Batman Beyond: Neo-Year is finally here. The first issue of the new miniseries was released on April 5th, 2022. Written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, with art by Max Dunbar, Neo-Year takes place after the events of Batman: Urban Legends #7. Bruce Wayne is dead, and Terry McGinnis must don the cape and cowl once again, this time without the aid of the original Batman.
The first issue was incredible. The story was well-paced, the art was electric and familiar, and much of what's to come was teased throughout. Neo-Year is definitely off to a good start, providing new villains, a new Gotham, and a new status quo as Terry enters a new year of being Batman.
10 The Creators Are No Strangers To The Dark Knight
The Batman Beyond: Neo-Year miniseries is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, two writers who are quite familiar with the Caped Crusader. Both Lanzing and Kelly have worked on books like Batman & Robin Eternal, Batman Secret Files, and Gotham City Garage.
Artist Max Dunbar has also worked on Bat-titles like Nightwing and Batman: The Adventures Continue where he provided variant covers. It's clear from the plot and dialogue, specifically between Terry and Barbara, in the first issue that the creative team is very familiar with the source material of the Batman Beyond animated series.
9 Dunbar & Cheng's Art Is Like The Animated Series Put To Paper
Max Dunbar provides the line art for Batman Beyond: Neo-Year while Sebastian Cheng provides the colors. The two artists make a great pair and their styles align perfectly in this first issue. The artists are recreating the look and feel of the Batman Beyond animated series, most notably in the character designs.
Dunbar's line art is sharp and detailed. The Batman Beyond suit looks as beautiful as it ever has, and Dunbar's cowl allows Terry lots of expression. Cheng's coloring creates a detailed Gotham covered in neon lights. The artists' strengths are on full display during the issue's final, dynamic fight sequence.
8 Issue #1 Follows The Rich Setups From Urban Legends
Batman: Urban Legends #7 acts as an issue #0 for Batman Beyond: Neo-Year. Any fan feeling a little lost with Neo-Year should pick up Urban Legends. Neo-Year #1 perfectly continues the story threads established in Urban Legends, answering some questions while creating plenty of new ones for fans to enjoy in the five issues to come.
Bruce Wayne is dead and Neo-Gotham has seemingly come to life, controlled by an unknown AI system, and it's up to Terry to uncover its mysteries. The same creative team of Neo-Year also worked on the "Wake" prelude story in Urban Legends, so it feels very much like part of the same series.
7 Neo-Year Fits Within The DCAU
Fans picking up Urban Legends #7 or Neo-Year #1 may at first be confused as to which "Batman Beyond future" this new miniseries takes place in. There is the animated Batman Beyond TV series that fits within the DC Animated Universe, and there's the Batman Beyond New52/Rebirth comic book timeline.
Neo-Year indeed takes place in the DCAU. In Urban Legends, Bruce tells Terry about his last night as Batman, when his failing heart forced him to draw a gun on a criminal. In Neo-Year, a photo of Bruce, Barbara, Dick, and Tim is shown in the Wayne Manor wreckage, confirming its place in the DCAU where the Bat-Family consisted of only those members.
6 Hopefully We Haven't Seen The Last Of Barbara Gordon
We first meet Commissioner Barbara Gordon on the roof of GCPD, denying an officer's request for a promotion. Lanzing and Kelly write Barbara exactly how she was in the animated series: snappy, direct, and with an exhausted tone.
Afterward, she and Batman discuss Wayne-Powers shipments before Barbara reveals she's retiring. Seeing the two of them discussing a case brought back memories of their animated counterparts. It also mimicked the many conversations shared between Bruce and Jim. Hopefully, Barbara doesn't stay retired and reappears later in the miniseries.
5 Gotham City Itself Is The Villain
The concept of Gotham City itself turning on Batman and becoming a villain is so interesting and ironic. Gotham City is as much a character in Batman's world as his allies or those in Arkham. Up until now, however, it's been an impartial character, spawning both heroes and villains in its streets.
With the emergence of this unknown AI, Neo-Gotham, run almost exclusively on technology, is corrupted. Stories like "Court of Owls" saw Bruce claiming Gotham as his own. Neo-Year pits the city itself against him. Lanzing and Kelly have introduced an incredibly unique concept that is sure to get juicier with each new issue.
4 Terry Goes Analog Thanks To A Corrupted Gotham
Neo-Gotham has turned against its protector, killing Bruce Wayne and leaving Terry with few options. The issue begins with ominous narration from the city itself, claiming it has awoken and taken control of the city with no one knowing. No one except for Terry, of course.
Terry's handwritten notes are used as narration throughout the first issue. He's forced to avoid technology after the city becomes corrupted. "Going analog with this," he says. The narration is fantastic. Terry records his nightly activities as the city descends into chaos. He also uses notes to vent his frustrations to his deceased mentor.
3 Technology Is Once Again Batman Beyond's Enemy
The world of Batman Beyond was so different from the Gotham City viewers were used to in Batman: The Animated Series. Neo-Gotham was full of flying cars, lasers, and other sci-fi staples. This time, Terry isn't battling a giant golem machine or fighting off the effects of splicers. This time, he's battling Gotham itself.
Several new antagonists are introduced in this first issue. One of which is someone named Donovan Lumos, the Holographic Man. Dominic is the new CEO of Wayne-Powers Corporation and the perfect antagonist for a story revolving around the preservation of Bruce Wayne's legacy, in and out of the cowl.
2 A New Villain Wields A Hard Light Sword
The first issue concludes with Batman stopping an armed Wayne-Powers shipment at Gotham's docks. Batman easily takes out the thugs guarding the shipments but is attacked by a mysterious new villain. This attacker has yet to be given a name. They wield a weapon that creates hard light versions of swords, whips, grappling lines, and more.
Almost nothing is known about them so far, except that they're somehow in league with the AI version of Neo-Gotham and that they believe in keeping a balance of life and death. They also possess immense power, creating a massive energy explosion at the end of the issue.
1 Terry Must Carry On Without Bruce's Guidance
The most notable thing about this Batman Beyond comic is the absence of Bruce Wayne. Bruce was an integral part of the TV show. He was a voice in Terry's ear in nearly every episode. In the Batman Beyond Rebirth two-parter premiere, Bruce and Terry had their disagreements, but Bruce was always present and contributing to the story.
With Bruce's death at the beginning of Neo-Year, Terry is truly on his own. This issue makes it clear that this miniseries will be about Terry's rise to becoming the best Batman he can be. Terry's goal throughout the issue is to keep Bruce's legacy alive.