DC is about to push Batman, Superman and the rest of its heroes into an ambitious new future in the upcoming Future State event. After the events of Dark Nights: Death Metal, January and February 2021 will see the launch of Future State, a line of miniseries and one-shots offering a glimpse at possible futures for the DCU, with familiar heroes alongside a new generation stepping up to save the day.
Accompanying the publishing initiative's announcement, DC Comics released a promo image featuring both generations of superheroes leaping into action together. Now, we're breaking down everything we know about the heroes featured in the teaser image, illustrated by Dan Mora.
Superman (Clark Kent)
With his identity now public, Clark Kent must face the full consequences for his actions when an international incident leads to Superman's exile from Earth. Despite being separated from his adopted home, however, the Man of Steel isn't hanging up his cape anytime soon. Now sporting a darker emblem and tattered cape, Superman can also be seen wearing manacles signaling his time serving as a gladiator on Warworld.
Superman (Jonathan Kent)
While his father is off-world, Jonathan Kent has picked up the mantle of Superman back on Earth. Sporting a sleeker costume than his outfit as Superboy, Jon makes the controversial decision to bottle up Metropolis to protect it from harm, putting him directly at odds with Supergirl. He'll also join several of his fellow Future State heroes in the next incarnation of the Justice League.
Batman (Bruce Wayne)
While the world believes Bruce Wayne to be dead, the original Dark Knight is very much alive and will star in his own oversized anthology series through Future State. With a visibly scruffy chin and now sporting a sleeveless outfit, Bruce continues to protect Gotham as he takes on the Magistrate and his brutal Peacekeepers who are trying to wipe out superhero activity from the shadows of his old hometown.
The Next Batman
In the wake of Bruce's presumed death, a new Batman has risen to protect Gotham on his own terms, in direct opposition to the Magistrate. The next Batman's costume is similar to the current iteration save for a complete face mask completely obscuring the individual under the cowl, with advance solicitation information hinting that the new Caped Crusader may have a strong connection to Lucius Fox.
Wonder Woman (Diana Prince)
Diana Prince is still very much Wonder Woman in the world of Future State, though she sports a visible grey streak of hair and a shining green kryptonite-like gem around her neck, along with one of Batman utility belts on her waist. Solicits revealed that many of the superhero's Amazon sisters have since passed away making Wonder Woman more determined than ever as she steps up to confront a new threat that bested even the evil Darkseid.
Wonder Woman (Yara Flor)
The recent Wonder Woman Annual revealed that a third tribe of Amazons existed in secret in an undiscovered portion of the Brazil. This development is expanded on with the arrival of a Brazilian Wonder Woman known as Yara Flor. Yara possesses her own golden lasso and armor though, unlike Diana, Yara's outfit includes a black and red layer underneath.
Catwoman
In the Magistrate-ruled Gotham, Selina Kyle remains active as Catwoman, operating with a new band of Strays and protege under her wing. As the Magistrate transports captured vigilantes and a group of innocent children to a reformation center, Selina unveils her new, magnetic costume to free the prisoners in an epic train heist.
Red X
One of the most intriguing heroes seen in the Future State promo image was Red X, an alter ego for Dick Grayson introduced on the Teen Titans animated series as a means for the young hero to infiltrate the supervillain community. Future State's Red X will similarly be linked to the Teen Titans, as a former student sought after by the new generation of Titans in training.
Harley Quinn
Given her extensive connections to the criminal community, Harley Quinn is among the most prominent targets for the Magistrate, taken in by the Peacekeepers in an effort to break her and learn her secrets. This ultimately backfires as Harley proves she's a woman that cannot be contained, with the promo revealing her shorter haircut while trading out her usual mallet for a baseball bat.
Swamp Thing
While Swamp Thing has been one of the DCU's most powerful protectors, Future State has the avatar of the Green move to enslave humanity under the reign of plant-life. The promo image includes Swamp Thing's hulking, more intimidating form, no longer looking to have humanity and plants coexist peacefully so much as it plans to subjugate the animal kingdom entirely.
Zatanna
While Justice League Dark are no strangers to having the supernatural odds stacked against them, things for the team will take an unexpectedly dire turn in Future State. Now actively being hunted, the team will find themselves attempting to get the paranormal band back together in time to stop Merlin from tearing all of reality asunder, with Zatanna seen in the teaser image.
Aqualad
While Arthur Curry and Mera appear to be missing in action, their daughter Andy will be playing a prominent role alongside Jackson Hyde, the new Aquaman. Jackson is seen among the heroes in the teaser image, clad in his new black and yellow costume and more than ready to take center stage after his time as Aqualad.
Grifter
While Grifter has resurfaced in Gotham during the present timeline to get close to Bruce Wayne, Wildstorm vigilante also seems set to play prominent role in Future State. Solicits have confirmed that Cole Cash is still active in the DCU, though he finds himself targeted by the Gotham City Police Department. In the teaser image, Cole appears to have traded out his trench coat for some holsters while the remainder of his costume looks largely unchanged.
John Stewart
While John Stewart might be one of DC's most recognizable Green Lanterns, he and many of DC's other Emerald Knights will find themselves without the weapons that largely defined them. When John and some of the Green Lantern Corps' most accomplished members are on a mission to establish contact with life in the far reaches of space, the Central Power Battery on Oa goes dark, forcing these cosmic crusaders to find new ways to warn evildoers of their might.
Legion of Super-Heroes
One of the most eclectic groups seen in the teaser image is the Legion of Super-Heroes, which has had its usually immense roster whittled down to just a few heroes. With drastically different new appearances, Ultra Boy, Shadow Lass, Triplicate Girl, Brainiac 5 and Bouncing Boy will try to rebuild their team after the betrayal of one of their own sent shockwaves around the far-future of the DC Universe.
Suicide Squad
While a classic form of the Justice League appears to be at play in Future State, they are actually the new Suicide Squad, which will deal with Earth-3, where moralities have been swapped and recognizable heroes operate as villains. Amanda Waller has used these twisted figures to form her new Suicide Squad and used them to seize power while the Black Adam from the DC One Million timeline has mysteriously appeared. Under the leadership of former Superboy Conner Kent, this team will also see the shapeshifting Batman villain Clayface take on the visage of the Martian Manhunter.
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