DC COMICS – @DCComics
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Peter J. Tomasi
ARTIST: Jorge Jimenez
COLORS: Alejandro Sanchez
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Jorge Jimenez with Alejandro Sanchez
VARIANT COVER: Dustin Nguyen
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.
Rated “T” for “Teen”
Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger; Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
When I Grow Up... Part One
Jonathan “Jon” Samuel Kent is the son of Superman/Clark Kent and Lois Lane. He first appeared in the comic book Convergence: Superman #2 (cover dated: July 2015) and was created by Dan Jurgens. Jon is also the latest version of Superboy and first appeared as Superboy in Superman #2 (cover dated: September 2016).
Damian Wayne (or Damian al Ghul) is the son of Batman/Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul (the daughter of Batman nemesis, Ra's al Ghul). Damian was an unnamed infant in the 1987 graphic novel, Batman: Son of the Demon. In Batman #655 (cover dated: September 2006), writer Grant Morrison reinterpreted the infant as Damian Wayne, and he eventually became the fifth character to assume the role of Robin, Batman's crime fighting partner and sidekick.
Now, Jon and Damian are the newest superhero duo and have their own comic book, Super Sons. It is written by Peter J. Tomasi; drawn by Jorge Jimenez; colored by Alejandro Sanchez; and lettered by Rob Leigh.
Super Sons #1 finds Jonathan Kent preparing for another day of school, which includes dealing with bullies. However, it is difficult for Jon to have an ordinary day when his pal is Damian Wayne. Clark and Lois may think that their son should go to bed early on a school night, and Bruce Wayne may think that Damian should hold to his school work promise. The boys think differently, but will two truant 'tween heroes find more trouble than they can handle in Metropolis?
Just from reading articles around the World Wide Web, I gather that many people consider the better part of the last two decades to be a new “golden age” in American comic book publishing. I certainly think that the last five years have been some kind of gilded age for teen superhero comic books. From Miles Morales Spider-Man and Kamala Khan Ms. Marvel to recent Future Quest and The Unstoppable Wasp, there are a wealth of cool titles from DC Comics and Marvel Comics featuring young heroes, adventures, and superheroes.
Yeah, this is just the first issue, but I have high hopes for Super Sons. Writer Peter J. Tomasi is a reliably quality writer of superhero comics, and I liked the way he handles Damian Wayne. I think that artist Jorge Jimenez may be the star creative force here. His drawing style seems like a quirky smoothee blend of anime, Joe Madureira, and Patrick Gleason. Yet his graphical style makes this story read like an adventure tale as much as it reads like a traditional superhero comic book. I heartily recommend this comic book, especially for teen readers, because I think the teen me would have been crazy about a Superboy-Robin comic book.
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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