Doctor Tomorrow #5: The Entire History of You

Bart Simms comes back ablaze, 20 years stronger and wiser, prepared to fix the mistakes caused by his older self. Alejandro Arbona wastes no time right to the meat of the matter and while some might have wanted a more prolonged battle, I think what we got is exactly what was needed. Bart is able to triumph between his preparation and focused drive, along with some assistance from the rest of the Valiant heroes. There’s not much doubt casted on whether Bart will succeed or not but if you think that’s the point, then you’re missing the point.

Doctor Tomorrow is a look at every kid’s biggest fantasy: to put on a cape and save the world, turned on it’s ear. We all love the part where Billy Batsons get to be heroes but tend to overlook just what that means. A life of conflict and tragedy along with the triumphs. The point here is a narrative about the dangers of the heart’s desire but also the weight of personal responsibility on the scale of a superhero. The fact Bart Simms comes back and is able to promptly defeat his future is what we should be paying attention to. This brought to mind a verse of scripture I love and fit quite well here, Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. Bart lost his way when he lost sight of what being a hero is, he lost sight of what he was when he put on blinders and decided only HE could see clearly and he would heed no one else’s advice, not even from different versions of himself! Bart’s older self became convinced only he could make real change in the universe because of the power he wields and he lost sight of everything that made him a hero. Now the new Doctor Tomorrow has sharpened himself against such arrogance, which is what led him to be a much more competent and skilled version of himself, but that’s also what makes him infinitely more dangerous.

Going forward we’re seeing a kid who was railroaded into becoming a man and an insanely powerful one at that, (keep in mind along with his enhanced strength,  flight and energy abilities he STILL has the power to traverse time and space at will) for all this power in the back of his mind he is 100% aware of the threat to all he could so easily become. Will that affect him for the better? Will the second guessing push him the wrong way? Can he keep up this confident demeanor and stay focused on being the person worthy of all his power he seeks to be? Only time will tell but one thing is for sure, it has been an amazing ride to get to this point and I’m beyond ecstatic to see what comes next.