Future State (2021-): The Next Batman

So this collection of the Future State: The New Batman issues weighs in at a hefty 368 pages, which SEEMS like a pretty good bargain... but you have to be aware of something.This book is solicited as collecting "Future State: The Next Batman #1-4, Future State: Nightwing #1-2, and SELECT STORIES from Future State: Dark Detective #1-4". See, due to the nature of the Future State books, two or three separate storylines-- featuring different characters, creative teams, etc.-- were crammed into each individual issue. So storylines involving Batman supporting players-- like Spoiler, Orphan, the Arkham Knight, and others-- have all been thrown in here under the umbrella of this one book. And these stories all vary WILDLY in terms of quality.Only about a quarter of this book is actually about the New Batman. And the "select stories" included from Dark Detective? Yeah, none of them are the actual Bruce Wayne-focused strips-- you have to buy the Future State: Dark Detective collection to get any of those. This is a hefty book that's about 60 to 75% mediocre filler.

As expected, the best storyline.. really interesting take

Entertainment, new graphics.

Solid collection of stories that got me intrigued about the future of Gotham.

Future State follows the rather convoluted and open ended Death Metal crossover, which you either loved or hated.In these books we get a glimpse into a possible future of our beloved heroes and villains, that offer a fresh take on old concepts. In this book we see what the new status quo of the extended bat-family is and are introduced to the new Batman.That's right! There is a new Batman. What sounds like an epic milestone is held back by the overall concept of future state:There is a time jump. We don't know how far into the future. Apparently a lot of bad things have happened and everyone has turned into a cynic or in most cases even outright-douchebag version of their old selfs.Most of the stories sadly read like edgy fanfic in an actually awesome setting:Gotham City as a cyber punk police state. Something I didn't knew I needed until I read this. BUT sadly the executions lack immensely as every conflict in this book is solved by deus ex machinas. Heroes defeat unbeatable enemies with tech that wasn't even teased in the pages before, and the other way around. Some characters are shot by super deadly ammunition, but luckily there is this super life-saving treatment that another character pulls out of their ass out of nowhere.Since so little is explained, it becomes almost impossible to understand the timeline of events. In one chapter a hero is kicking ass, in the next the hero is MIA and in another one everyone is in jail.Even after reading every story in a different order, you will have no clue which story takes place when.Art wise there are plenty of highs with Nicola Scott serving us some sweet hot buns of Dick Grayson and Sumit Kumar's dynamic strokes that deliver us an action sequence featuring Katana clearing out a house full of baddies that will be a reference for years to come.Apart from these examples, the artists change with every story, sometimes even from chapter to chapter, making it somewhat hard on the eyes.If you are a fan of Nightwing, Oracle, Batgirl, Orphan, Katana, Black Lightning, Signal, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Huntress, Grifter and Two-Face, you will get plenty of stories for your buck. But don't expect anything really meaningful.For a book that should get us excited about the future of the DCU and introduce us to a new Batman, I feel rather worried than excited,

I had my doubts about the new Batman but this book addressed all my concerns and turned out to be one of my favorite collected editions yet, very much recommend reading. The book was however slightly damaged in shipping which has happened before to me when ordering from this provider so be warned.

Five stars would be Batman by Frank Miller, Grant Morrison or Paul Dini. Four stars is awesome enough. After years of putting out mediocre material and harming the reputation of their flagship character I can finally say: Thankyou, John Ridley