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Batman Beyond 2.0
Review by aiwac

Batman Beyond 2.0 is over. The best run so far of the Beyond Universe in the world of comics has come to an end. But rather than spend the whole article gushing over what this series accomplished, something I have already done enough in previous reviews, I thought I would write on what I would like to see happen if and when this series reignites. After all, Batman Beyond is all about the future and change, not just longing for the past.

So, here's my list of recommendations to the future Beyond team, from least important to the most:

Give Dick Grayson a Love Life

Yes, it's sappy. No, I don't care. The character of Richard Grayson proved to be nothing less than an absolute treat, especially in the 2.0 run. He is not only a joy to read, but a great and important part of the Beyond Universe, a cheerful hero and a very gifted mentor. There are good reasons why Bruce Wayne ends up alone, there are none for Grayson. If Barbara could move on and find someone else, so should Dick. He deserves to have someone to love and love him back.

Speaking of which…

Develop Terry's Relationship with His Family

One of the key aspects of Terry McGinnis is that in contrast to Bruce Wayne, Terry's civilian life is not an act. His friends are real friends, his family is real family. While Terry's relationship with Dana has really been fleshed out, his connection with his mother and brother remains very superficial.

This is a shame, because there are some real possibilities here. One interesting direction would be to see what happens to Terry's brother when he becomes a teenager. This is a wild kid with a fascination with superheroes we're talking about here. The possibilities for bonding and conflict are rife with potential. Speaking of conflict…

Bring Back Blight

Or create someone as significant. Let's face it - Terry's Rogues Gallery presently consists exclusively of villains who are physically challenging. None of them seriously test his intellect, psyche or moral fiber. Derek Powers/Blight was significant in that he tested all three and was a challenge to Bruce Wayne besides. Yes, the Adam Beechen story on Blight was badly handled, but that's nothing a gifted storyteller can't cure.

Whether Blight himself is brought back or someone else, such a character should have a permanent presence. Perhaps introduce a character like Gustavo Fring of Breaking Bad, a highly intelligent and ruthless criminal who knows how to stay two steps ahead of everyone. Such a Devil-like character might even serve as a temptation for Terry, openly seeing potential in him Bruce Wayne continues to avoid openly acknowledging or cultivating.

Speaking of Bruce Wayne…

Don't Let Old Man Wayne Go Full Heisenberg

I've mentioned how previous stories showed Old Man Wayne demonstrating…shall we say problematic moral tendencies? The key point to all of them was an extremely manipulative approach to his would-be successor, reminding me of the destructive relationship between Walter White/Heisenberg and Jesse Pinkman in the TV show Breaking Bad.

For those who have never watched the series, I'll only say that the relationship is very much that of an anti-mentor and his protégé. Although Jesse shows strong signs of moral fiber and intelligence, he is constantly manipulated and dragged down by his extremely selfish and far-less scrupulous teacher. In the end, Jesse is a broken shell of a human being, so thoroughly betrayed and beaten down that he can only liberate himself through the most visceral, animal-like act of freedom. This is an end to a story that must not happen in the Beyond world.

It's one thing for Bruce Wayne to be dark and on the shady side. It's another thing for him to be outright evil. Crossing that line turns him from a troubled hero into a genuine monster and probably even denies him the right to call himself Batman. It would also be a betrayal of the central literary theme of the Beyond universe, which emphasizes how even Bruce Wayne can change for the better; witness his growing humanity in the show and in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.

Ultimately, though, this goes beyond not wanting a beloved character to go down the path of current day Frank Miller's version of the character, to the sadness and ridicule of Bat-fans the world over. As important as Dick Grayson is as a mentor, ultimately it is Bruce Wayne who must "teach Terry everything he knows" – skills, knowledge and moral quandaries. Yes, that includes critical details like the full story of why he gave up the mask.

Which brings me to the most important point:

"A Punk Kid with a Smart Mouth and Potential Even I Didn't Realize"

It's time that potential is truly unleashed or at least start to develop in significant ways. The writers of the Beyond comic verse have fleshed out Terry McGinnis as a layered and complex character and a competent hero. But like it or not, one of the major aspects of Batman is that he truly stands head and shoulders above the merely competent. If Terry is to truly convince he can be Batman, then he must show he's made of the stuff to be that hero.

This need not be in having a "magnificent brain" like Old Man Wayne or being an utterly unrelatable BatGod. There are other abilities he can have that put him above the pack. Perhaps his (far superior) social skills and intuition can make him a great leader and manager of teams or even of people in general. Rather than be an incredible planner like Wayne, maybe an exceptional skill for improvisation is needed; kind of a futuristic MacGyver character.

These are my thoughts; I'm sure other Beyond fans have others. But I truly hope that if and when this series reignites, 2.0 will be its jumping-off point – to the stars and beyond.

The entire "Batman Beyond 2.0" comic series is now available through digital outlets and comic shops.


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