DC Brings Batman Beyond and Static Back Together – And This Time, It’s Actually Worth Getting Excited About

Unlike some forced comic book partnerships that feel about as natural as pineapple on pizza (fight me), Terry and Virgil’s relationship has actual history. Their first crossover in the “Batman Beyond/Static Shock” episode “Future Shock” wasn’t just a ratings grab – it showed two young heroes from different backgrounds finding common ground.

Fast forward to their team-up in the “Milestone 30th Anniversary Special,” and you can see how their dynamic has evolved. Terry’s still carrying the weight of the Batman mantle while trying to figure out high school. Meanwhile, Virgil has grown into his role as an adult Justice League member who’s moved past the teenage hero phase.

That generational difference isn’t just character development fluff – it’s the foundation for real conflict and growth. One hero is still becoming who he’s meant to be, while the other has already figured it out and is dealing with bigger responsibilities.

DC’s Elseworlds Imprint Gets It Right

Credit where credit’s due – putting this series under the Elseworlds banner was smart. It gives Narcisse and Draper-Ivey the freedom to tell their story without worrying about how it fits into the main DC continuity. No editorial mandates about tying into the latest crisis event or setting up next year’s crossover. Just good storytelling.

The Elseworlds imprint has been quietly building a reputation for taking risks and telling stories that matter, and “Batman/Static Beyond” looks like it’s continuing that trend. When you’re not worried about maintaining the status quo, you can actually explore what makes these characters tick.

The Art Speaks Volumes

Draper-Ivey’s art style is perfect for this kind of story. His work on the “Milestone 30th Anniversary Special” showed he understands both characters visually, and the covers released so far suggest he’s bringing that same energy to the full series. The variant covers by Dustin Nguyen, Denys Cowan, Ho Che Anderson, and Rahzzah show there’s serious artistic talent behind this project.

And let’s be honest – in an era where comic art can make or break a series, having someone who actually gets the visual language of both Batman Beyond and Static is crucial.

A Commentary We Actually Need

Here’s what really gets me excited about this series: it’s not afraid to have something to say. Too many superhero comics these days feel like they’re going through the motions, hitting the expected beats without any real substance. “Batman/Static Beyond” is using its sci-fi setting to examine real issues about technology dependence and human ingenuity.

When a comic book can make you think about your own relationship with technology while delivering superhero action, that’s when the medium is working at its best. And given our current reality where AI is everywhere and people are genuinely worried about losing human skills to automation, this story feels incredibly timely.

The Bottom Line

“Batman/Static Beyond” hits shelves November 12, and for once, I’m actually optimistic about a DC team-up book. With Narcisse’s writing chops, Draper-Ivey’s artistic vision, and a story that has real thematic weight, this could be the kind of series that reminds us why we fell in love with these characters in the first place.

DC Comics has a chance here to do something special with two of their most underutilized heroes. Let’s just hope they don’t screw it up. The collected edition drops August 4, 2026, which gives you plenty of time to catch up on the individual issues – assuming DC doesn’t find a way to cancel it after three issues because it’s “too smart” for their usual audience.

But hey, maybe I’m being too cynical. Maybe this time, DC will let the creators tell their story without interference. Maybe we’ll get six issues of genuine character development, social commentary, and superhero action that actually means something.

A guy can dream, right?