Future State: The Next Batman #3

This is a worthwhile issue yet again, if only for the first story. Read Full Review

Stunning visuals and fascinating characters come together for a fantastic third issue with an excellent lead story starring Jace Fox and two backups that I would honestly buy even if they were titles to themselves. Next Batman Chapter 3 demonstrates Jace's quick wits and limitations both moral and physical. The Outsiders finale establishes Duke Thomas as an up and coming major player in the DCU, and Arkham Knights explores the human side of human monsters. Altogether an excellent issue. Read Full Review

Arif Prianto uses rich colors to intensify Laura Braga's art. It gives a visually pleasing effect. This, along with Braga's use of character expression, emotionally pulls the reader into the story. Read Full Review

That said, there's one image that will be stuck in your head after reading all three stories in this giant issue, leaving readings waiting anxiously for Future State: The Next Batman #4. Read Full Review

Future State: The Batman #3 brings us the penultimate chapter of the Next Batman's debut story and concludes two of the backup stories. But while these stories have given us a fascinating taste of this Future timeline, there is still a lot of untapped potential in this future timeline. I hope DC will return to explore it in depth in the near future. Read Full Review

Future State: The Next Batman #3 is a solid book but what really stands out is the art. Read Full Review

There is a lot to like in this gritty tale of a rookie Batman trying to survive in a police-state Gotham, but it feels very leisurely for a four-issue miniseries. Read Full Review

Next Batman continues showing the potential of the character even as if this Future State arc doesn't seem like it's building to an effective conclusion. Read Full Review

With only one issue left of this series, so much about Jace Fox remains unclear. The one thing that's very clear: the art in this book is dynamite. Read Full Review

The main story in Future State: The Next Batman has steadily improved with each passing issue. John Ridley has a firm handle on how he is developing Jace Fox at the start of his career as Batman. While the main story in The Next Batman #3 was solid it was the Outsiders and Arkham Knights back-up stories that steal the show. The conclusion in both back-ups and how they elevate the conflict with the Magistrate helps build greater interest in what is going on in Gotham City across all of the Batman Family Future State stories. Read Full Review

Future State: The Next Batman #3 mostly serves as table dressing for the story's finale, with the "Outsiders" backup story being the standout. With only one issue left, I hope that the conclusion is satisfying and that we get to see more of Jace's exploits as Batman in the future. Read Full Review

The art by Jack Herbert's nice, but there are a few character poses that are stiff and lifeless looking. Read Full Review

Although the main event is disappointing, The Next Batman #3 is worth a read for the distinctive and absorbing pairing of 'Outsiders' and 'Arkham Knights' Read Full Review

If you felt like you got your money's worth in the previous two issues, then this issue will also be a solid pick up for you. If you think the price is too high, well unfortunately nothing is really going to change. Luckily this Batman story is actually well done and entertaining. This issue was more action focused but with some great art, it came off very well and I left the issue interested to see what comes next. Read Full Review

I think for this purchase to be worth it, then you have to be interested in every single one of these comics " and I can't suggest you buy this book if you aren't. If you are, however, then I think you'll find yourself with a compelling and exciting reading experience, with what I hope to be a decent payoff to its main story when The Next Batman comes to a close. Read Full Review

This all makes for a perfectly fine, perfectly enjoyable Batman story, but it's doing very little to actually explore or flesh out the idea of “Next” Batman. Read Full Review

Swift Planet

Mar 30, 2021

The better backups of this series are in the odd issues.

Toonstrack

Feb 06, 2021

Good story and art. Too many people looking for things to dislike instead of just taking in the story being told. Shame.

Spacey Medicine

May 24, 2021

Backups? Never heard of her. ❤️

EDiakota

Feb 06, 2021

" Justice dosen't wear a mask. Or a hood. And justice is never a vigilante. Never." - TANYA FOX

TheKize

Feb 05, 2021

With twice as many issues as most Future State series, the John Ridley Batman story is disappointing in its small scale. What little happens is well told, but there's just not much here to sink your teeth into. We've barely learned anything about this new Batman. Brandon Thomas and Sumit Kumar continue to impress with their ability to create exciting, dynamic action in Outsiders. The Arkham Knights story is a little better than the first part was, but it's still hard to buy a bunch of deranged murderers working as a team for good.

DDJamesB

Feb 11, 2021

Well it was definitely a step up from last issue. I feel like the last one was just purposeless. Although this one didnt have more purpose it at least kept me engaged in what they were doing and the back up stories didnt bore me to death. Dark detective is just much better than this book which is a shame.

mrDovydas

Mar 07, 2021

All of the stories here were fine, but there's nothing that would keep me wanting to read more of it. The main story is ok, but I'm really unsure if I'd pick up the backups if they were standalone books, as I feel like it's more of a chore to read them, rather than something I'm supposed to be enjoying.

Nihilist

Feb 02, 2021

What got me into John Ridley's short series was the emphasis on the characters and their struggles. Of course Batman was still in the very center of attention, but I found Fox family problems to be quite engaging and relatable, human. It was a nice change compared to man continuity's life of Bruce Wayne, who ultimately doesn't have much real, deep family ties that would influence his stories. Outside his mommy and daddy issues that have been explored dozens of times already, that is. There still is some family drama going on in this issue, which I welcome, but the main part dedicated to Batman himself, feels so painfully diluted, it just doesn't feel like anything new, creative or surprising. I got the same vibes reading Dark Detective # 1 - just Batman doing Batman things, with little to no twists and turns, and almost no real reason the reader would care about. Yes, the final cliffhanger technically works, unless you're completely disillusioned with the trope used there and you can't bring yourself to care at all, but overall the comic doesn't push the story forward much, and meanwhile it also features more than few half empty action pages, which could have been put to better use by proving us some exposition or whatnot. Seeing how much content the first two issues featured, I'm surprised the third feels so empty at times. So yeah, overall this is a significant quality drop compared to what Ridley served us in january. I sure hope it's just a singular misstep and the run concludes on a high note. I keep my fingers crossed for that. As far as additional Outsiders and Gotham Knights short stories go, I don't even feel like I should waste too much of my time on them. They're weak, bland and boring, rendering me unable to empathize with its characters, and care about what they go through and fight against. Both feel like they're there just to make this comic thicker and overinflate its price. more

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Bats44121 - Feb 2, 2021

That ending in main story is a real problem though, especially to begin February, Black History Month.

Psycamorean

Feb 02, 2021

Well... I liked the main Batman story. But I found the backups boring and a chore to get through.

Kaseladen

Feb 02, 2021

Outsiders story has managed to be strong. The rest, not so much

Mout

Aug 13, 2021

why is this so bad... not the best start for a new character

Onomatopoeia

Feb 03, 2021

I laughed out loud reading, "Justice doesn't wear a mask. Or a hood." The Peacekeepers literally look like Red Hood knock offs. Aside from the nitpicking, it was just a bland issue. I don't know or care about these characters and I don't have much interest in learning.

Afre

Feb 02, 2021

I've liked this Next Batman series, but my main problem has been that there isn't enough. And now when I don't like it that much, the lack of investment in this world and characters becomes even bigger issue. And when you are pretty sure that the final installment of this series won't make it any better, you are just left with one question: "Why should I care?" And that is my problem with this series. And this whole Future State. I don't really care about anything and DC won't do anything to fix that. I wanted to like this, I think Ridley is a good writer but this comic just isn't that good. It's mediocre and that would be fine in a long-running series, but in this mini-series it counts a lot. As for the side stories, I care eve n less than the main story, so... 4/10, could be worse? more

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Bats44121 - Feb 2, 2021

There are a few characters that I think will have value in future, beyond "Future State" over-priced mediocrity - not Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman. But possiblySignal, changed Black Lightning, Jo Mullein Green Lantern, Cassandra Cain Batgirl, etc., could be a good "multiverse" team in the future. Where there has been REAL change and some meaningful characterization, I think there is something there for future. But New Batman, Dark Detective, Superman, Wonder Woman - bombed.

DiRT

May 13, 2021

Issue #3 once again shows how quickly the overall quality can shift in DC’s new publishing format that combines a 22-page feature story with two 20-page back-up stories. While the feature that should be drawing me in has left me underwhelmed, again, the two back-ups have proven that there are much better stories to tell in the DC Universe, even if the execution isn’t perfect. John Ridley’s Next Batman is still not the Batman we want or need. Besides the fact that we still have nothing to connect our protagonist to the real Batman, a problem that should’ve been fixed in the very first issue, the story progresses at a snail’s pace of expanded storytelling that plagues the modern comic book industry. The entire story, which shoul d be the reason we want to pay the majority of the $7.99 cover price, feels like it would cover about 10 minutes of a tv episode. Beyond that, the story ends with yet another cliffhanger leaving us to wonder if this new Caped Crusader will perish in his first published story arc (which obviously, he won’t, and it’s sad that this is the only kind of hook Ridley could think to use to try to draw us back for the next issue). I’m also still trying to figure out what’s going on with The Magistrate and the armored military police force patrolling Gotham City. Their job is to enforce a “kill all masks” law that is aimed at removing vigilantes who hide their identities behind masks, all while wearing body armor and masked helmets that hide their identity. So far, only one “peacekeeper” has been shown without his helmet on in public and it seems to be only so that we can pick him out of the crowd. Otherwise, we essentially have a story of guys in masks enforcing a “kill all masks” law against other guys in masks. Luckily this isn’t a film or Cinema Sins would be tallying up the points. The art team of Laura Braga, Nick Derington, and Arif Prianto have returned from last issue and I still think that they are a good fit for the story. I just wish that the story gave us more motivation for our protagonist or did a better job of explaining how he’s able to pull off the signature Batman moves that Bruce spent decades training for. I wasn’t 100% sold on this new version of Batman before this issue, and this new chapter does nothing more to change my opinion. The first back-up story returns to The Outsiders from issue #1. Knowing that Duke Thomas, aka The Signal, has a group of Gotham City refugees in hiding that has been infiltrated by a spy loyal to The Magistrate, Black Lightning once again makes contact with Katana in an attempt to warn Duke before it’s too late. Even though this story has two less pages than our feature story per issue, and two less issues to tell the story in, it does a much better job of explaining Katana, her sword and its powers, Black Lightning, his powers and how they’ve changed since we last saw him, and The Signal, his powers and his role to the people of Gotham City. I know more about these three characters by this story alone than I know about the Next Batman from the twenty-six extra pages of story afforded to that character. Sumit Kumar, Raul Fernandez, and Jordie Bellaire handle the art duties, and I still think they are my favorite team on any of the five stories contained in the Future State: The Next Batman comics. Some of the best art in any of the stories revolves around Black Lightning and his electricity effects, especially when interacting with Katana’s haunted sword. The frantic artwork, glowing energy effects, and use of shadow and light make these pages fun to look at. If this team were to spin off an Outsiders comic book in the coming months, I would definitely pick it up. Paul Jenkin’s Arkham Knights finishes out the issue, and I think this chapter was certainly stronger than the last. The basic idea of using the inmates of Arkham Asylum to form a makeshift superhero team still seems like a terrible idea, but at least the mission this time around had enough twists and turns to not only keep it interesting, but also make the outcome less obvious until the end. While I’m not sure I’d buy this as a stand-alone series, it’s still head and shoulders above either back-up story in the last issue. The artwork from Jack Herbert and Gabe Eltaeb is stunning and I think after they spent the last chapter getting used to the characters and concepts of this Future State gang, they found their rhythm in this chapter and were able to concentrate on the action. There’s a fair amount of story packed in these twenty pages and both the linework and the colors work to make it feel bold and alive. Now that the Outsiders and Arkham Knights stories have concluded, I don’t see any reason to continue the series. Yes, it’s just one more issue, but that issue costs $7.99 and will contain two back-up stories that I consider to be pure garbage. While I might look elsewhere for some spoilers just for the sake of knowing how Tim Fox’s story wraps up, I still have some issues of Future State: The Dark Detective to read, and I’m not looking forward to it. http://ThePopC.Net http://dirtmound.com more

prettythief

Feb 03, 2021

It doesn't feel like a very cheap copy of Batman, just with another family dynamic.

mirko

Feb 05, 2021

They really can’t think of anything new. This is very boring and unoriginal.

SenpaifenixJäger

Feb 02, 2021

This week has really been very boring in terms of DC's numbers. This Batman is so forced, DC's attempts to make a Ramdom character a detective, an experienced fighter, only because stealing technology and money that belongs to Bruce Wayne through surely through his makes him magically Batman ???? and a not very original Batman, Tim Fox it has nothing of its own to offer, we didn't find nothing original. The number on the part of the Next Batman is full of fighting, so little progress is made in the real subject of the investigation and in the end the guy who saves tries to hang him. On the other hand we see the Fox family, wondering who Batman is, nothing worth entertaining. The other included story is a simple filler so borin g as to shoot yourself. more

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SenpaifenixJäger - Feb 2, 2021

And it is money that does not belong to Lucius, I read the horrible Joker war, where Selina is in charge of sending the money to Lucius. Therefore, if something does not belong to you, it is theft.

Mingthemerciless - Feb 2, 2021

Do you really believe Bruce Wayne has any intention of leaving his father's legacy with Lucius Fox. A legacy that affords Batman access and control over the resources he needs to prosecute his war on crime? If there's one constant with Bruce Wayne it's that in the end he trusts himself first then maybe Alfred. Everything else he has to control or have a contingency for. And yeah...joker war was awful.

Bats44121 - Feb 2, 2021

Ridley and Bragan have us asking: would you pay $36 for this 4 issue miniseries? (And, during a pandemic, with lots of people unemployed). We can cringe through each $8 issue going nowhere, but now, $28 in, people are going to ask reasonable questions. Honestly, was what we read thus far worth basically $30? Part of the story is missing because there is supposed to be a Dark Detective / New Batman crossover (?) in next DD issue. But still. $30? For what we have? And issue 3 ending (eye roll).

Mingthemerciless - Feb 2, 2021

For DCs sake I'm seeing Future State as an Elseworlds idea that dudnt work. But if it's going to be canon then we now know that Bruce Wayne cannot trust Lucius Fix with the stewardship of the Wayne Legacy. Lucius sold out. Still think Bruce Wayne trusts Lucius Fox implicitly?

Bats44121 - Feb 2, 2021

Ming - I think the concept of conclusion of Dark Metal is to make "everything" a possible part of canon now. This way, you can never be "wrong," from a DC business sense and any experiment that doesn't work, can just be another aspect of the greater multiverse, which is fine. They need to be able to experiment without the entire business going under. And my impression is no and no, but I think we would get answers to that in the $20 Dark Detective vs. the $36 The New Batman.

Bats44121 - Feb 2, 2021

Glad you mentioned Elseworlds, though. On Comixology, for $26 you can purchase all 15 collections of Elseworlds that they have (920 pages) versus $36 for four-issue miniseries of The New Batman. Understand this is "new," but there is "new," and there is taking your customer's wallet for a ride - which does not promote reader loyalty. $20 is a lot. $36 is ridiculous. And DC knows it. If they had delivered, fanboys would grit their teeth and pretend to ignore. But we have a 15 min show, not 45

Mingthemerciless - Feb 2, 2021

I agree Bats. Snyder gave DC a big ball of mud in Death Metal to throw at the wall and what sticks it can keep. First mistake was piggy backing it to the skeleton of 5G in Future State which DC knew was not being received well. To be honest by the of Death Metal I was totally sick of it. It was too big and went too long with not enough meat to it.

Mingthemerciless - Feb 2, 2021

I agree had Future State been written and presented better the fanboys would pay the cover price for the series. But it started from a bad idea using a bloated overly long set up from Snyder that itself wasn't handled well. Logistically maybe but as a complete story Death Metal collapsed under its weight.

Mingthemerciless - Feb 2, 2021

DC needs to jettison Snyder Tynion and Bendis. Get editorial thinking better and get back to basucs...good writing good art no gimmicks.

SenpaifenixJäger - Feb 2, 2021

Bruce accepts that Lucius SAVES HIS MONEY and Lucius acknowledges that the MONEY IS BRUCE'S, in the canon it never says to keep it. On the other hand, WE ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE OUR OWN LIKES. If you like it, that's good, but for me there are many gaps in this story and until they are clarified for me and others they are leaving Lucius and his family very badly.

SenpaifenixJäger - Feb 2, 2021

Death Metal, well that's a terrible thing, I think DC made a mess for a whole year Nightwing, Death Metal, Batman and the closing of Batgirl tore the character apart. The layoffs haven't done him any good so far, and the new prices are ridiculous.

Merlyn

Feb 02, 2021

I think I've read enough of Ridley to kinda see for myself what he's capable of and what his priorities are in terms of writing. Suffice to say, he's not a good addition to DC's roster of writers.

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Mingthemerciless - Feb 2, 2021

The family dynamics of the Foxs are far more interesting than Tim Fox shoehorned into the batsuit. Add to that DCs half cocked attempt to salvage 5G with Future State and you've got an event that's more muss than hit. I agree Ridley brings nothing to the table but a desire to make the title woke. That's not good writing word is DC is going to let Ridley write his idea of Nolans Batman Begins to retcon Tim Fox into the batsuit further. I'm not interested when Bruce Wayne has three sons ready now

Mingthemerciless - Feb 2, 2021

I'm a DC guy but right now Marvel is wiping the floor with DC writing wise. Batman stalled under Tom King. Is treading water with Tynion and I hope Tamaki can lift the quality. Ridley is not the man for the job and Future State is like I said more miss than hit. For me Seamp Thing and Dark Detective are the only titles worth a damn from this 5G lite drekfest.

Merlyn - Feb 2, 2021

He already got a 12-issue series for the next Batman so yeah, this is not going anywhere. I guess DC will learn the hard way what Marvel learned with All-New All-Different: the people that argue online about woke topics are not the people who are going to bring you any incoming cash by buying these books. It's a risky gamble they took, especially right now but oh well, it's their problem.

Merlyn - Feb 2, 2021

I'm also more of a DC guy and yeah, Marvel is better right now. Between when Rebirth started and 2018 DC was better, but ever since Marvel understood what fans really want and got off with their "Fresh Start", things have turned around. It also didn't help that DC basically let Snyder do whatever he wanted and shoehorned his "vision" in every single book when that was really not necessary

Mingthemerciless - Feb 2, 2021

Snyder was great early on but I gave up on him with death of the family. After that he got too confident and DC gave him too much say. Death Metal over stayed its welcome by several issues and tie ins. Hes not a visionary and not a world builder. DC needs to cut and protege Tynion loose.

Mingthemerciless - Feb 2, 2021

I think the clue for DC is in the sales. Its anecdotal on my part but the only future state title I had trouble finding on the shelf was dark Detective. The readers clearly want good Batman stories not Ridleys flaccid writing and social agenda. I have a feeling DC is about to learn what Marvel learned the hard way. People love the flagship characters just give good stories and art and the readers will be there.

Merlyn - Feb 2, 2021

Totally agree about Snyder at DC, I actually liked most of his Batman stories, the problem started when DC gave him free rein. Also agree about Tynion, he's not even a talented writer, the only reason he gets to do what he currently does with Batman is because of Snyder. I get what DC is trying to do, they think they'll get a new fanbase but they've got their math wrong .

Sup3rsa1yan1990

Feb 02, 2021

Dumpster fire

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Bats44121 - Feb 2, 2021

Not just any dumpster fire, but a $36 dollar 4 mini-series dumpster fire.

RKS

Feb 04, 2021

Boring read, followed by 45 pages of filler back stories no one asked to read. Save your money.