Warning! Spoilers ahead for Batman: Beyond the White Knight #3
In the latest issue of DC Comics’ Batman: Beyond the White Knight, the original Dark Knight debuts the perfect new Batsuit to combat a rogue Batman Beyond. Breaking out of prison to take down Terry McGinnis, Bruce Wayne is determined to do whatever it takes to end the complex legacy of Batman in this alternate Gotham timeline. While this requires a brand new costume, it’s unlike anything Bruce has ever worn in this universe or otherwise.
Previously in Sean Murphy’s Batman: Beyond the White Knight, Terry McGinnis has surprisingly been hired by Gotham’s corrupt Derek Powers to steal the Beyond suit and become his personal Batman. An advanced prototype that was too dangerous to be worn by Bruce, it makes sense why the original Batman believes only he can stop Terry and Powers. Breaking out of prison, Bruce immediately heads to the home of Harley Quinn who’d been holding onto one of his other Batsuits just in case.
Now, Batman: Beyond the White Knight #3 sees Batman putting on his new suit after covering the bat symbol with spray paint, resolved to end the legacy of the Dark Knight which has done more harm than good in this alternate continuity. However, there’s no denying that Bruce’s new suit is impressive. Serving as an earlier prototype of the Beyond Batsuit, this new costume went in the opposite direction by foregoing the high-tech bells and whistles completely.
Featuring a hood instead of a cowl, Bruce Wayne’s face is uniquely uncovered seeing as how a mask would be pointless after his public unmasking in the first White Knight series. It certainly shows off his age and silver beard (which isn’t a bad thing). The idea of a fully low-tech Batman is intriguing as well, especially considering Bruce’s belief that it will give him an advantage over the more advanced Beyond suit. Case in point, it seems as though Terry is at risk of becoming an unwitting passenger with Powers being able to control the suit remotely such as when he forces Batman Beyond to throw a Batarang against his will.
That being said, the perceived advantage Bruce claims to have has yet to be revealed (seeing as how Batman Beyond easily takes Bruce down by the issue’s end). However, this was only their first brawl in this new series that will likely feature more showdowns to come. Being the perfect opposite of the Beyond costume, here’s hoping the original Batman’s new suit has what it takes in future issues from DC Comics.
Batman: Beyond the White Knight #3 is available now from DC Comics.
