The New 52: Futures End #46

By Brian Azzarello, Jeff Lemire, Dan Jurgens, Keith Giffen, Scot Eaton, Scott Hanna, Hi-Fi

“Eye am coming…Eye am the future…”

Aww, well come on over, waaaait a minute…you’re evil. Almost had me for a minute though! Good thing Terry is here to protect us! I’m sure that image on the cover has nothing to do with what’s in store for us inside….nothing at all….

Issue #46 of The New 52: Futures End loads up on the action and gives you plenty to think about (have box of tissues, possibly The Notebook on DVD ready). Terry has been on a crazy adventure from the start, and this issue has some of his biggest action yet as writers Brian Azzarello, Jeff Lemire, Dan Jurgens, and Keith Giffen send him once again up against the most insane enemy (other than the huge Brainiac that tried to destroy everyone) the Joker/Batman hybrid!

The artwork in this issue is done by Scot Eaton on pencils, Scott Hanna on inks, and colors by Hi-Fi. From beginning to end there is loads of detailed pages and great scenes. Since his return has already been mentioned it’s worth diving into a page where the Joker/Batman makes his appearance(s).

His entrance comes via the sound effects “BUDDA BUDDA BUDDA BUDDA” and “TOK TOK TOK TOK”, also the “CLINK” of bullet shells falling to the ground. On this page the top two panels feature the spray of bullets as a large one under those has the Joker’s face smiling as the barrel of the gun smokes. The colors by Hi-Fi bring this page to life. As the ammunition is being sprayed at the top of the page light overcomes the panels. The panel showcasing Joker feels a bit more in the dark and quite menacing because of it.

This issue of Futures End pulls us ever closer to the story’s end — but is there hope for it to be a happy one? If only there was another Bat around…