The latest sequel to 1989’sBatmanhas seemingly brought a new version of the Riddler to the Tim BurtonBatmantimeline, but this exciting development may have also caused a continuity snarl that will need to be cleared up. John Jackson Miller’s 2024 novelBatman: Resurrectionis set between the events of 1989’sBatmanand 1992’sBatman Returns, and the novel not only combines characters and lore from both movies, it also introduces new characters to the Burton universe.Resurrectionis also set in the same timeline as Sam Hamm and Joe Quinones’sBatman ’89andBatman ’89: Echoescomics.
In addition to including brief appearances byBatman ‘89’sBarbara Gordon and Drake Winston (the latter being the Burton universe’s future Robin), Resurrection also introduces two classicBatmanvillains to the continuity: Clayface (Basil Karlo) andHugo Strange, with the latter having been retroactively added to a minor background role in 1989’sBatman.Resurrectionalso introduces Norman Pinkus – a Gotham Gazette employee (whose description matches an extra in 1989’sBatman) who is set up to become the Riddler in the forthcoming 2025 novelBatman: Revolution. This clashes with a character introduced inEchoes, however.
Batman 1989’s Two Riddlers Explained
Norman Pinkus is not the first Riddler in the BurtonBatmanuniverse, asEchoeshas already introduced its own version of the character. While Bruce Wayne is undercover as Robert Lowery (the Burton universe’s version of Firefly), he encounters fellow Arham Asylum inmate Edward Nigel Maynard.
Batman Forever, which introduced Jim Carry’s version of the Riddler (Edward Nygma), takes place in one ofseveral timelines that branch off fromBatman Returns.ResurrectionandEchoesare part of a different branching timeline.
Like Pinkus, he is clearly set up to become the genuine Riddler in a future BurtonBatmanstory. This presents a continuity issue, sinceEchoesandResurrectionshare a timeline, but there are several potential fixes that would easily solve this issue.
Batman: Revolution Can Explain Burton Batman’s Two Riddlers
Norman Pinkus is strongly implied to be the villain in the forthcomingRevolution, which could also explain this BurtonBatmantimeline’s two Riddlers.Revolutioncould retroactively give Pinkus the military background thatEchoesgave Maynard and, following his defeat, the Riddler would become a patient at Arkham Asylum.Revolutionwould, of course, have to reveal that either Norman Pinkus or Edward Nigel Maynard is an alias, like the Riddler moniker itself.
Another fix that eitherRevolutionor a futureBatman ’89comic could usewould establish that Norman Pinkus and Edward Nigel Maynard are separate people, but the Riddler moniker and modus operandi are shared by them both. Pinkus could become the Riddler and perish by the end ofRevolution, but the idea of the Riddler may live on in Maynard.Revolutioncould also include both Pinkus and Maynard and clarify that both will use the Riddler moniker in the BurtonBatmanuniverse.
Batman
Cast
Batman is a 1989 superhero movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne. The film features Jack Nicholson’s chilling portrayal as Jack Napier, who turns into the Joker and reigns terror on Gotham. Kim Basinger also stars in the film as Vicki Vale, along with Michael Gough as Bruce’s trusty butler named Alfred.
