Things are just getting started!
In this Futures End, Grifter gets the bigger picture of what Cadmus really wants with him; a prison break in Metropolis; Batman Beyond planning on breaking into Mr. Terrific's building again, but this time with help; S.H.A.D.E. finds Stormwatch member, Hawkman, alive; and much more!
The Good
Awesome issue! The writers continue to build on the readers' expectation of getting answers, and in this issue, they work entirely on stories that have already been established in prior issues. Which is really good! Instead of them adding another [new] plot element, the writers focus on some of the stories that have the most mystery revolving around them. (i.e. Lois Lane searching for answers on a past war; Batman Beyond breaking into Mr. Terrific's building and saving the future; and S.H.A.D.E. finding out what killed the agents of Stormwatch.) This issue should not be passed up!
Multiple things happened in this issue, but I'll hit the highlights, one of them being Grifter's alliance with Cadmus! At the start of his story, Grifter has been searching, and killing, the unknown enemy which was aliens. However, after a run-in with Cadmus, Grifter was forcibly recruited by the project, and will be using his abilities on a new target. Superhumans! The writers are doing an excellent job at developing Grifter's character in this story arc, and with Cadmus having many Earth-2 heroes in lock up, I'm wondering why Grifter is so easily joining Cadmus now after seeing this. I like how there is a bunch of mystery behind the different wars that have transpired in recent years, especially the Earth-2 war. Many of the heroes have ties to this war, and I'm really excited to see how Grifter will tie-in with needing to find upcoming superhumans and imprison more of Earth-2's heroes!
Another highlight was Batman Beyond! Yes, if you have read any of my Futures End reviews you know where I stand with Batman Beyond and his role in this series; but, moving past that, the writers have finallymoved his story forward! Batman Beyond is building a team to break into Mr. Terrific's building, which should be exciting to see; also, Mr. Terrific is seeing tech that he'll eventually create! I mention this because, his conversation with Brother Eye might've suggested that he might have a change of heart and not create it. However, it is too early in the series to make assumptions like this. I'm excited to see what the writers will do with the character!
Finally, S.H.A.D.E.'s hunt for Stormwatch's killer was very exciting! The writers are doing a really outstanding job with this story, and added the twist of Hawkman actually being alive! It'll be interesting to see what his knowledge of the event will aid S.H.A.D.E. and their mission against the unknown threat. Hawkman's reaction to finding out that Frankenstein has his arm was priceless!
The artwork by Patrick Zircher, and company, did a really good job on the art! The inks, and colors, blended really nicely with Zircher's art and made it stand out in the most important parts of this issue. (i.e. the destructive battle with Superman and Rampage in Metropolis.)
The Bad
No complaints, solid issue!
The Verdict
5 out of 5, until the next one!
Futures End Reviews -
- End of the beginning; beginning of the end! (#0)
- The seed of change! (#1)
- Funeral for a hero. (#2)
- A dilemma. (#3)
- Something big! (#4)
- Better-and-better! (#5)
- That TEASE though! (#6)
- Ended WAY too quickly! (#7)
- More story building! (#8)
