Batman Beyond: The Animated 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 includes 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, and it won two Emmy Awards during its run. The series has been praised for its dark and mature tone, its complex characters, and its innovative animation.
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 his new Batman.
Terry and Bruce must team up to stop Powers and his plans to take over the world. Along the way, they are joined by Barbara Gordon, who is now the Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department.
Characters
- Terry McGinnis/Batman: Terry is a 17-year-old high school student who is orphaned when his father is killed by Derek Powers. He is recruited by Bruce Wayne to be the new Batman. Terry is a skilled fighter and detective, and he is also a loyal friend.
- Bruce Wayne/Batman: Bruce is the original Batman, and he is now retired. However, he is forced to return to action when Derek Powers emerges. Bruce is a wise and experienced mentor to Terry, and he is always there to help him when he needs it.
- Barbara Gordon/Batgirl: Barbara is the Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department. She is a skilled detective and fighter, and she is also a valuable ally to Batman.
- Derek Powers: Derek Powers is the main villain of the series. He is a wealthy businessman who is obsessed with power. He is responsible for the death of Terry's father, and he is also the one who brings Bruce Wayne out of retirement.
Themes
Batman Beyond explores a number of themes, including the nature of heroism, the importance of family, and the power of hope. The series also deals with the challenges of growing up in a world that is full of crime and corruption.
Legacy
Batman Beyond is a popular and critically acclaimed animated series. It has been praised for its dark and mature tone, its complex characters, and its innovative animation. The series has also been influential on other Batman-related media, such as the video games Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City.
The Future of Batman Beyond
There have been no new episodes of Batman Beyond produced since 2001. However, there have been rumors that the series may be revived in the future. In 2015, Bruce Timm said that he would be interested in making a new Batman Beyond series. However, there have been no official announcements about a new series.
