Batman Beyond #2 [2010] by Adam Beechen & Ryan Benjamin

BATMAN BEYOND #2

The story takes place in Neo Gotham of 2039 with an escaped patient from Cadmus Labs. On his way out he was intent on murdering another patient by breaking into his cell however fails to do so as security arrives and runs off. In an alley he steals a trenchcoat from a drug dealer and notices high above the fight between Batman and Spellbinder.

Terry McGinnis is taking on Spellbinder high above Neo Gotham, which looks like the planet Coruscant in the Star Wars films. After the battle Micron appears and solicits membership with the Justice League to Terry who appropriately refuses telling Micron that he has no time due to his current responsibilities. Terry leaves and returns to the Batman cave to meet with Bruce Wayne.

Meanwhile our mysterious escapee targets and murders one of Batman’s former enemies: Signalman. A murder report is generated drawing the attention of Bruce and sends Terry to investigate. Arriving at the scene of the crime we are made aware that the victim was stabbed twice in the heart and throat with two different knives. Terry suspects that Two-Face has returned to Gotham.

Sirens go off near St. James Hospital which houses some of Arkham Asylum patients at their psych ward including Jervis Tetch AKA the Mad Hatter. As Terry arrives he hears screams from a nurse being slashed by our assailant. He escapes while Terry comes to help the fallen nurse and asks her if he said anything. She mentions he said only one word: HUSH.

Bruce Wayne tells Terry of the last time he fought with Tommy Elliot aka HUSH and how he was shot by an ordinary Gotham citizen protecting her home. The police positively identified Tommy Elliot however Bruce never got a closer look at the body.

Our mysterious assailant continues to inflict harm on former Batman enemies and this time targeted their family. Terry asks for a list of past and present Batman enemies and travels to the senior assisted living facility where the Calendar Man resides. Waiting in the shadows is none other than our mysterious assailant Hush.

Adam Beechen and Ryan Benjamin do it again by bringing the environment of the futuristic Gotham City alive. We are introduced with a new character to the Batman mythos: Catwoman Beyond.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5