Warning: This article contains spoilers for the movies discussed.

Of course, that doesn’t stick.

As the opening tells viewers, Batman hadalreadygiven up his mantle 8 years after the events ofThe Dark Knight.

Blended image showing Michael Keaton as Batman with the words I’m Batman in large yellow letters

Custom Image by Federico Napoli

It’s a weird sucker punch that, could definitely work but still muddled the trilogy’s themes.

Bruce Wayne then attends Superman’s grave and promises to carry on his work.

On its surface, Superman’s sacrifice inspiring Barman’s heroism works well enough.

Bruce Wayne And Selina Kyle at a restaurant in The Dark Knight Rises

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Batman and Superman have exactly one dialogue scene and fight before they are suddenly lifelong allies.

Freeze to stop his evil machinations.

Batman and Robin is an incredibly clunky and silly experience, but so are comic books.

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; it doesn’t make the endinggood, but it does make it Batman.

The signifier for all this change, the good and the bad, was the inclusion of Robin.

Despite its muted world,Batman Beginspromises growth and changefor the hero and his world.

Batman and Superman facing each other ready to fight in Batman v Superman Dawn of Justice

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

What makes this film’s climax memorable is the absolute standout score by composerDanny Elfman.

His work on Batman producedone of the most iconic scores in superhero cinema.

Batman vs Superman Poster

Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone), Batman (George Clooney), & Robin (Chris O’Donnell) in Batman & Robin.

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Batman and Robin Movie Poster

Val Kilmer as Batman in ‘Batman Forever’

Image via Warner Bros.

Batman Forever Movie Poster

Batman driving the Batmobile while Robin uses the Batphone in the 1966 ‘Batman’.

Image via 20th Century Studios

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Batman and Robin talking in The Lego Batman Movie

mage via Warner Bros. Pictures

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Batman looking grim in Batman Begins

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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Batman next to the Batmobile looking up in Batman

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Batman 1989 Poster

Catwoman looking at the Bat-signal in Batman Returns

Image via Warner Bros.

Batman Returns Movie Poster

Silhouette of Bruce Wayne holding his Batman mask, from Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.

Image via Warner Bros.

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Movie

The Dark Knight

The Batman