Future State: Batman/Superman #1 Review

Writer: Gene Luen Yang

Artist: Ben Oliver

Rating: 5 of 8

Future State

Batman/Superman #1

 'To thine own self be true'. Many years ago, that's what the Bard wrote in Hamlet - and though both the line and play themselves are a lot older now than they once were, it's meaning is still as relevant today as it's ever been. You've got to be true to who you are, even if everyone doesn't really like who that is.

It's a lesson the Caped Crusader definitely takes to heart, even if that has some decidedly deadly consequences for the people he loves most. Though the question is, is that the case because of who he is - or because those who hurt them have learned that lesson too? 

Sadly, who he is could be the very thing that gets him killed, as he faces off against the Magistrate - and more - in the early days of their totalitarian regime. Fittingly, he and Superman encounter a group of people trying to hide their identities in order to fight this regime and, for one, save someone they love. It brings up an interesting counterpoint to what Clark said earlier, as he feels immense relief after revealing who he really is to the world.

But, as Batman posits, 'Not everyone can be like you, Clark. Some of us need masks'. It's something another character puts into practice as, he, too, uses his anonymity to fight against the oppressive force that surrounds them. If there's anything Oliver does well, it's in the dynamism he brings to the art. Throughout, he brings us some pretty dynamic art, like a brief fight between the Man of Steel and Magistrate robots, the above scene and the ending itself. It definitely helps to add some punch to the issue, which is definitely fitting for a comic like this.

Overall, it's a pretty good issue, though not as good some other Batman/Superman tales, or ones from their respective titles. If there's just two things I'd criticize, it's just how unwise Superman acts at times, which would make sense if it was a younger Superman like Conner or Jon, but it's not, so it doesn't really fit. Oliver also makes the hero look a little younger than he should, given just how old the character is now. Otherwise, Yang does pretty well in capturing the hero's voices, especially Batman's stoicism and Superman's endless compassion.

I Breathed A Body #1 Review

Writer: Zac Thompson

Artist: Andy MacDonald

Rating: 5 of 8

I Breathed A Body #1

Power. For many, it's one of the most important things around. Those without it hunger for it, while those with even a small amount will do their best to hold onto what little they have. But with it, however big or small, must always come a great deal of responsibility. The words of such an old comic-book hero might seem hackneyed or cliché, but to this day, they remain some of the most important words ever put to comics.

They're words many would do well to heed, especially those with a lot of influence. Years ago, those people would've been the Presidents, Prime Ministers and the people around them. Today, they're joined by a very different kind of influencer: that of social media. These could be footballers like Ronaldo, singers like Beyoncé, or gamers like PewDiePie; but there's at least one thing they all share: influence.

It's something Anne Stewart and her team have a lot of. The question is whether they use any of it responsibly. Most of their focus is on young Mylo Caliban, an online prankster with a lot of influence, energy - and something else, bubbling beneath the surface. Whether they manage to catch any of it and turn it into something positive is yet to be seen. But given their track record, where even his incredible recklessness can work out for them, they might just have a chance.

Intriguingly, the post-script has an article all about Mylo, detailing his success, his personal philosophy and a whole lot more. But it's the part about him being ''fluent in the language of manic apathy'' that intrigues me. Given some of the things he does near the issue's end, I find it hard to believe he doesn't care, even if he doesn't express it in the best of ways. 

I'm not sure whether I should criticize, or praise, the article. While it's brilliantly written and nicely expands on the issue's world, some of what it explains might've been better shown within the story itself. If there's one other thing I'd criticize, it's that one of the later pages is oddly out of focus, though both the previous and next pages are very clear.

Overall, the issue, though flawed, is pretty good. It flows well, rarely drags and has some good commentary on the power of influence in the social media age. 

 

The Devil's Red Bride #4 Review

Writer: Sebastian Girner

Artist: John Bivens

Rating: 8 of 8

The Devil's Red Bride #4

They say to follow your heart, but sometimes, even with the best intentions, it can lead you to some very dark places. You just have to decide if the cost is one worth paying. This particular dilemma is one Ketsuko must face, even as she nears the end of her quest for vengeance. 

Years ago, a shinobi (ninja) snuck into her family's castle, in an attempt on her father's life. Even though he survived, her mother... did not. While her father moved on, she could not and carried the pain with her to this day. Even though, to her, the revenge is justified, the truth could be a lot more complicated - and painful.

 Though there's a lot of frenetic, bloody action to keep you happy, there's also an altogether different kind at play. That's one of an altogether more political nature, designed to move certain pieces where certain people want them - even if everyone isn't happy to be one of the pieces.

This balance between action heavy scenes and political ones is very reminiscent of Game of Thrones and is expertly executed by Girner + Bivens. One of the best aspects of the issue is most definitely the art. Whether it's Ketsuko's ever clear emotion, even through her devil mask, or the way her hair flows, almost water-like, Bivens never fails to give the art a real flourish.

This is particularly evident in a later scene, it's horrific nature eerily reminiscent of such monstrous transformations in series like Bleach and Naruto, which is rather fitting, given the prominence of ninja and similar warriors in those series.

Overall, this is just a fantastic issue, laced with thrilling action and political intrigue. Though I've never read the previous issues, I was able to easily understand what was going on regardless. It's an unique attribute, especially for a penultimate issue and I applaud Girner for accomplishing it. Expertly drawn and beautifully written, I definitely recommend both this and the series. 

The Next Batman #1 Review

 

Writers: John Ridley, 

Brandon Thomas + Paul Jenkins

Artists: Nick Derington,

Sumit Kumar + Jack Herbert

Rating: 6 of 8

The Next Batman #1

Legacy. Believe it or not, it's one of the most important things there is. A son tries to live up to his father, a daughter to their mother; a student to his teacher. Such men leave behind a legacy, we can't help but try to live up to it - even if we fail.

Such is the case for a number of characters here; perhaps most of all, the new Batman. So far, he does a decent job as the new Dark Knight, though it remains to be seen whether he - or anyone - can truly live up to such a legacy. Intriguingly, the issue itself never actually reveals just who the new Batman is.

A few weeks ago, DC actually revealed his identity - but, as it's not revealed here, I won't spoil the surprise for anyone who doesn't already know. So far, there isn't much to distinguish him from Bruce's Batman. Whenever it comes to new faces behind the mask, it's important to do something to distinguish them from the original, or there's no point in using someone new.

But if they're too different, outside of the name and mask, what exactly makes them Batman? It's a tricky thing to balance and while I think it was mostly done well with Gordon, Dick and Jean-Paul, I'm not sure that Ridley's succeeded - at least, not so far. With the Magistrate, he's certainly succeeded in giving Batman and co a rather formidable foe.

As opposed to other foes, this one seems almost omnipresent and, given that it controls the city, it's a lot harder to defeat. In this time, anyone who wears a mask is breaking the law and, if one of their officers spots you wearing one, you're dead. 

Later on, one officer says to an ex-partner ''You know I never cared for the ''masks'', but... now masks have gotten so damn political, and the cops-- we're caught in the middle''. With all of this combined, Ridley's making a very political story for these times, though done with enough care that it never feels like it's delivering a lecture, or a story that suffers through a badly delivered lesson.

Throughout, he and Derington deliver some very tight action scenes and, between this and Ridley's script, the story flows better because of it. It ends on a rather tantalizing cliffhanger, one I'm curious to see followed up. 

Though there are two more stories, The Next Batman's definitely the highlight - though they both come pretty close, especially Arkham Knights: Rise, a tale about the titular Knight leading a resistance full of Batman's villains against a greater threat. It works pretty well to show just how much good such figures could do, if they only needed to. Jenkins does well in showing just how different this Knight is to the original, with an ideology both different and similar to their predecessor.

Overall, despite it's flaws, this is a very good opening, which shows a lot of promise for this dark new status quo.