A key character from 1989’s Batman, surprisingly, has not appeared in and of the iconic film’s subsequent properties, but perhaps she should. A classic Batman supporting character from the comics plays a major role in Tim Burton’s genre-redefining Batman, serving as an audience surrogate and having a major effect on Bruce Wayne’s character arc. Unfortunately, Batman Returns and all other material from the Burton duology’s branching timeline omits this character, though they can and should reappear in some form or another.
The Tim Burton Batman movies redefined how films are marketed and helped establish the modern superhero blockbuster film. The continuity has at least two branching franchises after the events of Batman Returns, with the original being Joel Schumacher’s two Batman movies and the other being Sam Hamm’s Batman ’89 comics. A prominent supporting character from 1989’s Batman has yet to reappear in either franchise but is important and iconic enough to warrant a return.
Vicki Vale Hasn’t Been Used Since Batman 1989 – Why?
In Sam Hamm’s original story treatment for Batman Returns, Vicki Vale was set to retain her supporting character status in a film that served as a more direct sequel to 1989’s Batman. Tim Burton, who Warner Bros. convinced to make another Batman movie by promising far more creative freedom than he had before, eschewed Hamm’s story for a new script with far fewer connections to Keaton’s first Batman outing, hence Vicki Vale’s absence. Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever and Batman & Robin each gave Bruce Wayne a different love interest, seemingly solidifying Vicki Vale’s status as a bygone figure in the franchise.
While there are currently no plans to continue the story of Joel Schumacher’s iteration of Batman, Sam Hamm’s Batman ’89 comics could be renewed with another limited series by DC Comics. The first six-issue series saw the return of Harvey Dent and Catwoman (with the former becoming Two-Face). Considering the series’ respect for its own continuity and tendency to satisfyingly continue character arcs and plot threads from the two Burton Batman films, another Batman ’89 series would be the most likely and appropriate place for Vicki Vale to resurface.
Why Batman Movies Should Bring Back Vicki Vale
The Tim Burton Batman continuity will return to the big screen in the upcoming film The Flash, albeit melded with the DCEU due to Barry Allen’s tampering with the timeline. While having Vicki Vale return in another Batman ’89 miniseries is more suitable, she could have a brief appearance or mention in The Flash. Wherever Vicki Vale might return, she is perhaps Batman’s most iconic cinematic love interest and one with a profound effect on Bruce Wayne’s characterization in 1989’s Batman, so it should only be a matter of time before she is brought back to the franchise.
