Review: Join The Future #2

By all accounts, Aftershock is a solid new publisher under the guidance of Mike Marts. That’s why it is so disappointing to see a story as weak as Join The Future #2 under it’s umbrella. The protagonist, Clem, witnesses the death of her family at the hands of corporate mercenaries who seek to take over the land to make way for expansion of urban development.

The plot is bland, everything we have seen before and clearly fashioned for a future film, complete with a spunky protagonist determined to avenge her family’s death. This is meant to be Arya Stark in the old west, with urban developers playing the role of the Lannisters. This issue of course culminates with her finding a mentor in Trader, who will train her to hone her craft in the hopes of achieving great vengeance.

The art itself is breath-taking in many parts. The vast urban landscape set against the old west and forest settings is painstakingly rendered. There are amazing details within the trees, massive destructive engines, vast landscapes, tragic massacres, and beautiful animals. Some of the facial features throughout the issue appear a bit flat or smeared, but overall this is an amazing book to look at. The plot and writing just doesn’t live up to this amazing artwork.

The limited scope of the story might change in future issues, but as of now this feels like a very familiar tale with slight twists in setting and conflict. Comics can take us places film and television simply cannot, both in story-telling and scope. This book simply feels like it was created to sell as a script rather than trying to give us something with depth and character work. The story might benefit from an expansion of the cast, more focus on the villains and some time spent in the city. Thus far it is a beautiful book with very limited imagination.

Writing: 2 of 5 stars
Artwork: 4 of 5 stars
Colors: 4 of 5 stars

Overall: 3.3 of 5 stars

Writer: Zack Kaplan
Artist: Piotr Kowalski
Colors: Brad Simpson
Letters: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: Aftershock Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.