Superman Son of Kal-El #1 Review
Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: John Timms
Colors by: Gabe Eltaeb
Lettered by: Dave Sharpe
Publisher: DC Comics
And here we are, the mantle is passed, and Jon Kent is Superman!
Or he will be, in time. The suit is on though! And boy do Timms and Eltaeb make it look good. I found myself appreciating this issue more and more with each run through. It blends in some classic elements of Clark’s origin story into Jon’s and offers a much more hopeful tone for this Kryptonian birth.
The optimism is infectious in this issue, I mean even Batman’s smiling! While there’s the threat of an “attempted” planetary invasion, the Justice League is there to cover for Clark so he can be with Lois. This offers such a striking contrast to Clark’s origin where Krypton was destroyed because of the lack unity from the Council. Here everyone is doing their part and understands the significance of this moment. Which, you have to give it up for Lois here, being able to tell these godlike figures to pump the brakes on this incredible weight they’re putting on the child just reminds readers how great she is. It also plays into the central theme of the book, Jon’s identity. Taylor shows how ingrained kindness and virtue is in Jon by having him deal with an obstacle where brute force isn’t the answer and how willing he is to offer support. The dilemma lies in what happens after, where Jon questions the authority’s resolution. I appreciate Taylor’s approach, not giving us a story of Jon just on the hero job but actually trying to understand what his role is and who he is separate from this monumental, heroic figure.
As I said earlier, Timms and Eltaeb are incredible on this title. The opening of the book evoked sentiments of my childhood with how much it felt like a scene straight out of some of the most integral cartoons of my youth. The action flowed seamlessly, and the colors were vibrant and distinct enough that each scene was clear and easy to read. The page with Jon comforting a newly powered person is touching and shows readers this IS Superman. The way the flames slowly fade away and the minimal text is just brilliant; even though the flames are roaring, you can almost hear the silence envelope the sequence.
This is everything you could ask of a Superman title. If you’re already a fan of Jon or have yet to be introduced to him, definitely pick this one up.
Art by: John Timms
Colors by: Gabe Eltaeb
Lettered by: Dave Sharpe
Publisher: DC Comics
And here we are, the mantle is passed, and Jon Kent is Superman!
Or he will be, in time. The suit is on though! And boy do Timms and Eltaeb make it look good. I found myself appreciating this issue more and more with each run through. It blends in some classic elements of Clark’s origin story into Jon’s and offers a much more hopeful tone for this Kryptonian birth.
The optimism is infectious in this issue, I mean even Batman’s smiling! While there’s the threat of an “attempted” planetary invasion, the Justice League is there to cover for Clark so he can be with Lois. This offers such a striking contrast to Clark’s origin where Krypton was destroyed because of the lack unity from the Council. Here everyone is doing their part and understands the significance of this moment. Which, you have to give it up for Lois here, being able to tell these godlike figures to pump the brakes on this incredible weight they’re putting on the child just reminds readers how great she is. It also plays into the central theme of the book, Jon’s identity. Taylor shows how ingrained kindness and virtue is in Jon by having him deal with an obstacle where brute force isn’t the answer and how willing he is to offer support. The dilemma lies in what happens after, where Jon questions the authority’s resolution. I appreciate Taylor’s approach, not giving us a story of Jon just on the hero job but actually trying to understand what his role is and who he is separate from this monumental, heroic figure.
As I said earlier, Timms and Eltaeb are incredible on this title. The opening of the book evoked sentiments of my childhood with how much it felt like a scene straight out of some of the most integral cartoons of my youth. The action flowed seamlessly, and the colors were vibrant and distinct enough that each scene was clear and easy to read. The page with Jon comforting a newly powered person is touching and shows readers this IS Superman. The way the flames slowly fade away and the minimal text is just brilliant; even though the flames are roaring, you can almost hear the silence envelope the sequence.
This is everything you could ask of a Superman title. If you’re already a fan of Jon or have yet to be introduced to him, definitely pick this one up.
A Look Inside
