Detective Comics: Futures End #1

I kept bounding back and forth on DETECTIVE COMICS: FUTURES END between a 3 and a 4, and while there are problems with the art and with the connection to Futures End, I ultimately really enjoyed the team-up between Riddler and Batman. It's an issue of Batman that ends up being a lot of fun and a solid one-shot story that has connection to the recent annual. It's not a story that changes anything we already don't know about the world, but it is a fun ride. Read Full Review

If this kind of story appeared elsewhere, I would probably give it a 6, but seeing as how I need to grade it for what it is and in the context it is presented, my score will be adjusted accordingly. Read Full Review

Detective Comics: Futures End is a fun one-shot tale, as though the sudden ending and mismatch art is off putting, the Batman/Riddler team-up is awesome. Highly recommended. Read Full Review

Detective Comics: Futures End #1 isn't just a great issue of the Futures End event; it's a great issue of Detective Comics, period. Read Full Review

All in all, I loved this issue of "Detective Comics", and I do not say that lightly. It was fresh, fun, and pleasantly simple. Batman/Villain team-ups are a gold mine that DC has really started to explore in the "New 52", and hopefully it continues. Pick this issue up if you're a Riddler fan. Read Full Review

Jason Fabok and Brad Anderson's detailed and dazzling cover looks even more impressive than Riddler HQ, taking full advantage of the lenticular cover gimmick used on all of this month's "Futures End" one-shots. When put into motion, the image alternates from a Batman solo shot to one with The Riddler at his side and back again, symbolizing their temporary allegiance in this issue. "Detective Comics: Futures End" #1 is one of this week's better tie-ins to the event, telling a future tale without having to really distance itself from the present. Read Full Review

Brian Buccellato (The Flash, Hellbalzer) tells a fun team-up tale I thoroughly enjoyed, despite the fact it was Eddie Nigma himself who put Bats through, arguably, his toughest ringer in all of Year Zero. The future, here, is far.. far different. Read Full Review

This issue is less a direct Futures End tie-in and more a follow-up to writer Brian Buccellato's recent Detective Comics Annual #3, as Batman and Riddler team up to battle a resurgent Calendar Man. Read Full Review

And of course, the cover. All of the Future's End one-shots have the extra fancy lenticular cover and Detective Comics has one that features Batman standing on a rooftop alone, with the Riddler popping into view next to him when we hit that sweet spot while moving the cover. Altogether it was one of the better covers this week for DC's Future's End stuff. Read Full Review

Detective Comics: Futures End #1 features a few very subtle nods to the current run by Buccellato and Manapul, but lacks the dynamic energy found in that title. The combination of artists hurts this issue, and the story feels like it has very little to do with the Futures End concept at all. I found the conclusion to be hollow, sadly, as some of the banter throughout the issue is very solid, but in the end this issue of Detective is very average. Read Full Review

Like much of Futures End, this event installment of Detective Comics promises much, but delivers very little. Read Full Review

While Detective Comics: Futures End #1 has an entertaining story, it's one that could be told anywhere and ties to the event loosely at best. The mass amount of artists hurts the issue the most, making it appear thrown together at the last minute. It's a decent read but I wouldn't suggest spending money on it (certainly not $3.99 for 3-D covers). If you've got nothing else to read and have a chance to check this one out for free, do so. Otherwise, it's a skip. Read Full Review

Riddler helped update the security system at Arkham, so Batman needs his help getting in. Riddler goes with him, they get in, and Calendar Man takes Riddler away, as he is the one whom he blames for wrecking his family. Read Full Review

If you're dying to know what future lies in store for The Riddler and some players in the recent Detectice Comics Annual #3, then this is a passable read. Otherwise " skip it. Read Full Review

This issue had so much promise in being a really cool Batman story, until the out of nowhere punch to the gut, changing the character that we love so much.  The other noticeable flaw is that from the beginning we had one Batman look that paralleled the new Earth 2 Batman and by the end he looked like the 80's and early 90's Batman.  I don't know why this would be intentional and can only think it's a mistake due to the many artists in this issue.  Batman didn't seem like Batman, Calendar Man wasn't Calendar Man like, the only real true character was Riddler and he was annoying as hell.  This is all very disappointing in an issue that didn't even try to be a Futures End tie-in, which would have been nice since we haven't seen Batman doing the whole Caped Crusader thing in the strange land of Five Years From Now.  I can't recommend this issue. Read Full Review

In a smart move (from a marketing perspective), Buccellato's plot links to the highly popular "Zero Year" storyline from Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman, but there are a number of elements in the story that are irksome. The Calendar Man just hasn't been established as enough of a legitimate threat for the reader to accept him as the boss of Arkham in the future. Furthermore, the twist is telegraphed incredibly early in the script as the writer plays around with pronouns to keep the secret. And finally, the story ends essentially with the Batman essentially condemning a man to death - a definite no-no in the world of the Dark Knight. Read Full Review

This book is the prime example with what is wrong with DC's yearly special one-shot issues. It was hastily put together and just plain sucks. Come on, guys. I expect better. At least Batman kind of had a beard. Read Full Review

havok1977

Sep 21, 2014

Bats showed some balls, why are folks so worked up?

Gizmo

Sep 04, 2014

This doesn't have much to do with Futures End, but seeing as I don't give a damn about Futures End anyways, that's A-okay with me. Although the art looks rushed, the team up with Riddler generates great chemistry between the two characters, I actually got some chuckles out of it. The twist at the end was also a very clever surprise for me despite being out of character for Batman as another reviewer points out.

JBL Reviews

Sep 06, 2014

I don't read this series, but it was decent

WhiteLantern

Sep 04, 2014

I was really on board with this story until the end. The story from Brian Buccellato moves along as a good pace, and it's engaging, with well fleshed out characters. The team up with Batman and the Riddler works really well, and shows how smart both characters are. But the ending really drags everything down. It seems so out of character for Batman. Plus, given what we know find out about Julian Day (who has taken over Arkham Island) and his history with the Riddler, it honestly feels like Batman sends the Riddler off to his death. The ending kills the book, which until the last page or so was heading for an 8.5 at least. But I can't get past the ending to say that I can recommend the book.

El Chapulin Colorado

Sep 18, 2014

I think this issue had a lot of potential but is ultimately disappointing because of some bad and distracting art and mediocre ending This could have been much better it never leaves the Riddler´s office and all is a conversation between Batman and Riddler