Join the Future #3: They’ll Never See You Comin’, Sunshine

Join the Future #3 finds Clementine finally in a position to stand up against the impending forces of the future, pushing the series in a fresh new direction without losing the overwhelming tension that bears down on every panel.

If there is one thing this series has done magnificently well, it’s the development of Clementine Libbey. She’s a character that you care and root for, and while her situation continues to spiral out of control, you feel her emotional determination. She’s multidimensional and very easy to get behind. This is the ultimate strength of the story so far and Join the Future #3 only pushes that sentiment further. There are a lot of character driven stories that draw comparisons, maybe none so powerful as The Walking Dead with the apocalyptic proportions balanced perfectly with complex, relatable drama.

As powerful as Kaplan’s scripting is, the story can really only work so well with such remarkable artwork from everyone including Kowalski, Simpson and Otsmane-Elhaou. It’s not the type of comic that relies on strong visuals, but every issue seems to capitalize perfectly on both the major story beats and nuanced character moments. This synthesis is the driving force behind a lot of the success in the story so far and helps it to stand out on shelves as one of the best series available. The splash pages are incredible and help readers to understand the humbling nature of what’s happening, but Clem shines in every panel with great expressions and heart.

Join the Future #3 is a solid turning point in the series after two issues of things pretty much going downhill. We see Clem in a position to find justice for her loved ones and the entire town of Franklin, but it doesn’t really work out in her favor. This false grasp on the situation, partly induced from misplaced trust in the “Trader”, sets up a catalyst to put Clem directly into the heart of the real problem, the ultramodern megacity taking over her entire world. It’s a conflict firmly established by the premise and the series feels poised to execute with wonderful intrigue.

I honestly get more excited about this series with each new release, and while Join the Future #3 takes on a bit more of the narrative weight serving as a turning point for both the setting and the main character, it still captures the character-driven heart that keeps me excitedly coming back. This is certainly among my highest recommendations for current comics, and could only get better from here on out. I came into it excited about the wonderful potentials of contrasting modern progress with traditional living, but it’s Clem herself that has me wanting more and more.