The Good

This issue picks up right after the Free Comic Book Day zero issue. Starting thirty-five years from now, we see the future has gone to hell. It's pretty bad for the heroes and villains in the DCU and there's only one hope, to go back in time and prevent certain things from happening. The problem is, that plan doesn't go as intended. Terry McGinnis goes back but ends up in the wrong time, five years from now and seven years too late. This future is more similar to what we're familiar with but there are already signs of the dark times coming.

It's not just about Batman Beyond as we see other areas of the New 52. Given the 'five years from now' timeline, the writers are free to go all out and shake up or blow up what they please. This adds to the gravity of the situation and keeps readers on edge. Especially when you see the last page.

The fact that we don't have a focus on the A-listers is pretty cool. As a fan of Grifter, it's interesting to see him here in action and you have to wonder what role he'll play in all of this. We don't have to have Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, etc always at the front of big comic book events in the DCU.

The Bad

Those that didn't or weren't able to pick up the zero issue will be missing out. Without seeing the dark future or why it was Terry that came into the past will be lost upon them. As a first issue, it's not overly new reader friendly. There is a lot going on and being set up here but without that anchor of what is at stake, it might be hard to connect or fully get invested in a weekly series.

I mentioned that I dig the lack of the A-listers That could be a deterrent for some. In this issue we have Grifter, Stormwatch, Mr. Terrific, and Firestorm. If you think about it, all of them had their own series and all have been canceled (STORMWATCH's final issue was last month).

The Verdict

If you haven't picked up the Free Comic Book Day zero issue, hopefully you can still track one down. While you can still dive into this story, set five years from now, having an idea what the New 52 universe thirty-five years from now looks like and why Batman Beyond time traveled back would help appreciate this issue. As a first issue, those that missed out might find themselves scratching their heads. This can definitely be a fun ride as a weekly series but there's a little too much going on in this issue. Having the cast of the issue consist of different characters whose books have all been canceled is an interesting decision. We shouldn't always see the big guns in comic book events but the reality of it is, that might be more appealing to readers not fully invested in the fate of the entire New 52 Universe. There is a pretty crazy cliffhanger and that alone will make you want to return next week for the second issue. But try to find a copy of the FCBD one.

I really enjoyed this, even though I missed out on #0. Four stars for me. I also thought that scene with Grifter was pretty intense.

OK, if I get it right, this would have been a 4 star issue, but the need of picking the zero issue to understand this one is what caused this rating.

Well then, I'm fully on board with this series! Really an interesting concept with B-flat characters!

Yea I enjoyed this but I wish the stupid FCBD issues were available online so I could actually read them. Loved seeing Storm Watch and Grifter back to being a stone cold badass.

@nahuel: I think this issue will be hit or miss for many. There's definitely big things being set up. It's a little hard to tell how it will all be executed.

I thought it was good

I like that this series seems to be focusing on lesser known characters like Grifter and the Stormwatch team.

Oh and this is a 4* issue for me

I have no idea why they didn't make the 0 issue available digitally, not all of us can go to stupid FCD. Anyway, still liked this issue, a solid 4 for me.

@g_man: So you have given 3 stars to this issue because of the cast and that its not a great jumping point for a #1 issue? A little harsh dont u think?

I'm really digging Future's End. It's exciting, ambitious, and has found ways to shake things up. It reminds me of the old school spirit of comic books.

@jonny_anonymous said:

Well, they are, just not in Comixology.

If you don't read issue #0, then you're lost. What a dumb move by DC for those who couldn't get out to FCBD.

I thought this was a great first issue. It does kinda suck that issue #0 needs to be read beforehand, but c'mon guys it's free, there no reason really not to read it!

The lack of A-Listers shouldn't be a bad thing...Everyone always criticizes DC for overusing the big 3 but the second the switch to a completely different roster of heroes, it's a bad thing??

Anyway, this issue surprised me. I really enjoyed it!

I thought #0 was kind of disgusting. Violence doesn't particularly bother me, but it was like ridiculously rough for no real reason. I'm not very interested in this as a result. Issue 0 was just a turn off...

@the_stegman: Loved seeing Grifter being a stone cold badass and Hawkman being on Storm Watch is a great idea.

At first I thought this would be really dumb, because the concept sounded stupid, and it has Batman Beyond (something I really don't like), but the line up of underrated characters and all star writing team makes me really like this. Still wish I had a way to get the zero issue though.

@captainmarvel4ever: You don't like Batman Beyond?

@inferiorego: issue #0 well come out in may 14 digitally but yeah agree stupid move they should of put a redeem code for issue 0 with issue 1 or something

@anandak47: how is a 3 harsh? That means it was okay. With what you get in THIS issue, it's hard to get excited. So, no, I don't think my OPINION, which is spelled out is harsh. You know you guys can write your own reviews too, right?

And you should've heard what was being said at my comic shop.

@captainmarvel4ever: you can find it online. It's a free issue so it's not like that should be considered illegal.

I approve of this book design of Hawkman

Glad their giving the Wildstorm characters the spotlight.

Really enjoyed this issue. Loving these weeklies.

I actually really enjoyed this and I haven't read the FCBD issue, I need to go track that down but the nearest store I knew of doing it is like a 4 hour drive away. I'm not sure I can justify spend the cash on multiple weekly series so I didn't want to jump into Batman eternal until i gave this a shot. Really enjoyed the first issue, and I really like the set of characters (I know very little of Grifter and Firestorm so good to read more) so far, although I'm not sure how it being set 5 years from now is going to work out... I dunno, I've high hopes for it anyway!

Plus is it just me or is that cover awesome!?

I'm seriously hoping this leads us into a WildCats ongoing :D

Grifter's scene was my favorite, and I like how they kinda acknowledge how long this invasion thing is taking lol.

@clawfist:

or a re-launch of the Authority :D

@micah: YES. Just Yes. We need more WildStorm in our lives. They've held our people back too long! >:D

Hell Yeah brother, Wildstorm is life, follow me brother I will follow back.

@g_man: what was being said at your shop?

@micah: Hahah, whaaaaaaat. A fellow WildStormer, Bro? Dude, we gotta fist bump lol. Come on, come on. I'll go first. -fistbump- lol

No, it's not my thing. On the bright side though, he will be written by Brian Azzarello, who has been writing Wonder Woman, my favorite New 52 book.

@feargalr: Try the library.

@clawfist: FISTBUMP!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

Well tbf his opinion can still be that it was harsh

"not like it should be"

Never said it was legal.

Lol

have read the #0 issue and will definitely pick this one.

I'd give it 4 stars.

I liked it alot. I would definitely give it a 4. The art was crazy good and I really liked the Batman Beyond, Grifter, and Firestorm sections. The Stormwatch section kinda lost me but thats mostly because I dont like Stormwatch (not that I'll have to worry about them anymore in the story haha). Cant wait for the next issue!

Did not read the 0 issue (yet) and had 0 problems with this comic. Do we really need to see Dystopia to know it is hell? We've all seen enough Future Dystopia stories to know if the hero is coming back to meddle with time, then the future is crazy horrible.

The lack of A-listers is not an issue so long as there is a Batman in the story (just look at Earth 2).

I would give this issue 4 out of 5 stars. There is a lot of set up but the writing was solid and the art beautiful. Definitely looking forward to next week's issue.

I did enjoy this. It's a fun popcorn reading sort of experience. Heck, just enjoy the ride in all its silliness.

(That part with Grifter was a little too over the top in my opinion)

@noj: Um Stormwatch are going to be main characters in the book

I really liked this. Really awesome to see Terry in the new 52 and can't wait to see him interact with 'our time's' heroes. The whole concept reminds me of a cyber version of the Rotworld crossover with Brother Eye being The Rot assimilating everything.

@mrtummytumms: It wasn't liked as much as I did.

SO basically Future's End is "Rotworld" mixed with a little Days of Future Past? I dig it >.>!