As Batman Beyond, Bruce Wayne's successor isn't just another futuristic rendition of Batman, he's one of the most capable versions of the Dark Knight the DC Universe has ever seen. Endorsed by Wayne himself, Terry McGinnis has brought his own style and strategy to the mantle that has helped separate him from his mentor in many ways.
Before his next comic book series starts, we're taking a closer look at Batman Beyond's tenure as Neo-Gotham's Dark Knight through Terry's most unusual powers, feats and abilities.
The Batman Beyond Suit Has Superhuman Qualities
The Beyond suit was originally built by Bruce Wayne in the waning years of his Batman career. As age began to catch up with Wayne, it became necessary to add enhancements to his Batsuit in order to effectively continue his war on crime. These enhancements came in the form of a suit that acts as a cybernetic exoskeleton. Expecting the day to arrive when he could no longer operate as Batman, Wayne engineered the suit to be a direct extension of the knowledge and abilities that he had gained over the years as Gotham City's Caped Crusader.
The suit used neuromuscular amplification to give its wearer super-strength, speed, and reflexes as well as enhanced senses, allowing Batman Beyond to see and hear through walls. The suit is also equipped with a cloaking device, allowing the future Dark Knight to effortlessly blend into the shadows. Additionally, the suit bestows upon its wearer full flight capabilities, self-generating weaponry such as laser blasters, and a vast array of Batarangs. These enhancements allowed even a rookie Terry McGinnis to function as a competent protector of Gotham City.
Batman Beyond's Forbidden X7 Suit
Even in his old age, Bruce Wayne continued to produce different versions of the suit. He designed one prototype called the X7 that he retired after a single case. The suit used an artificial intelligence system that had the single directive, of succeeding at any cost. This suit had the unique ability of being able to override the wearer's pain receptors, allowing them to take more damage than usual. Bruce used this suit to take out a group of Venom using savages who called themselves the Banes. After Bruce almost killed them all in battle, he decided the suit was too dangerous and he retired it.
During Damian Wayne's short stint as Batman Beyond, he unretired the X7 Prototype much to the chagrin of his father, using the suit to brutally dispatch an entire platoon of League of Shadows before disappearing. Terry was unaware of the X7 prototype's history when he found it in the Batcave's vault, and he eventually donned the suit to deal with another League of Shadows resurgence, this time led by Damian Wayne.
Terry was able to deal with the league effectively using the X7, but didn't have the same luck when facing Damian. The younger Wayne would have defeated Terry had the suit's vicious A.I. not taken over. While the X7's A.I. prepares to deal a killing blow, Terry managed to regain control of the suit. This turned out to be the last time the X7 suit was used.
Batman Beyond Almost Literally Lost His Mind
Blight is one of Batman Beyond's most famous recurring villains. This character met his demise in the cartoon but was resurrected in the Batman Beyond comic book series. Blight and his love interest Constance kidnapped Terry while he suffered from amnesia after being exposed to the nullifier tech of the villainous False Face.
Blight planned to transfer his mind into Terry's body because the radiation inside of his body was killing him. Before he became Blight, Derek Powers was a corrupt corporate figurehead who ordered a hit on Terry's father. By taking over Terry's body, Powers intended to end the entire McGinnis bloodline. Fortunately, the future Batman regained his memories during the process, and Dick Grayson's daughter Elainna (who in this future operates as Batwoman) was able to help Batman Beyond defeat Blight and prevent Terry's mind from being permanently destroyed.
Batman Beyond Died And Came Back To Life In Future's End
The "Future's End" era of DC featured a future timeline wherein Terry McGinnis is killed by Brother Eye and Tim Drake takes up the heroic mantle. Drake's run as Batman Beyond came to an end with the revelation that McGinnis never died, but was under the control of the villain Spellbinder, who had him masquerade as the criminal Rewire.
After defeating Spellbinder Drake returned the futuristic suit to Terry, who then resumed his role as the Dark Knight of the future. This story set up the most recent run on the title that concluded with Batman Beyond #50.
Batman Beyond Has a Father-Son Relationship With Bruce Wayne
Terry's father-son relationship with Bruce Wayne is quite possibly the most defining aspect of his career as the Batman of the future. Terry's relationship with Bruce went beyond simple mentorship and is reminiscent of the bond Wayne shares with former Robins Dick Grayson and his son Damian. And as revealed in the Justice League Unlimited episode, "Epilogue," Terry is Bruce Wayne's genetic son, thanks to some tinkering by Amanda Waller to ensure that the world would always have a Batman.
Although Terry and Bruce were unaware of their connection for many years, Terry repaid Bruce's trust more times than not, although he sometimes used tactics that went beyond Wayne's approval. Still, the new Batman's confidence and aptitude for the role created a bond with Bruce Wayne that was unlike any that came before.