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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…

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Future State: Catwoman#1
Publisher: DC
Writers: Ram V
Artists: Otto Schmidt
Letters: Tom Napolitano
Cover: Liam Sharp

Usually, we think of Catwoman on a level with the villians, but Ram V has us starting off immediately in Catwoman #1 as a hero. The Magistrate, who we have read about in several of the Future State comics, has shown once again that he seems to be kind of a horrible leader. In this issue, we see a train full of kids and prisoners being shipped out… because what could go wrong with those 2 groups travelling together? Of course we get to see Catwoman kick some butt and she briefly enlists Onomatopoeia for help. Ms. Canorus, a supposed liason for the Magistrate, is also on board and is not who she appears to be! There are so many little twists in this issue that are only heightened by Schmidt’s artistic details. This is definitely a book to check out! 5/5 – AC

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Future State: Aquaman #1
Publisher: DC
Writers: Brandon Thomas
Artists: Daniel Sampere
Colors: Adriano Lucas
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Cover: Khary Randolph & Emilio Lopez

Jackson Hyde now holds the mantle of Aquaman in a story that Brandon Thomas knocks completely out of the water! I know that pun was severely on the nose but this is the first Future State issue I was excited for when announced and it delivered on everything. Thomas writes a compelling story of determination and hope that’s backed by some jaw-dropping visual storytelling from Sampere and Lucas. The dynamic between Aquaman and his sidekick, Aquawoman (Don’t call her Aqualass) is one of the highlights of the story. The two end up world hopping and being heroes which was going well until it wasn’t. It’s an emotional turn that is punctuated by a great-looking full page from the art team who do a phenomenal job throughout the issue. Their opening escape sequence sets the tone and keeps the same energy from the character to creature designs. Lucas’ colors amplify the otherworldly look of the underwater realms and helps keep you drawn into the narrative. I’d also like to shout out Aquaman’s captors who made sure that during his six year imprisonment that his locs were taken care of. This is a Future State title worth picking up and honestly I’d love to see this creative team on a regular Aquaman book when this event wraps up! 5/5 – IS

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Future State: The Next Batman #2
Publisher: DC
Writers: John Ridley, Vita Ayala, Paula Sevenbergen
Artists: Laura Braga, Aneke, Rob Haynes, Emanuela Lupacchino
Inks: Wade Von Grawbadger
Colors: Arif Prianto, Trish Mulvihill, John Kalisz
Letters: Clayton Cowles, Becca Carey
Cover: Landronn

The story continues for the new Batman as Ridley has him investigating a murder that leads to quite the moral conflict in the world of the caped crusader. As we’re taken further into this world, Ridley drops some hints regarding the strained relationships going on with the Fox family as well as Gotham’s current state and how it came to be. He also really shines the light on the Peacekeepers being just trash individuals. We also have a different art team on this one that gives the narrative a different feel from the first issue but they serve the story well. 3.5/5

The next tale, Batgirls, is penned by Vita Ayala and they do right by Cassie and Spoiler in a high pressure story that takes place in the Magistrate Detention Facility. Ayala makes sure you feel the tension between Cassie and Spoiler with some great dialogue though it’s what isn’t said that also speaks volumes. They fill in some of the gaps of the worldbuilding and really help to cement the grip that the Magistrate has over not only Gotham, but the superpowered heroes and villains along with the non-powered who may or may not have been affiliated with some of them. The story works so well from the art to the narrative and maybe Ayala should just be on a title starring Cassie and Spoiler from now on? 4/5

This is probably the lightest Future State tale and it’s a fun little adventure from Sevenbergen and Lupacchino staring Ivy and Catwoman. We’re also introduced to the Dee Dee who happens to be a droid who gets a crash course in being human with a night on the town with two of the Gotham City Sirens: a story that Sevenbergen twists up by the time we get to the cliffhanger even if certain things were a bit predictable. 3/5 – IS

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Writer: Geoffrey Thorne; Ryan Cady; Ernie Altbacker
Artist: Tom Raney; Sami Basri; Clayton Henry
Colors: Mike Atiyeh; Hi-Fi; Marcelo Maiolo
Letters: Andworld Design; Dave Sharpe; Steve Wands
Cover: Clayton Henry & Marcelo Maiolo

The first Green Lantern comic of the Future State universe brings us 3 different Lantern stories that will have you reading straight through. Last Lanterns brings us John Stewart in the midst of battle alongside many companions. The God in Red seems to be quite the formidable opponent to which we are introduced. Raney and Atiyeh’s artistic details add to the excitement and emotions of the story that Thorne crafts and continue all the way through to the heartbreaking cliffhanger. This is the first comic of the Future State universe that I immediately wanted the sequel for. 5/5

The Taking of Sector 0123 is the next story in this installment of Green Lantern. This focuses on Jessica Cruz, a green lantern from earth. We get to see her kick some major Sinestro Corps booty. As a woman, I loved seeing the focus being on a boss babe who uses her intelligence to aid in her fight. Cady leaves us with quite the cliffhanger as well that blew my mind and left me wanting more. The art team does an excellent job continuing the style from Last Lanterns and adding the power of the lanterns.  5/5

The final story we read in this book is Book of Guy which is a hilarious tale about green lantern Guy Gardner. This is a great lighthearted way to wrap up after the emotional twists in the first two stories. From a Lantern squirrel to jelly-loving heretics, Altbacker will have you cracking up. Don’t think that it is all fun and games though as we do meet a scary space biker in the end who seems like he might ruin Guy’s peaceful rule. The details from the art team only heighten the comedic storyline. Definitely make sure to read this story. 5/5 – AC

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Future State: Wonder Woman #1
Publisher: DC
Writers: Becky Cloonan & Michael W. Conrad, L.L. McKinney
Artists: Jen Bartel, Alitha Martinez
Inks: Mark Morales
Colors: Jen Bartel, Emilio Lopez
Letters: Pat Brosseau, Becca Carey
Cover: Jen Bartel

Wonder Woman #1 starts us off “impossibly long ago, in the distant future” which is honestly a little confusing of a timeline. Cloonan and Conrad take us into a world where it seems that humanity has past, many of our heroes gone. Diana and the Amazons must protect the world and the dying Swamp Thing from Darkseid when we get a surprise from an aging friend of years past who enters into the fight. The artwork from Bartel and Morales truly adds to the story as some details and feelings are brought to life. I also loved that someone FINALLY drew the Amazons as having muscles and curves (which makes sense since they are warriors)! The combination of a well-written story and supporting art create an intriguing story that will hit you right in the feels. 4/5

We also get to see Wonder Woman’s sister, Nubia and I am here for it! McKinney gives us an exciting battle between Nubia and Grail in which we learn some details about the Amazons and earth as well as the relationship between Nubia and Diana. We then get to meet the regal Aunt Nancy who enlightens Nubia on the major trouble that could be in store if Grail succeeds. Again, the art team does an excellent job with bringing the story to life and giving us extra little details. After reading this, I think I actually prefer Nubia to Wonder Woman because I love her sass! I will definitely be reading more Nubia after this! 5/5 – AC

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Infinite Speech
infinitespeech@comicattack.net

Anna Copp
anna@comicattack.net