Batman Beyond Writer Digs Deep Into New Static Team Up, And Bruce Wayne’s Eventual Role (Exclusive)

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It’s tricky to reimagine a beloved story. You have to find the right balance between honoring what fans already love and creating something fresh and new. How much can you change before it stops feeling like the original, and how much should you stay true to the source?

Back in 1999, the creators behind the classic Batman: The Animated Series – Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, and Alan Burnett – took a risk with a follow-up series. This new show introduced Terry McGinnis, a teenage crime fighter operating in a futuristic, dark version of Gotham City. Terry wasn’t alone, though – he had help from an older Bruce Wayne.

Comics writer Evan Narcisse, who is currently working on the Batman Static: Beyond team-up, was a big fan of the original Batman: The Animated Series growing up. He explains that show was a game-changer, completely redefining how comic book stories could be adapted for television. Because of his fondness for the original, he was particularly interested in Batman Beyond.

Issue #1 of the book is on sale as we speak.

The world of Batman Beyond had a very distinct, futuristic feel – sleek, cool, and edgy, a true cyberpunk style. It was a big departure from the art deco look of Batman: The Animated Series, which clearly drew inspiration from 1980s films, especially Tim Burton’s. Beyond didn’t feel like a natural progression of the original Gotham; the name ‘Neo Gotham’ signaled that it was a completely new world.

In Narcisse’s story, we revisit Neo Gotham and Dakota City – the home of the hero Static. The tale begins with a space mission, as Earth faces the possibility of becoming part of a galactic alliance called The Collective.

Before the main events unfold, we’re introduced to Melvin, a key figure who’s actively protesting issues in his homeland.

We’re not pushing this storyline too aggressively, but it’s a key plot point. Melvin is hearing concerns from others about the technology – its origins and potential risks. Because he’s already feeling disconnected, those concerns really resonate with him and take root in his thinking.

You can likely predict how the character changes throughout the story. It all begins when he starts receiving bad advice and inaccurate information, which sends him down a dangerous path – one that will inevitably lead to a confrontation with Static and Batman.

We’ll be releasing the full conversation with Evan Narcisse on Saturday, November 15th. Here’s a sneak peek!

You’re coming into this Batman Beyond world, and you’re bringing Static into that. What is that guiding principle, or idea, behind bringing these two characters together?

This project began with an idea from my artistic partner, Nikolas Draper-Ivey. A few years ago, he wrote a short story called Static Beyond for a special 30th anniversary issue. It featured Virgil Hawkins – better known as Static – as an adult, teaming up with the teenage hero Terry McGinnis for a brief adventure.

Man, that story was awesome! Nick is seriously gifted – a fantastic writer and artist. He really wanted to expand on it, and I think fans were definitely craving more. Eventually, DC gave the go-ahead, and Nick brought me on board to help bring it to life.

Honestly, even though I didn’t grow up with these shows when I was a kid or in high school, they still really hit me. Static Shock, especially. It wasn’t just a random cartoon; it came directly from the awesome comics Milestone Media was putting out, and you could really feel that history when you watched it.

I was in college when Milestone Media launched in 1993, and it had a huge impact on me. Seeing four Black comic creators team up and build a universe that reflected my own experiences as a young man was incredibly meaningful. It was a truly multicultural world, full of references to the hip-hop, youth culture, fashion, and music that felt current and relevant at the time.

Even though I’d aged out of the target audience, I was really proud when the Static Shock cartoon premiered. It was a big deal for a comic book character to finally get that kind of mainstream spotlight – so many other great heroes haven’t had the chance to be the lead in their own show.

The voice acting, especially Phil LaMarer’s portrayal of Virgil, perfectly captured the frustrating yet endearing qualities of a teenager – someone you’d be annoyed with, but also want to protect. Bringing these characters together for a new story felt like answering a long-held wish from fans. After all, those who grew up with the shows and comics are adults now, and they cherish those memories.

Nick, Miguel, and I are working to combine the passion and longing often found in comics, animation, and manga into a new story. We’re hoping to create something that feels true to the spirit of those art forms, but with a fresh and more thoughtful approach.

You get a chance, with this book, to write Terry. And you’ve written for Bruce Wayne before. You’ve put your fingerprints on Batman. But will you get a chance to do older Bruce? Can we expect to see older Bruce as part of this storyline eventually?

He’s definitely still around, and his role feels similar to how he appeared in Batman Beyond. He’s not always the central focus of the story, but he’s there as an observer, highlighting the differences in perspective between him and Terry. Virgil adds another layer to this dynamic. From Terry’s point of view, both Virgil and Bruce are out of touch and don’t understand him.

The characters’ histories are also crucial to the story. It’s deeply connected to the places they come from and the experiences that shaped them. For example, Virgil became an adult after growing up amidst protests and tear gas, and then unexpectedly gained electrical powers. He witnessed his city change dramatically due to what could be described as systemic abuse of power.

Bruce and Terry have very different goals for their city and the world. Terry was raised in the harsh environment of Gotham, where the wealthy hold all the power. His motivations are personal, driven by a desire for revenge, unlike Bruce. They simply have different approaches to the same job. Bruce focuses on self-reliance and doing what’s right.

He appears briefly, but the main focus is on the relationship between Static and Terry, and showcasing Dakota as a setting. We want to give readers a glimpse of what the future looks like there, similar to Neo Gotham, and explore how the worlds of Milestone and the DC Animated Universe connect and blend together.

I think this will be a really enjoyable mix of things, with different storylines coming together. I can’t reveal too much yet, but if you’re familiar with the characters and their origins, I think you’ll be pleased with what’s coming.

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2025-11-14 21:14