Batman Beyond: The Complete Series
Batman Beyond is an American animated television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on Kids' WB from January 10, 1999, to December 18, 2001. The series is set in the future, where an elderly Bruce Wayne has retired from being Batman and a new Batman, Terry McGinnis, has taken his place.
The series was developed by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini, who also served as executive producers. The voice cast included Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Will Friedle as Terry McGinnis/Batman, and Tara Strong as Barbara Gordon/Batgirl.
Batman Beyond was a critical and commercial success, winning two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. The series has been praised for its dark and mature tone, its complex characters, and its innovative animation.
Batman Beyond has been released on DVD and Blu-ray, and is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max.
Plot
The series begins in the year 2040, where Bruce Wayne has retired from being Batman and is now living a quiet life with his wife, Amanda Waller. However, when a new villain named Derek Powers emerges, Bruce is forced to return to action. He recruits Terry McGinnis, a young man who was orphaned by Powers, to be the new Batman.
Terry initially struggles to adjust to his new role, but he eventually comes to embrace it. He learns to use his skills and abilities to fight crime and protect the innocent. Along the way, he is helped by Barbara Gordon, the former Batgirl, who now serves as his mentor.
Batman Beyond is a dark and mature series that explores themes of crime, corruption, and redemption. The series also features a number of memorable villains, including Derek Powers, Mr. Freeze, and Inque.
Characters
- Terry McGinnis/Batman: Terry is a 17-year-old high school student who is recruited by Bruce Wayne to be the new Batman. He is a skilled fighter and detective, and he is fiercely loyal to his friends and family.
- Bruce Wayne/Batman: Bruce is the original Batman, and he is now retired from crime-fighting. However, he still serves as a mentor to Terry and helps him to learn the ropes of being a superhero.
- Barbara Gordon/Batgirl: Barbara is the former Batgirl, and she now serves as Terry's mentor. She is a skilled fighter and detective, and she is a valuable asset to the team.
- Derek Powers: Derek Powers is the main villain of the series. He is a wealthy businessman who has been corrupted by his power. He is responsible for the death of Terry's parents, and he is determined to destroy Batman.
- Mr. Freeze: Mr. Freeze is a former scientist who was turned into a cyborg after an accident. He is now a powerful villain who uses his ice powers to commit crimes.
- Inque: Inque is a shapeshifting alien who is capable of disguising herself as anyone. She is a deadly assassin, and she is one of Batman's most dangerous enemies.
Themes
Batman Beyond explores a number of themes, including crime, corruption, and redemption. The series also deals with the importance of family and friendship.
- Crime: Crime is a major theme in Batman Beyond. The series shows how crime can affect people's lives, and it also explores the causes of crime.
- Corruption: Corruption is another major theme in Batman Beyond. The series shows how corruption can lead to injustice and suffering.
- Redemption: Redemption is a third major theme in Batman Beyond. The series shows how people can change their lives for the better, even if they have made mistakes in the past.
- Family: Family is an important theme in Batman Beyond. The series shows how family can provide support and strength, and it also explores the importance of family bonds.
- Friendship: Friendship is another important theme in Batman Beyond. The series shows how friends can help each other through tough times, and it also explores the importance of loyalty.
Legacy
Batman Beyond is a critically acclaimed series that has left a lasting legacy on the Batman mythos. The series has been praised for its dark and mature tone, its complex characters, and its innovative animation. Batman Beyond has also been credited with helping to introduce a new generation of fans to the Batman franchise.
The series has been adapted into a number of other media, including comic books, video games, and toys. Batman Beyond has also been referenced in other Batman-related media, such as the Dark Knight trilogy of films.
Batman Beyond is a classic animated series that is still enjoyed by fans today. The series is a must-watch for any fan of Batman or superhero animation.
