Review by Ian Keogh
Over six collections, Future State is a thorough look into a possible near future for the DC universe. The Next Batman spotlights a number of heroes operating in a version of Gotham that’s grimmer and deadlier than the current one, so you will believe a further descent into hell is possible. The original Batman is believed dead, but there is a replacement, and his former allies are targetted by city authorities who’ve allowed an armoured private police force complete freedom to shoot masked vigilantes on sight.
At four chapters the title story doubles the length of everything that follows. John Ridley introduces the new Gotham via the new Batman, and Ridley zones in on the bigger story, so this isn’t about Batman’s identity, which is disclosed well before the end. Batman is seen adapting to the new world and the story becomes his quest to transport two people safely over thirty blocks without the murderously aggressive private police killing him. Nick Derington sets the bleak tone by drawing the opening chapter, after which Laura Braga then works from his layouts. For the sake of cliffhanger chapter endings Ridley introduces a couple of clumsy elements, but otherwise this is a satisfying, if brutal introduction to this new world.
The title story is the best of the collection for having stronger emotional tensions, but only the single back-up disappoints. Brandon Thomas’ Outsiders strip never really catches fire. There’s a presumption readers know about the problems the cast have, so they’re never adequately explained, and while Sunit Kumar can produce some stunning pages, there’s also many manga-style layouts with the colour filling in backgrounds.
Working upwards, Paul Jenkins and Jack Herbert suffer from a lesser page count to focus on Gotham’s villains so their trauma doesn’t greatly transmit, and Batgirl infiltrating the prison where Spoiler is held has a well concealed surprise, but overall Vita Ayala and Aneke’s story doesn’t push enough buttons. These are run of the mill, though, not poor.
Stepping further up, Grifter stars in an action caper well plotted by Matthew Rosenberg with stunning art from Carmine di Giandomenico and the threat of the never seen Magistrate and his armoured peacekeepers are as effective here as in other inclusions.
Andrew Constant and Nicola Scott’s Nightwing is a fast-paced thriller, with clever plotting and great art, plus the thrill of Nightwing meeting the new Batman. Around the same level is Paula Sevenbergen’s teaming of Catwoman and Poison Ivy along with a well developed new character. Rob Haynes provides layouts with finished pages always delightful from Emanuela Lupacchino (sample art right) and character interaction the priority.
Didn’t anyone notice Ladrönn’s back cover illustration looks at first glance to be Batman sitting on the toilet?
As half DC’s regular comics in 2021 star Batman or associated characters, Future State: Dark Detective also spotlights Gotham, as do three later volumes reviving the era titled Future State: Gotham. Buy into the Future State idea, and accept that the same menace infiltrates every story, and this is a decent collection.
