Batman Beyond (Kids!WB)

If you don't know how I feel about Batman by now, go read the Batman:Animated review. Now. Okay, so you've read it? Then lets talk about this show.

I was very apprehensive about this show. I have the utmost trust in Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, I just didn't know if they could pull it off. Batman is not a character that lends himself to science fiction, and rightfully so. But after watching the first two episodes, I can say that they have done an excellent job in introducing new characters into the Batman mythos and making them work. And they work very well.

First off, there is a definite continuity between the Batman of "Gotham Knights" and the Batman of "Batman Beyond". For example, the Grey Ghost costume in the Batcave in the Inque episode. Actually, all of the trophies in the Batcave ("didja see the Harley Quinn outfit hanging up?" " What about Catwoman?" "And there's Scarface in a display case!"). I also like the fact that Bruce Wayne was not relegated to the Bitter-Old Mentor role. He seems in better mental shape than Terry (not that that's surprising, but...). Which brings me to Terry. I generally like him, except for the very annoying trait of making Spider Man-like pithy comments while fighting crime. So I really want that taken away.

Derreck Powers is Lex Luthor if Luthor was really really evil. It was made evident in the first episode that this man is not afraid to kill whatever gets in his way (i.e., Terry's dad). Inque is a pretty spiffy character, too. And the supporting characters. Well, I get a smile on my face whenever I think of Dana (dig that trashy-Eurodisco interlude in the opening credits). And Stephen is sure that Terry's brother will become Robin. I would much rather see Dana in the tights though. Oh well...By the way, this is the first vision of a future Batman I have seen where Bruce isn't married to Selina Kyle and Barbara Gordon isn't in a wheelchair.

The animation is good, but I can't help thinking that the show would be better if they went all the way with the manga elements. There are obvious nods to Akira in both characters (The Joker Gang), tone (future Gotham looks like Neo-Tokyo to these eyes) and action sequences (that bike chase in the pilot was an obvious homage).

All in all, a great show that can only get better with time. That is, as long as they don't screw it up horribly.

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Michael Keegan
2.3.1999