In Drawing Crazy Patterns, I spotlight at least five scenes/moments from within comic book stories that fit under a specific theme (basically, stuff that happens frequently in comics). Today, we look at how some Comic Book final issues show possible futures!

You see, a lot of times comic book series end before the writers of the series are finished with all of their plans for the series. In instances like these, there are occasions when the writer will then spend the last issue letting the readers know what would have happened had the comic book not been canceled. This has happened a number of times, but I'm just going to spotlight five examples (feel free to e-mail me if you'd like to suggest more!). Technically, one of the examples isn't officially a final issue, but it's close enough, as you'll see.

First up, we have the final issue of Sensational She-Hulk, #60...

which pays off on the threat that John Byrne famously had She-Hulk make on the cover to his first issue of Sensational She-Hulk #1...

In the actual comic book, it is the Marvel Movers who show up to take everything down, and along the way, we learn what writers Scott Benson and Len Kaminski had planned had the series not ended (art by Pat Olliffe and Steve Montano)...

Another #60 finale was Justice League of America #60, which was the final issue of the series before the New 52 reboot. James Robinson, Dennis Sampere and Wayne Faucher tell a clever issue where the League disbands, but not before they reflect on a few of their "recent" missions, all of which were planned as future storylines that never got a chance to see print. They sounded really cool, too!

This is the same issue that has a beautiful farewell message to the fans at the end from Donna Troy and Dick Grayson, as they sort of reflect on what it means to be part of a comic book universe that is about to be erased (in the case of Donna, she was about to be outright erased from continuity!). They hope that the people who enjoyed their adventures at least will try to remember them, even if the universe changes.

In the final issue of Peter David's Captain Marvel series, he was joined by artists Keith Giffen and Al Gordon (really sharp work by Giffen, by the way. Very impressive artwork) to help wrap up the series. The beginning of the issue wraps up plots for Rick and his estranged wife, Marlo, while sending Moondragon off with Genis-Vell for a possible new romantic future. Then, in a clever bit, a character in the series turns out to be Eulogy (a la Eternity) and he tells about what the future WOULD have held for the series, but since it is canceled, he instead quickly resolves the outstanding plot with the Nega Bands and sends everyone off on their way...

On the next page, two more examples from James Robinson and Peter David...

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In the final issue of All-New Invaders, by James Robinson and Steve Pugh, the Invaders get together and reflect on all of their unresolved stories, which were obviously all plots that Robinson intended on getting to before the book was canceled...

Finally, this is technically not a FINAL issue, but it was the final issue of Peter David's long and illustrious career on Incredible Hulk, so I'm still going to count it. David was sort of pushed off of the series due to some creative disagreements with his longtime editor on the book, Bobbie Chase, and so in his final issue (which took place one issue after David killed off Betty Banner - the issue was drawn by Adam Kubert), David has an older Rick Jones be interviewed, "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" style, with Rick reflecting on stories that David would have told had he remained on the series...

Click here for a larger version of the first pair of pages and click here for a larger version of the second pair of pages.

I must say, I think that this is a very cool way to say goodbye to a comic book series.

I'm sure there are more examples of this trope. If you all write in with enough others, maybe I'll do another edition of this one.

Plus, feel free to write me at brianc@cbr.com with suggestions for future Drawing Crazy Patterns!