Artist Nikolas Draper-Ivey has revealed that if he works on another series for DC Comics outside of Static, he wants to bring new life to Batman Beyond. While the two titular teenage superheroes have several areas of overlap, they also greatly contrast each other in personality, circumstance, and the tone of the cities they protect.
Nikolas Draper-Ivey’s work for Static: Season One has stood out from art in other mainstream comics, as he has boldly introduced a new style to Milestone’s Dakotaverse. Unlike Batman or Superman, or even Icon or Rocket, his fresh take on Static has taken on anime influences, while also drawing from the beloved animated series. Now, Draper-Ivey has revealed that the other series he would like to work on in the future also connects to the DC Animated Universe, which initially introduced many fans to the superheroes they read today.
In a tweet, Nikolas Draper-Ivey said he wants to bring his take to Terry McGinnis’ Batman. On Twitter, he wrote, “If I was ever asked to do something else for DC that isn’t Static, it would have to be Batman Beyond. No exceptions. -But Nik, what about- No. I know what I like. Sorry, I’ve been listening to CLOSE combined live by Richie Hawtin and I’m seeing dope scenes in my head.” Along with the tweet, Draper-Ivey included art work of his rendition of Terry McGinnis, Terry’s Batman, and his mentor, the seasoned Bruce Wayne.
Batman Beyond would be the perfect opportunity for Draper-Ivey’s anime influences and sense of action to be embodied in a distinct universe outside of DC’s mainstream ongoing canon. The Neo-Gotham of 2039 has never looked much like the rest of the DC Universe, giving any artist entering that world a unique sense of creative liberty. Given his Akira and Blade Runner 2049 influences, Draper-Ivey would be an ideal candidate to illustrate Batman Beyond.
In the animated series Static Shock, the episode “Future Shock” proved to have a fan favorite premise, as Virgil Hawkins was brought into the future and teamed up with Terry McGinnis. Static’s sense of humor and enjoyment of being a superhero, paired with Terry’s self-serious attitude as he continues the Dark Knight’s legacy made for a compelling dynamic. While Batman Beyond doesn’t have an ongoing title at the moment, Draper-Ivey’s rendition of Neo-Gotham could loan itself for such an awesome team-up to happen again.