The New 52: Futures End #41 Review

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

Artists: Andy MacDonald, Jesus Merino, Dan Green, Hi-Fi, Ryan Sook

Futures End #40 Recap

In Smallville, Kansas, Clark retrieves his proto-Superman costume from his Kent Farm home. Constantine summons a ghostly wild boar to defeat the tiny mutant Brainiac-controlled corn beings. 23,000 miles above Earth, Brainiac has tripped the Justice League’s alarms. On the Carrier, the Engineer is again controlled by Brainiac, and she attacks Stormwatch. Objects start to rain down on New York City as Batman, Plastique, and Tim Drake infiltrate Terrifitech — where they find everyone murdered. The Justice League separate to cover more ground: a team will investigate Brainiac’s ship in space; a second team will defend New York City; and a third team will watch over Doctor Polaris. Soon, it’s learned that the spheres that have fallen to Earth are now burrowing deep into Manhattan, cutting the city off from the rest of the world. New York City’s ground splits open and a giant Brainiac appears. As fighter jets rush to intercept it, Superman flies in at super-speed.

Spoiler-Free Reaction

Futures End #41 is a great action-packed issue that cuts between Terrifitech, New York City, and space. Lives are lost and new threats are being introduced at every corner.

Plot Details and Spoilers and Deaths: Oh My!

New York City: Superman flies in and begins an immediate assault on Brainiac’s spheres. The spheres prove to be too numerous and quickly overpower Superman.

In space, Hawkman rushes into Brainiac’s ship, looking for Angie. Little does he know, he has flown into an amalgamation of various universes. Brainiac’s ship initiates a sterilization protocol causing Hawkman to go through various incarnations of himself until he disintegrates.

Terrifitech / New York City / Space: Mr. Terrific watches in horror the events taking place in New York City.

Initially thinking that there was no power in the building, Batman discovers that it’s being remotely controlled. He sets out to find the source and has Tim Drake take Plastique to safety. Batman makes his way up the stairwell and through various massacred bodies. He finally finds Mr. Terrific standing alone in his office. As Batman approaches him, Mr. Terrific gives him a strange welcoming greeting.

In an elevator shaft, Tim attempts to get the elevator working via an auxiliary. Unknown to him and Plastique, the future cyborg Plastique is stalking them from above.

At the Justice League Defense Station Omega, Shazam/Superman is trying desperately to beam down to help the team, but Brainiac is interfering with the transporter’s signals. Doctor Polaris offers to help with his expertise.

Shazam, Doctor Polaris, and Firestorm successfully beam down to the surface and are immediately confronted by the giant Brainiac. Shazam tells Firestorm to call every ally they have.

Shazam flies towards Brainiac to attack him, but is quickly hit by Brainiac’s beam. Superman catches Shazam, saving him.

In space, Brainiac’s ship powers up and is ready to connect with the giant Brainiac on the surface. The Atom goes on the offensive, but is quickly disintegrated when Brainiac’s ship fires a powerful beam.

Wrapping It Up

Only seven more issues left and Futures End #41 speeds up the pace even more. We had some devastating losses in this issue — Hawkman and the Atom. And Brainiac seems to be getting the upper hand on our heroes. We also got an awesome look at Brainiac’s involvement in the Multiverse. Readers will spot some classic Supermen and various incarnations of the Justice League in other universes. This was a great issue and I can only see it getting better. With Firestorm’s call to all allies of the Justice League, it seems like we’ll be getting the epic battle we’ve been waiting for.

More from Bam Smack Pow

Home/Comics