This has to be one of my favorite comics simply because I strongly believe comics are way overpriced and this is one that actually supplies plenty of content. It’s three stories in one and even if one story is bad, usually the others pick up the slack. It’s great and it’s usually pretty fun. So just how good are these three stories this month? Well, first of all, there are 4 stories this go-round. Not just three. Justice League has been busted up into two unique chapters: one of which continues the story from the previous three issues and another that expands on the origin of Warhawk.
Justice League Beyond: Konstriction
Chapter 6: Signs and Wonders
Written by Derek Fridolfs & Dustin Nguyen
Pencils by Dustin Nguyen
Inks by Derek Fridolfs
Colors by Randy Mayor
They’ve mixed things up a bit this month and lead things off with Justice League at the start of the book rather than capping things off with the team. For the past 3 issues I’ve sang the praises of this series and how fun it is, but this issue was pretty weak. Batman goes to the cave and changes into an undamaged, older model of the Beyond suit that actually features a cape (it’s pretty cool looking and I wouldn’t be mad if he kept the cape permanently), Barta changes into some armor but it’s not explained how she found it or where, and there are like 3 or 4 pages of exposition that is way, way too much to take in and by the time it’s over I had lost interest. The story is getting too complicated. The Cobra cult captured Micron and were on an island, but then I think they went to space or something and they also awoke a giant snake and so now everybody has to go to Apokolips…I know I’m going to have to re-read the past 3 issues to remember exactly what the hell is going on and you probably will too! For those who love seeing what sort of changes have happened in the DC Universe in the Beyond timeline will get some interesting surprises though regarding some of your favorite New Genesis and Apokolips residents.
SCORE: 6/10
Beyond Origin: Warhawk
Chapter 1
Written by Derek Fridolfs & Dustin Nguyen
Art by Eric Nguyen
This is much better than the Justice League story that came before it, but half of it is recap of a “Justice League” animated series episode that you’ve likely already seen. Once you get past the four pages or so of exposition, however, it becomes something pretty exciting and some pretty startling events happen. I won’t spoil anything, but you definitely find out what became of another DC hero in the beyond universe! Dustin Nguyen’s art is also pretty good and he does an excellent job of capturing the look and feel of “Justice League” and “Justice League Unlimited” while at the same time adding extra details that give the characters far more definition. These Beyond Origins have a lot of potential and this one is off to a great start.
SCORE: 8/10
Batman Beyond: The Trigger Man
Part 4: Stan, Mad
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Norm Breyfogle
Color by Andrew Elder
I feel like this story should’ve ended a long time ago, but at least this issue finally wraps it up. As you can imagine, the whole thing end pretty predictably, there are a few corny jokes, and zero scenery. The whole issue takes place in front of a blue background, an orange background when there is a fire, and then a blue background with streaks to show that there’s glass. It could’ve been a funny little one-and-done story, but spreading it out over 4 parts made this Mad Stan story a real chore to read. At least it’s over!
SCORE: 4/10
Superman Beyond: False Messiah
Part 1
Written by JT Krul
Pencils by Howard Porter
Inks by John Livesay
Colors by Randy Mayor
You’re in for a real shock when you turn the page from “Batman Beyond” to this, so brace yourself. It’s going to become glaringly obvious just h ow weak the art in “Batman Beyond” was when you see what Porter, Livesay, and Mayor deliver. There’s a lot more detail here than in any of the other stories in this book and there’s also a lot more story and very nice pacing with only one mistake ( a speech bubble that was either supposed to be green and electronic to show Luther was speaking or it should have been attached to Lucinda). The issue explains quite a bit about what happened to Lex Luther in the Beyond universe and further sets up what sort of threat old Superman will be facing in upcoming issues. It’s a good little episode and a lot of effort has gone into it, I just wish that Luther’s evil plan wasn’t so similar to what Superman had to face at the end of “Superman Returns ” (man, do I hate that movie). But this is definitely a good series for Superman fans to pick up and one of the better stories in “Batman Beyond Unlimited”.
SCORE: 7.5/10
“Batman Beyond Unlimited” gives you a lot of bang for your buck at 48 pages of content for $3.99 but the stories within are kind of hit-or-miss. Out of all the adventures compiled in this series, it’s “Batman Beyond” that’s consistently disappointing and weighing down the score month after month. But don’t let the 6/10 score scare you, if you’re a fan of the DC Beyond universe, this is a pretty important issue because it will give you a hint at what became of many of Superman’s supporting cast and a few other important DC heroes.
OVERALL SCORE: 6/10
