Batman Beyond 2.0 #14 Review

Written by: Kyle Higgins
Art by: Thony Silas
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: February 15, 2014

The Bat Men part 6 of 7: Zero Hour

The Bureau extraction team is being torn to shreds.  Terry uses science to escape, but Bruce uses the truth as a weapon.  Meanwhile Kirk Langstrom may not be the man he once was, but could Bruce's faith in him trigger the end of Neo-Gotham?

Kyle Higgins continues the Bet Men story and all the pieces are on the board.  This is a story of relationships, and making amends for the past.  Terry doesn't know who to trust and Bruce isn't making any easier.  Bruce pretty much acknowledges that he screwed up his life and is trying to make up for it by saving Kirk Langstrom.  Unfortunately, Kirk doesn't want to buy what Bruce is selling.  Meanwhile, Barbara Gordon is trying to buy them some time while the Bureau seems intent on blowing everyone up.

I am going to risk sounding like a broken record, but this issue is so good. This book is Batman Beyond, but this story is as much about Bruce as it is Terry.  Maybe even more.  Higgins is giving us a different Bruce Wayne then we are used too.  He is a sad old man who realizes he has ruined every relationship in his life.  He even tells Langstrom he got a second chance with Terry and blew it.  He's also a bit selfish, wanting to show Terry that Dick Grayson isn't as great as he thinks.  Batman prepared for everything, except the lonely old age he faces now.  Bruce's decision at the end of the comic is crazy and I can't wait to see what happens in two weeks.

Thony Silas provides the art and it is stellar (broken record again).  The clean, colorful panels pop out as if they are jumping off my TV screen during an animated episode.  It may have been the story, but Silas' Bruce Wayne looked more tired and old in this issue.  Excellent job.  A special shout out to Rafael Albuquerque's cover which is the best in the series so far.

Bits and Pieces:

Kyle Higgins and Thony Silas are really giving Batman Beyond fans a treat.  This month we get the bonus of seeing an old Bruce Wayne dealing with the decisions of his past.  It is a bit heartbreaking and leads to his decision at the end of the comic.  It's a bold move that may have dire consequences and I can't wait to see how it all works out.

9.0/10