Batman Beyond #2
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Artist: Bernard Chang
Publisher: DC Comics
When reading Dan Jurgens' Batman Beyond #2, I found myself trying to recall great Dan Jurgens moments. I couldn't think of many. I will always remember "But now...Doomsday gets his!" before Superman sacrifices himself to save Metropolis, but that may have had more to do with Superman than it did with Jurgens. He had a couple of funny moments with his creation, Booster Gold, but moreso than other writers Jurgens kept Booster straight-laced. I can name a dozen moments and lines from any of Garth Ennis or Brian Azarrello or Chris Claremont or many others, but not Jurgens. It was an interesting realization because I quite like Dan Jurgens, but he doesn't have the volume of seminal moments I'd expect from someone with his track record.
Jurgens is a mechanic who keeps everything running smoothly. His comics rarely set speed records, but they never break down either. He's the opposite of Jonathan Hickman, who can wow readers with huge ideas and magnificent scenes, but routinely fails at basic storytelling. In the end, if I had to choose, I would take Jurgens' approach every time. That brings us to Batman Beyond #2, which is good, but not great. It suffers slightly from Jurgens' inability to extract the kind of intensity we'd expect from a few iconic characters who make cameos. However, it has competent action and character interaction. It makes us feel concerned for the characters and invest in their relationships.
Jurgens has woven together a compelling tale that involves the possible resurrection of Joker, the repercussions of Bruce Wayne's death, Terry's return from the dead and a more immediate story in which Terminal has kidnapped Dana. In a flashback, we learn the details of Joker's death and why Terminal believes he can bring him back. Terry returns too quickly to action and nearly gets himself killed in a battle against hundreds of Jokerz. The near death experience forces him to reconsider his attack plan. Instead of attacking their numbers head on, he decides to pose as a member of the Jokerz so he can gain the trust of Jokerz leadership and rescue Dana.
Bernard Chang's artwork adds punch to every action scene and captures the essence of the future...from the 1990s. It is somehow both retro and new. In one panel, as the Batwing shoots straight up to avoid danger, the background reveals parts of old Gotham that are overshadowed by the construction of massive skyscrapers. It's a subtle hint at how Gotham quickly transformed from gloomy gothic dystopia to bright cyberpunk dystopia.
Even though I sometimes wish Jurgens would show a little more pizzazz in his writing, Batman Beyond #2 stays the course and keeps us entertained while folding in essential world-building elements. In the foreseeable future, Batman Beyond will continue to build its roster of characters, conflict and backstory. Because of that, we should count ourselves lucky that Jurgens is in the writer's chair. We probably won't even notice that he's doing it.
Artist: Bernard Chang
Publisher: DC Comics
When reading Dan Jurgens' Batman Beyond #2, I found myself trying to recall great Dan Jurgens moments. I couldn't think of many. I will always remember "But now...Doomsday gets his!" before Superman sacrifices himself to save Metropolis, but that may have had more to do with Superman than it did with Jurgens. He had a couple of funny moments with his creation, Booster Gold, but moreso than other writers Jurgens kept Booster straight-laced. I can name a dozen moments and lines from any of Garth Ennis or Brian Azarrello or Chris Claremont or many others, but not Jurgens. It was an interesting realization because I quite like Dan Jurgens, but he doesn't have the volume of seminal moments I'd expect from someone with his track record.
Jurgens is a mechanic who keeps everything running smoothly. His comics rarely set speed records, but they never break down either. He's the opposite of Jonathan Hickman, who can wow readers with huge ideas and magnificent scenes, but routinely fails at basic storytelling. In the end, if I had to choose, I would take Jurgens' approach every time. That brings us to Batman Beyond #2, which is good, but not great. It suffers slightly from Jurgens' inability to extract the kind of intensity we'd expect from a few iconic characters who make cameos. However, it has competent action and character interaction. It makes us feel concerned for the characters and invest in their relationships.
Jurgens has woven together a compelling tale that involves the possible resurrection of Joker, the repercussions of Bruce Wayne's death, Terry's return from the dead and a more immediate story in which Terminal has kidnapped Dana. In a flashback, we learn the details of Joker's death and why Terminal believes he can bring him back. Terry returns too quickly to action and nearly gets himself killed in a battle against hundreds of Jokerz. The near death experience forces him to reconsider his attack plan. Instead of attacking their numbers head on, he decides to pose as a member of the Jokerz so he can gain the trust of Jokerz leadership and rescue Dana.
Bernard Chang's artwork adds punch to every action scene and captures the essence of the future...from the 1990s. It is somehow both retro and new. In one panel, as the Batwing shoots straight up to avoid danger, the background reveals parts of old Gotham that are overshadowed by the construction of massive skyscrapers. It's a subtle hint at how Gotham quickly transformed from gloomy gothic dystopia to bright cyberpunk dystopia.
Even though I sometimes wish Jurgens would show a little more pizzazz in his writing, Batman Beyond #2 stays the course and keeps us entertained while folding in essential world-building elements. In the foreseeable future, Batman Beyond will continue to build its roster of characters, conflict and backstory. Because of that, we should count ourselves lucky that Jurgens is in the writer's chair. We probably won't even notice that he's doing it.
A Look Inside
