REVIEW: Future State - The Next Batman #1

Has there ever been a more controversial idea than replacing Bruce Wayne with a black man? I mean, Bruce had been replaced before, countless times if truth be told. So what’s the problem? For me, thats not the the actual question; the real questions, maybe for a later time is why?

In the Future State, Gotham is policed by the Magistrate who has made it law that masks are not allowed in the city. This isn’t just about the villains, it’s also means the bats. With facial recognition in place within the system limits, this next Batman has a full cowl. This then hides his skin color as well as his identity. Who is this next Batman and why is he still trying to save Gotham, from itself, it seems?

John Ridley IV, the writer of 12 Years a Slave is the man charged with bringing in this new Batman era. Ridley paints a familiar Gotham in places; there are still gangs, there are still police and yes there are hunting Batman. The book has a heavy Year One feel, which I have to admit, I appreciated. The story does feel like a scene setter rather than constructive, at this point, though there are enough nods and touches to indicate further steps down the line. The dialogue is terse and gritty that is evocative of the Batman mythos, regardless of skin color.

Art is supplied by Nick Derrington, whose work you may have seen on Batman Universe. I admit I wasn’t blown away by that particular book. Here, Derrington continues the Year One vibe, with smaller characters in panels, that adds focus to proceedings. The lines may look a tad heavy in places, a symptom of Derrington inking his own pencils, but that only adds to the tension of the situation within Gotham city limits. It is an impressive style that is far removed from the mainstream look of the Universe book. Colors are provided by Tamra Bonvillain, who has been going about the business of coloring with great aplomb. Here, Bonvillain produces a fantastic scheme, if a tad psychedelic with its one color tinges. Finally, letters are provided by Clayton Cowles who continues to deliver excellent work that is a joy to read.

There is a second story featuring The Outsiders, written by Brandon Thomas. The book also features art by Sumit Kumar, who was fantastic on These Savage Shores from Vault. The style here is a tad different than that book, but Kumar has worked in the Bat universe previously. There is a level of kinetic energy to his pencils and inks, though Raul Fernandez also helps out on inks. Jordie Bellaire, one of my favourite colorists delivers yet another great scheme. Steve Wands provides the letters, with a trim font.

This is pretty much a slow burner, that gives a traditional vigilante story rather than the bombastic Batman story of recent months. It will be interesting to see how long this book continues to entertain, especially with the Detective Comics Future State featuring Bruce Wayne as Batman hits.

Writing – 4 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars

Overall – 4 Stars

Written by; John Ridley IV & Brandon Thomas
Art by; Nick Derrington & Sumit Kumar
Inks by; Sumit Kumar & Raul Fernandez
Colors by; Tamra Bonvillain & Jordie Bellaire
Letters by; Clayton Cowles & Steve Wands
Published by; DC Comics

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network