DCAU #347: Terminal Velocity

IN THIS ONE... The Jokerz try to bring a reformed Terminal back into the fold.

CREDITS: Written by Hilary J. Bader; art by Craig Rousseau and Rob Leigh.

REVIEW: A lot of nice twists in this story, starting with the reformation of Terminal, a "name" Joker who once tried to kill Max (on the show). Terry sees first hand that therapy has helped him overcome his criminal side, and embraces his return to school. Max is bitter about it, but there's an apology, and it's all pitched at the right level of intensity. And then the Jokerz start sending messages his way; once a Joker always a Joker, eh?

Turns out that's more literal than expected, and if the reader arched an eyebrow at all at the type of therapy shown - where the perp is invited to "kill" his or her criminal "side" - it's a clue that in Terminal's case at least, it's created a split personality. Terminal has been terrorizing his other self, essentially, and the reveal, where the Jokerz put make-up on Carter and allow his criminal personality to take over, is rather enjoyably creepy. Batman's solution is likewise make-up driven, and leads to Terminal becoming Beyond's version of Two-Face (perhaps). It actively makes me excited to see this character again.

Throw in some neat Joker designs (the TV show reuses the same basic ones so much, it's good to have at least a couple of fresh flavors), and you've got a good-looking issue as well.
REREADABILITY: High - Terminal has the potential to be THE Batman Beyond nemesis, and I hope the comics take him somewhere interesting. Great chapter.

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