Batman Resurrections (Batman 89 Sequel Novel)

[The Dark Knight]

I do like how it reiterates how important the first film is and doesn't try to minimize it. We see the whole scope and the fallout of the Joker's chemical attack on the city, which isn't something that would go away overnight. The pattern with sequels is to take the lazier route by making the threats larger and the stakes higher (i.e. another, larger Death Star-like superweapon in Star Wars films). Even though the Joker is dead and can't go on to be Batman's constant rival, it's well established that he left a legacy and continues to haunt Batman.

That aspect is good. Joker wasn't around long but he burned brightly, becoming a role model rather than a failure to the criminal population. I'm wanting to finish another book before jumping in to Resurrection fully, but from what I've read Miller does have some neat touches in here. I liked people buying the paint smeared works from the museum and Shreck being behind arson (as he would also do in BR). The early Bruce/Alfred conversations seem okay. Julie Madison being in Bruce's room is reminiscent of Vicki. I'm hoping Revolution leans in even harder to its closer proximity to Returns, such as the circus gang (Gordon says they're back in BR).

[Slash Man]

After finishing the book, I have a few more thoughts.

Retconning the chemist from the first film into Hugo Strange actually works for me. It establishes a connection to Joker and Carl Grissom, and doesn't conflict with his role in producing Smylex at Axis Chemicals.

Clayface being a creation of Hugo Strange reminded me of Gotham; not sure if this concept was ever used before.

Strange says he intended to blame the Monster Men on Joker. This is probably coincidence, but in the 1990 Batman NES game, the giant monsters in the sewer were the result of Joker's gene-splicing experiments.

I liked most instances of Returns characters being introduced, but I'm a little conflicted when the Red Triangle strongman was responsible for saving Batman's life. This is a little too much history to have for a henchman character that Batman blows up after a brief encounter.

Overall, an enjoyable book. I've gone on about my nitpicks, but that's just how I critique things. The action really ramped up towards the end and brought the story to an exciting conclusion.