When the creators of Batman Beyond introduce their landmark series, they introduced Batman fans to both a new version of Gotham and a new Batman altogether. Alongside this newer, younger, and snarkier Batman, fans were introduced to some of the most unique and challenging villains that this, or any, version of Batman would be forced to oppose for the sake of (Neo) Gotham.
Though Bruce Wayne may have aged considerably since his time donning the mantle, with the help of his newest protege, Terry McGinnis, the duo would take down some of Neo Gotham’s greatest foes. But just who were these villains? And what were they after?
10 The Terrific Trio
After being exposed to dangerous levels of radiation, Reed Richard--oh, scratch that, Dr. Michael Morgan, Dr. Mary Michaels and Dr. Stuart Lowe underwent some dramatic changes to their physiology.
While the Terrific Trio may seem like the future version of DC’s Fantastic Four, the similarities end at their origin story. After discovering that one of their greatest friends, Dr. Hodges had actually orchestrated the accident in order to kill Dr. Morgan and seduce Dr. Michaels himself, the team began to unravel and perpetrate some less-than-heroic deeds before their bodies eventually begin to breakdown after becoming unstable due to the accident.
9 Superman
While Superman is often recognized as one of the greatest heroes in the DC landscape, there have been several instances where Superman has gone full-blown baddie. The Injustice timeline, the Superman: Red Son timeline and even during the time that Terry was Batman.
When Superman approaches Terry stating that he needs help finding a traitor that resides in the Justice League, Terry finally acquiesces in order to help the universe’s greatest hero. However, in a very comic book turn of events, Superman is actually the traitor and is being secretly controlled by Starro.
8 Spellbinder
Though Spellbinder may not have originally appeared in Batman Beyond, this veteran from the comics had his status and character amplified when he took on the Batman of Neo Gotham. Spellbinder may have begun his career as a simple high school psychologist, after deciding to put his psychological mind-control skills to a more villainous purpose.
When Spellbinder begins using his hypnotic skills to steal from his more affluent student, he finds the Batman unwilling to let the selfish Robin Hood act continue.
7 Inque
While Terry has had his fair share of challenging villains, Inque is perhaps one of his greatest foes to date. Raised in squalor, Inque would eventually become obsessed with money and the pursuit of it.
When she received her ability to transform her body into a controllable liquid form, however, she was able to become a highly-paid corporate saboteur and thief. During her five appearances in the animated series, Terry was never once able to defeat her without outside help. And she’s only become more dangerous in the comics.
6 Blight
When Terry’s Father, Warren, discovers that the new head of Wayne Enterprises is planning on mass-producing biological weapons, Derek Powers, the company’s new leader decides to have the soon-to-be Batman’s father taken out.
Though the crime is committed in a manner that would suggest that he was simply a victim of gang violence, Derek Powers eventually comes to justice at the hands of Batman. Unfortunately for the new Batman, much like with Bruce and the Joker, Terry may have created his own worst enemy.
5 Ra’s Al Ghul
While the League of Assassins and Ra’s al Ghul may be remanents of an older time, that has not stopped them from causing problems for the newly-cowled Batman. Though Damian will eventually take over the League of Assassins and bring them into a new age during the course of Terry’s time as the Batman, Ra’s al Ghul was still around long enough to deduce the identity of Bruce’s new Batman.
And just like with like his relationship with the old Batman, Ra’s wasted no time trying to cause some massive trouble for the young Batman.
4 Shriek
Though Bruce Wayne may have assumed that he had a monopoly on building incredibly advanced exo-suits for the purposed of superhuman adventures, but Walter Shriev, otherwise known as Shriek, had some other ideas. Specifically, the ex-audio engineer had an idea for a suit that would allow him to manipulate sound waves in order to unleash all sorts of chaos throughout Neo Gotham.
Not only does the suit, composed of his own designs, look amazing, but it also causes the new Batman quite a bit of trouble.
3 Joker
The Joker may have died long before the events that lead to Terry picking up the mantle of the Bat, but that in no way means that he’s forgotten. It turns out that while Joker had held Tim Drake captive Joker did more than just torture the young Robin, he implanted him with a chip that would turn the young boy into the Joker himself. Eventually.
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Many years down the line Terry will be forced to face off against Bruce’s greatest enemy while contending with the fact that inside the Clown Prince of Crime rests one of Bruce’s greatest allies and failures.
2 The Royal Flush Gang
While the Royal Flush Gang may not exclusive to the Batman Beyond timeline, they are perhaps never more engrained with Batman than they are during the time that Terry is under the cowl. Being a family of thieves, the Royal Flush Gang is incredibly tight-knit.
Composed of the King, Queen, Jack and Ten of spades, along with their robotic henchman Ace, the Royal Flush Gang has caused problems for Batman for generations. After Terry forms a relationship with Ten, however, things for both her and the dark knight of the future become complicated, to say the least.
1 Joker King
Though the Joker may be long gone by the time that Terry Mcginnis shows up to take on the mantle of the Bat, his influence seemingly knows no bounds. While the Jokerz gang and its various factions are well established through the world of Batman Beyond, before Joker King takes control of them, the gang is really only responsible for small-time crimes and petty robberies.
However, when Douglas Tan, Dana Tan’s brother, decides to get the Jokerz organized, it brings about a lot of trouble for not only Gotham and Batman, but Terry and his relationship with Dana as well.