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Batman Beyond is a sci-fi action series released in 1999. The 3 season long animated series was developed by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, and Alan Burnett. Batman Beyond serves as a direct sequel to Batman: The Animated Series which was released in 1992. It also exists in the same canon as Superman: the Animated Series, Justice League the animated series, and Justice League Unlimited. Together all of these shows make up the original DC Animated Universe. It’s this animated universe and these shows that originally made me fall in love with DC. To this day these shows make up my favorite connected superhero universe of all time. Out of these 5 shows Batman Beyond is one of my favorites, and it’s also one of my all time favorite shows in general. The series takes place 40 years after Batman: The Animated Series, in a futuristic Gotham city. The show follows Terry McGinnis, a teenager who takes up the mantle of Batman 20 years after Bruce Wayne’s retirement. Aided by an advanced new batsuit and Bruce Wayne as his mentor, Terry must prove himself as Batman against a new generation of criminals.
While in many ways Batman Beyond pays homage to Batman, it also carves a new path for the character. The show has its own distinct look, sound, and tone. It also does a great job in firmly cementing Terry McGinnis as his own character. His own Batman. Terry has his similarities to Bruce, but he also takes heavy inspiration from Spider-Man. In fact this was done on purpose by the show’s creators. The goal with Batman Beyond was to make a character similar to Spider-Man. This was done to capitalize on the popularity of Spider-Man the animated series, which was released in 1994. As a result, Terry and Peter Parker do have many similarities. They both suffered tragedies that pushed them to become heroes, and they both started their double lives while in high school. They also both face issues maintaining a work life balance, and managing their relationships. The two of them even share a love of talking trash to their villains. Despite all this inspiration Terry McGinnis is very much his own character, and he’s one of my favorite heroes of all time. His character is the driving force for the show, and a large part of what makes it as great as it is.
Terry is a very compelling, entertaining, and endearing character. His take on Batman is different and interesting compared to what everyone expects from Batman. Terry struggles to live up to the reputation of Batman, and this need to prove himself is one of the main motivators for his character. Batman is one of the most legendary heroes of all time, and both within the show’s universe, and to new viewers watching, he has a lot to prove. He doesn’t have the brains or experience that Bruce does, but he does have lots of enthusiasm and heart. Terry is much more of an everyman. While at times Bruce can be a character we struggle to relate to due to his often inhuman dedication, resolve, and adherence to his strict moral code. Terry is much more relatable. He brings a very human element to the character of Batman. His main goal is to save as many lives, and protect as many people as possible. He does so in his own way that is often unorthodox. Terry always tries to see the good in people and hopes for the best. He’s an optimist, but is also stubborn, and headstrong. These traits lead him into many precarious situations throughout the show. Terry is also just very charismatic and likable. It’s easy to root for him when he’s always doing his best to fill Bruce’s shoes and struggling to do so in very relatable ways.
The relationship between Terry and Bruce is another one of the best parts of the show. Bruce exists as the wise but strict mentor to Terry’s young Batman. Through Bruce’s guidance the audience is able to see how Terry is beginning to take after his teacher in certain ways. However, the two are very different, and this occasionally creates conflict between them. While Bruce devoted his entire life to fighting crime, Terry has other priorities. He has friends, family, school, and a social life. While Bruce has always tried to shut everyone out, Terry tends to let people in. He maintains his sense of humor, and his sense of self while also being Batman. The show looks at what it means to be Batman through the dynamic between Terry and Bruce. Whether or not Terry can maintain his relationships and still be ‘The Batman’ is a common conflict in the show. As well as the idea that Terry can’t be an effective hero while trying to maintain two separate lives. Bruce sometimes questions Terry’s loyalty to the mantle, and Terry questions Bruce on his methods, and morals. While there are other prominent side characters in the show, Bruce and Terry are the only 2 main characters. The show is primarily about them and their relationship. They have an amazing dynamic that works well enough to drive the entire show. They have great chemistry, and you can tell they genuinely care for one another despite their differences.
Batman Beyond has a very loose, and at times, virtually non existent plot. Season 1 does follow a loose plot regarding the villain Derek Powers, but after that the show is almost entirely episodic. Despite the lack of a broader narrative I think the show works amazingly well. The standalone stories are engaging, fun, and entertaining. Out of the show’s 52 episodes I would say the majority range from good to great. While re-watching the show I never found myself disliking an episode. Like Cowboy Bebop there are certainly weaker episodes, but never any I remember being truly bad. While Terry’s rogues gallery isn’t as iconic as Bruce’s, I think the villains in the show are very good overall. The recurring villains are memorable and entertaining, and most of the one off villains are also good. There are also a few appearances of older Batman characters such as Mr. Freeze, and the show uses them perfectly. The stories in the show are fun and entertaining, but like in Batman: The Animated series the stories are often dark and mature. Many episodes have chilling endings, and dark stories in general. Batman Beyond is full of great episodes that can be purely entertaining, but the show isn’t afraid to go into a darker, more mature territory as well.
Technically speaking Batman Beyond works very well. While the animation isn’t the most polished, I think it works perfectly for the show. I also have a soft spot for 2D animation like this, so it works just fine for me. The design of Terry’s batsuit in particular is one of my favorite character designs of all time. It fits both the character and the show perfectly. The art style is also phenomenal, and it along with the score, creates a one of a kind atmosphere for the show. Gone is the stark, gothic, and operatic Gotham, and in its place Batman Beyond introduces a more sleek and electric cyberpunk style city. But despite their different appearances they both house the same superstitious and cowardly criminals. The aforementioned score itself is phenomenal. Made up of electric rock and synth the score is incredibly energetic, while also being very haunting. It perfectly accompanies the arrival of a new Batman and a change to the world. Another great element of the show is the action which is hard hitting and fast. Great sound design and animation allow it to still hold up today.
While I do think this show is near perfect it does have a few minor issues. I think the main one being that some of the side characters are very underutilized. The main ones that suffer from this are Terry’s mom and brother, as well as his girlfriend Dana. While I think his family’s lack of use is a missed opportunity, the real issue comes with Dana’s lack of characterization. She is very one dimensional and flat. For being such an integral part of Terry’s life, she is not a very well developed love interest. Aside from this I have no other issues with the show. However, one problem some may have with the show is it’s lack of an ending. Season 3 ends with no real finale. But the good news is that there is a finale for the show in the episode “Epilogue” of Justice League Unlimited. Terry also appears in episodes 12 and 13 of Justice League Unlimited season 1 for a crossover special. In addition to these episodes there is a Batman Beyond movie, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker. It fits into the show's canon and is just as great as the show.
Batman Beyond is a spectacular series that presents a compelling new take on the character. The show has amazing music, visuals, voice acting, writing, and storytelling which makes the series one of the best superhero shows I have ever seen. Batman Beyond is one of the main reasons I love Batman and DC as a whole. I highly recommend this show and all the others within this incredible universe. At the very least I’m sure I’ll be discussing this universe and these shows much more in the future.
Objective Score: 9/10
Personal Score: 10/10
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