A review of DC's Weekly comic, Futures End

Is this a future worth reading about?

A comic book review 

By: Joshua Voshell

Edited by: Devin Heck

I've been an on-again, off-again comic book collector for a few years now, so it may not surprise you that DC’s Futures End only appeared on my radar after I picked up the 0 issue on Free Comic Book Day. At the time of writing this, I am on issue #13, and after hearing lots of criticism for the series I would like to point out what I like about it.

Before I get into the details about what I like and dislike about the comic, I feel it is necessary to give an overview. 35 years into the current DC future, a borg-like army has taken over the world, following the orders of a single intelligence known as Brother Eye. If you are familiar with the Terminator series, it’s much like the apocalyptic world you find there: a small band of resistance fighters trying to defeat Skynet. In the first issue, we see what may be the final push of this resistance movement, as it seems that most of the world’s population has been converted into these borg-like individuals. As a last ditch effort to save the world Batman sends back his apprentice Terry McGinnis. Terry McGinnis, who is also called Batman, is sent back to stop Batman and Mr. Terrific from building Brother Eye. Due to, complications he ends up not traveling far enough back to prevent Brother Eye’s creation. Thus, we have Terry 5 years in the future trying to stop something that he believes has already started.

This story is laden with questions such as, what exactly is Brother Eye? why did Batman build it? how did it take over the world and defeat its vast armies of meta humans? These questions are just a few that come up in the first issue. Throughout the series, these mysteries grow and multiply. Later on, when Terry is in the past, we learn that Brother Eye is some kind of defense satellite. Subsequently we find out that also that it has been shut down since some sort of invasion. This brings up so many questions. What will lead it from being a dormant satellite to conquering the world with its converted minions? What invasion? We also learn that there was some sort of global war involving earth 2. We see Superman has a mask and are told that he has been wearing the thing since the war. All these questions I find fascinating.

 In every issue, we seem to be learning something new about this world and some new clue or mystery shows up. At Ollie’s funeral, we see a number of heroes give eulogies. Each one works on the surface as summing up of his character by explaining who Ollie was, both his personal life and his superhero life. Now, I know Ollie is a well-established DC character but this is five years in the future, so we need to question who everyone is. Especially considering all that seems to have happened during that five-year period. The eulogies also help to establish the socio political landscape of the DCU. There was some sort of global confrontation with Earth 2 and now for some reason a bunch of Earth 2 characters live on Earth Prime and that this has caused a lot of strife. Now on the surface level of the eulogies nothing is happening, although I went into it hoping to get insight into what Green Arrow was working on before he died. Instead of learning about what specifically Green Arrow was working on, they subtly start building up the back-story of this DCU timeline.

The mysteries that are being teased thought the series are a big draw for me. Like what happened to superman that makes him wear that mask? Personally, I think he is Superman of Earth 2 and since that Superman is black and looks nothing like Clark, he needs to wear a mask to cover his face. Why do I think this? Superman outfit covers his whole body. The classic uniform has his hands bare as well as his face. This person has nothing showing because he wears gloves and a mask, and he doesn't wear a cape- another departure from Prime Earth Superman’s costume. My first reaction to reading the line “Lots of rumors why you wear that mask, Superman,” (Issue 6, Futures End) was to envision a Phantom of the Opera scenario. However, after thinking about it longer and seeing an ad for an Earth 2 comic, I realized it was quite possible that he is Earth 2 Superman. He seems to act a bit different from the current DC superman. In the same issue, we see him being very protective in a boyfriend way of Lois Lane and I believe he is with Wonder Woman in current DCU cannon. He is shown not remembering things superman should know. In addition, Earth 2 and Earth Prime had some sort of conflict so it is not unreasonable that Superman of Earth 2 would end up on Earth Prime. We also know that it was only after the war that superman changed his outfit. The information for this is nicely spread out through the book and is subtle enough to be enjoyable.

Each issue is split up into a number of stories, one following Grifter, one following Frankenstein, One following Lois Lane trying to figure out the meaning behind the items she was sent, and there are other plots going on but all of these stories help to build up the world surrounding Batman (Terry McGinnis). Each story reveals aspects of a larger story that of the coming apocalypse. This all puts Batman’s quest into perspective and makes you realize just how massive an undertaking it is. It looks like Terry is in way over his head. Each story is also interesting in and of itself. Because there are so many story lines in each issue, it can feel like week to week not much happens but it would be a mistake to skip an issue. I would suggest reading a few at a time if they feel slow to you.

If I had to complain about anything in the series, it would be the artwork and some of the design. Because the comic is a weekly instead of a monthly, the quality of the artwork on each issue waffles between very good to poor. On average, I think the art is decent but I also don't like some of the stylistic choices the comic goes with. The design I like the least is that of the Borg like followers of Brother Eye. One assimilated into the fold an individual has body parts removed almost at random and replaced with silly spider legs or other robotic nonsense. The big reason I don’t like this is because all these meta humans we see converted have been gutted of some of the very aspects that would have given them an advantage for Brother Eye. If you could convert all these meta humans and gain their vast powers why ruin them? The only good explanation I can think of is that they are being stripped of individuality and humanity.

In conclusion, I think this series is enjoyable, but you should keep a few things in mind while reading it. First, since the comic is essentially one long arc spanning 49 issues, so expect a slow burn. The story has a quasi-main plot but in order to flesh out this epic we are told the story largely through the lens of its subplots. Each of which are interesting in and of themselves. Next, you need to realize that what this story is excelling at is mystery and world building. How have things got to be the way they are? What will happen that leads to the grim outcome we saw in issue zero?  With each new issue, the story evolves, and some small questions are answered while others are raised. Finally, be aware the artwork is overall decent but can at time dip into poor territory. While some of the art is good and some of the designs are nice, overall this comic will not be making sales based on its aesthetics. With all that in mind, I suggest you give this series a change. I like it and hopefully you will too.