The official DC Comics' adaptation of the stellar 1989 Tim Burton Batman film; starring Michael Keaton (Beetlejuice) as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Jack Nicholson as The Joker, Kim Basinger as Vicki Vale, Pat Hingle (Hang 'em High) as Commissioner Gordon, Michael Gough as Alfred Pennyworth, Bill Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian, Star Wars) as Harvey Dent, Robert Wuhl (Good Morning Vietnam) as Alexander Knox and Jack Palance (City Slickers) as Carl Grissom.
The film opened June 23, 1989, and from a budget of $48 million, earned $411,348,924. The script was by Sam Hamm and Warren Skaaren. Anton Furst's design for Gotham City was along the lines of "if Hell had erupted through the streets and kept on going." The film is said to be inspired by The Dark Knight Returns, returning Batman to his early, original gothic roots - labeled "grim and gritty" in the 1980's. The adaptation was written by longtime Batman-family writer and group editor Dennis O'Neil; Illustrated by Jerry Ordway; and edited by Jonathan Peterson. A deluxe hardcover edition was issued; along with a softcover newsstand edition. Batman was followed in 1992 by Batman Returns.
