The Comics That Inspired Matt Reeves' The Batman

At this years DC FanDome Event, DC films president Walter Hamada explained (via Gamespot) that Matt Reeves version of The Batman, while not connected to the established DC cinematic universe, will take place in Batman's second year of wearing the cape and cowl - "We can have a more grounded real year two Batman and build out that world, and not really worry about continuity story elements."

While the reference refers to a timeline of events as opposed to an actual Batman publication, it's worth taking a look at the 1987 four part release, written by Mike W. Barr and illustrated by comic legend Todd McFarlane among others. The initial title was to be Batman: 1980 but was changed to coincide with Frank Miller's Batman: Year One.

The story follows a young Batman and a newly promoted Commissioner Gordon as they investigate a resurgence of Gotham's first vigilante, known as The Reaper. After suffering a defeat in battle, Batman teams up with Gotham's organised crime faction who insist on pairing Batman with the murderer of his parents, Joe Chill. Armed with the gun used in his parents murder, Batman takes on both Chill and The Reaper before realising that murdering Chill will not bring his parents back.

Rumours have circulated that the bat symbol on Pattinson's new costume could possibly be parts of the very same gun used in his parent's murder, and if this is the case, perhaps there will be a real link to this publication after all.