe Batmanwas turning the Batman symbol into one of hope rather than fear.
These themes appear again inJoker: Folie à Deux, which sees Arthur Fleck abandon his Joker persona at the end of the film, infuriating his own cult of followers. The film’s finale sees one Joker cultist murder Fleck and inflict facial scars on himself as Arthur dies, strongly implying that he will take his place as the Joker.Batman: Resurrectioncenters entirely on the fallout of the Joker’s crime wave in 1989’sBatman, with the devastating aftermath of his Smylex poisonings continuing to wreak havoc on Gotham’s citizens and directly – albeit unintentionally – resulting in the creation of the villain Clayface.
Christopher Nolan Was The First To Explore The Power Of Symbols In Gotham
One of the firstBatmanadaptations toproperly explore these exact themes was Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knight Trilogy. 2005’sBatman Beginssaw Bruce Wayne create the Batman persona to, among other things, become an incorruptible symbol of fear to Gotham’s underworld. Batman willingly took credit for Two-Face’s murders inThe Dark Knight, tarnishing his symbolism to preserve Harvey Dent’s. Batman’s symbolism would be repaired inThe Dark Knight Rises, which also saw theBatmantitle be passed down from Bruce Wayne to John Blake – the Nolan trilogy’s iteration of Robin.
