The New 52: Futures End #39 Review

Writers: Brian Azzarello, Keith Giffen, Dan Jurgens, Jeff Lemire

Artists: Stephen Thompson, Hi-Fi, Ryan Sook

Futures End #38 Recap

In New York City, a plan is formed to have Batman Beyond fight the hybrid Batman/Joker cyborg while Batman, Plastique, and Tim Drake infiltrate Terrifitech. In Metropolis, Firestorm strikes a deal with Doctor Polaris: help her to separate back into Madison Payne and Jason Rusch, and she’ll give him access to the Justice League’s transporter technology. In the Sahara Desert, Fifty Sue has transported herself, the vault, Lana Lang, and Grifter to this location. As they decide what to do with the vault, Grifter is worried that King Faraday will never stop hunting them. In the Carpathian Mountains of Romania, Amethyst and Frankenstein reach Castle Frankenstein where they’re greeted by Frankenstein’s father — Victor Frankenstein.

Spoiler-Free Reaction

Futures End #39 is an extremely slow issue with an almost laughable middle act. The only redeeming plot is found towards the end.

Plot Details and Spoilers and Deaths: Oh My!

Justice League Defense Station Omega: As Doctor Polaris is securely led into the station, Firestorm brings Shazam/Superman up to speed on her current situation. After some negotiating, Shazam/Superman agrees and allows Doctor Polaris access to the station’s transporters. Doctor Polaris, in turn, starts his work on separating Madison Payne from Jason Rusch.

Las Vegas, Nevada: On a call, King Faraday gives the order for Banger and Mash to terminate Justin. At that moment, Justin is teleported by Fifty Sue. Soon, Justin finds himself at a pizza restaurant with Fifty Sue, Grifter, and Lana Lang.

Smallville: As Constantine and Clark Kent are arguing, a horde of small corn-based mutants attack them. Clark fights them off with his heat vision, but it’s too late — Midge is impaled by a cornstalk. Constantine watches her as she lays dying.

Castle Frankenstein, Romania: Victor Frankenstein divulges to Frankenstein that he’s been trying to recreate another being like him for two centuries. The monsters that attacked Frankenstein and Amethyst when they first entered are Victor’s failed experiments. Victor then proposes a deal to save Frankenstein’s life: he will replace Frankenstein’s body with a new one, but Victor will also make Frankenstein loyal to him — the two will then conquer the world. Frankenstein refuses, and Amethyst quickly beheads Victor. Asking for one more favor, Frankenstein requests a pen and paper so that he can write his story before he dies.

Justice League Defense Station Omega: As Doctor Polaris works on his solution for Firestorm, the Justice League’s defense probes start to go offline. A large powerful entity approaches.

Wrapping It Up

Not only was Futures End #39 a slow, uneventful issue, it contained one of the most ridiculous, laughable scenes in modern comics — mini corn people! Yes, let me repeat that: mini corn people! When Constantine and Clark were ambushed by these mutants, I had to do a double-take and reread the pages. I couldn’t believe that the writers thought this was a good idea. I think Futures End has officially jumped the shark. The one plot that saved this issue was the one involving Frankenstein’s and Amethyst’s visit to Castle Frankenstein. Albeit the dialogue was a bit clunky, you still received a dramatic ending. I wouldn’t have minded if the entire issue concentrated on Frankenstein’s predicament. I’m kind of fearing what #40 may bring. I mean, how bad can it get? I’m not sure if I want that question answered.

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