Review: Batman Beyond #32 - Mobile Edition

DC Comics
Review: Batman Beyond #32
By Philip Schweier
May 22, 2019 - 07:57

DC Comics
Writer(s): Dan Jurgens
Penciller(s): Rick Leonardi
Inker(s): Ande Parks
Colourist(s): Chris Sotomayer
Letterer(s): Travis Lanham
Cover Artist(s): Chris Samnee, Matthew Wilson; Kaare Andrews

Batman is battling the Splitt, who can divide himself in two – or maybe he’s two people who can combine into a single body, I’m not really sure. Either way, that’s not the extent of his powers, as Batman Beyond will soon discover. Writer Dan Jurgens presents a dilemma I’m surprised we haven’t seen more of in the past, a case of mistaken abilities.

Jurgens has been writing Batman Beyond for over 30 issues. It’s refreshing to see that kind of commitment to a title in an era when comic creators rotate among titles so rapidly. I genuinely hope he continues to apply his skills as a storyteller on the book indefinitely. His history as an artist I think provides him with an added sensibility to convey adequate art direction.

Ric Leonardi and Ande Parks are both seasoned pros who need little guidance in translating words into pictures, so among the three of them, the story all but tells itself. Their combined experience in the art of comic book making enables a broader exploration of telling great stories, relatively free from burdensome continuity issues.

Unfortunately, this chapter confirms a suspicion held over from last issue, as Bruce Wayne seemingly abandons his commitment to the Brother McGinnis. There’s more to this than meets the eye, at least until now. If other readers haven’t figured it out, they’re simply not paying attention. But now that it’s obvious, Jurgen & Co. need not try so hard. Instead, they can concentrate on presenting and enjoyable conclusion to the plot point.

Rating: 8/10