The New 52: Futures End #6 Review
By Steve Lam
Writers: Brian Azzarello, Jeff Lemire, Dan Jurgens, Keith Giffen
Artist: Patrick Zircher
Recap
In Futures End #5, we started off with Mr. Terrific releasing his uSpheres at a public event. A paralyzed Grifter is forced to strike a deal with King Faraday for an unknown job that involves being partnered up with a young girl. In exchange, Grifter will regain the ability to walk. Fury, on Cadmus island, fights OMAC Operatives and is subsequently rendered unconscious by the same young girl who is now partnered with Grifter. In New York, Ronnie finally unmerges and releases Jason. The future of Firestorm is now unknown as both part ways vowing to never be a hero again. As Jason meets up with Dr. Yamazake, he finds out that Yamazake has been working on a device that’s similar to the transporter used by the Justice League — except it’s much more advanced. Finally, in Kansas, Constantine makes an appearance in a corn field at the request of a woman named Midge to investigate a crop circle. From above, we see that there are two more circles and the three form the symbol of Brainiac.
Spoiler-Free Reaction
A great issue that not only refers back to past plots in the Futures End series, but makes some new connections. I found this issue to have the right amount of mysteries and cliffhangers.
Plot Details and Spoilers and Deaths: Oh My!
Key, Plastique, and Coil continue their plans to break into Terrifitech. Little do they know, Terry McGinnis, disguised as a homeless man, is spying on them. A.L.F.R.E.D.’s diagnostic confirms that the cyborg that followed Terry through the time portal in issue #1 is actually the future Plastique. Having A.L.F.R.E.D. amplify the group’s conversation, Terry wants to know why they also want to break into Terrifitech.
Meanwhile, Mr. Terrific has Terry under surveillance. Using comparative analysis of footage from Batman Beyond’s break-in, Terrifitech security has concluded that Terry (They only know him as a homeless man though.) and Batman Beyond are the same person. Mr. Terrific choose not to bring Terry in yet and wants to handle this matter himself.
At S.H.A.D.E. headquarters, Dr. Palmer preps his ship, the Nan-Knight. Because the team (Frankenstein, Amethyst, and Dr. Palmer) will be microscopic when they go through the Phantom Zone, the inhabitants of the Zone won’t be able to detect them. Making their way through, the Nan-Knight is hit by a powerful surge of energy which starts to increase their size. Now noticed by the inhabitants, Frankenstein and Amethyst leave the ship to ward them off. Frankenstein is hit by a second surge of energy that originates from Black Adam, who is a prisoner of the Zone.
Back in New York City, Cal, who’s really Tim Drake, kicks out an unruly patron who has been harassing Madison, Tim’s girlfriend. Lois has been spying the events from her table and finally confronts Tim with evidence that he’s Red Robin. Not giving in and still denying who he is, Tim forces Lois out of the bar.
As Lois leaves, she’s followed by King Faraday who’s speaking to an unknown remote source. About to move in, Faraday is stopped by Superman who, for some reason, is wearing a mask with a face-plate. Superman warns Faraday that Lois is off-limits and takes off. Faraday, to himself, talks about the rumors behind Superman’s mask and vows to find out. Leaving, Faraday tells his unknown source that he’ll let Lois find her way to him.
Wrapping It Up
I would say that this is one of the stronger issues. Though not filled with action, it formed some new connections to different plots and introduced some new mysteries. There’s definitely a large cast, but nothing that can be considered too overstuffed. I’m also glad they gave the Firestorm drama a rest. Looking forward to #7.