REVIEW: Future State: Superman Of Metropolis #2
Superman of Metropolis #2 has evolved these beloved characters into something new and set them on a path distinct from anywhere they have been before.
Future State: Superman of Metropolis #2 continues as we find Superman aka Jonathan Kent trapped aboard Brain Cells’ ship, as the malevolent Artificial Intelligence looks to add the recently bottled city of Metropolis to its collection.
The standard cover for this issue is created by interior artist John Timms and colourist Gabe Eltaeb. Superman and Supergirl take on a plethora of Brainiac automatons as the duo fight for their very survival. I really love this cover. Superman and Supergirl look full of intensity and very dynamic as they lay waste to their foes.
The variant cover is by Inhyuk Lee and perfectly captures the contents of the issue. I love how this piece pays tribute to the different eras and story-lines of Superman. The detail is phenomenal and that is something that Lee always showcases perfectly. This is a great cover, and I cannot wait to add this to my collection.
Future State: Superman Of Metropolis #2 consists of three stories, the first story-line featured in this issue is very traditional fare to say the least. However, Sean Lewis’s compelling dialogue and engaging characters create a very unique experience for the audience as Jonathan’s psyche is put to the test by Brain Cells.
This issue does a wonderful job of flushing out the characters’ motivations as well as their hopes and fears. Even though Jonathan taking on the role of Superman is of course natural progression, writer Sean Lewis really dives into Jonathan’s thought process behind stepping into his fathers shoes.
Jonathan feeling the weight of his responsibilities and lineage is completely natural and all too relatable. These feelings of inadequacy really do accentuate his humanity and showcase the burden a son can carry when the shadow of their father looms large. Jonathan feeling like he can’t match the expectations set by his father are magnified by the callous Brain Cells who uses these emotions to attack Jonathan both physically as well as mentally.
Like most villains worth their salt, Brain Cells truly believes that he is the hero of his story and that Metropolis cannot thrive while being left in the care of Jonathan Kent. Brain Cells using various iterations of Superman from across the years to help fuel Jonathan’s doubt and to knock him further off balance. This act truly shows how cold and nefarious this Artificial Intelligence really is.
In Future State: Superman Of Metropolis #2, Kara really does come across as a strong figure head for Jonathan to learn from in Clark’s absence. I love how decisive and powerful she is. She really has grown into a force to be reckoned with. Dare I say it, Kara may have been a more suitable replacement for Clark than Jonathan at this stage. Either way the pairs dynamics have certainly reached a new level of understanding and respect, which has certainly evolved from the previous issue.
As for the artwork, I love John Timms’ artwork in this issue. Every page features blockbuster artwork that would look at home on any IMAX screen. Every turn of the page features dynamic panel layouts and splash pages full of heroic acts that leave the reader speechless. Combat and energy dispersal has never looked better as our protagonists defy the odds in defiance of their foe. Once again, Kara has never looked better as she takes flight in the cold vacuum of space.
Colourist Gabe Eltaeb has truly created an alien environment within the pages of this issue. Be it the crackle of Brain Cells energy core or the cold vacuum of space, these polarising elements and everything in between radiates a unique texture and energy all of their own.
I won’t go into any further detail on the second story in Future State: Superman Of Metropolis #2 as it doesn’t feature Superman really, except for a small mention on the final panel. With that said, the third story which focuses around The Guardian continues to explore the kidnapping of Jimmy Olsen from within The Bottled City Of Metropolis.
I adore that writer Sean Lewis sheds light from all perspectives on this story-line, it really adds further depth to the whole situation and perfectly explains how the people of the city feel about Superman’s actions. Whilst Superman and Supergirl were saving them, the people of Metropolis were busy saving one of their own. This issue in particular showcases the good that a community coming together can do, and I feel that is more important than ever.
The artwork by Cully Hamner in this story is stunning. In particular his handling of the view from The Daily Planet, the Metropolis skyline has never looked so good. That artwork combined with colours by Laura Martin really make the pages pop. The detail is spectacular, including the facial expressions of each and every character featured in the panels.
Superman of Metropolis #2 has evolved these beloved characters into something new and set them on a path distinct from anywhere they have been before. With dynamic and visually stunning artwork and unique storytelling, I for one cannot wait to see whats next.
Haven’t picked up Future State: Superman Of Metropolis #2 yet? You can get the standard cover by John Timms here (UK), or here (US). Or if you prefer the variant cover by Inhyuk Lee, you can get that here.
**The above links are affiliates, which mean I will earn commission from any products bought via these links**
