Super Sons #10

Writer: Peter J. Tomasi

Artist: Jose Luis

Inker: Scott Hanna

Colourist: Hi-Fi

Letterer: Rob Leigh

This was a delightful and breezy issue. For anyone wishing to jump onto this series, I think this is the perfect jumping-on point for new readers. You don't need to know anything about the series other than the fact that these characters started out not particularly liking each other.

This issue is a brief interlude to catch a breather between stories, but is also used to lightly set-up the crossover that this series is going to be a part of, THE SUPER SONS OF TOMORROW, a crossover between SUPERMAN, SUPER SONS, and TEEN TITANS. It's not a very organic tease but takes place right after a pivotal moment between Jon and Damian that, for me, really establishes what's at stake in this crossover.

It looks like the regular artist Jorge Jimenez needed a bit of a break, perhaps due to his contribution to BATMAN LOST #1. Here Jose Luis serves as his replacement, who has done some work for one of the Superman title in recent memory. I really like his work here. Luis' art is very much a different, less hyper style than Jimenez's and this issue has the benefit of being almost entirely conversations, to Luis had a chance and took it to show us some great emotional and facial storytelling that really, really worked for the story Peter J. Tomasi is telling here.

Without spoiling much, Superman and Batman chip in and help Jon and Damian take their relationship to the next level. The interaction between Superman and Batman is extremely top notch and shows that while Tomasi has a great grasp on these characters, he's not afraid to let them have a bit of fun. My favourite takes on Batman are the ones when he's not so dour all the time. He cracks a smile at multiple points in this issue, and that means just as much as Superman and Jon's cheery attitude.

Speaking of Jon and Damian, their interplay is the best part about this issue. They have grown so much over the course of this series and seeing Damian actually tolerate someone brings such a huge amount of warmth to my heart, especially since he's just so hostile in so many other books. Batman even comments that Jon's attitude has rubbed off on Damian.

As far as interludes go, this is up there. The character relationships, their interplay, and the dialogue all worked so well and Luis provided the best non-Jimenez art this series has had yet. This upcoming crossover looks really interesting so I recommend to jump onto the series now.