Guess whose back and with another TV show to be reviewed! This time we take a look back to a slightly under rated Batman series from 1999. Where we meet an older, more grumpy Bruce Wayne and his new side kick
Terry McGinnis. This is
Batman Beyond which takes place in 2040 (Which would make Bruce Wayne 101 years old based off of his 1939 first appearance) where after Terry runs off and gets in a fight with the Jokers, a gang in Gotham, he meets Mr. Wayne who kicks ass with a cane. And you would think after this odd encounter they would return to there separate lives. But as all stories go this is not the case, since when Terry returns home that night he finds a crime scene and a dead father. He is overcome with a sense of guilt and aching for revenge. Mr. Wayne understands where young terry is coming from and so allows him to take on the suit. After you know he may or may not have stolen first....This is good timing for Wayne since he is old and suffers from a heart condition which hinders his ability to fight crime. So he settles into the position of Alfred, while young Terry scores a gig to fight crime under the illusion of an internship.
Okay so now you got the down low on Batman Beyond, but now its time to dive deeper into this futuristic world. Beginning with the seasons
1: Focuses more on a young, immature Terry learning the ropes behind the bat suit. Which is totally rad and tricked out with all sorts of gadgets. We follow a basic story line of corruption at Wayne Powers Inc. Where the current C.E.O of the company, Powers, who is dumping toxic waste as he works on a new super weapon that kills people with poisonous blisters. When Terry learns that the information which was handed off to his father is the reason behind his murder we see hims go a bit Ballistic. Causing an accident that turns Powers to White a radioactive skeleton who at the end of the season goes into hiding. So a note to be taken is "nuclear toxic waste does bad things to you, bad things."
2: After the establishment of most of a few super villains from season one half way through this one most of them make a reappearance. We also meet Max, a very nerdy and flamboyant friend of terry's who deduces his secret and covers for him every time he ditches his girl to fight crime. Side note is that the pacing is perfect since every time I began to wonder if something would happen it did. Like the established villains, a few friends from Bruce's past (Bat Girl!) and character development for Ace. Also, moral of this season "don't mix your DNA with an animal, that is just wrong."
3: Now we have seen terry really grow and develop into a very respectable Batman and we learn more about his past as a criminal and how being a hero is a lot harder then it looks. This where you really see the depth of respect and understanding that is created between Wayne and Terry which closely resembles a father and so. Something that they missed out on. The "official" ending episode as I have come to agreement on is called, "Unmasked." And how deep and rather un-action packed it is really ended the series right for me, even though it wasn't very solid it either. It pretty much the only flash back we really get the entire series and that is ok. We see Terry endanger the life of a little kid because he showed his face to him, something that Terry had been questioning the whole series. This is where he finally comes to the understanding that he can never go back to being just Terry McGinnis that high school student, he's batman now. Which is a very heavy burden and he sees his future, Bruce. And he is okay with that.
Characters
Terry McGinnis is roughly sixteen when begins working for Mr. Wayne and maybe 19 when the series ends. He starts out as a hot head, but through learning about Bruce and his life he really grows up. Terry becomes responsible and more loving, he still holds onto his bad boy antics, but is much more cautious.
Bruce Wayne who has become filled with fun sayings like, "It is your fault, but blaming yourself isn't productive." and "back when I first got started we had to do hands on snooping." Bruce is a very serious character who never shows his sensitive or concerned side. Even throughout the series every really dynamic development piece for his happens off camera, but this does not take away from him in anyway. Mr. Wayne has never been one to show himself to anyone, and this leads to Terry saying, "one day you'll tell me why you really took off the mask." A statement said very early one and is very underlying for the rest of the series. We never do find out, but that doesn't mean Terry doesn't.
Commissioner Gorden who back in her heyday was Bat Girl. Now she has taken her father's place as police commissioner for Gotham. We see her mostly in season two demanding Terry to hop out of the suit while he still can, obviously testing him. Telling McGinnis of her one-time fling with Bruce, which left me so uncomfortable for the rest of the episode.
Max are spunky best bud of Terry. Who knows how to take one for the team, well once bruce tricks her. A girl who loves video games, has good grades and just seems so lovable. Both Terry and Bruce make sure that she never joins there little club, but they do receive help form her every so often. Even if she is occasionally used as a damsel in distress.
Ace who got more screen time and a back story compared to Dana. Ace is the guard dog to Wayne manor. He sometimes teams up with Terry and even runs a solo mission.
Dana, Terry's girlfriend who is so under appreciated in this show I feel bad.
Final Thoughts
Okay I will make this quick, hopefully. Batman Beyond is an excellent animated series which is not only fun for hardcore Batman fans, but also for people who aren't as involved in the series. The characters and very interesting and villains are just superb. The animation is great. But I love the little rip offs of the fantastic four, star wars and traditional eggbaby sex ed homework assignment. heck even Superman shows up and bruce is like, "he's evil again..." I highly recommend it.
This spin off the popular Brothers Grimm tale maintains a gruesome image while sliding in under lying messages to warn children. The big one being a hint at Hansel's "condition" which requires him to take a shot every so often or face some sort of debilitating chest pain that eventually leads to death, this condition came from eating way to much sugar as a child. Another being that pretty witches equal good witches. At least thats how it holds for Gretel and Mina. Also a man can only loose his dignity in trees, fun fact. Plus persistence pays off!
