Batman Beyond Made the Dark Knight Brighter and Better

In 1999, Paul Dini, Bruce Timm and Alan Burnett associated created both the next and final chapter for their version of the Dark Knight. Batman Beyondjumped into the then-future of 2019 and then the “far future” of 2039 with a shocking reimagination of the Caped Crusader. The animated series introduced mostly new characters — except for one very familiar one — in order to create a brighter future for both Batman and Bruce Wayne.

Batman Beyond is one of the last vestiges of 20th century optimism about the future. Neo-Gotham is a megalopolis that has its problems, but also features a truly advanced infrastructure, where even the evil corporations’ main business is the large-scale improvement of society. This is not to say the storytellers got the future wrong; in fact, some of their predictions are eerily close to where society ended up. While meant to be a fun, rock-and-roll scored futuristic Batman story for a new generation, Batman Beyond is also an interesting, fresh take on how the mantle of the Bat will be passed on — and always be necessary.

Batman Beyond Set up the Future of the Dark Knight

Fans Got a New Hero Wearing the Cowl

With so many members of the Bat-Family to choose from, the most daring choice Batman Beyond‘s storytellers made was inventing Terry McGinnis. There are elements of past versions of Robin in his characterization. Terry ran afoul of the law as a kid, much like Jason Todd. Terry’s family is touched by violence perpetrated by criminals the police can’t stop, like Dick Grayson. He discovers Bruce’s alter-ego on his own like, Tim Drake. Terry is even biologically related to Bruce Wayne like Damien… though this similarity is obviously unintentional.

But there are differences, too. Terry’s dalliance with street gangs is depicted as him acting out because of his parents’ divorce. After the death of his father Warren, Terry still has a mother and brother. Most importantly, the McGinnis family isn’t supremely wealthy — making Terry more a part of regular society than Bruce ever was. Batman Beyond makes the second Dark Knight a person who isn’t nearly as haunted or traumatized as other members of the Bat-Family. Outside of an unresolved argument with his father, Terry could be a well-adjusted, normal kid.

All of this makes Terry’s commitment to the cause special. He is equally in awe of Bruce’s skills and often annoyed or enraged at his mentor. Batman Beyond, through Will Friedle’s performance and the guitar-riff heavy action score, gives audiences a (not so) Caped Crusader who has fun while fighting crime. Terry’s presence is as good for Bruce Wayne as it is the citizens of Neo-Gotham, just like Batman’s partners before him — and then some. Batman Beyond is, in many ways, the opposite of Timm’s current series Batman: Caped Crusader.

Batman Beyond Was a Successor to Batman: The Animated Series

The Series Maintained Its Predecessor’s High Standards

Batman Beyond arrived in the middle of DC’s generation-defining animation run. Batman: The Animated Series and The New Batman Adventures combined for over 100 episodes centered on Bruce Wayne, who also appeared in episodes of Superman: The Animated Series. This show was one of many departures for the DC Animated Universe, which also included series like Static Shock and the overlooked The Zeta Project.But what made Batman Beyond stand out was that it kept Kevin Conroy’s version of Bruce in the universe, yet offered viewers a fresh story and — rare for syndicated TV series — character evolution.

Batman Beyond perfectly executes its premise, which is why it remains so beloved 25 years on. Terry McGinnis has to earn the mantle of Batman, which is he is able to do again and again. Yet because he wasn’t raised by Bruce, he remains his own person with his own set of values. He respects and appreciates Bruce’s experience, but he isn’t fully beholden to the man. This is the main reason that Bruce grows to see Terry as a worthy successor. Batman is a symbol of Gotham City, and as a product of Gotham’s influence, Terry becomes the hero that city needs.

The marriage of those influences is at its best in Batman Beyond Season 3, Episodes 7 & 8, “The Call.” An elder Superman shows up to recruit Terry’s Batman into the “Justice League Unlimited.” Unlike his mentor, Terry is eager to be liked and appreciated by his fellow heroes. Yet he refuses to join the team full-time — just as Bruce did before him. Batman goes where he’s needed, whether it’s Neo-Gotham or helping with some predicament the JLU can’t handle on their own.

Batman Beyond’s Dark Future Is Still an Optimistic One

Terry McGinnis’ World Isn’t All That Different From Today

The original version of Bruce Wayne wasn’t as rich as he’s been depicted in more modern films, animation and comics. As a billionaire, he could arguably do far more to help the city by throwing his money around than by beating up goons in alleyways. Neo-Gotham is, partly, a version of what that kind of city would look like. However, much like the Marvel Universe’s 2099 timeline, this city of the future has new problems when the public infrastructure is infiltrated by corporate interests.

Batman Beyond even puts Bruce Wayne’s company and charitable foundation in the control of a supervillain. So while a troubled Gotham remains the setting for these stories, the city itself doesn’t seem to need the Dark Knight like before. Of course the younger Batman was vital in stopping the futuristic supervillains that plagued the city. Yet Batman Beyond was more about how Bruce Wayne needed “the mission” in his life. He trained Terry McGinnis to be a crime-fighter, but he didn’t raise him. That’s what made their relationship so special.

As the world changed around Bruce — in large part because of his and the Justice League’s efforts — the man himself didn’t. Eventually, after losing his ability to fight crime and his family’s company, he isolated himself in his manor. Terry doesn’t just resurrect Batman by putting on the suit; he brings Bruce Wayne back into the world. In both Batman Beyond and the feature-length Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, Bruce is able to reconcile his past mistakes and grow beyond them. No matter how much time has passed or how difficult things become, there’s always a chance for hope or change.

Why Batman Beyond Still Works 25 Years Later

The Show Is a Product of Its Time, but Also Timeless

Batman Beyond Critical Scores

After Batman Beyond debuted 25 years ago, other DC Comics’ adaptations have examined Batman’s legacy. Most recently, HBO’s Titans paints an unflattering picture of growing up under the mentorship of Bruce Wayne. In the Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths movies, the Tomorrowverse Batman is appalled his multiversal counterparts “recruit[ed] children to fight in a war.” In contrast, Batman Beyond shows that Bruce Wayne’s successor is mostly grown up and chooses the mission for himself. Terry does so because Bruce simply can’t physically be Batman any longer.

Some parts of the TV series are incredibly dated, from its 2000s-era depiction of future technology to the aforementioned guitar-heavy score. Batman Beyond is not nearly as moody or dour as Batman: The Animated Series. Yet from the unmatched character design — most specifically Terry’s Batsuit — to the relationship-focused storytelling, Batman Beyond fits nicely into DCAU canon. The show is still so popular that DC once planned to make a live-action Batman Beyond with Michael Keaton as Bruce.

Batman Beyond took integral elements of the character’s mythos and remixed them for a new era. It gave fans a story about an isolated, angry and driven Bruce Wayne. The show turned Batman into a brash hero learning on the job with the world’s greatest detective. Terry and Bruce had a father-son dynamic, yet one which lacked the more problematic aspects of Bruce’s relationship with the Robins. Like Terry himself, Batman Beyond is worthy of the mantle it carries and remains a high point of the character’s 85-year history.

Batman Beyond is currently streaming on Max.