With the Dark Knight having existed for nearly eight decades, it comes as no surprise there have been alternate takes on the character. From popular Elseworlds tales like Gotham by Gaslight to possible futures in which someone such as Damian Wayne takes up the mantle, there never seems to be any shortage of ways to explore the mythos. But one of the most undoubtedly popular additions has to be that of Batman Beyond.
Swiftly following the cancellations of both The New Batman Adventures and Superman: The Animated Series came WB’s idea to center an animated show around a teenaged Batman. In the wrong hands, this could have been a complete disaster, but thankfully the genius minds of Bruce Timm, Paul Dini and Alan Burnett were at the helm and we were treated to the adventures of Terry McGinnis, a young man living fifty years into the future who took up Bruce Wayne’s mantle in order to protect a Gotham City dealing with a new wave of supervillains.
Although the show lasted for only three seasons, it has lived on in the hearts of fans everywhere and even a number of comic book series continuing its legacy. Up until a few years ago, each of those runs followed the continuity of the TV show, but in the wake of Futures End, DC opted to introduce Terry into proper canon. Granted, he was swiftly replaced by Tim Drake, but to the delight of many, was restored to his rightful position just in time for Rebirth.
What’s surprising is that the same Beyond costume stuck around for so long because no superhero goes without aesthetic changes, right? Well, that was rectified in the pages of Batman Beyond #4 this week when Terry got a bit of an upgrade courtesy of yet another suit which happened to be stashed away in the Batcave that has a bit of a Spider-Man 2099 vibe to it. In addition to the high tech capabilities Terry has become accustomed to, he can now see through walls, a skill that will no doubt aid him in his ongoing battle with the Jokerz.
Tell us, what do you think of the new look introduced in Batman Beyond #4? Sound off in the usual place below!
