If you were to ask me what got me into comics, I would have to start from the beginning. That being in my childhood, not from actual comic books, but by being introduced to the character of Batman. It started with Batman: The Animated Series, and I watched loyally all the way through the end of Batman Beyond. So with the introduction of Batman Beyond into the main universe, I get the feeling that things have come full circle for me.
Much like Batman: Eternal, this weekly series starts off with a bang. We get right into the action, but it's not just one event. No, we are following four different storylines with four different characters… Or five… Depending on how you count Firestorm. The story seems interesting enough to keep me invested for a while, as I trust in Azzarello, and Lemire to carry this series for me. The art is by Patrick Zircher, and although his art isn't my favorite, he does a solid job this issue. Of course, it's hard to compete with Ryan Sook's cover.
Spoilers ahead…
We follow four different storylines all leading up to a singular event. Batman Beyond has traveled from 35 years into the future, but because of an issue with time travel, he didn't reach his destination, and landed five years into the future. He fights a cyborg that followed him through the time stream that he has come to our time to prevent.
We then see Stormwatch get attacked through their ship, and Apollo is destroyalated by some unknown tech thing, and then the Stormwatch ship is detonated.
Grifter is busy killing aliens who are secretly planning an invasion.
And lastly, Firestorm has received a distress call from Green Arrow, only to find him dead (bearded, and in his classic uniform, I might add).
This was pretty crazy stuff that we were seeing, and it felt like a lot to take in, but you really hope following issues focus on one or two events, or characters, and we get a steady rotation of that. It was good to see Terry in the main universe, and his A.L.F.R.E.D. A.I. was quippy, and fun banter. The Green Arrow death was surprising, but I'm sure they'll find a way to resolve this, as I don't see DC permanately killing off their big television star at the height of his popularity. So, we'll see what happens next week, but right now, I'll give this issue a decent…
The New 52: Future's End #1:
Reviewed by Corbin Pool
