Cyberpunk was once a niche genre that was rarely seen except for the occasional movie such as Blade Runner. Now, cyberpunk is not only a genre but an aesthetic that people love because it attempts to ground its science fiction in a somewhat more plausible way. As a result, even companies such as DC have embraced cyberpunk with a variety of their comic lines.

Different DC books have either shown glimpses of the future in comics such as Batman Beyond or produced entire cyberpunk events like the recent Future State that pushed new and classic DC heroes into the future. Adding superheroes in a cyberpunk setting produces not only unique visuals but stories that keep things fresh and challenge the status quo.

Batman Beyond 2.0: Mark Of The Phantasm (2015)

Batman Beyond fighting the new Phantasm in Batman Beyond 2.0 Mark Of The Phantasm

Over twenty years after the original film, Batman Beyond comics revisited Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm. Considering that the animated film became a fan favorite over the years, fans relished in the return of the Phantasm with Terry McGinnis facing off against the villain.

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It's a concept that the show often used: taking an old villain from Bruce Wayne's past and bringing them to the cyberpunk version of Gotham City. It maintains the dark mystery elements of the film while still providing unique twists and turns to keep things interesting, utilizing its setting rather well.

Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013)

Superman holding Batman's cowl while surrounding by his regime soldiers in Injustice Gods Among Us

With the death of Lois Lane and his unborn child, Superman becomes a tyrannical dictator who takes over planet Earth. As a result, cities such as New Metropolis and Gotham advance rather quickly due to the technology at the corrupted Justice League's disposal.

Despite its advances, Injustice comics have one of the darker depictions of a cyberpunk future with Superman's Regime keeping the human race under martial law. That's where Batman's insurgency comes in, fighting against the evil version of Superman.

Future State: Justice League (2021)

The New Justice League running through the Multiverse in Future State Justice League #2

With the Future State event, fans were given a brand new take on the future of the DC universe after the events of Dark Nights: Death Metal. This future even showed off a brand new version of the Justice League which included Timothy Fox's Batman, Jon Kent as the second Superman, Yara Flor's Wonder Woman, and various other new incarnations of DC's iconic superheroes.

This new stylish and cyberpunk future of the DC world is one of the key elements that make Future State so appealing. It's reminiscent of other futuristic depictions seen in The Fifth Element mixed with the aptly titled Cyberpunk 2077. Of course, the new heroes are important and thankfully, they aren't just clones of their predecessors but are fully-fledged characters that can stand on their own.

Future State: Harley Quinn (2021)

Harley Quinn to Scarecrow in Future State #2

Harley Quinn's story in the Future State event really puts the "punk" in cyberpunk. When the Magistrate takes over Gotham City, Harley becomes an asset for the para-military force. She uses her skills as a psychologist to provide the Magistrate with all that they need to hunt down different villains of Gotham.

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Of all the cities in the Future State event, the future Gotham is the most cyberpunk, and its characters reflect that. Harley Quinn's new design looks straight out of the Cyberpunk 2077 video game and the artwork by Simone Dimeo nails the aesthetic of this world, showing Gotham's gritty underbelly in a new light.

Future's End (2014)

Futures End

Embracing the dark futures seen in films such as The TerminatorFuture's End was one of the more memorable events of the New 52 era due to its dark storytelling mixed with epic action. The artificial intelligence known as Brother Eye had taken over the world with his robotic army and Batman Beyond goes back in time to try and prevent this future.

Though the story mostly takes place in the past, Future's End does not hold back when it comes to the sequences taking place in the Brother Eye future. The Terminator influence is very present, but there are also elements of Blade Runner, one of the pioneers of the cyberpunk genre.

Future State: Robin Eternal (2021)

Tim Drake as Robin drenched in Lazarus Resin in Robin Eternal #1

Over the years, DC seemed to forget about Tim Drake, AKA The Third Robin but Future State allowed the Boy Wonder to shine again with Robin Eternal. It's a small but worthwhile glimpse into Tim Drake's life as he fends off the Magistrate in Gotham City whilst allying with Spoiler, AKA Stephanie Brown.

Similar to the Harley Quinn story, Robin Eternal showcases the beauty and ugliness of this cyberpunk future. The city itself is bright, vibrant, and neon-filled while the alleys and seedy underbelly of Gotham are grimy but are mixed in with plenty of colors, making it look like a place that someone would both love and dread to live in.

Legion Of Super-Heroes: The Beginning Of Tomorrow (1999)

Group shot of the Legion in the Legion Of Super-Heroes The Beginning Of Tomorrow

In 1999, Mark Waid rebooted The Legion Of Super-Heroes with a new origin told with The Beginning Of Tomorrow. It shows how Saturn Girl, Cosmic Boy, and Live Wire formed the Legion, a team of superheroes who protect the United Planets of the 31st century.

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It's with The Beginning Of Tomorrow that Mark Waid and various artists gives readers one of the best glimpses at the 31st century. The technologically advanced cities are stunning to look at, and it shows what superhero-infused cyberpunk could evolve into in the next thousand years.

The Legion: Foundations (2004)

Superboy with the Legion of Super-Heroes on the command deck in The Legion Foundations

A young Clark Kent, AKA Superboy, is brought to the 31st Century where he teams up with the Legion Of Super-Heroes to fight Darkseid. It's a very simple and familiar premise that is similar to the animated series based on Legion Of Super-Heroes.

Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning not only understand these characters but properly use Superboy as a tool to help newcomers become introduced to the Legion. It's also through Superboy's eyes that readers can see the stark contrast between the already fantastical but contemporary Metropolis of the 21st century and the cyberpunk galaxy of the 31st.

Batman Beyond: Neo Year (2022)

Terry McGinnis as Batman flying through Gotham in Batman Beyond: Neo Year

Batman Beyond made its biggest return in 2022 with Neo Year, a story meant to revamp the future Batman story for both longtime fans and new ones. Bruce Wayne is dead in this story, so the quest of protecting the cyberpunk version of Gotham falls all on Terry McGinnis.

With the writing talents of Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, who previously worked on Green Arrow, Grayson, and Dark Nights: Metal, and the artistry of Max Dunbar, Batman Beyond: Neo Year is exactly what the cult franchise needed.

Future State: Gotham (2021)

The Bat-Family reunited on a rooftop in Future State Gotham

One of the many reasons why cyberpunk works so well is the use of colors and vibrant environments. Future State: Gotham makes the bold choice of telling a cyberpunk story entirely in black and white artwork.  The story focuses on Jason Todd in his everlasting struggle between hero and villain as he is hired by the Magistrate to hunt the Bat-Family.

There are many similarities to another famous cyberpunk comic: Judge Dredd, which was also monochromatic. It's as much of a character piece for Jason Todd as it is a dark glimpse into the dystopian future of Gotham City and despite it being black and white, the artwork by Giannis Milonogiannis is quite detailed and allows for the reader to use their imagination for the colors.

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