Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Batman '89

Batman ‘89
Above is a bunch of proof of concept art I did for a Batman miniseries pitch Kate Leth and I put together last year. 
Inspired by DC’s recent Batman ‘66 series, our story would have picked up the threads left by Tim Burton’s Batman Returns. We would have seen the return of Selina Kyle/ Catwoman as well as introductions to ‘Burton-verse’ versions of Robin, Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy. It also would have showcased the turn of Billy Dee Williams’ Harvey Dent into Two-Face.
We had a lot of fun ideas for the series overall, but in the end it was turned down. Regardless, these were fun a lot of fun to draw and Kate and I got to bond over our love of Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman. 
Meow.

26 comments:

Bubbashelby said...

Are you kidding me?!?!? How did this get turned down?!?! This is an absolutely brilliant concept and your art is INCREDIBLE. This really really needs to happen.

Matt said...

This is fantastic.

When would the comic-book stories have taken place? Between the events of Batman '89 and Batman Returns, or following the latter?

I'd love to see your artwork for other Batman and Batman Returns characters, if that's possible. Also did you base any of your new characters on any actors' likenesses?

Unknown said...

This needs to happen! I'd absolutely love this idea and I'd definitely collect every comic

Unknown said...

This needs to happen! I'd absolutely love this idea and I'd definitely collect every comic

master martin said...

Make it happen!!!!!!!

Raúl H. Pérez said...

Awesome idea! Definitivamente compraría esto. Es genial.

Mike said...

turned down?! This series would print money. The WB doesn't think there's a market for it, I bet. That no one remembers or cares. Well guess what? We do!!!!!! There's a heck of a lot of us that would pay any price to see Tim Burton's universe keep going. Oh, well, maybe one day, before we're all too old or dead. Thanks for sharing these. Made my day.

Tim said...

Two-Face with Billy Dee's mustache = genius. Thanks for posting.

Jim Connolly said...

Real shame it got turned down. This had crossed my mind as a no-brainer after the '66 comic series came out. Brad Dourif as the Scarecrow (as intended for the 3rd Burton flick that didn't happen) would make a sweet part of it too I reckon. DC seem a bit clueless these days to me. I heard that the Joker is now a demon or some guff.

Unknown said...

Love this! My favorite batman universe. Thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

Love this! My favorite batman universe. Thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

PITCH IT AGAIN!

Unknown said...

https://www.change.org/p/dc-comics-get-dc-comics-to-make-the-batman-1989-mini-series-pitched-by-joe-quinones-kate-leth?recruiter=504551720&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=share_twitter_responsive … Petition to get this made - sign up guys

JhonJanor said...

This needs to happen. Not let this wonderful project be forgotten. If the story not conviced DC, PLEASE contact me, i can help you!! I Have some "contacts", happy they will help in this project in the script, if you wanna try to send this project again in the future.

Contact me here: https://www.facebook.com/Jack.DeMorti

Schedel said...

This is such a wonderful idea; I really hope this somehow comes to fruition at some point!

James said...

I am absolutely loving this. I still remember being impressed when I first saw BATMAN on vhs....

Unknown said...

With this being released, it this WILL get traction and DC WILL give it another look. They have to.

Adam said...

In the depths of your ignorance, DC Comics, what possessed you to say "NO" to this?!

This artwork looks amazing. You certainly captured the look and feel of the actors and the Tim Burton version of Gotham. I especially like how you cast Geena Davis as Poison Ivy and the outfit is astonishing. My only complaint is Marlon Wayans as Robin. I've never like him in any movie he's been in and I feel like going with a mechanic Robin would be a bad mistake IMO. I would go with Wil Wheaton circa Star Trek: TNG for Dick Grayson.

I am curious as to who you picked for Batgirl. The costume looks fantastic but I'm having trouble placing the actress. My first thought would be Winona Ryder since she was in Beetlejuice.

Dennis Morrigan McDonough said...

This looks brilliant! Dang!

James said...

In the alternative dimension when this happened what do we reckon about casting in the late 1980s -early 1990s?

Adam has already pointed at Geena Davis as Poison Ivy and Winona Ryder as Batgirl.

I'd go with Davis' LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN co star Madonna as Harvey Quinn (as opposed to appearing in DICK TRACY) and Sharon Stone as Silver St Cloud.

What about Kevin Costner, Tom Hanks, Alec Baldwin,Christian Slater and others...

James Wheeler said...

Alicia Hunt as Harley Quinn - fantastic

Gothamite said...

I would love to see this comic series. But I would suggest to omit including Batgirl into this continuity, and instead of using the Dan Waters' version of "the Kid"/Robin, instead go with the version of Dick Grayson/Robin from the Burton-Hickson treatment, which was so much better than Water's stereotyped, somewhat pandering version. There are details about the Burton-Hickson treatment at http://shazamaholic.blogspot.com/2011/06/retrospective-on-burton-keaton-batman.html

Unknown said...

Can you show your robin concept or costume.

Unknown said...

Can you show your robin concept or costume.

Anonymous said...

Robin Williams as the riddler, Ernie Hudson as Lucious Fox, Alec Baldwin or Mel.Gibson as Two Face if Billy didn't get picked. Christopher Walken should have been Rupert Thorn, Burton's original mob boss before Crisuhm.

Unknown said...

This is amazing! I would love to see this happen. If the fans keep pushing, maybe we'll see it in the future. We should share this constantly to make Batman fans aware. I don't see how any fan would not think this is an awesome idea!

Really good stuff. Great job, Joe!