Future State: Batman / Superman is one of the few Future State books that feels the most like the regular status quo for the DC universe, mostly due to the fact that it seems to be the earliest placed of all the books, set at the very beginning of the Magistrate's time in Gotham City.
After saving a teenager from taking their life in Metropolis Superman discovers that there's a new drug on the street, one that can change a person's head into that of an animal. Whilst it's only supposed to last as long as the delivery device is attached to the person's neck the effects are lasting longer than they should, and resulting in people's faces retaining some animal features. Determined to get to the bottom of things and help the kid he travels to where the drug originated, Gotham.
This version of Gotham isn't at the point of the other Future State books yet, there aren't drones in the sky or robots hunting villains and vigilantes, but it's on its way there. Instead of doing his normal thing on the rooftops of the city Batman is left hiding in the Batwing on stealth mode, keeping an eye on things from above. This version of Batman, one who's determined to stay in the shadows to stay off the Magistrate's radar makes for a fun counterpoint to a Superman who's more out in the open then ever.
Teaming up a character who's all about making criminals afraid, and hiding in the darkness with a bright symbol of hope has always been good, but this comic shows them at their extremes, a Batman even more obsessed with hiding, and a Superman that's all about honesty and being open with people. The small conversations between the two of them on the topic are some of the better parts of the book, and it gives some good insight into the way that Superman in particular sees the world now that his identity is public.
The book is also packed with gorgeous artwork from Ben Oliver and Arif Prianto, who's pencil work and colouring come together to make one of the prettiest books in Future State. The book has an elegance to it that can sometimes be missing from comics, with neat, fine line-work and colours that not only sell the differences between Metropolis and Gotham, but the differences between the two heroes and their attitudes.
It's not a huge surprise to see that Gene Luen Yang is able to make Superman in this comic one of the best depictions of the character in the entirety of Future State, he wrote the amazing Superman Smashes The Klan last year, and that is one of the best Superman books in years. Yang is taking over Batman / Superman following the conclusion of Future State in March, and if this comic is any indication of how the series is going to be under his leadership it's going to be a title that I'm going to be very excited to read.
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