The New 52: Futures End #33 Review
By Steve Lam
Writers: Brian Azzarello, Keith Giffen, Dan Jurgens, Jeff Lemire
Artists: Aaron Lopresti, Stephen Thompson, Art Thibert, Hi-Fi, Ryan Sook
Futures End #32 Recap
In New York City, despite warnings from Bruce Wayne, Mr. Terrific launches his uSpheres. In Oakland, California, Cole Cash is mistakenly given the wrong ID at the Earth Registration Authority. On Cadmus Island, Fifty Sue is angered that she didn’t get to kill Deathstroke. Back in New York City, Dr. Yamazake has gained the ability to become a living magnetic field. To contain his new form, he fashions a suit made out of materials found in the wreckage and christens himself Dr. Polaris. At a football stadium, after numerous failed attempts at separating, Jason Rusch suggests to Madison Payne that they visit the site of the transporter accident. In Earth’s orbit, the Carrier is intercepted by S.H.A.D.E.’s Ant Farm. As Father Time is about to collect Angie for the purposes of using her to fight against Brainiac, Stormwatch refuses and makes a stand.
Spoiler-Free Reaction
Futures End #33 starts fast right out the door. With some slower plot development in the middle, the issue picks right up at the end and prepares us for a showdown in #34.
Plot Details and Spoilers and Deaths: Oh My!
On the Ant Farm in Earth’s Orbit: Facing off with Father Time and the rest of S.H.A.D.E., Stormwatch initiates its attack. As Father Time is about unleash more powerful monsters, the Atom flies into her through her mouth. The Atom finally reaches her brain and sees the Father Time symbiote.
Las Vegas: King Faraday meets with General Rock and suggest using Ethan Boyer in his bid to recover the lost superhuman DNA. General Rock has his doubts that Boyer will help, but Faraday has sent Fifty Sue to retrieve Boyer.
At a motel, Fifty Sue has already been roughing up Boyer. Giving herself the new moniker of Sequel, she uses her powers and teleports Boyer to Faraday. Outside, Justin, Cole Cash’s sidekick, talks to Cole on his cell phone. Both Sequel and Justin are unaware of who the other is, but Justin’s conversation with Cole gives him away. Sequel forcefully takes Justin’s phone and reconnects with Cole.
New York City: Batman Beyond has A.L.F.R.E.D. continuously run diagnostics to check for the existence of Brother Eye. Being an AI entity, Batman Beyond believes that he’s still present. Plastique has her doubts, but Batman Beyond is convinced the future didn’t change for the simple fact that he’s still here. If a new future existed, then he should be gone from this timeline.
Firestorm arrives at Dr. Yamazake’s lab. Finding it heavily guarded by security, Jason Rusch convinces Madison Payne to use her Firestorm powers to pass through the walls of the building. Successfully entering, Firestorm begins her investigation on the teleporter. Suddenly, she’s hit with a powerful blast. Recovering, Firestorm finds Polaris standing over her.
Wrapping It Up
This issue picked up right after Futures End #32. I’m liking this continuity in action with the revived storyline. The problems with the earlier issues having broken plot connections seem to be solving itself. One fun coincidence in #33 was the revisiting of Justin and having Fifty-Sue … er … Sequel reconnecting with Grifter. I’m looking forward to #34 and seeing how the Stormwatch / S.H.A.D.E. fight will end, especially now that the Atom is face-to-face with Father Time’s true form.