“Here There Be Monsters”
Artist: Max Dunbar
Color Artist: Sebastian Cheng
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Review by Adam Ray
Terry McGinnis is rummaging through the undergrowth, in Batman Beyond Neo-Gothic #3. Of course, it was only a matter of time before The Court of Owls found their way into the Batman Beyond universe, and they were revealed uncovered in the previous issue.
This new take still pits them as masters of the city, breaking out from a hidden place beneath it, but somehow manages to cast them in an even more sinister light than before. This all combines with gorgeous art and rich colors to make this issue one of the strongest releases this month.
Kyle is quickly becoming one of my favorite side characters. There’s the right level of mystery to him alongside a healthy dose of skill, sarcasm, and a strong connection to a ghost from DC’s past. Kelly and Lanzing have developed a welcome and unexpected subculture within Neo-Gotham, and this new character fits it perfectly.
This entire issue’s set underground, but the beauty of Neo-Gotham architecture means that everything feels enormous and limitless. The scope floods the page, which makes the spaces feel vast and unsafe. The immense size of the city is really felt here, deep beneath it.
The use of color, particularly the bioluminescent lime green of the mushroom people, draws us in. The sweeping shots of a city in peril show the stylized future fans fell in love with in the original animated series. The visuals wrap you up in this world.
Conclusion
Batman Beyond Neo-Gothic #3 perfectly draws readers into the world of the future, one that’s so consistent to everyone who’s read the comics and watched the show, over the decades. The way the current DC is ported into the future is real and plausible, which always makes Batman Beyond books a treat to read.
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment