The
conclusion of “The Long Payback,” or, as I prefer to call it, “The Long
Pay-off,” because Jurgens & Co. have been teasing the whole Matt
McGinness-becomes-Robin–Beyond for several issues. In fact, they’ve been
teasing it so much, it became tiresome.
But of
course, Terry would never permit his kid brother becoming his new Robin, so it
takes Bruce, in a moment of desperation, to send Matt off to rescue Terry from Payback.
After all, Bruce has put children in harm’s way it no less than four times before.
But with Payback dead set on revenge against Terry, could Matt simply become another
weapon to be used against Terry.
I’ve enjoyed
Jurgens’ writing for many years. I believe he has a firm grasp of the fan’s perspective
on these characters. In the case of Batman
Beyond, it’s an open franchise, not beholden to the continuity issues of
most of the DC Universe. That opens the door wide to so much story potential,
and I’m eager to see what a creator of Jurgens’ caliber can deliver.
It also
helps that Phil Hester and Ande Parks are handling the art. They are a stellar
team whom I have missed form the comic book landscape in recent years. I hope
they stick around for a good long time.
Rating:
9/10