“There will be a Terry McGinnis mini-series early next year. We’ve heard the fans, we’ve heard everyone’s interest. And right now we’re planning to put out a Batman Beyond mini-series in 2010.”
- Dan DiDio, today, from Newsarama’s “20 Questions and 1 Answer”
Now, how cool is this? Growing up with Batman: The Animated Series (or B:TAS) and Batman Beyond and all the creations in the Timm/Diniverse, this is just great news. For those readers who aren’t familiar with Terry McGinnis, let me fill you in.
About ten years ago, Batman Beyond aired introducing us to the Gotham City of Tomorrow. We see a Gotham without a Batman and it’s not pretty. Terry is basically a juvenile delinquent whose father works for Wayne-Powers Industry. On the run from the Jokerz (a street gang that idolizes the Joker) he ends up at Wayne Manor where an old Bruce Wayne defends the gang off, but collapses. Terry takes care of Bruce and wanders around the mansion and discovers the Batcave. Bruce scares young Terry off, but when Terry gets home, he finds out his father has been murdered and later discovers that Bruce’s partner (Derek Powers) was behind it. When Terry asks for Bruce to help avenge his father (and is turned down), Terry takes matters in his own hands and steals the new exo-batsuit to go after Powers. Bruce is furious and actually shuts down the suit remotely, but Terry convinces him that he should don the cowl. Bruce takes the youth under his (bat) wing and hires him as his chauffer and personal assistant, which is just a facade and trains Terry to be the new Batman.
The series was fresh, fun and full of techgasms for people like myself. There were cameos as well, as Superman actually had a bit part in a few episodes and introduced the new Batman to the new Justice League. McGinnis was offically part of canon in Superman/Batman #22 and #23, though he was mistakenly called “Tim Drake”, but was later remedied. McGinnis also made appearances on Justice League Unlimited, which had ties to that show’s canon (namely John Stewart’s and Hawkgirls’s son, Warhawk). The series also paralleled some of Bat-mythos such as Terry falling in love with a criminal (Ten, from this generation’s Royal Flush Gang). Though, the REAL kicker here is what happens in the JLU episode “Epilogue”, which serves as a finale in ways to Batman Beyond. It’s so good, and so out there, I couldn’t spoil it on here for those of you who haven’t seen it.
I’m excited DC decided to re-ignite this franchise, even if it is a mini-series, but do you readers think?
August 24th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Good job with the misleading headline. Got me to read it. Anyway, I thought the finale of JLU made a great series finale for Batman Beyond. As long as they DC doesn’t price this as $3.99, I may give it a shot.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Awesome! Freaking awesome!
August 24th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
I loved the show, but I don’t see why it HAS to be a part of the DCU. Maybe the multiverse, but hopefully NOT the mainline DCU.
August 24th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
They shouldn’t have ever stopped JLU. Should have kept going until the Apocalpyse of 09 that Terry talked about. but yeah, this is good news if they intend to bring him in some how. Everyone loved Batman Beyond.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Well, honestly, Mark? I really wasn’t a fan.
Too much Spider-Man2099/teen-angst-afternoon-drama for my tastes. It just never … felt … right for a Batman legacy.
However, I LOVED Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited.
Anyway, good news for the Batman Beyond fans.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Sounds great and you’re right Epilogue is crazy but awesome. Especially given the puppet master behind it.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
“Though, the REAL kicker here is what happens in the JLU episode “Epilogue”, which serves as a finale in ways to Batman Beyond.”
Actually, “Epilogue” serves better as tribute and swan-song to Batman in the Timmiverse DCAU, not just Batman Beyond. It has references to Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and even the very first B:TAS episode, “On Leather Wings.”
I love that episode so much.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I wonder what form this new mini will take. Will it be traditional comic book style, or will it keep its animated style? Will it embrace the secret origin revealed in JLU’s “Epilogue”? If the answer to both of those questions is YES, then I’ll be there!!! I agree we don’t need him in the DCU proper (except for a few brief visits), but I would love an Elseworlds series, or something set in his own futuristic Gotham.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Love it! I wasn’t a huge fan of “Epilogue” and thought it felt rushed. But I love the character
August 24th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
If they do it please go with my idea of Terry Girlfriend/wife being the riddlers kid
August 24th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I loved the first 2 seasons of Batman Beyond, but WOW did the last season of the show and the movie stink on ice IMO. I thought the episode of JLU “Epilogue” was the worst of that entire series. That pretty much killed any interest I had left in the character…which wasn’t much anymore by that point!
August 24th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
It’s about damn time!
August 24th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
loved the toon, but probably wouldn’t read a mini
August 24th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Great idea! I would love to see an non-animated style Batman Beyond series.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
I am very excited for this. I have thought this should have been done for years. I saw Terry McGinnis in “DC Countdown” for 1 panel and I got so excited and nothing came from it. Hopefully this mini series is out of DC continuity and just given a really good plot and artist.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
ABOUT DANG TIME!!!!!!! For someone (being me) who not only watched every single epsiode when it was new, but also had all the toys and comics than I say THANK YOU DC COMICS!!!! For finally doing something exciting! Just hope Grant Morrison is not writting lol…NO REALLY PLEASE DO NOT LET HIM TOUCH THIS!
August 24th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Excelente. De verdad una noticia para alegrarle el día a un fanatico de una serie que de verdad fue un aire fresco y novedoso a un personaje al que pareciera habersele sacado todo.
Una gran, gran idea del equipo de DC y WB
Excellent. Truly a story to brighten your day if your are a fan of a series like this, that really was a fresh and novel to a character who seems having been taken everything.
A great, great idea for the team from DC and WB
August 24th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
The JLU Epilogue espisode was almost too dark for my taste…almost. But it was a Good ending.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Get Stelfreeze to draw it. It would soooooooooo sell then.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
frickin’ awsome. love the show and loved all of the DCAU. i’d like it if DC publishing the comic with an artist who took it away from the ‘classic’ DCAU look. it’d would bring the whole batman beyond universe more into comics.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I loved “Epilogue” and I was shocked to learn that information about Terry Mcginnis. I hope they continue the story from that point. I would try out this mini, without a doubt. I also hope that they tweak the suit, give it a different look.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
A little over the top? ‘Officially returns’ had me thinking that the show had been renewed somehow.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
I don’t think the Tim-or-Terry conundrum was fixed for the Superman/Batman trade. Does anyone have a scan for confirmation?
August 24th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
I loved the animated series. The stories, the character designs and the ultimate design was batman. I was sorry to see it go.
The comic book that came out.. was for me a disappointment. The covers and stories were solid but the interior art was copy of Timm’s design. It lacked something, it looked rushed. I’ve seen Timm’s art work in numerous comics and they were nothing like the Batman Beyond comic book art.DC’s editors could have found a cartoonist to give it that pop that it deserved.It was there on the covers but not in the interior pages.
I’m not sure if anyone remembered Batman the Animated Series comic but the artist that was cartooning it was by a guy named Pearson and he did some amazing things visually wise and it was very well received. I looked forward to it every month.
So here’s a second chance give the series an adult theme premise..don’t rush the art and give it that edge that Bruce and Terry had. Make it great and let’s see what happens
August 24th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Cool News! cant wait 2 pick it up!
August 24th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
That’s awesome!
Terry is great and much better heir to the mantle of the Bat than Damian. I know this has nothing to do with the subject, but I just hate that kid… Not a great Morrison fan either…
August 24th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
This is freaking awesome news. If you’d like a laugh, go check out the Twitter conversation between Brandon Jerwa and Chris Samnee about the Batman Beyond book. That’s real dedication! Ha! Ha! Ha!
August 24th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I wasn’t a fan of the “big reveal” in Epilogue. Way too convenient for my taste. But I loved the series in general. I’ll definitively be checking it out as long as Morrison isn’t writing it.
August 24th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
This could be interesting. Beyond is probably my favorite of the Timm-verse animated shows. I’ve always wondered how a non-all ages approach to the character would be handled.
And I have to say, “Epilogue” is easily one of my least favorite episodes of any of the animated series. The entire concept felt forced and unnatural, like a too-obvious, unnecessary attempt to tie the whole thing up in a neat bow.
August 24th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
“Well, honestly, Mark? I really wasn’t a fan.
Too much Spider-Man2099/teen-angst-afternoon-drama for my tastes. It just never … felt … right for a Batman legacy.”
I agree. There were a lot of interesting things in the series, a lot of very creative moments and what have you, all of them “enjoyable” to a certain extent, but putting an uber-angsty version of Peter Parker in the role of Batman never sat well with me. He was annoying! The New Adventures of Batman and Robin was better, as was the original Batman: The Animated Series.
August 24th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Darn, I thought from the headline that the cartoon was coming back. I won’t pick up the comic but get Will Freidle and Kevin Conroy together again for a cartoon, be it a full season or a movie a la Return of the Joker, and I’ll grab the DVD.
August 24th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
do we know if this is on the earth-12 or is a continuity of JLU comics?
i would prefer earth-12
also i was confused on that matter of superman/batman, they call Terry Tim drake by mistake?
August 24th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Its nice to see DC responding and giving us something we are asking for. Hopefully it will fit the tone of the cartoon series.
August 24th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Looking forward to it. I agree with some of the above, i would love to see it as a movie also. The question also is, will this be a DCU or for the animated universe. Also will it become a monthly?
August 24th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
“Though, the REAL kicker here is what happens in the JLU episode “Epilogue”, which serves as a finale in ways to Batman Beyond.”
Is this the one where Bruce Wayne is revealed to be the father of Terry McGinnis?
August 24th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
hell to the yez!
This could be great, are they going to set it in the multiverse? or be an elseworlds? or keep it in the DCAU? so many questions
August 25th, 2009 at 5:38 am
cool
August 25th, 2009 at 6:50 am
I’ve got to check this out! That series remains my favorite of the Timmverse.
Egg Embry
http://www.ComicsByEgg.com
August 25th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Reply to Whut:
Epilogue is indeed the episode where we the viewers learn that Terry is indeed the genetic offspring of Bruce, though there is an interesting secret behind it all. It was a nice closure to Batman Beyond and a tribute to Bruce Timm’s Batman animated universe as a whole.
However I would be delighted to see Batman Beyond return as a cartoon, as it didn’t end, just stopped, so that they could work on Justice League.
Also if the show returns I hope this time the networks don’t ask for it to be “lightened up”. Compare Season 1 to 2 and 3 of the series and you can see the tone of the series change.
August 25th, 2009 at 7:12 am
i didnt enjoy the series . The hero was a whiny spiderman , wich isnt really fun or interesting at all imo .
Also while somewhat interesting sometimes , that old man wasnt Bruce wayne to me . Not the fact that he’s old … but his personality i dunno…
For starters i dont see Bruce hanging the costume without dying and/or getting a proper successor , all that time until Terry comes along .
I also disliked how the new guy wasnt really skilled at all . Not a detective , but no real physical skills other than the suit , followed by a usually as unskilled and as tech dependant gallery of rogues .
I loved one particular episode however , with a criminal using soundwaves , Shriek . Most of the ep had Shriek completely turns off all sound in battles . It was really well done , obviously especially in the sound department
August 25th, 2009 at 7:53 am
It always kind of bugged me that they never got into what happened to Dick Grayson/Nightwing. If Timm and Dini are involved in the mini-series, I hope they go into it, because it seemed like they had some big plan for Nightwing, even going back to the JLU, where he made a blink-and-you-missed-it cameo.
August 25th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Or, as it’s known in the UK, “Batman of the Future”.
Just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?
August 25th, 2009 at 9:20 am
@ monetta
I believe they did address what happened to Nightwing in “Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker” with a throwaway line from Barbra Gordon saying “Dick had gone to establish himself in another city” (presumably Bludhaven).
August 25th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Woohoo!
August 25th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Interesting points about the comic book adaptation of the cartoon. On one hand, the comic should be recognizable to the viewer of the cartoon. On the other hand, the reason the art in the cartoon lacks detail is because of the animation process, so there’s no reason not to be more detailed in the comics version.
That said, in this particular upcoming situation, I’m assuming it will be “normal” comic book artwork, with just the character of a future, next-generation Batman named Terry McInnis.
August 25th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I Was under the impression this was going to be a Show, not a comic? Did i miss something?
August 25th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Ugh, how did I hate that epilogue… Its really undermined the entire point of Batman Beyond… I hate the whole “you have to be related to a hero/super person to matter” crap DC has been on lately.
August 25th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
I liked Batman Beyond. I like Terry McGuiness better than some other supporting cast member. “hint”
August 25th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Wasn’t one of the Multiverse Earths a Batman Beyond earth anyway?
August 25th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Schway!
August 26th, 2009 at 8:44 am
How exactly does this mini series fit in with Robin eventually taking up the role of Batman, and then later Nightwing? Is Batman Beyond technically an “alternate universe”. Or, would this mini-series explain the years before Batman’s death?
-Devon
Holy Blank Batman
August 26th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Not at all excited. Batman Beyond was a vaguely interesting premise with so-so excution. It worked best in its first season and in isolated episodes afterwards, but it was never particularly compelling. The devotion it gets from fans is a little surprising (which I largely attribute to its place in the DCAu tapestry). There’s better “Batman-in-the-future” tales (most notably The Dark Knight Returns).
August 27th, 2009 at 9:54 am
oh man… I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited for this!!
I absolutly loved this show. I will definitely be watching it when it airs
August 27th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
I have never been more excited!!!
August 27th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
This is wonderful, wonderful, news. I really hope that we get deep into the relationship Terry has with Max and everyone else. Personally, I am a very excited that Terry will get a mini-series and hopefully the spawning of the fanbase will bring something big. A movie, perhaps? I hope so. I hope we are able to get more and emotional indepth look into what Terry goes through as a young man and the people in is life. I am a Batman Beyond (terry/max) lover forever. I have watched the series since it first aired back in Jan of 99′ and I have grown up on Batman the animated series as well. I am so glad that I own all the seasons of both series and Justice league/Unlimited.
These shows are great and I will be looking forward to this release.
August 29th, 2009 at 3:20 am
How accurate is this source; don’t get me wrong here I really enjoyed watching Batman Beyond and was quite disappointed that it stopped at just 3 Seasons with no signs of a clear ending and with great potential for future episodes. I look forward to the mini-series however there seems to be no clear sign on this page if this will be a show or a comic personally I would like to see this as a show as opposed to a comic book, no offense to those who enjoy comics more than shows, but I simply find shows to enhance my perspective over a comic book.
September 5th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
People are questioning how a BB comic series will fit in to the current Batman comic-verse and the answer is it won’t and it doesn’t have to. DCU has a policy where someone can make up there own world based on a different comic ideas and use the same characters that are in another DCU comic at that moment. The only catch is you have to work for the DCU to use the characters because they own them. This is why there are tons of different “Earths” for the DCU comics. This can be shown here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_DC_Multiverse_worlds
PS. It is said that BB most likely takes place in “Earth-12″!
December 9th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
will he team up with other superheros
December 29th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
I heard they gona make a Batman Beyond Movie. Taylor Lautner gona play Terry McGinnis / Batman.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:30 am
The show was so good! I am glad I am not the only one who thought so. ‘Epilogue’ was a great finale, but am excited to see it come back. Hopefully its just as good. Any new word on when it is going to air?