Mild Mannered Reviews – Future State: Batman/Superman #2

DC Future State: Batman/Superman #2

Scheduled to arrive in stores: February 23, 2021
Cover date: April 2021

“Trust”

Writer: Gene Luen Yang
Penciller: Ben Oliver
Breakdown: Scott McDaniel
Penciller and Inker: Ben Oliver and Stephen Segovia
Cover: David Marquez and Alejandro Sanchez
Variant Cover: Arthur Adams and Sabine Rich

Reviewed by: Craig Boehmer

Superman is captured by Mr. Toad who it turns out is working for Professor Pyg. Batman attempts to rescue him but is thwarted by a bioengineered thug with octopus arms. Later it is revealed that Professor Pyg has used Superman’s body to bioengineer security measures for the Magistrate. Later Batman is able to break into Professor Pyg’s lab. While this is going on, Superman appeals to Mr. Toad who aids him in escaping. Superman and Batman then take down Professor Pyg. In the aftermath Batman tells Superman that the Magistrate has developed synthetic kryptonite and therefore he does not allow Superman to help him defeat the Magistrate.

Story – 2: This story has some major issues. The first issue that caused a problem was the time jump between Superman being captured and the rescue. The book only says “Later” but then Batman is facing a group of animals with Superman’s DNA genetically grafted onto them. That is quite a while later for Superman to be missing, you would think other heroes would have gotten involved in the search for him. The second issue was the way Batman handled the rise of synthetic kryptonite by sending Superman away. I can not see any logic in this plot point. It is just a poorly designed plan to shelve Superman so that the Magistrate can take over Gotham. It is obviously a forced way for the Magistrate to rise without Superman to confront them. It does not make sense, especially given Superman’s history of going to space. But this is an issue with the Magistrate as a whole, and any story line that targets Gotham specifically, where are the other heroes? I am willing to give Yang the benefit of the doubt when he gets to the ongoing, but this was super disappointing.


Art – 5: This art is fantastic. I loved it. Professor Pyg’s creations look grotesque and violent.


Cover Art – 3: This cover is dynamic and fun, the giant pig looks creepy and disturbing. My major issue with this cover is that nothing like this happens at all in the comic. If they had even replaced the pig with the warthog at the beginning, or Superman’s creepy clone.


Variant Cover Art – 3: Beebop fighting Batman and Superman. The monster looks cool, but Batman and Superman look odd, especially Superman’s face.


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