The World’s Finest: A Comprehensive Guide to the DCAU & Beyond!

Adam Beechen: I’ve been writing animation for a long time, going back to Rugrats and Jackie Chan Adventures, with stops along the way on shows like the ones you mentioned, plus more recent stuff like Batman: The Brave and the Bold and the new Pink Panther and Pals. I’ve been writing comics for DC for a bunch of years now, starting with Justice League Unlimited and going on to books like Robin and Countdown to Adventure. I’ve also written a couple of my own graphic novels, Hench and Dugout, both published by AiT/Planetlar.

WF: Right off the bat, fans want to know Is this new mini-series set in the DCAU animated continuity or is this DC bringing in the Batman Beyond characters into the regular DC Universe, like their introduction of Harley Quinn to mainstream continuity a few years ago?

AB: I think it’s more the latter. Our mini definitely ties the Batman Beyond universe closer to the DCU than it ever has been before. Hopefully, it’ll do well enough that, in future appearances, the Batman Beyond universe can really cross over regularly with the DCU. I don’t know why it shouldn’t!

WF: So, take us through the premise of this upcoming mini-series. Whatll we expect when we all punk down our $3 to read the first issue in June?

AB:The mini takes up after the animated series ends, but before the character’s appearance toward the end of the Justice League Unlimited animated series, which vaults even further into the future. It takes Terry and Bruce to a turning point in their relationship as a name from Batman’s past surfaces unexpectedly with an eye towards eliminating Bat-villains, old and new.

WF: Now, this is far from your first experience with super-heroes, but what sets this project apart from the rest?

AB: Like Justice League Unlimited, it’s a chance for me to write characters I loved in their animated forms, even if I never had the honor of working on the series themselves. Tying it in with the DCU really marries my two professions and favorite hobbies, comics and television.

WF: Batman Beyond still retains a very loyal fan base to this day. Does that add any pressure on you with this new project. Is there extra weight with introducing a beloved animated character into the DC Comics proper?

AB: Of course. The animated series was really brilliant, and I want to do justice to the characters, give the longtime fans a story worthy of what they remember, and honor the writers who’ve worked with the characters before me. And, introducing Batman Beyond to readers who may not have seen the show, and making it part of the DCU, I definitely want to put the concept’s best foot forward so they’ll want to know more and read further.

WF: To make the wait to June even more unbearable, care to drop any tantalizing hints for your Batman Beyond mini-series? Any teasers to pique our interest?

AB: I really don’t want to give too much away, because the last page of the first issue reveals the title of the arc, and it’s my hope it’ll send tingles down the spine of longtime Batman readers. Hopefully, by the time we reach that last page, the people who watched the series but may not be as familiar with the comics will be hooked as well.

WF: While you have a host of comic work to your credit, you wrote the Justice League Unlimited comic series. Any thoughts to share looking back at your work on that series? Any interesting stories from your work on that series, and any favorite issues?

AB: I really, really loved working on that book and many of my favorites among the stories I’ve written are among them. Looking back, I’m amazed at how much rope the editors gave a relatively new writer. I had lots of leeway in picking the characters I wanted to spotlight — different ones every issue. So, in addition to writing Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman and the rest of the Magnificent Seven, I got to write stories for everyone from Blue Beetle to the Creeper to the Question. It was like taking a tour through my favorite DC characters, and getting to write stories for each one of them. I wish that book was still around…I have many more stories for it I’d like to tell!

WF: Youve written for both comic and animation. Do you have a specific writing style for both mediums, or one the bleeds over to both without an issue. Is there any difficulty in juggling between the two?

AB: I find comics much more difficult to write than animation. Not because the form or format is radically different but because, I think, I come from such a comics fanboy background, I really put pressure on myself to measure up to the comics writers and stories I loved as a kid — I want readers to enjoy my stories as much as I enjoyed those, years ago. I seldom feel like I get there, because I hold those stories in such high regard and because I’m a really harsh critic of my own work, but it sure is fun trying!

WF: As we wrap this up, youve written a handful of Batman: The Brave and The Bold episodes, including the recent The Super Batman from Planet X! Can you share a little about that episode and run us through your process of adapting one of the more classic fan-favorite Batman tales? Did you have trouble adapting it into the mold of the Batman: The Brave and the Bold animated series?

AB: The idea came from the show’s producer, James Tucker, and its story editor, Michael Jelenic, who have made the show so amazing. I just hopped on for the ride and tried to make it fun and fast, like other episodes of the series. Having worked on the series before, I kind of knew its “voice,” so adapting the original story wasn’t all that difficult. Keeping the Batmen straight and making them distinct was a bit of a challenge at first, as was making the villain, Rohtul, credible, but I think the show came out great!

WF: To conclude, can you share with us some of your upcoming plans, both in comics and animation?