Writers: Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing
Art: Max Dunbar and Sebastian Cheng (colorist)
Publisher: DC comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 25th, 2022
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THE DISPATCH
As the story continues, Batman Beyond: Neo-Gothic #4 shows both Terry and Kyle each going into twisted hallucination versions of their pasts. As we learned last issue, Kyle was mentored by none other than John Constantine, and he explained a little bit of how he acquired magic. This issue presents us with more of Kyle’s backstory, but as he says, “This isn’t how it happened” leaves us questioning what the real story was. As for Terry, Batman Beyond fans know his backstory and interesting to see a warped reality where his brother Matt is Robin, as well as seeing some of Terry’s childhood before his parents split up.
It also shows us Terry’s longing for his old girlfriend Dana, while at the same time having a desire to protect her by wanting her to stay away from him. This also shows us a little bit about how both Terry and Kyle really feel about their late mentors. The juxtaposition of Terry and Bruce and Kyle and Constantine is done well, showing how each mentee learned from their respective mentors.
ART
The art in Batman Beyond: Neo-Gothic #4 is good and it presents the creepy, hallucination vibe well. Particularly impressive is the tribute to the art style of the DC animated universe. Along with a homage to Batman: the Animated Series, this issue also gives us a page that is drawn specifically to reflect that animation style of the show, where Terry sees his little brother as Robin. Not only does it reflect the Batman Beyond show, but it also pays tribute to Batman the animated series as well. Additionally, it shows the creepy, twisted Court of Owls’ version of Batman and pits this version against Terry as Batman. The panels showing them fighting are very well done as well as those that show the Court’s version of Batman swooping down from the sky. Also interesting was the fact that Terry appears as a cat in Kyle’s hallucination, still with the bat-symbol on his feline chest. We get more hints at the end of this issue as to who the real villains might be, but as Kyle and Terry were trapped in hallucinations, can their eyes be trusted?
FINAL THOUGHTS
Batman Beyond: Neo-Gothic #4 gives some great insight into Kyle’s backstory and his mentorship by Constantine, even if it isn’t how it really happened according to him, but since that’s all we as readers have to go on right now, it helps us learn more about him as a character. Also, despite most fans knowing Terry’s actual backstory, seeing a twisted version of it changes it up and helps us recognize Terry’s fears and doubts, getting a little more insight into his character as well. How might they stop those who are kidnapping children and what lengths will they go to to protect the city and rescue the missing children?