Batman Beyond #36 Review

Writer: Dan Jurgens

Penciller: Rick Leonardi

Inker: Ande Parks

Colorist: Chris Sotomayor

Letterer: Travis Lanham

Published by: DC

This issue of Batman Beyond sees the conclusion of the “Divide, Conquer and Kill” arc that saw our titular hero be taken over by a villain named False Face (very on the nose) as he and his partner(s) the Splitt, a couple of brothers who can combine together and who appear to have access to the Speed Force. Oh, and guess-staring in this issue The Flash, Barry Allen. 

As this is the conclusion of a story arc, the majority of the issue is dedicated to the fight between The Flash and reformed Royal Flush Gang member Ten against False Face (as Batman) and the Splitt. It’s a very nicely structured fight as we get to see the experience of the Flash as he faces off against the Splitt, and how Ten can hold her own against the false Batman. 

The resolution of the fight also helps propel the story into the next phase of the book which I believe will revolve around the search for Terry McGinnis - as Jurgens cleverly mentions that a person will only regain their memories if False Face consciously lets go of that persona. 

Leonardi’s pencils are nice, clean, and fit well with Jurgens’ style of writing, and sometimes give off a Jurgenesque style as well. Favorite panel/full-page spread is when Splitt, well, splits into two while flanking Batman. Parks’ inks are very flattering to Leonardi’s pencils as well as he doesn’t overburden them throughout the issue. Add Sotomayor’s colors to the mix, and you have the recipe for a really nice book.