BATMAN’S HOT-LINE | 13th Dimension, Comics, Creators, Culture

Nov04

BATMAN CONTINUES: The 1989 JERRY ORDWAY Series That Should Have Been

Posted by Dan Greenfield on Nov 4, 2026

BATMAN CONTINUES: The 1989 JERRY ORDWAY Series That Should Have Been

Welcome to the first WALT WEDNESDAYS! — Welcome to our newest feature here at 13th Dimension — WALT WEDNESDAYS, a weekly spotlight on the work of longtime contributor Walt Grogan! Click here for more on this new smash hit! — Dan — By WALT GROGAN Jerry Ordway is well known for his stints on both Superman and the original Captain Marvel But he’s also connected to the Darknight Detective as the artist behind the comic book adaptation of the Tim Burton-directed 1989 Batman movie. The film, produced by Benjamin Melniker and former DC Woodchuck Michael Uslan, was a distinct departure from the Pow—Bam—Zap days of Adam West’s 1966 TV show and ushered into popular culture a more serious Batman. The movie’s comic-book adaptation, written by Denny O’Neil and penciled and inked by Ordway, was a master class in bringing a movie to life on the four-color page, with a taut translation of the story, compelling layouts and spot-on likenesses of the main cast. In the 35-plus years since the adaptation’s release, Jerry has produced multiple Batman commissions based on his interpretation of the film’s Dark Knight. Check this one out: My favorite aspect is how he draws the Masked Manhunter’s cape. His shading produces such realistic folds, and really brings the costume to life! It’s almost like the cape is a character in its own right. Which is why I’ll never understand why Jerry didn’t get the nod to do an extended run on Batman or Detective Comics, or why DC didn’t continue the movie as an ongoing monthly after the film’s release. Well, to see what might have been, I colored and trade-dressed the image above and — Holy Missed Opportunity! — I would have bought the heck out of it! As a bonus, here’s a faux house ad promoting the series! I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that DC came around back in 2021, and published a six-issue Batman ’89 miniseries by original movie screenwriter Sam Hamm and artist Joe Quinones (with an Ordway variant cover for the first issue), and a follow-up, Batman ’89: Echoes, in 2024. — Want more WALT WEDNESDAYS? Come back next week! — MORE — Introducing… WALT WEDNESDAYS! Click here. — THE SUPERNATURAL SOIREE: Dig This DC WHO’S WHO Halloween Jam Piece — a WALT WEDNESDAYS Preview. Click here. —...

Nov03

ROBIN’S RECKONING: Dig This Fab, UNSEEN BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES Episode Print

Posted by Dan Greenfield on Nov 3, 2026

ROBIN’S RECKONING: Dig This Fab, UNSEEN BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES Episode Print

DESPOP TUESDAYS! A week ago, DESPOP TUESDAYS was devoted to Des Taylor’s groovy print celebrating the Batman: The Animated Series episode The Laughing Fish, which adapted both the 1977 Steve Englehart/Marshall Rogers story of the same name, as well as 1973’s Batman #251, by Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams. It was one of six licensed prints that Des sold through Bottleneck Gallery in Brooklyn a few years back. Those went as quick as the Batmobile, but artist’s proofs are available at the Despop website. Here’s the thing, though: Des did six other prints that were never produced — and you’ll get to see each of them over the next several weeks, dubbed THE UNSEEN DESIGNS. We’re starting off with Robin’s Reckoning, the seminal two-parter from 1993 that gave us the show’s version of the Boy Wonder’s origin. The episode was written by Randy Rogel and directed by Dick Sebast Dig this: Des’ design is deceptively simple, with an aggrieved Robin front and center, haunted by his memories of his parent’s deaths. Moody and evocative. For the artist’s proofs for the six prints that were produced — each measuring 18″ x 24″ — click here. — Want more DESPOP TUESDAYS? Come back next week! Want a commission? Buy prints? Buy Des’ comics? Check out his Despop Art website! — MORE — THE LAUGHING FISH: Always a Classic — in Comics or Animation. Click here. — Dig These Three New DC SUPER SODA Flavors to Quench Your Mind. Click here. — DES TAYLOR is the man behind creator-owned comic properties Scarlett Couture, The Vesha Valentine Story, The Trouble With Katie Rogers and a new property in the works The Blue Lotus Strikes. His client list includes DC Comics, La Perla, FHM, Cosmopolitan, Universal Music, ITV Studios America and many more. When he’s not working on his own properties or churning out commissions, Des spends his spare time… working some more, hating Arsenal and raising his two baby daughters, Scarlett and...

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