Batman

• Title: Batman Beyond #1 (of 6)
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Adam Beechen
• Artist: Ryan Benjamin

While I’m not as big a fan of Batman Beyond as I am of Batman: The Animated Series and Justice League, there are many aspects to the show that I enjoyed. The new mini-series from writer Adam Beechen and artist Ryan Benjamin keeps the history of the show while crafting a new series that should work for those who never saw the cartoon.

Terry McGuiness and Bruce Wayne’s relationship remains intact (though the series takes place before McGuiness discovered the truth about his paternity). There are also short glimpses which will mean more for those longtime fans of the show including Amanda Waller, Cadimus, and the appearance of Spellbender.

The choice to the tease from the very first panel to the last of who the main villain of the series might be (which I won’t spoil it here) works very well. For fans of the show it’s definitely worth picking up, but even if you never saw an episode it’s still worth a look.

[DC $2.99]

• Title: Detective Comics #866
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Dennis O’Neil
• Artist: Dustin Nguyen

Have I mentioned how happy I am to have Batman back in Detective Comics? Although the story itself is only so-so I like how Dennis O’Neil gives us a case that’s been bothering Dick Grayson since he first put on his Robin booties, and one he can now finally close as Batman.

Plus I love the flashback art from Dustin Nguyen. I’m even willing to forgive the mistake of Batman’s costume not fitting the period (Batman hadn’t yet added the oval when Robin first hit the streets).

Throw in Robin’s first encounter with the Joker and I’m pretty happy. Definitely worth a look.

[DC $3.99]

• Title: Batman #700
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Grant Morrison, Tony Daniel
• Artist: Ian Hannin, Alex Sinclair

It’s funny how many of Grant Morrison’s stories come with that caveat. For Batman’s #700 issue Morrison gives us a scientist, the Joker’s myserious joke book, and a “maybe machine” that can alter time. And yes, that’s the dumbest name for a time travel invention ever.

Story one involves Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson in an adventure from their earlier years. The story continues in the current continuity and in the future with Damian as Batman. There are short glimpses of the future involving Terry McGinnis as the Dark Knight and beyond.

What’s so interesting is in an attempt to give us an epic Batman story what Morrison hasn’t given us a Batman story at all. He’s given us a Matt Wagner story instead. It seems much like Grendel the shadow of the bat will continue across time in dystopian futures and beyond.

Is it worth picking up? For big-time Bat-fans, yes. For everyone else, probably not. The time mystery isn’t that interesting and of all the stories here only the current version of Batman and Robin is told all that well. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $4.99]