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The DC3 Presents: “New 52: Futures End,” Week 14: The Five Most Burning Questions Thus Far

By | August 7th, 2014
Posted in Columns | 6 Comments

The DC3 decided to take on the Herculean task of covering DC’s weekly books! Our coverage will rotate between creator interviews, issue reviews and annotations, and long-form pieces on featured characters. This, friends, is the DC3kly!

Tomorrow, we will have a “state of the union” style chat about the series up to this point, but today, we thought we would delve into five topics that really have us scratching our heads. So, without further ado:

The Five Most Burning Questions from “New 52: Futures End”
1. What is Fifty Sue’s Deal?

If you’ve been reading interviews about the book, you’ll note that both the artists and writers are really enjoying Fifty Sue as a character. This is a little perplexing, as she isn’t the most interesting character, either visually or conceptually, in the book. In fact, she seems to be the very definition of a creative team confusing “vague” for “mysterious.” She also, visually and attitude-wise, seems to be a big rip off of Father Time, seen in this series, but featured heavily in “Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E.” Plus, her name is yet another dumb “52” pun – why Dan DiDio loves that number so much, I’ll never know.

Fifty Sue

I am sure that there is going to be a big reveal down the road with her, but for right now, she isn’t the revelation that DC seems to think she is.

2. Who is Stormguard?

When we see the Justice League 5 years from now, the line up is relatively similar to what we’re used to, if not in the New 52, then throughout DC’s history, with one exception: Stormguard.

The Justice League 5 Years From Now

The character appears to be a totally new creation, but his costume gives us a few clues. First of all, there is the American flag remnant on his shoulder, and then there is his glowing utility belt, as well as the name. Perhaps this is a new version of the Guardian, who has appeared as an African American (like Stormguard) in S.T.A.R. Labs in an issue of “Superboy,” and is named Michael. That’s my best guess anyway.

3. What started the Earth War?

Much has been said of the Earth War, and we’ve seen the results – the need for ID cards, Cadmus Island hosting “prisoners” of the war, the supposed destruction of Earth 2 (which has been implied, if never overtly stated). But what caused the war? Is it Michael Holt trying to get back to Earth Zero/Prime/New 52 Earth/Whatever it is called now? Is it the mad-Supermman trying to bring Darkseid’s minions over after toppling Earth 2?

This question is, likely, what connects this book to “Earth 2: Worlds End” in October, but I would be really surprised if we don’t get a clue or two before then.

4. Who is Superman?

The masked Superman has been, more or less, confirmed to not be Clark Kent, especially since Lois Lane mentions in #14 that Clark has “mysteriously” disappeared. So, that begs the question, who is under the mask?

The masked Superman

I guessed earlier on that it is a super-powered Jimmy Olsen, as evidenced by the fact that he calls Lois “Ms. Lane.” However, beyond that, I have no reason to actually believe that. However, while writing this column, a new idea popped in my head: maybe it is Earth 2 Superman?

The scars on his face/eyes would require the mask, and his powers would be easily explained. This could be his way of “repenting” for his sins on Earth 2, and would explain why he is so protective of Lois – because he saw “his” Lois die, and be put into Red Tornado. I can’t say for sure that is who it is, but that seems to make the most sense to me. Of course, that also begs the next question: where did “our” Superman go?

Zach offers a counter-theory that the masked Superman could be Billy Batson, aka Shazam, under the mask. This would also account for the “Ms. Lane” title. Duke this out in the comments, readers!

5. Who sent Lois Lane that package?

Continued below

Lois Lane gets a package after Green Arrow’s death that has been used as a device to tie Lois into all the stories thus far. She has coordinates that lead her to (an invisible) Cadmus Island, she figures out via a matchbook from the Wounded Duck, that “Cal Corcoran” is Tim Drake, and the green pyramid has shown her visions of Earth 2. There is still a red arrow head that hasn’t been used, but I’m sure it will be soon.

The contents of Lois's mystery package

So, this begs the question – who sent Lois the package? Vince has a hell of a theory – that it is Red Tornado, Earth 2 Lois Lane, who sent it her way. That is the best explanation I’ve heard so far, and although I don’t know how she could (unless someone smuggled it off of Cadmus Island), I’d put my money on that theory.

Did we miss any big questions? Let us know in the comments!


//TAGS | The DC3

Brian Salvatore

Brian Salvatore is an editor, podcaster, reviewer, writer at large, and general task master at Multiversity. When not writing, he can be found playing music, hanging out with his kids, or playing music with his kids. He also has a dog named Lola, a rowboat, and once met Jimmy Carter. Feel free to email him about good beer, the New York Mets, or the best way to make Chicken Parmagiana (add a thin slice of prosciutto under the cheese).

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