“Yesterday’s” Comic> Batman Beyond #4 (DCAU)

I’ll spare you the card puns.

Batman Beyond vol. 2 #4

DC Comics (February, 2000)

“Two Of A Kind”

WRITER: Hilary J. Bader

PENCILER: Craig Rosseau

INKER: Rob Leigh

COLORIST: Lee Loughridge

LETTERER: Tim Harkins

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Frank Berrios

EDITOR: Darren Vincenzo

The Royal Flush Gang is back in business, but that’s rather odd considering they’re still in prison, except for Melanie (Ten), who’s in juvi. When Batman scars Ten only to see Melanie without one, Bruce puts it together and realizes King and Queen are both twins who married the others’ twins. While Jack and Ace had to be replaced Melanie’s cousin is a dead ringer for her. And the siblings want to emphasize the “dead” part so they can take over as the true Royal Flush Gang. King, Queen, and Jack are attacked during their parole hearing but Batman manages to stop the dopplegangers. But the real deals attempt to betray Batman, proving they’re still bad guys. Batman arrives to save Melanie but then has to save the fake Ten from her. In the end parole is denied.

What they got right: I do like the idea of a twin couple trying to frame the other couple. It does make for a good mystery and the story itself is pretty good.

What they got wrong: There is a canon problem though. Melanie would appear in the show again and there’s no evidence of a second group and she does either get paroled or serve her time. Although I have to ask why she wasn’t paroled here. Melanie was defending herself and when Batman went to stop her he was able to calm her down pretty quick because she isn’t a killer.

Recommendation: A good issue. Worth checking out.