Batman Beyond - Was there a comic before the series?

[Bat Phil]

Hey guys. I know that this may seem like a dumb question to most of you. truth is that although I am a huge fan of the animated programs, I never really got into the comics.

My question simply is, was Batman Beyond a comic before the series? If not, were any of the characters/names from any of the DC comics (Terry McGinnis, Derek Powers, Blight, etc)?

Just wondering

[Crimson]

I believe the answer to all your questions is 'no' -- but I'll let someone else elaborate.

[BCVM22]

My question simply is, was Batman Beyond a comic before the series? If not, were any of the characters/names from any of the DC comics (Terry McGinnis, Derek Powers, Blight, etc)?

Yes and no. The concept and most of the main characters were original to the DCAU, however the creative forces behind Batman Beyond used it as a vehicle for certain elements from the comic Universe that they never got a chance to incorporate in the "modern-day" DCAU (i.e. Batman and Superman's shows). Examples of these include the Royal Flush Gang (frequent foes of the JLA during the 70's, 80's, and early 90's), Spellbinder (in a revamped costume, but with a name and gimmick similar to his comic counterpart) and the Justice League, which made its first actual animated appearance in Batman Beyond as the JLU.

[Beyond Batman]

Regarding what came first... the show aired first, then the comic book debuted. The comic book were supplemental stories that told addtional stories to that of the television show.

A lot of Batman Beyond's success was because it rode on the shoulders of classic villains, spun into a contemporary fashion. A few of them, BCVM22 mentioned above.

If you ask me, I wish they would continue the series.

[90'sCartoonMan]

As everyone else said, yeah, the show premiered first, using elements from the Batman comic and TV show, and then they made a comic based on the cartoon.

As far as I know, Terry McGinnis has made two cameos in non-Batman Beyond comic books. The first being the DC 1,000,000 Special in the Crisis 1,000,000 story, where many alternate realities, including Terry's, leaked into each other. The second was in World's Funniest, where Mr. Mxyzptlk and Bat-Mite travel to different realities.

In one episode of Batman Beyond, they mention the Brain Trust, which I believe was a Kingdom Come thing.