So Timm and Company had already launched a mega success, awesome Batman animated series. They even relaunched it (though some fans disliked the change) and a new Superman cartoon.
In 1999, they made their most challenging change yet, they created their own mythos for the Batman Universe.
Batman Beyond tells the story of a futuristic Gotham where Bruce Wayne gives up the Bat-mantle. The new mantle is taken up by some street wise kid who just lost his father, Terry McGinnis.
This Batman was different. He didn't train as hard, his mind wasn't as shape, but he did have a much older and crankier Bruce Wayne in his head.
How did the show stack up?
Let's revisit
The first season consists of 13 episodes that tell the story of Terry's rise to Bat-glory as well as give us some insight on to what became of the original Batman and friends.
13)The Winning Ege
Let's take a gimmick of a character and apply it to the world of sports. Yeah Bane's serum which left him crippled in an old man's home is being sold to High School students to give them an edge. It was one way to get Bane back in the show, but eh.
12)Golem
Some kid takes control over a giant robot and uses it to get back at the people who bullied him at school. Oh yeah guess forgot to mention Terry is in high school so he has to balance his life with his other life. Sounds like another hero.
11)Heroes
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Hindsight is 50/50, this concept was done in Justice League Unlimited, and I felt it was done better since they were lampooning their own bad history instead of the Fantastic Four here.
10)Disappearing Inque
Inque was one of the more interesting creations for the new show. This is her second appearance, which is nice especially with her obsession on finding the old guy, but the subplot with the man wanting to be like her was a bit much.
9)Ascension
Blight I felt was being built up as the big baddie of the series, but this is pretty much his curtain call, and it is a bit anticlimactic to say the least.
8)Spellbound
This was a cool episode. Especially when we got to see what Terry was seeing along with what Bruce was seeing. This I believe also marks the first appearance of Ms. Gordon to the series.
7)Shriek
This episode I felt was stronger due to some of the scenes. Such as Terry using an alternate disguise for the first time, or the fight scene without any sound or the simple way Bruce knew he wasn't insane.
6)Dead Man's Hand
We get an early (or later depending on your view of time) of the Royal Flush Gang. We also get a romantic interest setup for Terry along the lines of Bruce/Selina.
5)Rebirth 2
We see how Terry becomes Batman along with the fact that Bruce really is cranky. Unlike Bruce though, Terry gets to avenge his father in some manner.
4)Meltdown
I've always been a fan of Mr. Freeze and this episode added to his tragic existance as he was finally able to get some sort of a normal life, only to have it taken away once more.
3)Blackout
Like I said above, Inque is one of my favorite additions to the Bat-mythos from this show and this is her first appearance. It is also Terry's first real test as The Batman, and we learn at the end he hasn't been given the big tour of the past yet. All in all a good episode for our young Caped Crusader.
2)A Touch Of Curaré
This was an awesome episode. It had an interesting premise. It gave us more of a backstory on the whole Batman/Batgirl relationship. A development in the new Commisoner/Terry relationship, and a kickass villain.
1)Rebirth
The episode that started it all. Shows why Bruce gave up the mantle. How he became more socially isolated even losing control of his company. Shows us the new Gotham and of course, her eventual new protector.
All in all, season 1 of Batman Beyond is a pretty solid effort. If you can get past the part that this is really the Batman name with a Spiderman twist (oh come on he has to manage HS, dating, parents with being a superhero who is quick with the quips), this is a fun show.
I do have some problems with the function of the suit and the show. As far as I could tell, the suit has the ability to fly so why does he need the Batmobile? The suit can also go invisible and unless missed it no reason he couldn't keep doing that. Also it naturally enhances his own power so he didn't have to train as hard as the original.
But let's see if that improves in the next two seasons.
In 1999, they made their most challenging change yet, they created their own mythos for the Batman Universe.
Batman Beyond tells the story of a futuristic Gotham where Bruce Wayne gives up the Bat-mantle. The new mantle is taken up by some street wise kid who just lost his father, Terry McGinnis.
This Batman was different. He didn't train as hard, his mind wasn't as shape, but he did have a much older and crankier Bruce Wayne in his head.
How did the show stack up?
Let's revisit
The first season consists of 13 episodes that tell the story of Terry's rise to Bat-glory as well as give us some insight on to what became of the original Batman and friends.
13)The Winning Ege
Let's take a gimmick of a character and apply it to the world of sports. Yeah Bane's serum which left him crippled in an old man's home is being sold to High School students to give them an edge. It was one way to get Bane back in the show, but eh.
12)Golem
Some kid takes control over a giant robot and uses it to get back at the people who bullied him at school. Oh yeah guess forgot to mention Terry is in high school so he has to balance his life with his other life. Sounds like another hero.
11)Heroes
Hindsight is 50/50, this concept was done in Justice League Unlimited, and I felt it was done better since they were lampooning their own bad history instead of the Fantastic Four here.
10)Disappearing Inque
Inque was one of the more interesting creations for the new show. This is her second appearance, which is nice especially with her obsession on finding the old guy, but the subplot with the man wanting to be like her was a bit much.
9)Ascension
Blight I felt was being built up as the big baddie of the series, but this is pretty much his curtain call, and it is a bit anticlimactic to say the least.
8)Spellbound
This was a cool episode. Especially when we got to see what Terry was seeing along with what Bruce was seeing. This I believe also marks the first appearance of Ms. Gordon to the series.
7)Shriek
This episode I felt was stronger due to some of the scenes. Such as Terry using an alternate disguise for the first time, or the fight scene without any sound or the simple way Bruce knew he wasn't insane.
6)Dead Man's Hand
We get an early (or later depending on your view of time) of the Royal Flush Gang. We also get a romantic interest setup for Terry along the lines of Bruce/Selina.
5)Rebirth 2
We see how Terry becomes Batman along with the fact that Bruce really is cranky. Unlike Bruce though, Terry gets to avenge his father in some manner.
4)Meltdown
I've always been a fan of Mr. Freeze and this episode added to his tragic existance as he was finally able to get some sort of a normal life, only to have it taken away once more.
3)Blackout
Like I said above, Inque is one of my favorite additions to the Bat-mythos from this show and this is her first appearance. It is also Terry's first real test as The Batman, and we learn at the end he hasn't been given the big tour of the past yet. All in all a good episode for our young Caped Crusader.
2)A Touch Of Curaré
This was an awesome episode. It had an interesting premise. It gave us more of a backstory on the whole Batman/Batgirl relationship. A development in the new Commisoner/Terry relationship, and a kickass villain.
1)Rebirth
The episode that started it all. Shows why Bruce gave up the mantle. How he became more socially isolated even losing control of his company. Shows us the new Gotham and of course, her eventual new protector.
All in all, season 1 of Batman Beyond is a pretty solid effort. If you can get past the part that this is really the Batman name with a Spiderman twist (oh come on he has to manage HS, dating, parents with being a superhero who is quick with the quips), this is a fun show.
I do have some problems with the function of the suit and the show. As far as I could tell, the suit has the ability to fly so why does he need the Batmobile? The suit can also go invisible and unless missed it no reason he couldn't keep doing that. Also it naturally enhances his own power so he didn't have to train as hard as the original.
But let's see if that improves in the next two seasons.
