Michael Keaton Batman had his universe explored further in DC Comics, and the stunning cover art now features his own Bat-Family, taking the character even further beyond the films, with allies including Nightwing and Batgirl. THE Batman: ’89comic book spin-off Echoes is set to reach the end of its six-issue run with the heroes reunited, as Drake Winston and Barbara Gordon will officially prepare to fight alongside Batman.
Batman ’89: Echoes #6 – written by Sam Hamm with art by Joe Quinones – unites the Batman family of the Keatonverse, as the issue’s cover art, by Quinones and Paolo Rivera, makes a bright poster for a Batman Returns sequel that officially gives Keaton’s Batman his own versions of Nightwing and Batgirl.
Bat Trinity spread their wings in unison and became the perfect team against ’90s-inspired versions of Gotham’s iconic villains. The art offers a stunning glimpse into a Keatonverse sequel that never materialized, but will reach its grand comic conclusion in the sixth and final issue.
DC Comics brings together a new and improved version of the Bat-family for the Keatonverse
Batman ’89: Echoes #6 – Written by Sam Hamm; Art by Joe Quinones; Main cover by Quinones and Paolo Rivera
Michael Keaton’s tenure as Batman never saw him paired with Robin or any other hero he inspired; art for Echoes #6 features the cinematic incarnations of Batgirl and Nightwing, and they are truly a sight to behold. Since the first DC Batman’89 miniseries, Keaton’s Batman was paired with a Robin named Drake Winston, based on Marlon Wayans’ 1992 casting Batman Returns, which unfortunately never materialized. This universe’s Barbara Gordon has a design said to be based on Winona Ryder, and recently became Batgirl.
As Scarecrow and Harley Quinn plot in the universe inspired by Tim Burton’s films, the three heroes will finally come together as a trio to face the bad guys. From upgrading Drake Winston’s design to full Nightwing status, he and Barbara make the perfect team for Michael Keaton’s iteration of the Caped Crusader. 90s movies had their own different Batgirl and Robin in Joel Schumacher’s film Batman and Robinwhich is not canonical to this series, which strictly follows the two films with the involvement of Burton and Keaton and delves into the lore of this universe in comic form.
Quinones’ cover art was deliberately designed to evoke a poster for an unrealized Keaton Batman sequel.
Batman ’89: Echoes #6 – Variant cover by Joe Quinones
With a classic look reminiscent of old painted posters from Hollywood’s past, the cover for Batman ’89: Echoes #6 is a stunning artistic culmination of Hamm and Quinones’ expanding Keatonverse lore. While a Madonna-like version of Harley Quinn and a Jeff Goldblum-like Scarecrow terrorize Gotham, the comic book sequel impressively reaches its epic finale with what may be its best cover art yet. Although the spin-off is coming to an end, Quinones’ art shows that the universe still has a lot of lore left to be explored and explored in more DC Comics in the future.
As new and improved versions of Nightwing and Batgirl make their mark on the Keatonverse, the ’90s movie-inspired Batman finally fleshes out his comic book supporting cast.
Giving Michael Keaton’s Batman his own bat family makes the Echoes A must-read spin-off, and the story that unites them was well crafted by Hamm and Quinones. While the final issue of the series is the last known work coming out of this universe, there’s still the possibility that even more Batman family members and other Robins and Batgirls could get their own iterations in this version of the lore. As new and improved versions of Nightwing and Batgirl Leave your mark on the Keatonverse, inspired by the 90s film Batman finally fleshes out its supporting cast in the comics.
Batman ’89: Echoes #6 will be available on February 12, 2025 from DC Comics.
Batman is a 1989 superhero film directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne. The film features Jack Nicholson’s chilling portrayal of Jack Napier, who transforms into the Joker and reigns terror in Gotham. Kim Basinger also stars in the film as Vicki Vale, along with Michael Gough as Bruce’s faithful butler named Alfred.