Writers: Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing
Art: Max Dunbar and Sebastian Cheng (colorist)
Publisher: DC comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 2nd, 2022
Reviewer: Jamie Robinson
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the Batman Beyond: Neo-Year #5 Review.
THE DISPATCH
Picking up where we left offer, Terry is now trying to actively help Officer Boonma after she was programmed to assassinate him last issue. In Batman Beyond: Neo-Year #5, he helps get to the bottom of what’s controlling her. While this issue doesn’t have much action, it really gets to the root of who Batman is, echoing Bruce Wayne’s quote from the end of the Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker animated movie: “It’s not Batman that makes you worthwhile, it’s the other way around. Never tell yourself anything different.”
We see how Batman makes up who both Terry and Bruce are/were. There is even a possible reference to Justice League Unlimited, for those who saw the episode, “Epilogue”, but it is unclear whether they are hinting at the backstory from that episode, or denying it, since this is not necessarily the same world of the show. Also, there is a reporter who seems to resemble a slightly older version of Terry’s friend from the show, Max Gibson, but since she is not referred to by name, this can’t be more than speculation at this point.
ART
The art is pretty standard compared to previous issues. One notable standout piece in Batman Beyond: Neo-Year #5 is the panel that reads “three months later” in giant block letters with city buildings shown within the letters, making it somewhat difficult to decipher at first. There are great panels of bearded Terry and Terry taking his mask off and a flashback of old Bruce Wayne during Terry’s narration.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While Batman Beyond: Neo-Year #5 is kind of slow in terms of the lack of action, which may be disappointing for some readers, it grounds the characters more, specifically Terry, making him more understanding of who Batman is supposed to be. There doesn’t seem much chance to see other Batman Beyond characters turn up in the final issue next month, but it sure seems like Lumos may have something more up his sleeve. What do you think will happen in the conclusion?