The multiverse has been saved from the brink of destruction! With victory comes new possibilities, as the triumph of our heroes shakes loose the very fabric of time and space. From the ashes of Death Metal comes new life for the multiverse — and a glimpse into the unwritten worlds of tomorrow…
Future State: Dark Detective #3
Publisher: DC
Writers: Mariko Tamaki, Matthew Rosenberg
Artists: Dan Mora, Carmine Di Giandomenico
Inks: Dan Mora, Carmine Di Giandomenico
Colors: Jordie Bellaire, Antonio Fabela
Letters: Aditya Bidikar and Andworld Design
Cover: Dan Mora
The third segment of this almost noir-style detective story raises the stakes as Bruce Wayne discovers that the Magistrate’s policing tactics may not only be ruthless, but potentially criminal with much farther-reaching consequences than previously thought. The best parts of this story involve Bruce’s relationship with his quirky roommate, whose belief in conspiracy theories, unsurprisingly, is beginning to sound more and more reasonable, and the roommate’s daughter. The daughter also seems to have some secrets that deserve to be explored more, but sadly will be rushed given there’s only one more issue to this story. The main event of this story is Bruce’s run-in with an all-too-familiar character, which is a fun but underdeveloped scene given the space constrictions. 4/5
This issue also serves as the climax for the Grifter’s storyline by Matthew Rosenberg, with the continuing adventures of Grifter, Huntress, and Luke Fox as they try to make their way out of Gotham. While the action scenes look great and the pacing is just right for a short 2-part story, unfortunately the characterizations, specifically for one of the three primary characters, is completely off, leaving the story on a disappointing end. 3/5 – MT
Future State: Robin Eternal #2
Publisher: DC
Writers: Meghan Fitzmartin
Artist: Eddy Barrows
Inks: Eber Ferreira
Colorist: Andriano Lucas
Letters: Pat Brosseau
Cover: Emanuela Lupacchino, Irvin Rodriguez
The team of Tim, Stephanie, and Darcy continue their investigation into the new cybernetic Magistrate soldiers, resulting in some dire consequences for Tim who died but was brought back to life by a serum with links to the Lazarus Pit. Much of this issue involves Tim coming to grips with not only his newfound strength and endurance as a result of the serum, but also his fighting his inner demons of memories past. The team realizes that Tim is losing his humanity due to the effects of the serum, and while Stephanie tries to help keep Tim grounded, Darcy has her own mission to accomplish in order to see the cybernetic serum soldiers destroyed. There’s an interesting and insightful line as Tim thinks to himself if Jason Todd always struggles with the emotions and feelings that Tim is experiencing due to his exposure to the magic of the Lazarus Pit. It’s a nice touch to help provide prospective on Jason, who is often portrayed as just a moody jerk with a huge chip on his shoulder. While this is primarily Tim Drake’s story, it’s Darcy who stands out as the most interesting character. Hopefully we’ll get to see more of her in the future. Given the cliff-hanger ending of this issue, however, it’s uncertain what will be next for these three heroes. 4/5 – MT
Future State: Legion of Super Heroes #1
Publisher: DC
Writers: Brian Michael Bendis
Artists: Riley Rossmo
Colors: Ivan Plascencia
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Cover: Riley Rossmo
This issue took me by surprise as Bendis created a sense of mystery and urgency that made it necessary you turn the page to find out what the hell has happened to the Legion of Super-Heroes! It was that same mystery and urgency I found lacking in the inconsistent main series and actually expected more of the same here; however, Bendis delivers a moving narrative that keeps this from being boring and formulaic. He builds the tension pretty quickly and you can almost feel the animosity, hurt, and pain coming off the members of the Legion who are not into getting back together. All of this is highlighted by the intense artwork from Rossmo and Plascencia. Out of all of the action sequences it was a small emotional moment with Triplicate Girl that really hits hard. That empty panel tells so much and is a great example of visual storytelling. This has the energy I wish the main title of Legion of Superheroes had but if you’re a fan of the Legion, I’d suggest picking this one up! 4/5 – IS
Future State: Kara Zor-El, Superwoman #2
Publisher: DC
Writers: Marguerite Bennett
Artist: Marguerite Sauvage
Inks: Marguerite Sauvage
Colorist: Marguerite Sauvage
Letters: Wes Abbott
Cover: Paulina Ganucheua
Probably the most far-reaching and daring of the Future State issues from this week, this second issue goes far beyond simply resolving the conflict initiated in the last issue, with Kara taking in a group of refugees, including one specific young refugee who wields an incredible power. The parallels to Kara’s own youth and her difficulties growing up in the shadow of her “older” cousin are unmistakable, and that’s part of what makes the story so strong. Bennett shows an older, more experienced Kara who has learned from her past and uses that knowledge and experience to guide the creatures in her charge, but then twists the story in a completely unexpected direction and illustrates that sometimes it’s Kara’s example, rather than her physical strength, that is her true gift. The story has one of the true stand-alone endings of all of the Future State titles so far, providing a heartbreaking sense of satisfaction that most of the other titles have struggled to reach in their short two-to-four-chapter formats. 5/5 – MT
Future State: Superman/Wonder Woman #2
Publisher: DC
Writers: Dan Watters
Artist: Leila Del Duca
Inks: Leila Del Duca
Colorist: Nick Filardi
Letters: Tom Napolitano
Cover: Brand Anderson, Lee Weeks
Sometimes it’s a good thing for comics to remind us that not every story has to be about the doom-and-gloom of the end of the world, and instead just be a fun, enjoyable story. Watters accomplishes that feat with this end to his 2-part story about the new Superman and Wonder Woman, complemented by fun, vibrant art from Leila Del Duca with coloring by Nick Filardi. The main plot of the story takes a back seat so Watters can show us the developing friendship and trust being built between two young characters who are trying to live up to the deeds of their namesakes. True to form, it’s Wonder Woman who takes the lead, thinking of a clever way for Jon Kent and her to solve the problems they are facing, while also encouraging her new super teammate to take care of himself physically and emotionally. While part of the story has beats from the more carefree and almost goofiness of the Silver Age, there’s another part of the story that draws on the mentor-mentee relationship between Wonder Woman and Superman shown in the New 52 series. Watters has a great handle on the relationship between these two characters that would be interesting to explore beyond this short 2-chapter story. 4/5 – MT
For more Crisis of Infinite Reviews click here!
Martin Thomas
martin@comicattack.net
Infinite Speech
infinitespeech@comicattack.net
Wait, I thought Fox was Batman?? Am I wrong?? Now I have to go back and check it out. Didn’t pick up Robin Eternal because I thought it was a Damian Wayne story but now that I know it’s Tim I’m all in!
Tim > All the Robins
Really? Tim? I just don’t see it lol
It’ll be interesting to see if there are any lasting effects. It’s not in keeping with his usual character, but that’s partly what made it interesting, as (while under the effects of the serum) he begins to reflect and question things about himself, and doing that was a good way of helping illustrate what makes all the different Robins unique.
Dark Detective was interesting because it focused mainly on Bruce Wayne (out of costumer and on the run), but you’re right that in the “main” Future State Batman title, Jace Fox is Batman.