This was the very first comic book adaptation of one of Batman's motion pictures with art by Jerry Ordway, illustrator of the Superman comics. It was first reprinted in Batman: The Movies trade paperback collection. In 2019 it was re-colored as a special hardback Deluxe Edition in celebration of the film's 30th anniversary.
Description[]
"Batman pits the Caped Crusader against his greatest foe: The Joker, a crazed psychotic killer with a sinister smile and a comedic flair."
Appearances[]
Individuals[]
- Batman/Bruce Wayne
- The Joker/Jack Napier
- Vicki Vale
- Alexander Knox
- Alfred Pennyworth
- Commissioner Gordon
- Lieutenant Max Eckhardt
- Harvey Dent
- Carl Grissom
- Bob the Goon
- Alicia Hunt
- Vinnie Ricorso
- Joker Goons
- Thomas Wayne
- Martha Wayne
Differences with the film[]
- Batman's confrontation with Eddie and Nick is more condensed, with the muggers shots at him missing and the latter being subdued via martial arts rather than being ensnared with a roped-Batarang.
- Harvey Dent and Mayor Borg are not as prominent in the comic, with Commissioner Gordon taking some of their roles in the film.
- Bob the Goon is absent in scenes involving the Napier Hoods.
- Several scenes with Bruce and Alfred are either removed or condensed.
- The Confrontation at Axis Chemicals is heavily condensed, with Batman being shown subduing just one thug and Batman's confrontations with Jack Napier being combined.
- Batman's escape from Axis Chemicals is based Murray Close's photography of an alternate take of the scene, with Sean McCabe standing-in, pretending to surrender only to throw two smoke capsules. This alternate moment is also present in the novelization.
- A scene involving the Gotham City Crimelords is absent.
- Napier's design as the Joker is revealed at Dr. Davis' surgery rather than just before he murders Carl Grissom.
- Joker notices Vicki through a TV interview rather than photos taken by Bob and his goons.
- Alicia Hunt dies shortly after Joker's takeover.
- The Car Chase Through the Streets of Gotham is absent, with Batman and Vicki escaping the Joker Goons as they leave the Flugelheim Museum.
- Batman is shown using a knockout gas capsule to render Vicki unconscious rather than covering her with his cape.
- It is implied that Vicki recognizes Bruce as Batman from a look he had during the assassination of Vinnie Ricorso and a similar one he had from a photo taken after his parents' murder.
- The scene where Joker announces his intentions to host the 200th Anniversary Parade and give out free money to the crowds is removed, though indicated to have taken place off-panel.
- The Batmobile destroys Axis Chemicals by shooting an flammable tanker rather than dropping bombs into the heart of the factory.
- A deleted scene where the citizens discover that Joker's money are actually counterfeits adorn with his face is reinserted.
- Joker's Long-barreled revolver is specified to contain explosive rounds, explaining why it downed the Batwing easily.
- Batman uses a conventional roped-Batarang to tie Joker to the Gargoyle rather than using a bola attachment for the Spring-Action Reel.
- A deleted scene where Batman's disguises Alexander Knox as Batman to slip away is reinserted.
- The Batsignal is projected onto a building, as was originally planned in drafts.
Gallery[]
Covers[]
Back Cover of the original comic book.
DC Movie Special.
2019 30th anniversary "Deluxe Edition"
Back Cover of the DC Movie Special (similar to one of the original movie posters)
Original Panels colored by Steve Oliff[]
This comic adaptation shows an alternative scene of Batman's escape from Axis Chemicals.