Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Review: Batman Beyond #2

By Philip Schweier
November 23, 2016 - 05:54

The second issue of Batman Beyond is little more than a lull between action, as Terry McGuiness goes undercover in the Jokerz, a gang of hoodlums dedicated to (literally) reviving the legacy of the original Joker. The bulk of the story relates how the original met his end, and the possibility that it wasn’t as final as most were led to believe.

Don’t get me wrong. There’s plenty of action and excitement, fisticuffs and cars blowing up real good. But as far as advancing the current narrative, there is less of that and more exposition. Not that that’s a bad thing. It is pretty good action and excitement.

A bonus for long time bat-fans is the return of an element from the Batman mythos, one that might have been expected to be discarded as McGuiness continues his career. It’s a shout-out to the past, but with an updated twist; the kind I hope to see more of as the series continues.

Chang’s artwork is stellar. I absolutely love it when a pencils and ink are handled by a single artist. I know it’s a bit out of the norm these days, but as technology has allowed the process to be streamlined, here’s hoping more artists can maintain it. If Chang’s work is any indication, Batman Beyond – and any other title he might handle ­ is in good hands. Let’s hope he sticks around for a while.

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12