Future State Reading Guide

Written by Brett in DC,Story 
Future State Harley Quinn

Overview:

DC Future State (2021) Overview

DC’s Future State is a 2021 event that follows the conclusion of Dark Nights: Death Metal. It gives readers a two-month slate of stories set in possible futures of the DC Universe. The event is split into two core themes: one focusing on Gotham and Batman-related titles and another on broader Justice League characters.

Key protagonists include a new Batman (Jace Fox), Jon Kent as Superman, Yara Flor as Wonder Woman, and Shazam. The emergence of new faces in familiar roles largely shapes the event. The villains range from the familiar with new forms to organizations like the Magistrate, which takes control of Gotham City.

Prominent creators include writers like Joshua Williamson, Ram V, Mariko Tamaki, and artists like Dan Mora and Joëlle Jones. Their contributions help shape the distinct tone of the stories. There is a general appreciation of the fresh takes on iconic heroes. However, some feel the stories can be hit-or-miss due to their non-canon nature. Critics are mainly positive, with some calling it a bold experiment, though others find it less cohesive than previous events.

Background Reading:

  • Death Metal

Related Guides

Best Way To Read:

Main Story
  • Future State: Dark Detective
    • Collects: Future State: Dark Detective #1-4; Future State: Catwoman #1-2; Future State: Harley Quinn #1-2; Future State: Robin Eternal #1-2; Future State: Batman/Superman #1-2
  • Future State: The Next Batman
    • Collects: Future State: The Next Batman #1-4; Future State: Dark Detective #1-3; Future State: Nightwing #1-2
  • Future State: Justice League
    • Collects: Future State: Justice League #1-2, Future State: Justice League Dark #1-2, Future State: Aquaman #1-2, Future State: Green Lantern #1-2, Future State: The Flash #1-2
  • Future State: Suicide Squad
    • Collects: Future State: Suicide Squad #1-2, Future State: Teen Titans #1-2, Future State: Shazam! #1-2, Future State: Swamp Thing #1-2
  • Future State: Wonder Woman
    • Collects: Future State: Wonder Woman #1-2, Future State: Immortal Wonder Woman #1-2, Future State: Superman/Wonder Woman #1-2
  • Future State: Superman
    • Collects: Future State: Superman of Metropolis #1-2, Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex #1-3, Future State: Superman: Worlds at War #1-2, Future State: House of El #1, Future State: Kara Zor-El, Superwoman #1-2, Future State: Legion of Super-Heroes #1-2
  • Future State Gotham Vol. 1
    • Collects: Future State: Gotham #1-7 and material from Future State: Dark Detective #2-4
  • Future State Gotham Vol. 2
    • Collects: Future State: Gotham #8-12
  • Future State Gotham Vol. 3: Batmen at War
    • Collects: Future State: Gotham #13-18

For crossover and significant events, I typically only read the main story the first time I encounter it. Trying to read all of the tie-ins with the story tends to make them increasingly convoluted and are not crucial to the main narrative. However, I think they are important to read, as many series-shifting plotlines can happen.

For the tie-in issues, I only read them as they come up in the reading guide that I am working through. This can become problematic because the tie-in issues are not always included in collected editions of the event. So you may need to hunt for them.

Reading Order:

Although they were released in parallel, it is recommended to read each grouping for a less disjointed experience

Batman Family

TitleImportanceCollected
Future State: Batman/Superman #1Main StoryFuture State: Dark Detective
Future State: Batman/Superman #2Main StoryFuture State: Dark Detective
Future State: The Next Batman #1Main StoryFuture State: The Next Batman
Future State: The Next Batman #2Main StoryFuture State: The Next Batman
Future State: The Next Batman #3Main StoryFuture State: The Next Batman
Future State: The Next Batman #4Main StoryFuture State: The Next Batman
Future State: Robin Eternal #1Main StoryFuture State: Dark Detective
Future State: Robin Eternal #2Main StoryFuture State: Dark Detective
Future State: Harley Quinn #1Main StoryFuture State: Dark Detective
Future State: Harley Quinn #2Main StoryFuture State: Dark Detective
Future State: Nightwing #1Main StoryFuture State: The Next Batman
Future State: Nightwing #2Main StoryFuture State: The Next Batman
Future State: Catwoman #1Main StoryFuture State: Dark Detective
Future State: Catwoman #2Main StoryFuture State: Dark Detective
Future State: Dark Detective #1Main StoryFuture State: Dark Detective
Future State: The Next Batman
Future State: Dark Detective #2Main StoryFuture State: Dark Detective
Future State Gotham Vol. 1
Future State: Dark Detective #3Main StoryFuture State: Dark Detective
Future State: The Next Batman
Future State: Dark Detective #4Main StoryFuture State: Dark Detective
Future State Gotham Vol. 1
Future State: Gotham #1AftermathFuture State Gotham Vol. 1
Future State: Gotham #2AftermathFuture State Gotham Vol. 1
Future State: Gotham #3AftermathFuture State Gotham Vol. 1
Future State: Gotham #4AftermathFuture State Gotham Vol. 1
Future State: Gotham #5AftermathFuture State Gotham Vol. 1
Future State: Gotham #6AftermathFuture State Gotham Vol. 1
Future State: Gotham #7AftermathFuture State GothamVol. 1
Future State: Gotham #8AftermathFuture State Gotham Vol. 2
Future State: Gotham #9AftermathFuture State Gotham Vol. 2
Future State: Gotham #10AftermathFuture State Gotham Vol. 2
Future State: Gotham #11AftermathFuture State Gotham Vol. 2
Future State: Gotham #12AftermathFuture State Gotham Vol. 2
Future State: Gotham #13AftermathFuture State Gotham Vol. 3: Batmen at War
Future State: Gotham #14AftermathFuture State Gotham Vol. 3: Batmen at War
Future State: Gotham #15AftermathFuture State Gotham Vol. 3: Batmen at War
Future State: Gotham #16AftermathFuture State Gotham Vol. 3: Batmen at War
Future State: Gotham #17AftermathFuture State Gotham Vol. 3: Batmen at War
Future State: Gotham #18AftermathFuture State Gotham Vol. 3: Batmen at War
Future State – Batman Family Reading Order

Justice League Family

TitleImportanceCollected
Future State: The Flash #1Main StoryFuture State: Justice League
Future State: The Flash #2Main StoryFuture State: Justice League
Future State: Teen Titans #1Main StoryFuture State: Suicide Squad
Future State: Teen Titans #1Main StoryFuture State: Suicide Squad
Future State: Shazam! #1Main StoryFuture State: Suicide Squad
Future State: Shazam! #1Main StoryFuture State: Suicide Squad
Future State: Suicide Squad #1Main StoryFuture State: Suicide Squad
Future State: Suicide Squad #1Main StoryFuture State: Suicide Squad
Future State: Aquaman #1Main StoryFuture State: Justice League
Future State: Aquaman #1Main StoryFuture State: Justice League
Future State: Green Lantern #1Main StoryFuture State: Justice League
Future State: Green Lantern #2Main StoryFuture State: Justice League
Future State: Justice League #1Main StoryFuture State: Justice League
Future State: Justice League #1Main StoryFuture State: Justice League
Future State: Justice League Dark #1Main StoryFuture State: Justice League
Future State: Justice League Dark #2Main StoryFuture State: Justice League
Future State: Swamp Thing #1Main StoryFuture State: Suicide Squad
Future State: Swamp Thing #1Main StoryFuture State: Suicide Squad
Future State – Justice League Family Reading Order

Superman Family

TitleImportanceCollected
Future State: Superman of Metropolis #1Future State: Superman
Future State: Superman of Metropolis #2Future State: Superman
Future State: Superman: Worlds at War #1Future State: Superman
Future State: Superman: Worlds at War #2Future State: Superman
Future State: Kara Zor-el, Superwoman #1Future State: Superman
Future State: Kara Zor-el, Superwoman #2Future State: Superman
Future State: Wonder Woman #1Future State: Wonder Woman
Future State: Wonder Woman #2Future State: Wonder Woman
Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex #1Future State: Superman
Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex #2Future State: Superman
Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex #3Future State: Superman
Future State: Superman/Wonder Woman #1Future State: Wonder Woman
Future State: Superman/Wonder Woman #2Future State: Wonder Woman
Future State: Legion of Super-Heroes #1Future State: Superman
Future State: Legion of Super-Heroes #2Future State: Superman
Future State: Superman: House of El #1Future State: Superman
Future State: Immortal Wonder Woman #1Future State: Wonder Woman
Future State: Immortal Wonder Woman #2Future State: Wonder Woman
Future State – Superman Family Reading Order

Publications Impact

  • Series Spun out of the Event
    • I am Batman (2021)
    • Wonder Girl (2021)
    • Superman: Son of Kal-El (2021)
    • Green Lantern (2021)
    • The Next Batman: Second Son (2021)
    • Teen Titans Academy (2021)
    • Aquaman: The Becoming (2021)

References:

Feature Image from Future State: Harley Quinn #1 cover art by Derrick “DCWJ” Chew

Brett

In my mid-30s, I ventured into the mesmerizing world of comic books, and since then, they've captured my heart as one of my cherished pastimes. With a delightful dance between Marvel and DC, sprinkled with the occasional indie gem, I've immersed myself in this enchanting universe. As a true completionist at heart, my passion for collecting has birthed an abundance of reading lists that I'm thrilled to share with all of you, bringing us together on this thrilling comic journey.

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