Batman Beyond Makes Zero Sense and Needs to Change

Batman Beyond, a beloved character in the Batman universe, stands out for numerous reasons. He’s a futuristic take on Batman, sporting an impressive Batsuit, and his unique approach to combating crime strikes a balance between being fresh and true to the classic Batman ethos. The character of Terry McGinnis was first introduced in the animated series “Batman Beyond,” but gained such popularity that he was incorporated into DC comic book lore. Following the “We Are Yesterday” event, Terry was even brought into the present day to team up with Bruce Wayne and the Justice League. I’m a big fan of Batman Beyond and all that Terry represents, but his existence raises some serious questions. The timeline for Terry is completely illogical, and if they want to keep him around, significant changes need to be made promptly.

The Problems with Batman Beyond

In the gritty, near-dystopian cityscape of Neo-Gotham, once ruled by Batman, Terry emerged as his successor. Originally, Bruce Wayne (Batman) had to resort to using a gun due to his deteriorating health, an act that contradicted his principles, leading him to consider abandoning the Batman identity. However, Terry seized the opportunity and redefined the role, restoring hope and justice in a city many had abandoned. Unfortunately, this backstory is specific to the TV show continuity and would not fit within the comic book universe.

A primary concern regarding Terry taking on the role as he does is that Gotham City already boasts an extensive roster of superheroes, many of whom have stepped up when Batman (Bruce) has needed a replacement. With Bruce having at least five children, three of whom aspire to or have become Batman, it’s highly unlikely that Gotham would be left unprotected upon Bruce’s death or retirement due to his sense of duty and broken vow.

The notion that there wouldn’t be anyone to safeguard Gotham once Bruce retires is preposterous, considering the large number of trained individuals who have demonstrated their ability to uphold justice alongside him. For these heroes to abandon their duty, they would either have to perish or lose faith in the Batman persona, but such an occurrence seems highly improbable given the enduring nature of comic book characters and the deep connections between Bruce and his Robin, Batgirl, and extended family members.

Discarding these cherished relationships and stories is an affront to the fans who have followed their adventures for decades.

Terry Can’t Be Bruce’s Future The Way He is Now

I adore Terry and find it intriguing to imagine him as Batman someday, but his current backstory simply doesn’t fit with traditional Batman comics. This predicament tarnishes Bruce’s reputation and causes distress among the entire Bat-Family, which is a disappointing way for these beloved characters to end. However, in the DC Animated Universe, this setup works well, and Terry proves to be an excellent potential successor. Yet, it seems like DC is increasingly advocating that Terry represents the ultimate future for the Batman persona, even going so far as to explain why characters like Damian can’t claim the name in the “Batman Beyond” volume six. However, these justifications don’t feel convincing because they force a change to characterizations like Damian’s in order to make their storyline plausible.

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2025-08-13 00:26