Writer: Dan Jurgens, Artist: Bernard Chang, Colorist: Marcelo Maiolo
Let’s jump right in with the multiparter, Rise of the Demon. Following the events of volume one, Bruce Wayne is back and everyone’s happy. Looks like this volume is all about happiness and—oops! The League of Assassins are back and ready to assassinate…their own member, Curare? What the schway? Okay, sidebar, how does the League continue to exist? They’re always getting stomped by Batman or some other hero or infighting. Maybe save all that bloodthirsty dysfunction for Fortnite.
Rise of the Demon is a good story, but I liked the previous one more. I enjoyed Terry back in the game and Bruce reflecting on his life but I felt there’s too much inner dialogue in these comics. You always have to be in their head. It’s a general problem I have with western comics. You never escape the main character’s constant thinking. Not a fan of it, but that’s just me.
I did love Bruce in this arc. He’s not as cranky as he was in the cartoon. He trusts Terry more and feels like a mentor, not a boss. Terry’s dickhead moment (you’ll know when it happens) fits the story. Being Batman is like walking a tightrope and Terry doesn’t want to end up like Bruce and that’s understandable. Just don’t be an ass about it.
My biggest issues are the facial expressions and Max and Matt. Everyone’s drawn in this bizarre blazed eyes half open way. A lot of the time it doesn’t match their words. Did this arc happen on April 20th? And poor Max and Matt had little to do this arc. Not every character can get proper screen time in every story, but I hope it’s not a sign of things to come. And, they did do some stuff so it’s not a total shutout.
The Rise of the Demon arc is good overall. I liked how they handled the big baddie this arc and hope to see this person again (I don’t wanna spoil too much). Noticing a lot of retconning and bat history tweaks going on, but I’m fine with it. Batman’s history is always changing so the Batman Beyond universe has to change with it. Long as the story is still good, and it definitely is.
Mammoth Base Opera Castle 