Join the Future #1: The Future Has Never Been Better

In an explosive and utterly impressive first issue, Join the Future #1 proves that Aftershock Comics has an unmistakable hit on their hands with potential for real greatness.

It’s a simple concept, the Future features accommodations that make up a technological utopia and to have it for yourself, all you need to do is join. But not everyone wants to. This kicks off a wonderful exploration of the psychological impact of technological addiction contrasted against the strict beliefs of a more traditional lifestyle free from the convenience of technology.

We are introduced to this conflicting world through the characters of William and his two kids, a girl named Clementine and a boy named Owen. They are part of the community of Franklin who actively opposes the megacity of the Future, and it turns out, they are quiet influential in the town. What follows is a thrilling chain of events that will keep you on the edge of your seat until a truly dramatic cliffhanger leaves you clamoring for more.

The artwork in Join the Future #1 strikes a remarkable balance between both it’s sci-fi and western influences, helping to deliver a world that is both believable and wildly exciting. From the awe inspiring landscapes to the vivid character expressions, the visuals capture a sense of originality that can’t be found anywhere else. And that is saying something given the popularity of both sci-fi and western stories in comics today.

With a solid world to explore and characters that pull you into their struggle, Join the Future #1 shows this series has a story worth telling. However, it’s the real-world implications of the themes at play that really pulled me in as a reader. What we see in this megacity is a progressive utopia complete with free healthcare, universal basic income, free housing and more all to allow citizens to pursue a career path they are passionate about. Outside of the megacity, however, we see people much more critical of such an extravagant offer. They live simply, using technology only in a very limited capacity making their community look like its right out the old west. Distrust runs rampant and the importance of preserving freedom is fundamental. But nothing is as it seems and the two perspectives of life are bound to clash in dangerous ways. It’s both relevant and incredibly intriguing.

Ultimately, Join the Future #1 pulls off a magnificent introduction to a world that I can’t wait to explore further. This is a prime example of everything you could want in a first issue, delivering mystery, action, excitement and tons of heart, resulting in a book that sets the stage for something uniquely special to come…