Review: Adventures of Super Sons #1

Bendis Is Coming!
The Super Sons Are Going!

Yes, with the arrival of Brian Michael Bendis to the fold, one of the cruelest cuts to the Super/Bat Families was the Super Sons book, a breezy, fun romp through the DCU as told from the point of view of the next generation. And, like their fathers, the sons certainly differ in tone and technique but that friction was also part of the fun. In the end, the two became fast friends and began to subtly emulate the better aspects of the other.

Of course a happy-go-lucky, endearing, gateway book for the next batch of readers title can never survive long at DC. Call that mentality 'Crisis on Infinite Didios'. So Bendis made Superboy a bit angry, demanding to leave Earth with his homicidal Grandfather to learn about himself. Unfortunately, we know that Jon returns older and literally scarred from the experience.

Perhaps because of the amount of backlash to this decision, DC gave writer Peter Tomasi one last revolution around the carousel. Adventures of the Super Sons #1, the first in a 12 part mini-series, came out this week and as readers, we are lucky to have it.

Tomasi sets the stage nicely. The opening half of the issue is a silly super-villain action piece designed to set the stage for anyone coming in fresh. We see Jon's infectious enthusiasm and optimism. We see Damian's confidence, feistiness, and mean streak. And we see how explosive that can be when mixed together. The issue ends with the reveal of the big bad of the series. Perfect.

 Carlo Barberi, who drew the last issues of the Sons' ongoing, is back on art and brings a slightly cartoony, slightly manga style to the book which is just perfect for the tone. These are middle school kids who look like middle school kids fighting super-villainous middle school kids. There is a gangliness or awkwardness to the poses which is perfect for adolescent adventures. The sons sport haircuts which would make DBZ characters jealous.

So drink it in folks. Because this fun time is here for a limited time only.

As I said, the book opens with the sons fighting the animated giant Superman statue in Metropolis. Damian thought he could handle it all on his own so Jon is sitting there munching on popcorn. Wonderful.

Finally, Jon is spurred into action.

There is the usual sort of barbs here. Jon says Superman is Robin's favorite JLA member. Damian tells Superboy not to damage the statue or the sculptor Alan Swan will be upset. Hmmm ... "whatever happened to Alan, Swan?"

It is, of course, silly.

Ultimately, the villain behind this, the forgotten Puppeteer is defeated. He was using this caper to showcase his anima-psytronic tech. Damian says what we readers are always thinking. Why not just sell the tech for money? Why all the shenanigans?

Of course, Damian can't waste the opportunity and has the statue kick around Jon a little bit more.

Check out Damian's haircut. Shades of Derek Wildstar! (I know .. I am old!)

As I said, these two are so obviously best friends with some rough edges, a little competitiveness, and differing approaches to problems.

So I actually chuckled when Superboy says Damian might secretly be a super-villain.

And I laughed when reporters call Damian 'that kid who used to work with Batman.'

Tomasi just knows how to inject enough humor into the proceedings to keep it light but not idiotic.

Cut to the West Reeve Academy on the last day of school. All the students are running from the halls with glee, leaping and skipping. All except Damian who calmly walks out, discussing his finals with his teachers. Damian even rejects the invite to the popular girl's pool party. There is no time for fun ... even if Jon seems ready.

Luckily, both sets of parents are 'away' for some time meaning the sons have some freedom to spend all summer adventuring. As Jon calls it, much to Damian's dislike, it will be The Summer of Super!

I suppose Tomasi didn't want to constantly have to explain why Superman and Batman aren't interceding in this story so with one panel and one sentence ... poof ... they are gone.

The Fortress of Attitude has been repaired from Kid Amazo's attacks. So now is the time to get ready.

Jon is definitely more the normal kid here. With parents away and a place of his own, he starts bringing in the snacks he isn't allowed to have. That is perfect.

I do like how Jon now sports Clark's New 52 belt. It seems even in this time, Superman knew he was going to change his outfit. I wonder if we will get a deus ex machina 'zee zee zee' from the belt should the boys be in deep weeds.

Time in the Fortress sis brief as an alarm rings bringing the boys back into the city.

There they meet up with a sort of Injustice League Junior, The Gang. Rex Luthor! Joker Jr.! Brainiac 6, The Shaggy Boy, Kid Deadshot, and Ice Princess!

I chuckled out loud at Shaggy Boy! That's awesome.

And Barberi makes them look like kids! I love the feel of this whole issue.

But who are these people. I don't know if these children are in continuity. Hmmm ....

And Rex has a chunk of Gold K in that box. With one dose, Jon is helpless.

Now we saw this group approaching Earth from the dark side of the moon earlier in the issue. They don't seem to consider this Earth as their home.

So what are they? Alternate Earth Bad Kids? Robots? Clones?

Or something else ...

My off the wall theory is that Rex is actually some version of Funny Face (from way back in Superman #19). There is a resemblance! Funny Face was a sort of stand-in for Jerry Siegel, a cartoonist who created a ray to bring cartoon characters to life.

Okay, I doubt that is true.

Regardless, this was another fun romp in the mis-adventures of Jon and Damian. I am thrilled we are getting one more story. I am saddened we won't get more. I am hoping Bendis doesn't let me down. I am steeling myself for the worst.

But that won't take away the enjoyment I got from this.

Overall grade: A