Review: Batman Beyond #33 - Mobile Edition

DC Comics
Review: Batman Beyond #33
By Philip Schweier
June 28, 2019 - 12:53

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

The truth we figured out a few issues ago comes out, and the bogus Bruce Wayne is in Gotham, partying down. As for Terry, he’s got his own hands full. A pair of speedster twins are bedeviling Gotham, as if Duo Damsel and the Tornado Twins had a kid.

This issue is long on action, short on character development, and middle of the road on narrative. Not that any of that is a bad thing, necessarily. It is only in the lows that we can appreciate the highs. Maybe Jurgens is trying to broaden his audience, and this story may serve as the entry point for new fans.

The artwork is great. I’m accustomed to seeing inker Ande Parks teamed with Phil Hester, but his work over Ric Leonardi’s pencils seems to be blending well, as they become more of a team. Good for them. I’m uncertain how much longer this story arc will last, but it’s clearly well structured. I often lose patience with serialized fiction and am eager for the finale after a while. Not so with this story.

My only issue with the current storyline is that it seems of limited appeal to this 50+ reader. Were I younger, I might not have the experience to see through some of Jurgens’ surprises. But that’s okay. Usually I bristle when a writer is being coy and wink, wink at the obvious. Jurgens doesn’t do that. He seems to be telling the story in such a way that if you figure it, good for you. If not stay tuned.

Rating: 7/10