Why Batman: The Long Halloween Should Be Pattinson’s First Sequel

With The Batman set to focus more on the detective side of Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne, Batman: The Long Halloween would be the perfect DC plot to adapt for a future sequel. For decades, many Batman media has focused on the more violent and gothic elements of the DC hero. While the Dark Knight is undoubtedly an almost undefeatable crime fighter, Batman is much more than just his fists and brooding. Since his inception in the DC Universe, Bruce has been recognized for his considerable detective skills. This is an aspect of the character that many previous Batman films haven’t shown as much of, but this looks set to change with director Matt Reeves helming the latest reboot.

One of the things the director has spoken heavily about is his immense desire to focus on Batman as a detective and highlight how gifted his mind truly is – a decision made clear by the fact the film’s antagonist is The Riddler, who is shown in the film’s trailer wreaking chaos upon Gotham City. The Batman will be focusing on Bruce’s second year as a vigilante, meaning he isn’t new at this, but also has a long way to go before becoming the version DC fans know him to be. Since The Batman is the beginning of an envisioned trilogy, it means the detective element will only get bigger for each sequel. That is why Batman: The Long Halloween is the ideal DC storyline to adapt to the silver screen as a sequel to The Batman – as it would perfectly amp up all the most interesting and unique aspects that the first installment will contain.

Batman: The Long Halloween was a 13-issue storyline written by Jeph Loeb that follows Batman attempting to foil a serial killer who kills on holidays, earning them the villain moniker of Holiday. The series is regarded as one of the best Batman detective stories, especially as the ending leaves the mystery still somewhat unsolved, as there are two figures who could have potentially been the real Holiday. Even though Reeves’ series appears to be more or less doing an original arc, having the sequel take elements from this story – such as potentially utilizing its villain – could massively benefit the overall franchise.

If the direction for The Batman franchise is detective-heavy stories, Batman: The Long Halloween is a classic story that would fit Reeves’ vision. The idea of having to stop a serial killer who is targeting a victim on a specific holiday every month would allow these characters to be explored throughout a bigger time span. How does Reeves’ Gotham City cope with celebrating various holidays as long as the killer is still out there? What does Holiday (if they would keep him as the main antagonist for a film adaptation) affect Batman’s rogues’ gallery when he is targetting criminals? Those are the kind of themes a sequel could explore with Batman: The Long Halloween.

It would still be a way to have the whole city affected, but differently from past Batman sequels like The Dark Knight Rises that drew from storylines such as Batman: Knightfall and Batman: No Man’s Land. As a matter of fact, Warner Bros. Animation has actually adapted Batman: The Long Halloween as a 2-part animated film, with part 1 set to come out on June 22 (digitally) and July 8 (physical release,) which will be worth checking out if you haven’t read the comic. Hopefully, Batman: The Long Halloween won’t just be restricted exist in animation but also serve as the main plot for The Batman 2.

About The Author

Andy Behbakht
(1045 Articles Published)

Andy is a senior writer at Screen Rant as he has covered the world of entertainment journalism since 2010, including superhero/comic book media. In addition to his work as a reporter, Andy co-hosts The Flash Podcast while running and producing the entire DC TV Podcasts network. He is also the founder/editor-in-chief of The Marvel Report since Fall 2015. Andy has previously written for sites such as FanSided, KSiteTV, TV Fanatic, It’s Just Movies, Heroic Hollywood, TV Overmind, and more.

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