DC Comics Future State continues to create an interesting universe.
It’s the second week of DC Comics‘ Future State story. So far, the multiversal crossover hasn’t disappointed. In week one, the Magistrate dominated the important news – and with good reason. They’re a group of ironically named peace keepers who cause more damage than tranquillity.
In week two, however, there is some news about the Magistrate. For example, Tim Drake seems to be the only member of the Bat-Family fighting back (you’ll find out about one of them in this article) – a journey that got him killed and instantly resurrected.
As dramatic as that is, it’s not close to the most important thing that happened in week two of DC Future State.
New Justice League rules
Comic Book: Future State: Justice League
"“Then a member uncovered all the Justice League’s secrets and used them to hurt the team.” – Superman Jon Kent"
The Justice League was a tightknit crew – maybe even moreso than the Avengers. They attended all of each other’s functions no matter how small they were. They knew each other’s secret identities and trusted one another with that information. Well, it looks like that personal information destroyed the original team.
One member’s betrayal caused the Justice League to go from Super Friends to just a group of heroes. As a result, a new Justice League charter was written: Mandatory secret identities, no fraternization, and no sharing their true lives. During this issue, however, you see that there were still friends among the group. They ignored the rules, hung out, and knew each other’s secret identities. It appears that some things can’t be prevented.
Batman helped create the Magistrate
Comic Book: Future State: Dark Detective
"“Gotham is a funeral no one is attending.”- Future State: Dark Detective"
The world thinks that Bruce Wayne and Batman are dead. Yet, they don’t know they’re the same person. The news reported that Bruce Wayne was shot in an alley – an irony that certainly was not lost on Bruce. Then there’s Batman. The Magistrate knows that Bruce Wayne was Batman and that he’s alive. Even though everyone (including the Bat-Family) thinks he’s dead. Thankfully, the Dark Knight appears to be fighting back. And he should. It was, after all, Wayne enterprises and Batman’s technology that helped create them.
This appears to be one of those moments where Batman is doing too much. He has a habit of thinking that he knows what’s good for everyone. For example, his plans to stop everyone in the Justice League. This is just another example of that. There’s no reason why that kind of technology is in the hands of the Magistrate. We don’t know how this came to be. One thing’s for sure, we’ll find out it’s because Batman doesn’t know how to quit doing things he shouldn’t. This time, it may cost him his life.
This isn’t the regular DC comic book universe. Anything can happen here. Batman could actually lose and die. Keep in mind that Red Hood is one of the Magistrates, so who knows what surprises he has up his sleeves. He’s younger, has an army behind him, and has better tech.
Jessica Cruz shows willpower and fear
Comic book: Future State: Green Lantern
"“Maybe I do feel fear, but I don’t feel powerless.”- Jessica Cruz"
The Green Lanterns are depowered. Without their rings, you’d assume they’d be helpless but Jessica Cruz shows that this is far from the case. For over a year, she’s been taking care of the Green Lantern’s Power Battery as best she could. It may not be operational, but Jessica is taking it as her own personal mission to keep it going.
While there, three Sinestro Corps members board the battery, looking to take all of the old resources the Green Lanterns have on-board. Since they’re the new protectors of the galaxy, Sinestro wanted any information he could get. .
What chance does Jessica Cruz have against three Yellow Lanterns with power rings? Turns out a good one, actually. Jessica reminds herself that she’s not powerless just because she’s without a power ring and, as a result, she defeats the Yellow Lanterns with traps and ingenuity. What’s even more impressive is that she makes it look easy.
After she defeats the lieutenant, a yellow ring appears in front of her, delivering a message that commends her ability to instill great fear and welcomes her to the Sinestro Corps. After years of being scared of leaving the house, Jessica Cruz is now the one dishing out fear. We’ll have to wait until next month to see what she decides.
Nightwing no more
Comics book: Future State: Teen Titans
"“I don’t answer to you… Nightwing” – Starfire"
An event caused Titan Tower to be destroyed and some of the Teen Titans died. The ones that remain are trying to stop the apocalypse. The problem, however, is that there’s some infighting.
Nightwing thinks that Starfire’s plan isn’t going to work because she’s only telling them part of it. Later, he discusses this with a person that the Titans put into a cell – someone who hasn’t been revealed to us. Nightwing explains to them that Starfire is about to make a mess like the Titans always do. He then dawns the mask of Deathstroke and says:
"“The Titans are dead. And I’m tired…. and ready to win one… no matter what it takes.”"
The history of Deathstroke and the Titans is well documented. It doesn’t matter if you know it from any of the animated adaptations, DC Universe’s Titans, or the comic books. Dick Grayson putting on the mask of Deathstroke is like Batman showing up to fight Red Hood in Joker make-up. It symbolizes that he’s no longer the person we knew. Maybe this is why Tim Drake said Dick was ranting and raving in Arkham (Future State: Robin Eternal). How far will the new Deathstroke take things? Whatever it is, the battle ends with him in Arkham.
What other intriguing moments happened in week 2 of Future State? Let us know in the comments below.