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. Do not miss this book. Read Full Review

One of the strongest debut issues of 2020, Join the Future #1 is rich with timely ideas, which the creative team builds into a genre-fluid sci-fi western story of giving into societal forces. This is a very well-done book that easily merits picking up its second issue. Read Full Review

'Join the Future' is another exciting sci-fi series from Zack Kaplan that blends genres, adds a new commentary to familiar themes and hooks the reader from page one. The book looks fantastic thanks to Kowalski and Simpson. It's definitely worth your time and money. You might as well put it on your pull-list now. Read Full Review

Subtle yet immense, political yet evenhanded, "Join the Future" threads the needle of expectations with a calculated hand. Read Full Review

Sometimes an opening installment really gets you. Join the Future is a familiar plot but the execution is so spot on that it got a bit of an extra bump in the grade. Kaplan's story takes the right time to unfold and explore the basics and then introduce the characters so we know the stakes and what the cast are up against. But it really is, at this moment, Piotr Kowalski's book. There's a lot of great detail to this book with the double-page spreads at the start and then the small town side of it with all the natural elements, I absolutely loved the look of the book and that helped to notch it up a bit further. I'm definitely curious to see what Kaplan goes with this based on his past works that I've read and reviewed as it should be a pretty fun ride. Read Full Review

Join The Future is not just a compelling and beautiful comic. It's also the kind of emotionally engaging and thought-provoking story that makes the best use of speculative fiction. Read Full Review

In earnest this series finds itself broiled in cliches that are common within these dystopian epics. However, the fine craft of these creators manages to elevate the book beyond cliche with nuanced execution. It is definitely worth an investment, but looking to be into the long haul. Read Full Review

There's still a lot of meat on the bone when it comes to this first issue, but that makes it a more promising debut in some ways. Read Full Review

There isn't a lot of time spent on world building, because the readers need to become familiar with the concepts of Basic Income and its contrasts. Join the Future #1, does an excellent job of not just explaining but demonstrating the vision of the people who are not live the life but are willing to die for their beliefs, giving the Oregon Trail a run for its money. Read Full Review

Join the Future doesn't shine for its amazingly deep characters. It shines for its world development, for its fascinating concept of what the future of colonization might look like, what route environmentalism may take, and for casting a light on which values in a humble, technologically empty society are worth saving. Read Full Review

I haven't decided yet whether I want to join the future. There's a lot to like here, but it could've done so much more. Read Full Review

I loved every second of this. The art is awesome. Can’t wait to see where we’re headed.

Woooo. Aftershock comes in banging. Kaplan and Kowalski introduces a world that shows two distinct lifestyles, a futuristic care-free Utopian haven and the rugged " old-ways " of primitive Western-style farmers and hunters, but there is a deeper more sinister secret between these two peoples. The contrast between these two life-styles complimented by the art from Kowalski as well as the pastel colors really displays the idea pitched very well. The Future vs the Past, Freedom vs. Luxury. The direction alone pulls people into this comic.

And while this idea may have been done before, the writing and execution by Kaplan is superb to warrant a peek. Going through the routine of introducing the concepts, the world, the characters, Kaplan slowly builds up a dark revelation of this reality these people live in. And by the very last page, goes full throttle on a cliff-hanger. The direction and world introduced stands out shining and is brought forth with great art and great writing. Its a mix of two distinct genres, sci-fi and revenge Western, both genres I haven't dig myself into yet with comics. But Kaplan, Kowalski, and Aftershock gives me the pleasure to introduce a bundle of both in a well-paced first issue.
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The art is great and the pacing is good, the writer is a good storyteller, I just felt like there wasn’t much new to this story. Feels like a story that’s been done many times before. But if you love this type of story you’ll like it