FUTURE STATE: SUPERMAN OF METROPOLIS #2: The Legend, The Name, and The Responsibility (SPOILER FREE REVIEW)

We have arrived at the culmination of Sean Lewis’s contribution to the Future State and just like its predecessor, delivering a remarkable story filled with everything that you could want in a Superman comic. The ability to rise above evil, fighting for the common good of the world, wrapped up in a lesson in morality are the basic ingredients in a Superman story, it is the writers that make the recipe a five-star success by adding their own touch and Sean Lewis has done just that. Grabbing the reader with his familiar style taking them on an exciting ride page after page and just when you think the ride is over, here comes the rest of the stellar creative team stepping on the accelerator. Dave Sharpe is a puzzle master when it comes to his craft. Managing the great dialogue Lewis has laid down while beautifully catching character emotion just adds to the depth of the story. Adding any more depth to an already well-done book sounds impossible, that is until you talk about John Timms and Gabe Eltaeb, who form up to create a Kryptonian visual juggernaut. There is a section of the book that we’ll call “the gathering” for the sake of remaining spoiler-free that pays homage to the past. The small details that they put into these particular panels along with the surrounding environments are just amazing in every sense of the word.

The book picks up from issue #1 without missing a beat. The battle between Jonathan and Brain Cells heats up with a special homage to Superman while mentally pounding on Jonathan forcing him to lean on his instincts and trust in himself. Meanwhile, Kara has her own problems that she’s dealing with in fixing Jonathan’s bad decisions all the while adding quick bits of humor which add a nice touch against the race of time. The culmination of the battle sees Jonathan and Kara come together again but I think more importantly we see Jonathan have such a great breakthrough and be honest with his newfound role as Superman of Metropolis. The ending is done in such a great fashion the reader has no choice but to join the grateful citizens of Metropolis in celebration.

Continuing with the Future State theme of having multiple stories continues with “Mister Miracle: The Metropolis Menagerie” written by Brandon Easton, art by Valentine de Landro, Marissa Louise on colors, and Dave Sharpe on letters. The third and final story to be featured is The Guardian. We see a return to the pen for Sean Lewis, Cully Hamner on art, Laura Martin on colors, with AndWorld Design on letters. Make no mistake about it, these stories are rock solid offerings putting a remarkable bow on this comic package. Seeing Mister Miracle and The Guardian continue to lay down protection and their brand of justice while the plot plays add great continuity and levels that are sometimes missing from the story.