Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Three #4 Review -

Writers: Paul Dini and Alan Burnett
Art: Ty Templeton and Monica Kubina (colorist)
Publisher: DC comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: April 11th, 2023

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THE DISPATCH

Picking up where we left off, Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Three #4 continues with the origin of the Joker’s new assistant, Straightman, otherwise known as Captain Carl Finley, of the US army. Last issue, we learn that Hugo Strange was responsible for brainwashing him. Fans of the animated series will appreciate the Joker’s reference to his first encounter with Strange, in the Batman: The Animated Series episode, “The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne”. Fans may also be excited to see the return of more obscure bat-villains such as Roxy Rocket and Baby-Doll. Harley is re-recruited to Task Force X by Amanda Waller. Interestingly, you can spot a moment when she reverts back to her Harleen Quinzel voice while in costume, something that was rarely seen in the entirety of the DC animated universe. This issue also contains some foreshadowing to the Batman Beyond show, as well as reveals a major plot twist. Many readers will realize how they were thrown a red herring in the previous issue. Dini and Burnett do an excellent job with the dialogue in this issue. Longtime fans of the DCAU will be able to hear the voices of Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Tara Strong, Arleen Sorkin, CCH Pounder and others come through the dialogue, as if they were watching a BTAS episode.

ART

Ty Templeton and Monica Kubina continue to do a stellar job with the artwork in Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Three #4. The contrast between light and dark colors and the use of shadows really makes the scenes pop. They really capture the essence of the Bruce Timm DCAU style well. The scene of the sunrise over Wayne Manor and the flashback of Finley being brainwashed were particularly well done. The opening panel of Batman falling out of a window gives readers a taste of the thrills to come.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Three #4 does a great job at stay true to the characterization of different DCAU characters, while giving readers added suspense through plot twists and many action-packed scenes. There are new characters introduced as well as more obscure bat-villains being brought back. It also does a good job of connecting the DCAU as a whole, referencing Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League Unlimited, and even possibly foreshadowing Batman Beyond. What will happen when Harley and Joker inevitably reunite?