Terry McGinnis: The Batman of Tomorrow | Batman Beyond

[@SerumLake]

Special shout out to channel members Eduardo Azevedo Sam B Meth0Moth SWIFTO_SCYTHE David Huber Don't forget that channel members get early access to my weekly video essay, some members only videos (I'm currently making a behind the scenes look at how I make storyboard animatic videos), an icon in their profiles, custom emojis, and priority responses to their comments.

[@SerumLake]

And welcome to new channel member: jamesfullerton!

[@zacharyjochumsen9677]

​@@SerumLakeyeh hard th blic fgidcshow is 25 yer old th wasshow was bascly star trek tng of dcau shows show nobody though woudvdo wel but ultimt did succfully in th end

[@azazelreeds]

The point about Terry rarely ever encountering old Batman villains really gets driven home when you realize he only ever goes toe to toe with the Joker. Terry barely even sees Bane, was trying to help Freeze, and Bruce was there to help with Ra's

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Disappointing to some, but really, people like me admire it more when we don't see much of the old folks of yore, for they have passed on. Still foolish of them to not feature Dick Grayson again in the animated canon.

[@kennethsatria6607]

Not everyone can be immortal, I really liked that he has his own rogues even if some aren't as iconic as the classic ones. Though I always wondered how Harley's life went till we see her as a grandma in the Beyond movie, I feel like helping Joker torture Tim was way crossing a line, we would not get something like modern Harley quinn being an antihero in that timeline.

[@nemesisprime4501]

I like to think that batman beyond villains are much stronger than regular batman villains. Similarities like to spiderman villains. Closest challenge terry ever faced with an old rogue of bruce is probably joker. And that reminds me of spiderman and green goblin

[@Snapdragon0112]

I love Terry. I think he is my favourite person to take the cowl. I think a common problem with Batman is him being too powerful. Always having an answer or some insane skill he learned from some monk. Terry is a relatively normal teen. He goes through horrible trauma and wants vengeance, but that turns into wanting to protect people from going through what he did. He comes into his own and even brings his own skills. My favourite being when he fights joker and instead of listening to Bruce and acting stoic, he heckles Joker to piss him off and create an opening.

[@7rhymes599]

The Joker fight perfectly highlights how Terry is different from Bruce while still being an effective Batman. He doesn't think like Bruce, he is his own character who will find a different path to the finish line. He kinda feels like if a Robin became Batman in the best way possible.

[@LordNumbnutsthe1st]

Especially since Bruce is constantly going "WTF?! You're not fighting him how you should, like I used to!" The whole movie is one giant wonderful juxtaposition between the dynamics of the whole setting at that point and what would happen if "you could recapture the past after holding onto it so long".

[@seeleunit2000]

That's why it's important to just let a legacy character be their own character and let them grow in a different direction of their predecessor. Also, I am just pleased someone is talking about Batman Beyond. That show is amazing.

[@SerumLake]

I have a feeling that there’ll be a whole bunch of videos for #Beyond25 this month. If it’s something enough people are interested in then I’ll start adding Batman Beyond villains to the rotation of videos.

[@amphilochusofmallus5070]

​@@SerumLakebuddy, you know that's gonna be popular enough lol. It's a great show!

[@VALonYouTube]

​@@SerumLakeI thought the same thing, but apart from your channel, there doesn't seem to be much buzz about it, let alone new related content. 🤨 So glad to be a subscriber of this channel.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Such as where the likes of Extreme Ghostbusters, alongside anime like Macross Plus and Frontier (and maybe perhaps 7) succeeded, and where Ghostbusters 2016, and anime like Dragon Ball GT, failed.

[@zemox2534]

And where DC comics continued to fail.

[@SWIFTO_SCYTHE]

Meltdown with the end of Mr Freeze was Tragic and badass. He looks like a Megaman Robot Master.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Thank Tommy Tejeda for such a design.

[@SWIFTO_SCYTHE]

And the father son dynamic of Bruce Mentoring Terry was awesome. And integration into Justice Leauge Unlimited is cool

[@SWIFTO_SCYTHE]

The cyber future was so cool. Bio-mechanical implants, virtual reality, hover cars, the internet, chemical and nuclear pollution, its a badass dystopian future.

[@BoggiFroggy]

Yeah. It’s today. 😂

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Eh, we still don't have space bases and colonies on the stars above, for one. Still, at least that there are no flabbergasted alien invasions and too many magical threats in Batman Beyond. Those are two things I can easily ditch in a distant future, nitty-gritty storyline.

[@SlothfulTurtle]

Honestly, I feel like they should have done way more of that. The splicers in particular only get used like twice.

[@pretzel6629]

I feel like this show was trying to tell you that it wasn't cool and it's actually kind of horrific but yeah whatever

[@Compucles]

@@SlothfulTurtle Plus the episodes with Cobra, who were basically an entire organization of snaked-themed splicers.

[@kimeraclan3135]

I would argue that the best Terry-Bruce relationship focused episodes were: Babel, Eye Witness and Payback! Babel focused on Terry learning to overcome great odds just as much as Bruce had done, while Bruce's cynicism and weakened will took its toll on him. Eye Witness focused on the importance of trust between the two and not giving up on redemption. While Payback has Terry learning from Bruce how not to jump to conclusions and be the better man in any situation. Not to mention, that Payback also touched profoundly on their contrasting viewpoints, as well as Terry coming out of the shadow of the original bat.

[@kaijuguy19]

What I like most about Terry's character is that he ends up being the Batman Gotham needed again not just because it needed saving from villains but also that his entire character is about the importance of not letting your trauma and a past you're not happy about breaking and controlling your life even if Terry himself had to be reminded of it. Terry's done a lot of things he's not proud of obviously but ironically that in turn helped him gain much needed lessons and perspectives on how never to take the good things you have left in your life for granted and using all of that to do as much good and empathy as you're able to for others even certain criminals who do need legit help. That's ultimately what saved him from ending up like Bruce who sadly left him broken and stopped being the Batman people really needed long before he retired. So I wouldn't be surprised that despite what conflicts they have, Bruce is deep down happy that Terry is going out of his way to not make the mistakes he's made while also upholding the mantle in his own way.

[@Scorpionspear77]

I love how Terry doesn’t really show feelings of inadequacy towards Bruce very often. He’ll, in his first outing, when they guy who killed his dad says “You’re pretty strong for some clown who thinks he’s Batman”, Terry’s immediate response is “I AM Batman!” No doubt, no hesitation. Awesome.

[@MarioMastar]

Amen! Kind of tired of this new age theme of "how could I ever fill his shoes?" being the biggest driving point of every modern hero, just to make them more "relatable" to the audience, but if anything, the reason people were so much more confident in the 80s/90s is because most characters WERE confident and an inspiration and that's what made them easy to look up to. The rare times we'd see them doubt themselves, it was usually clearly their own fault, a one off "What if" scenario where something terrible happened and we see how they react, or there was some valid meaning behind the nature of the scenario, but now, we see cases like "Superman is evil because he has super powers and most readers don't like how he's comparable to GOD" or something like that and the stories are just painfully tasteless, like Serum lamented with the comics direction they took Terry, absolutely missing the point and aiming for what they think the audience wants with all these over the top stereotypes that do more to tell the story than the actual writing. That's the reason WB's Animated universe was so excellent and fondly remembered, even to this day. They were inspiring and just left that impression that even with the heaviest of losses, there's still "hope".

[@Chadius]

There's a fantastic episode where Shriek screws up everyone's ability to understand speech, and holds the city ransom unless Batman surrenders himself. Citizens are arguing whether the care for Batman or not, and Bruce is stewing with anger. Terry is willing to give himself up and Bruce disagrees. But compassion wins in the end; Terry goes anyway and Bruce decides to coach him through a certain trap. Batman Beyond's villains are hit or miss but when they hit...

[@Compucles]

No, Terry found a 3rd option, figuring out where Shriek's hideout was and attacking him head on. At the end, Bruce asked him what he would've done, and Terry refused to answer.

[@jobinthomas8887]

One of my favorite episodes!

[@Xehanort10]

4:46 The fact we'll never get a Batman Beyond game with Kevin Conroy as older Bruce makes me sad.

[@SerumLake]

That is not a Schway fact

[@MetroXLR99]

I am at least thankful that Arkham City (and, I guess Arkham Knight) gave us a Batman Beyond suit to use when playing those games. Sure, it isn't the same as having an actual Batman Beyond game. But, it's better than nothing.

[@Bowiiihowdy]

I remeber ready a theory on a possible Arkham Knight identity before the game was a failed clone cadmus made of Bruce, trained by Deathstroke. Escaped and caused the events of Arkham knight.. which could possibly lead into a beyond game

[@pagodrink]

Terry is the perfect Batman for a cyberpunk future. He is compassionate and doesn't take bs from people misusing their power. I've heard that there was suppose to an episode with Terry meeting Wonder Woman, which is such a shame that we never got

[@JaelinBezel]

The DCAU Wonder Woman was already established to be at least as old as Ancient Rome, since she seemed to personally know the artist of a museum piece (in a history museum) and recognize her work, so she wouldn’t have aged a day.

[@marshmallowsilk3789]

I love when Terry fights the joker and effectively wins by talking back to him, taunting him, and messing with his head. Where Bruce was sullun and stoic, Terry chooses to be the opposite and I think it's a great example of what you said about his greatest strength being that he is not Bruce Wayne.

[@Nagore6305]

You know when I was watching this show as a kid I always thought that Terry got hurt a lot. But after seeing this and the original Batman show; I saw that Bruce got beaten up a lot as well.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

They're no Arkhamverse Batman, that's for sure.

[@jordanread5829]

Bit of a slight correction. Bruce took back control over his company after Dereks son, Paxton was arrested for conspiracy to commit theft after he was found hiring the Royal Flush Gang in the season 3 episode, King's Ransom. Paxton took control over Wayne Powers after helping Terry take down Derek.

[@VALonYouTube]

True.

[@mandalorianhunter1]

I have always loved Batman beyond and I remember the darker episodes from when I was a kid. Terry is a character that I wish got more respect and love. He is such a awesome character.

[@roble8943]

Man Terry is such a cool legacy character. One that understands the role they are given while being their own individual person. It's a good thing the writers never did something stupid, like reveal he was the secret bastard son of Bruce.

[@VALonYouTube]

Did you watch JLU's "Epilogue"? 🤔

[@roble8943]

@@VALonKZbin There was no epilouge silly.

[@VALonYouTube]

@@roble8943 Not when Batman Beyond first aired, no, but it became canon once Epilogue premiered on Cartoon Network.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Am I the only one who is ultimately fine with that notorious red herring-esque twist?

[@roble8943]

@@michaelandreipalon359 There is no twist, quite you.

[@justinweber4977]

A theory or idea I've seen is that for a "Main Universe" Terry, him being mentored by an aged Damian instead of Bruce, which could be interesting. Especially since the comics have suggested a centuries long chain of Batmen, thanks to the DC 1,000,000 event.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Not just centuries long, it also spans endless worldlines and timelines, as seen in Neil Gaiman's "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?".

[@joshprice4855]

Man, the line in that mister freeze episode tears me up every time. "Believe me, you're the only one who cares" It says so much about how far Victor had come but still failed and the kind of person Terry is. Victor recognized in the very end he would always be Mister Freeze but that Batman (Terry and in effect Bruce in the old days) was the only person that would give him the chance to do right. Its hurts my soul every time I watch that scene.

[@VALonYouTube]

Having grown up watching Batman Beyond on Kids'WB! and physical media with such excitement and joy, I have to say that I enjoyed this foray into the world of Neo Gotham immensely, with special emphasis on the positive light in which Terry McGinnis is portrayed throughout the video despite his own inner demons. Many thanks for another wonderful and remarkable essay, good sir. P.S.: Special kudos for referencing how the comics set in the mainstream DC continuity, outside the DCAU, fumbled the stories based on the show royally.

[@tatsukinomiya]

Gawd I loved the adventures of Terry! One of my favorite characters within the Bat Family! It was always so cool that his adventures felt like HIS adventures. I haven't read the comics yet, so it was a lil upsetting that they did it like that but eh

[@thatcopkransky]

Love Batman Beyond! Was really happy that Terry got to do his own thing and we didn’t really see ‘classic’ Batman villains pop up too much. Also I saw the Egg baby in your wrap up at the end and just cackled. That episode is perfect

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Small wonder the ep won a special Emmy.

[@beatlesfansam]

Great video. I didn't watch Batman Beyond when it first came out, and didn't get into it until 2018. I'm glad I did, and this essay touched upon a key component of its appeal - the way the character of Terry McGinnis was written I'm looking forward to the upcoming videos about the show.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

I'll say the same pertaining to the latter.

[@SWIFTO_SCYTHE]

The Heavy Metal Synth music was Badass. All the music is action packed

[@SerumLake]

The music is textbook Schway 🤘

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Can agree that the OST there is easily more memorable than Justice League's, although Static Shock has some gems, *shockingly.*

[@battlesheep2552]

I think the reason for the retcons is that character development is needed over the course of a story arc. Bruce in Batman Beyond hasnt really developed since BTAS, which is why he ended up pushing away the Bat Family and had no successors until Terry came along. Then you continue the stories of present day Batman and have Bruce develop to overcome some of his flaws, and now he IS able to maintain a lasting relationship with the Bat Family, and it makes more sense for a previous Robin to take up the mantle than for it to be left open for Terry.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Either way, we need more optimistic Batman depictions outside of the DCAU and the Arkhamverse.

[@zemox2534]

Arkham Batman was not exactly "optimistic".

[@michaelandreipalon359]

@@zemox2534 "Outside of". I was referring to the fact that it and the other universe aren't exactly fortunate for their respective Batmen.

[@LunaP1]

The fact that you mentioned James Bond Jr has reopened my vault of childhood cartoons.

[@SerumLake]

Happy to be of service. All 65 episodes of James Bond Jnr are on KZbin for free, but I couldn’t stomach watching more than a couple of episodes 😂

[@VALonYouTube]

​@@SerumLakeThey are? 😄 Good to know. Thanks for sharing, Serum.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

...I'd rather rewatch The Tick cartoon, The Real and Extreme Ghostbusters, and The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh than that weird installment of spy fiction.

[@klaykid117]

I think my favorite thing about Terry is he's a normal guy who wants to try and be Batman almost like Barbara Gordon and Tim Drake Batman and most versions of Robin usually have some kind of trauma that psychologically scarves them forever as children, but I like how we see Terry is fundamentally a good hero-like person before his father is killed

[@briankim1098]

12:45 "...our existence is fleeting. The majority of us will wind up being forgotten within a generation of two of our passing, no matter how significant our contribution to our society are..." "The truth is, for all my struggles to make my mark in life, for all I've accomplished, in just a few short generations my name will be forgotten. Even the greatest of us can't compete with time..." -Lex Luthor

[@Jon_EL]

WB execs forever and always making terrible decisions. Basically whats been keeping the company going is the stellar people fixing the execs terrible mistakes

[@TheZackofSpades]

THANK YOU for covering the way the comics went off track. I was so thrilled when we got more BB content but having Drake replace Terry…nah, that was awful

[@zemox2534]

Terry is a great character and an excellent example of how to write a legacy character. Which is why his treatment in the mainstream dc comics annoys me. DC, for one stupid reason or another, does not like legacy characters and will go out of their way to ruin them, either through poor writing or stupid editorial Decisions. A great example of DC and their poor management of legacy characters is Wally West. I will not say too much, because that will lead to a huge rant and I am not in the mood, but let's just say that DCAU treated Wally with far more respect than the mainstream Terry and Bruce had a great dynamic on the show. The banter was fun to watch and I love the moments where Bruce shows how much he cares for Terry (even if he did almost let him die in the pilot).

[@JohnJacksonJohnson]

Plus, it gave Will Friedle a revival when "Boy Meets World" was on its tailend seasons, continues what happened to Barbara Gordon (who was voiced by actress Stockard Channing for the first two seasons, before it gave Angie Harmon her start in its 3rd season) after she was shot in the spine, hung up the mantle of Batgirl, became Oracle, became Batgirl again after her paralysis was cured, took over her dad's job, and it gave Henry Rollins a way to get a paycheck.

[@Xifihas]

The executives wanted Teenage Batman. The creators gave us Cyberpunk Batman. Also, one thing I think you should have mentioned is that Terry is the one person who managed to really get under The Joker’s skin. The Joker could never get a laugh out of Bruce, but Terry laughed AT The Joker.

[@alexanderholscher6548]

Others may step into the mantel at times, but as far as I'm concerned, Terry McGinnis is the true successor to the Batman.

[@takenname8053]

It's so weird watching these shows that are older than me. Great character review!

[@andrewstovall2139]

Terry is Batmans true successor change my mind

[@MetroXLR99]

I won't change what is fact. Of all characters to succeed as Batman, I prefer Terry over...ugh, damien.

[@LordNumbnutsthe1st]

Y'know, when Batman: Beyond first came out, I think kid me really resented that they weren't continuing BTAS, especially since I found the retreads of old BTAS eps under the new name of The New Batman Adventures really annoying. I eventually came to like the show when I ran out of then animated episodes for the shows I had come to love, and grew to love BB just as much as BTAS. I never really stopped to think about it, but I think the reasons why were what you covered so brilliantly in this video essay. Thank you for making me think about media I really loved as a kid, and occasionally continue to re-experience as an adult. Good luck with your next project, whatever form it takes!

[@fortysvideoarchive]

terry saving the bats is also neat because it implies that bruce takes care of the bats and that they like bruce. And thus the bats also accepted terry

[@The_Str4nger]

4:30 that bikergang was called The Clowns. Their leader was also named Joker

[@alexandrefrauches132]

While I'm not a fan of the comics for the same reasons as you and most people, I at least appreciate they trying to answer questions like what happened to Dick Grayson (the idea was good, the execution was terrible). It always bother me that, for a show that works as conclusion to BTAS and TNBA and it's characters arcs in the DCAU, we only see Barbara and Tim Drake as the members of the previous bat-family but never Dick Grayson despite he being one the most important characters in DCAU Batman mythology.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Ditch the jarring stories, spare the old man Grayson with the cyber-eye and the still intact disillusionment wrought against Bruce Wayne. Would have loved seeing a DCAU canon take on him silently leaving Wayne Manor while Bruce was unknowingly still chanting about the good old days with his old chum... up until Terry reminds him that Dick's gone.

[@Chocobo0Scribe]

This was my introduction to Batman. And hoooo boy…some of the gnarlier bits from this show…

[@Mashida_Killzzz]

Always love Batman beyond!!✨✨ on how dark and somewhat horror it is I grew up hearing the legendary voice of Kevin Conroy man, he was the greatest!!✨

[@SerumLake]

And he was taken from us far too soon. He should’ve lived to have been old enough to play a live action elderly Bruce Wayne in a Batman Beyond movie 😢

[@VALonYouTube]

​@@SerumLakeSomehow, I don't believe WBD would ever allow it.

[@JSavo_]

BTAS and Batman Beyond were so important to me as a kid. I could rewatch them both eternally.

[@malwynn9095]

Thos show was the shot when I was a kid. I'm 35 now and my 2 and a half year old is now watching it. Breath of fresh air 😌

[@SWIFTO_SCYTHE]

Agree. I dont understand how the comics can not figure out how to do Beyond. Do it like Marvel and their Spiderman 2099 a totally different timeline

[@michaelandreipalon359]

So, Turn A Gundam?

[@fraga.matias]

Great stuff. You could do videos forever based on the whole DCAU as far as I'm concerned!

[@SerumLake]

Oh yeah, I’ve got a nice long list of potential videos that’ll take me through to this time next year. Lots more to come!

[@foldabotZ]

The Watchtower Database does that, too, and they've been doing it for almost a decade. There's still a lot more to talk about!

[@SWIFTO_SCYTHE]

The Beyond Suit with NanoTech inside - i wish we saw in Justice Leauge Unlimited.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

In a way, I think we did in the form of Justice Lord Batman's suit from JL's "A Better World".

[@JaelinBezel]

Here’s another neat difference between them i noticed a little while ago: Bruce’s life was shattered by a random street thug and his Batman mostly went on to focus on combating street-level crime. Terry was a victim of corporate white-collar crime and his Batman went on to be more preoccupied with combatting corrupt executives and their lackeys. Each Batman has his own approach and it lines up nicely with each of their origins.

[@elmorehairston-ne4mp]

Batman beyond was one most risking and works so well batman beyond trun 25 this what a leagcy

[@neogotham2k39]

Batman Beyond is a great show & Terry McGinnis is my favorite! It has Akira references like cyberpunk city, motorcycle chase, gangs, psychic friend antagonist, etc.

[@SellavinAtoms]

Looking forward to your next visit 😊

[@MutantsInDisguise]

Terry McGinnis is easily the best replacemente for Bruce Wayne as Batman, and one very relatable. He becomes Batman not to seek vengeance like Bruce, but to forgive himself.

[@jacktoma21]

I remember my introduction to the show. I watched Return of the Joker on Netflix (which I hope you cover at some point 😉) thinking it was going to be a more traditional Batman movie. I remember being very confused at first but caught on to the concept and was very quickly engaged. It was years later that I got the opportunity to watch the show itself.

[@SerumLake]

Oh yes, Return of the Joker is on the list! I remember being a bit dissatisfied with the Joker reveal, but after Epilogue all concerns I had melted away. The power of one single line. But I’ll save that for a future video 😂

[@VALonYouTube]

I had no idea that ROTJ had once been available on Netflix. Which of the 3 versions was it, may I ask? The one released for fans of all ages, the original version, or the hybrid version aired on Cartoon Network in select markets outside the U.S.?

[@jacktoma21]

@@VALonKZbin this was earlier days Netflix when I was around 8-10, back when we watched it on the Wii. It was the uncensored version where Joker gets impaled with the bang flag. My first exposure to Hamill’s Joker was him at his darkest.

[@VALonYouTube]

@@jacktoma21 Thank you so much for letting me know. 🙂 Learning something new every day.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

I still prefer the Cut Edition's bang-flag+Joker gas take on Bonk's death. Way more horrific and graphic, surprisingly.

[@riddlerthediddler4392]

I believe the 2010/2011 batman beyond comics (the one with Hush) really explored Terry and Bruce's relationship quite well. It felt like a continuation of the show and I won't spoil it but I like how it portrayed what happened to the other robins after they left bruce for their own various reasons. It does take place in the Batman.inc timeline though

[@SolidMike84]

4:53 "But Terry couldn't ignore it, and tries to let the bat out." Symbolism?

[@SerumLake]

YEP!

[@KnightLineArtYT]

I can see what you mean about some of the other comics, but I did like some of the Earth-12 stuff. If there was one character I would like to see him interact with it would be Grayson. I liked how his relationship Dana would evolve with her knowing who he is, but they almost immediately re-boot into the New 52 version, which sucked since that was a solid way to seperate the two. Not sure how much of a Spider-Man guy you are, but a lot of what makes Terry work, can also be found in Spider-Man 2099, Miguel O'Hara has about as many differences to Peter Parker as Terry does from Bruce. Though his villains were more of a mix of new and old.

[@CorbinLeonard-rp4et]

Batman beyond has a awesome suit

[@charltonmccullough4494]

It’d be nice to have the series back.

[@MrGabeanator]

Terry McGinnis is awesome so is this show

[@thebashar]

Awesome, thank you!

[@gaziibabaa]

I remember it being called Batman Beyond in the uk in the early 2000s, still have the vhs of RotJ

[@SWIFTO_SCYTHE]

HELL YEA. BATMAN Beyond the hardcore Anime styled batman.

[@ZakynthosDiamandis]

Excited to see more Batman Beyond content. Although I do hope you cover the BTAS episodes "It's Never Too Late" and "Appointment in Crime Alley". Would love to hear your take on, and info surrounding, the more mature themed episodes.

[@SerumLake]

I'm certain I will cover every single episode of BTAS and TNBA eventually. With other DCAU shows I'll be a bit more picky, at least initially.

[@MichaelSpikes-pv6kl]

Good video review

[@rosemolioo9025]

There’s a Batman story I love where Batman DOES get closure with Jooe Chill instantly recognizing who Bruce is cause he remembered his eyes and Joe apologizes for stealing Bruce’s life from him and he repents.But Joe is a sick man very sick and Batman visited him every night until the day he died.And I love that cause it shows that Batman knows what the crime was it wasn’t intentional it wasn’t the work of some big league mafioso it was circumstance.And Bruce knew he couldn’t blame Joe for the circumstance and forgives him and I love that I love when Batman shows he’s human and not whatever the writers are doing now. I like BatMAN not BATman the person who’s just a creature of the night and not living up to the second part of his name.

[@maureencora1]

I Liked the TV Series More Than the Comic Book Batman Beyond.

[@danielriba716]

It was never McGavin as far as I remember. The name McGuiness was set before his first name. This was clearly an error on Wizard's part.

[@SerumLake]

Thank you Dan! There is an illustration in Bruce Timm’s modern masters book where he is labelled as Terry McGavin, but that could just as easily have been an error on the author’s part - or maybe Bruce misremembered, thinking of that Wizard article? You'll have to ask Bruce next time you see him and let me know what he says ;)

[@maureencora1]

1999 to Now Happy 25 yrs. Batman Beyond.

[@Scrinwaipwr]

0:23 I never noticed that but I barely saw Beyond at broadcast. Usually it's the other way around like when Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone was changed in the US to Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone because Warner or whichever studio it was thought too many Americans wouldn't know what a philosopher is, let alone have heard of the philospher's stone myth (which existed before Harry Potter; it isn't something JK Rowliing came up with.)

[@MrNetWraith]

I was never fortunate enough to see the entirety of Batman Beyond, living in rural Australia as a child, only bits and pieces, but I thoroughly agree that part of what makes Terry McGinnis so good as a character is the clear mixture of both similarities and differences to Bruce Wayne, ensuring he fundamentally feels like his own distinct character. I certainly consider him a far better "Batman of the Future" than that one DC Comics oneshot that reveals that Bruce ended up creating a program to generate successive generations of indoctrinated clones, complete with a compulsion to commit suicide once their functional lifespan is up, to ensure that Batman would continue on in perpetuity. It's not the only reason I hate the retcon from the end of JLU that Terry was actually Bruce's biological son all along because of Waller's medding, but it does play a large role in it.

[@SerumLake]

I really disliked that comic as well. Batman making clones of himself and artificially aging them to 27 years old… urgh.

[@Nova7o9]

Thanks for going down that rabbit hole, honestly those "glorified fan-fics" really tainted Bruce Tim's works for me for a really long time. It was hard for me to mentally separate the two. 😅

[@97vn44]

The James Bond what?? Awesome video man!!

[@SerumLake]

I don't blame you for not being aware of that cartoon. Some enterprising soul has uploaded every episode to a single playlist if you're interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYfOf41totuWhMU

[@97vn44]

@@SerumLake I’m more shocked that somebody thought that was a good idea. Kinda how I feel about the new adventures of Jonny quest lol I’m a sucker for the og

[@veryannoyedrn]

I'm not exactly a fan of the Batman Beyond comics run, What you said makes sense but also some of the choices they made (like what was done to Damian :|) Just does not work However I adore that his little brother is his robin

[@MisterSouji]

We should get another batman beyond movie, one that takes place after Bruce has passed and left everything to Terry. It could show how Terry has become his own man, maybe with a wife and kid, but is also still Batman. It can also act as a tribute to both Kevin Conroy as well as the DCAU.

[@ericgeddes3353]

This is a good video. Having just watched Dark Knight Rises their relationship sounds very similar to Bruce and "Robin" Blake in that movie. I wonder if this is where they got the idea.

[@dimancor2925]

Never knew about different naming In Russia it was still titled Beyond but translated in voice as "The new Batman" (Garfields "Amazing Spider Man" 2012 was also translated as "The new Spider Man")

[@BS-vq9gg]

honestly they been trying to make Terry his own batman, the recent series neo Gotham tackled that repeatedly with terry even getting advice to be his own man. Plus, the sequel shows his optimism, compassion, and his friendliness when he befriends a fellow delinquent outcast. They developed some spectacular moments with him reflect on his mentors dark decisions near his retirement.

[@harsyakiarraathallah2222]

This Series had Many Potential that has to be Rediscover Further. Like Terry's Younger Brother can have more Deep, like hr still has a bit of DNA of Bruce, maybe he could have the Brains of Bruce.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

He would have made a fine Robin Beyond.

[@Meme033094]

Just found your channel love your stuff I just hope that you also make videos on Justice League and Justice League Unlimited as well

[@SerumLake]

Welcome aboard! Yes, I will get to them eventually. I'm primarily a Batman the Animated Series channel, but I will cover the other DCAU shows too (and maybe some of the other Batman cartoons too?)

[@Meme033094]

@SerumLake I watched your Toyman video and it gave me hope that you'd do more videos not only on BTAS but Superman the animated series as well really looking forward to your next video keep up the exceptional work

[@The_Big_Jay]

I'm personally not a fan of the retcon put into Epilogue, and it partially goes along with your, "Terry is his own man." Line. Too many times in superhero stories is a super hero mantle picked up by a family member, or someone's who directed trained under the hero, or someone's who feels already predestined to fill that role. In a way, they aren't their own people. It's tired, overdone, and boring. Terry was a breath of fresh air. He was simply someone with a good heart who just so happened to meet with Gotham's legendary crimefighter. He wasn't groomed to be a hero, or part of a super hero bloodline... until Epilogue.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

But even so, his engineered birth has mostly nothing to do with him becoming the new Batman, it was just the appearance of circumstances outside of even Amanda Waller's unsanctioned jurisdiction. For me, it's as much an interesting red herring as the idea of, say, Star Wars Legends' Emperor Palpatine forming the Galactic Empire as means to thwart the coming extragalactic threat known as the Yuuzhan Vong.

[@Xehanort10]

Yeah the whole point of Terry was that he was his own man who became Batman first to avenge his dad by exposing Powers and then to atone for his criminal past. Epilogue's "Warren McGinnis's DNA was altered to Bruce's so Terry's Bruce's son" retcon was dumb and is basically saying someone has to be related to Bruce Wayne by blood or adoption to be Batman when they don't.

[@The_Big_Jay]

@@michaelandreipalon359 You're right, it was explicitly written so that Amanda Waller's plan failed so he's actually grow up with parents, bit this is a fictional world where more often than not, your blood itself can determine your future. What the story seems to tell me is that Batman can only be Bruce Wayne and Bruce Wayne's direct family. And that's pretty boring to me. It's also cliche.

[@ijionclifton9148]

​@Xehanort10 that's not what the point of that reveal was the point is that it wasn't the blood that made him worthy it was him as a person

[@The_Big_Jay]

@@ijionclifton9148 Remember, Waller was going to kill his parents to force him to become Batman, only for the Phantasm to back out last minute, yet he still became Batman. The story really leans into, "He's going to be Batman no matter what because he's Bruce Wayne Jr."

[@MrQdiddy85]

I’m sorry did you say it’s been 25 years since Batman Beyond debuted

[@SerumLake]

🫠

[@ryugaknight]

Now I’m no super well versed in current DC comic continuity, but could Terry not fit in by perhaps moving him a bit down the time line? Like make him the successor to an elderly Tim Drake?

[@jobinthomas8887]

One of the very best episodes is one someone hacks the beyond suit and terry needs to take it down, It was just cool to see him fight using only his wits

[@AngryNerdBird]

"Think the bike gang from the movie Akira, but with clown makeup" That's actually redundant, because one of them is literally wearing clown makeup and is already named Joker. Pretty much everybody that's seen Akira and Batman Beyond draws that connection, and I've assumed for years that the team drew some inspiration from that film.

[@Darkwarlord1533]

Imagine bringing back Michael Keaton for The Flash and not a Batman Beyond movie.

[@AnAverageGoblin]

in hindsight of STAS S3 ending on a loose cliffhanger I think it unintentionally worked out for the better when Justice League started since it in some way puts a perspective on how long it took for Superman to earn back earth's trust.

[@A-bomb94]

Was really worried about where you were zooming at 13.54 for a moment there 😅

[@SerumLake]

Didn't even cross my mind. I will change that for future videos though!!!

[@benabaxter]

I loved the use of older Bruce and Terry in Justice League. Batman Beyond is good on its own merits but Epilogue elevates it to basically perfect.

[@Hunter_UT]

1:00 Remember when i saw first episode on TV when i was a kid, i was disapointed because there's no cape, but, black and red logo was so badass, so i was exsided) Remember episode where he meet Talia (Ras) and used lasarus pit, i was so happy, i thought the Batman (Bruce) will back, but, it's not happened.... It's sad that developers didn't made some flashback story where Bruce still Batman in that suit, like they did story in TNBA's "Old Wounds"... But, by the way - Batman Beyond was good and interesting show. Not so much as i love BTAS,TNBA and even JL\JLU, but, great. Well, we in Europe (Ukraine) had original "Batman Beyond" title, it was original version, only dubbing language was ukrainian, and dictor sayed "Бетмен Майбутнього" (Batman Of The Future)

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Honestly, I admire it for being a true combat powersuit (sorry, fabric and rubber nonsense from the Tim Burton films and pre-BB DCAU, but this and the Arkham Knight suit are far superior) and also being practically capeless.

[@lordfreerealestate8302]

o yay it's another serum video 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@The_Phantasm]

Since you're going to cover the show this month, I always wanted to ask someone, why does Derek Powers at the end of Rebirth Part 2 start laughing maniacally as if he went crazy or enjoyed his new appearance since for the rest of the show that he appears in he tries to cure his condition?

[@SerumLake]

It was probably done for dramatic effect, but I think that it was a sign that he had been pushed over the edge.

[@DFuxaPlays]

@@SerumLake Just one bad day.

[@VALonYouTube]

​@@SerumLakeThe Wayne-Powers scientists supervising Blight's condition explain on the show that it heavily impacts his own mood, more specifically, it emphasizes his feelings, such as rage, frustration, and just plain evil, for instance.

[@brianpughsley8680]

It was costly to keep up with the charade that he wasn’t affected by the gas incident which he probably covered up. His radiation ☢️ was burning through the synthetic skin and eventually wanted to cure himself but eventually caved in with his current condition.

[@Uncle-Jay]

As a kid I wanted to watch James Bond Jr, but the show always came on right before I had to go to school.

[@nickdavis5420]

Looking back it should’ve been obvious that he boys are genetically Bruce Wayne’s his little brother looks exactly like young Bruce. Side note I kinda think almost no one in the succession is a appropriate fit to be Batman.

[@Kohdok]

"Think the gang from Akira, but with Clown face-paint" ...So just the gang from Akira then?

[@Lionstar16]

I think I was vaguely aware of Batman Beyond when it originally aired but just like Mask of Phantasm I didn't fully watch it until I was an adult. And while I generally despise TV shows that are follow-up sequels (as far as I'm concerned, Legend of Korra - the sequel to Avatar: the Last Airbender - is better left forgotten), I do enjoy the different challenges and traits of Terry as opposed to Bruce.

[@SerumLake]

Yeah, I think the biggest reason it was a success is because they allowed it to have its own tone. It wasn’t just a carbon copy of BTAS with younger characters.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

TLoK has a lot of good moments, it's just that it should be one alternate universe interpretation of the future of A: TLA, not unlike how Star Wars Legends has The Old Republic MMO and the "Denning-verse".

[@The_Phantasm]

I don't mean to diminish your opinion but grow up a little. The Legend of Korra only helped enrich the lore and in the earlier seasons the reason for some of the rushed writing was because Nickelodeon never told the producers they would have multiple seasons and instead originally planned it out as just one season and before they finished it they then would give it another season and before they finish the second they were told they would have two more.

[@liamshaughnessy6246]

I love this tv show ❤😂😊😊😊!

[@Vampirewerewolf1]

At least the French title for the show was good. It's called Batman: The Succession which has the same idea as Batman of the Future, but in a different flavor.

[@sonicgen20]

So does this make Terry and Damian half brothers?

[@connorscanlan2167]

I'm sure Europeans your age look back just as fondly upon "Teenage Mutant *Hero* Turtles" as you do "Batman *of the Future* ".❤

[@SerumLake]

You have unearthed forgotten trauma…

[@connorscanlan2167]

@@SerumLake Happy to help, as always!

[@langbo9999]

Hero turtles you can thank the crazy UK England some how did not like the word ninja.

[@SerumLake]

Yes, there was a hysterical panic about kids replicating violent acts, so anything to do with ninjas (???) was not allowed to be shown to kids. They even edited the home release of Mask of the Phantasm to cut out the bit from the flashback where Bruce throws ninja stars at the robbers. Blasphemy!!!!!

[@issakelly8071]

​@@SerumLakeI remember fondly my days on the playground throwing ninja stars at other kids and fighting with katanas