All things come to an end…or do they?

Writer: Cecil Castelluci
Artist: Adriana Melo
Colors: Hi-Fi
Letters: Sal Cipriano
Covers: Joëlle Jones & Laura Allred
Editors: Brittany Holzherr & Harvey Richards; Jamie S Rich
Publisher: DC Comics

With the final issue of Female Furies we get closure of a sort as Barda and her fellow Furies do the most revolutionary thing they can: nothing. One of the things Cecil Castelluci’s amazing writing has shown, time and again, is that without women Apokalips would not function. From information to children, from warriors to scholars, women hold the keys to the world and without them, in Apokalips and in real life, nothing would actually get done. It’s one of the fundamental truths of the universe and one of the reasons Darkseid and his lackey’s try to control every aspect of the women of Apokalips’ lives.

Yet, and here is where things get brilliant, it’s not just men who are the problem. One of the most telling and brutally honest moments in the entire series happens when Barda, trying to start the rebellion, gets called out on her own privilege by the Lowlies: women whose entire lives are ruled by a cruel caste system designed to keep them on their knees. For Barda, Lashina and Mad Harriet, who have undoubtedly had it bad, it’s a reminder that they still had it better than most. The Lowlies have known this for centuries and no one gave a damn, yet now, that the Furies are woke, suddenly they care. It’s a moment so reflective of the real life struggles of women of color that it’s mind blowing.

Once again, Adriana Melo, Hi-Fi and Sal Cipriano bring wonderfully dynamic art to this brilliant storyline. There are so many stand out moments: the faces of the Lowlies as they listen to Barda’s well meaning but self-righteous speech; the battle for Apokalips as the men realize just how much they actually need the women they’ve belittled and betrayed; freshly introduced Gilotina, Sweet Leilani and Artemiz’s realisation that yes, women helping women, is a thing. Each of these moments, and many more, are illustrated so carefully and with so much detail that you genuinely need to go back and look at the panels to make sure you haven’t missed anything.

As this story comes to a close, Apokalips has, for the first time…hope. While Darkseid and his idiot brigade are still in play, and Granny Goodness is still delusional, the Furies have shown that indeed, sisters are doing it for themselves.

Five Bombs out of Five