BATMAN BEYOND
Comics imitate TV with the first collection based on the acclaimed series.

Writer: Hilary J. Bader
Artists: Rick Burchett, Joe Staton, Terry Beatty
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Tim Harkins
Trade paperback
Published by DC Comics 1999
$9.95

Reviewed by Paul Hanna

BATMAN BEYOND is unique among DC's Adventures titles. Whereas the Batman and Superman Adventures titles utilize years and years of comics history to create a definitive comics hero, BATMAN BEYOND's focus is on entirely new concepts, stories, and characters. If anything, it gives a distinct sci-fi flavor to the Batman mythos. However, while fun, the execution of the Future Knight's stories is similarly formulaic when compared to those of his Dark Knight counterpart.

"The stories are neat and self-contained, which is their main appeal to the reader."

The newest of the WB cartoon superhero tie-ins, BATMAN BEYOND takes place in Gotham City's future. Bruce Wayne has thrown in the cowl, and the suit (probably the most radical change ever in a Bat-suit) has been taken up by Terry McGinnis, a high school teenager. Bruce, taking a back seat, remains in the Batcave. Via a radio receiver in the Bat-suit, he is in constant communication with Terry, who does all the grunt work.

The BATMAN BEYOND trade paperback collects the initial six-issue miniseries of the title. The first two issues are direct adaptations of the television show's debut episode, the remainder exclusive to the comics format. The stories are neat and self-contained, which is their main appeal to the reader: this is one of very few superhero titles that are not cluttered in a mess of backstory and history. It is, first and foremost, easily accessible to the younger reader.

One of the more poignant stories in the collection, 'Permanent "Inque" Stains', introduces one of Batman's more deadly foes to the comic book. Inque is an amorphous blob of black liquid who can ooze through the smallest crack in a wall. Practically her only vulnerability is electricity. It's an especially engaging story because it shows how weak some villains actually can be, despite their ability to beat the tar out of Batman.

By and large the stories are fun, the content a rough balance of detective work and fisticuffs (though it's usually slightly tipped in favor of the latter). Terry is also a different breed of Batman. He lacks the morosity of Bruce Wayne, but not his harshness. He is also trying to balance his identities, whereas Bruce's civilian identity acts as a mere facade. Unfortunately, he also lacks the original Batman's presence; your average 2-bit hood might cower in fear at the sight of Bruce Wayne in costume, but he would have little trouble finding the courage to attack a teenager in a Bat-suit.

"Simple drawings tend to fall apart under close scrutiny; but BATMAN BEYOND is full of clean linework."

The illustrations are something of a cheap knock-off of Bruce Timm, though that should not be a surprise, judging from most DC Adventures books. Its merits lie in its simplicity. Easy for a new comics reader to follow, the pictures eskew elaborate layouts in favour of readability. The playing of lights against darks is also stunning. And to the credit of the illustrators, simple drawings tend to fall apart easily under close scrutiny; but BATMAN BEYOND is full of clean linework.

Many readers have complained that comics aren't fun anymore. Now there's BATMAN BEYOND.

Recommended

Paul Hanna is a regular contributor to PopImage.

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