Batman Beyond #1 Review

The future Dark Knight, Terry McGinnis is dead. So who is the new Batman Beyond? It’s Tim Drake, Batman’s former partner, Red Robin, who was flung 35 years into the future in order to save it! From the mind of Dan Jurgens and the pen of Bernard Chang comes the story of the Tomorrow Knight. Time will have to pull his newfound world from the brink of collapse or die trying.

Batman Beyond #1 takes the fish out of water approach. Tim Drake is thrust 35 years into the future with a new suit, new Gotham, and new villains. Nothing is the same or how he remembers it. Lucky for him he is aided by the one and only Alfred who keeps him on his toes when battling the badies of Neo Gotham. The first issue was great and I truly did enjoy it. I think the most definitive scene in the book is when Tim meets Terry’s brother Max.  There is a feel of sorrow, regret and understanding that comes from Tim which is wonderfully written by Dan Jurgens.  Having to explain Terry’s death and how he got the suit couldn’t be easy for Tim to explain to Matt. What makes it really interesting is Matt stating that he should have taken over in Terry’s place. This made me question whether Matt will eventually become Robin in the Batman Beyond timeline. Even though his presence in this issue was limited to a few panels I found Matt to be the most appealing. Don’t get me wrong I love Tim Drake and he’s good in this Batman Beyond world, but he’s no Terry McGinnis. The overall plot revolves around Gotham being the only safe zone in the entire area. A lot of Earth has been wiped out, heroes and villains are mostly dead, and the Justice League members are gone or have gone rogue. Tim is on the hunt for any type of survivors, or friends of McGinnis that can aid him to protect what is left. This brings him a place called “The Lodge” where survivors are being held captive.  I like where the story is going with Tim having to learn this futuristic Gotham. I think it brings more elements to his character and will make him more skilled should he return back to past. Overall the story was great for a first issue, but I do miss Terry, solid artwork, solid story and a nice ending for you to make you want issue 2.

Final Grade 8.5/10