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.