Review: Batman Beyond #34 - Mobile Edition

DC Comics
Review: Batman Beyond #34
By Philip Schweier
July 26, 2019 - 12:46

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

First False Face took Bruce Wayne’s identity, but just as that deception was exposed, he upgraded to the younger model. He is now masquerading as Terry McGinnis in his Batman persona. But for a villain, pretending to be the hero Gotham needs may not be as easy as he expected.

And that right there is what I enjoyed about this issue. I once read that there are no villains, only heroes who lost. So what happens if a villain wins? Not in an evil way, but does something that benefits the public as well as himself, and is lauded for it. Could a personal victory ease them toward the light, a la Suicide Squad or Thunderbolts?

Nevertheless, False Face seems intent on recruiting the new costumed meta-villain Splitt, while the real Terry McGinnis has no clue as to his identity. It doesn’t help he’s been made a patsy, so no doubt long after FF is back behind bars, McGinnis will have to face the fallout from that.

I’m getting accustomed to Ande Parks inks over Ric Leonardi. I’ve made no secret how much I enjoyed his collaboration with Phil Hester, but it’s comforting to know neither is co-dependent on the other.

Rating: 8/10