Review: Superman & Robin Special #1

One of the best things that I feel came out of DC Rebirth was the introduction of a tween Jon Kent and his subsequent friendship with Damian Wayne. The Super Sons was always a great read as it was sort of World's Finest Lite, with the differing personalities of the sons adding nice fodder for plot and characterization. Under the writing of Peter Tomasi, we got to see the two boys grow, learn to respect each other, and get into wild hijinks. 

Brian Michael Bendis took over the Superman books and in the midst of that run had Jon age up about 6 years. This wasn't an instant aging. Jon was stuck in another dimension where he was tortured for what felt like 6 years. Back in the main DCU, only months passed. Suddenly we had a near Superman. Unfortunately that meant that it wouldn't be easy to have anymore Super Sons books. While we did get another mini-series, it was a flashback. You can only go to the well so often that way. And it was a shame because I loved those Sons books.

Last week, Peter Tomasi got one more bite at the apple, coming out with Superman & Robin Special #1, a team-up between Jon and Damian, now in their current DCU forms. In some ways, it reads a little sad because both Jon and Damian realize that maybe it'll be a little weird to hang out like they used to. In some ways it is confusing, as Tomasi includes some dialogue that seems off-continuity or not just right. In some ways it is nostalgic as Tomasi references things he put into his Superman run which his now several years old. But in many ways, it read like a Super Sons story filled with crazy twists and wild action. As such, I enjoyed this.

Add to that the art by New Super-Man artist Viktor Bogdanovic. The boys looks great. The action is wild. And everything flows very well. There is some big action here as well as some quieter emotional scenes. They all shine on the page.

On to the book and the particulars. 

DC May Solicits

The DC Comics May 2021 solicits have been released. DC has plenty of new books on the shelves so it looks like the rumors of the company only putting out a small number of floppies were, at least for now, unfounded. Here is a link to the complete list: https://www.gamesradar.com/dc-may-2021-solicitations/

There is no mention of Supergirl anywhere. So I think she is on the shelf for a bit as DC tries once more to decide if they want to put out another title or not. But if they are going to come out with another Supergirl book, I want it to be the right book with the right creative team.

And another month without Event Leviathan:Checkmate on the docket. 

Let's jump to the super solicits.

ACTION COMICS #1031
Written by: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Art by: Daniel Sampere
Backup story written by: Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad
Backup story art by: Michael Avon Oeming
Cover by: Mikel Janin
Card stock variant cover by: Julian Totino Tedesco

“Warworld Rising” part two! After a war-torn battleship escapes Warworld and makes the perilous journey to Earth, Superman searches for answers about the identities of its mysterious refugees and their apparent link to the planet Krypton. Could there be other Kryptonians in the universe? Meanwhile, Atlantean scientists study the wreckage of the Warworld vessel…and make a shocking discovery that could change the balance of power on Earth.

And in the backup story, stuck in the wrong timeline, Midnighter continues to gather intel on the Chrysalis in hopes of finding an answer. But will it cost him his relationship with Apollo? And who is being held captive at Trojan Solution.

Interesting to see that it sounds like Superman escapes Warworld and is back on Earth just 2 issues in. I hope that there aren't more Kryptonians out there because Between the Els and the Zods, there are already too many. I am pretty sure that the Kandorians are stull dead.

I don't know if I am too interested in the back-up.

September 2017 Solicits

The September solicits for DC Comics were recently revealed and there is a lot of stuff that grabbed my attention. For me, the Supergirl, Superwoman, and Action Comics solicits are very interesting. And there are some trades being released that make me think I need to save my pennies.

To review the entire DC solicits, here is a link to Newsarama:
https://www.newsarama.com/34984-dc-comics-september-2017-solicitations.html

And on to the Super-titles:

SUPERGIRL #13
Written by STEVE ORLANDO
Art and cover by ROBSON ROCHA and DANIEL HENRIQUES
Variant cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU
“EMERALD ERADICATION” finale! It’s the final showdown between Supergirl and Emerald Empress. Supergirl’s life has been torn asunder and she’s not going to let Emerald Empress get away with it. But is it too late to repair the damage and remain the hero she’s built herself to be?

Okay, let's get started. First off, that is a crazy cover with a fierce Supergirl ripping apart the Emerald Eye! That is a great image! And Artgerm on the variant should be beautiful (although I will miss Bengal). 

And then the solicit about Supergirl trying to remain above the fray after having her life destroyed grabbed me. Steve Orlando has really made Kara a hero, helping people and being optimistic. So we'll see if personal problems make her backtrack.

Review: Super-Sons #4

A bit of Supergirl-specific news came out this week, delaying things a bit. So I am catching up.

Super Sons #4 came out last week, the end of the first arc and potentially the end of the team. More than any prior chapter, this issue shows how difficult it would be for these two boys to be friends and to work together. It isn't easy for the more down-to-Earth Jon to deal with the narcissistic worldly assassin Damien. And this battle showcases that.

The villain of the piece, Kid Amazo, has the potential to be a legitimate threat. But in this story, he is relatively easily dispatched. Maybe too easily. And really, in the end, he isn't even defeated by Superboy and Robin. Really, I think Amazo was really just a catalyst to showcase the differences of the Sons.

As much fun as it is to see the sons bristle with each other, I am finding the interaction with the larger DCU even more engaging. So seeing Luthor, Lois, and Alfred in here was also a great.

Lastly, Jorge Jimenez's art is the perfect style for this book. Stylized, somewhat exaggerated, and in places cartoonish, it jibes wonderfully with the tone of the book.

On to the book!

Review: Super Sons #2

Supersons #2 came out last week and was a rollicking fun time. One of the themes of this book is clearing going to be to compare and contrast the personalities of the main characters. Jon is a bright, optimistic, sort of naive kid. Damien is a driven, sullen, but ultimately lonely dark knight in training. For someone like me who grew up with Batman and Superman being friends, I can imagine that this is how that relationship started. These boys aren't similar in any way other than their legacy and drive for justice.

This issue shows how their approaches to matters and their power set can complement each other nicely. They are solving a mystery and they are on the trail. But this is definitely an 'Odd Couple' situation. Can they get along with out beating each other up?

The story also introduces someone who could be a great arch-enemy for the sons. Are we seeing the opening chapter of a lifelong battle?

The art is just glorious by Jorge Jimenez. I love how gangly and kid-like our protagonists look. These aren't small adults. They are children and they look it. I appreciate it greatly! And the action is wonderfully rendered, stylized and snappy!

On to the book!

May 2017 Solicits

The May solicits for DC Comics came out and there are a few happy surprises for me sprinkled in the month. In particular, I am looking forward to the Supergirl main title. With Cyborg Superman behind us, it looks like writer Steve Orlando and artist Brian Ching are going to dive into the deep end of the DC Universe And that makes me happy.

Here is a link to all the solicits:
http://www.newsarama.com/33251-dc-comics-may-2017-solicitations.html

And here are my thoughts!

SUPERGIRL #9
Written by STEVE ORLANDO • Art and cover by BRIAN CHING • Variant cover by BENGAL
“Escape from the Phantom Zone” part one! Trapped in the Phantom Zone, Supergirl and Batgirl must face the Phantom King to escape! But what deadly team is Emerald Empress building? And what does it have to do with the future of the Girl of Steel?

As I said, this arc looks like it is going to be great fun. Supergirl and Batgirl teaming up! That alone is worth it. Throw in the Emerald Empress and this Legion fan is smiling. Add the Phantom King, a nice link to Kara's Krypton past, and I am thrilled.

Hooray for us!

Review: Super-Sons #1

Supersons #1 came out last week and was exactly the fun sort of romp that I thought it would be. If people think that Batman and Superman would have a hard time being friends, they should read the interactions of the two young heroes Robin and Superboy. Damien's abrasive personality, flaunting of rules, aggressive heroing, and and overall superiority complex contrasts wonderfully to Jon's rule-following, optimistic, and otherwise good behavior.

How and/or why would these two hang out?

While those personalities seem to clash, both are young legacy heroes trying to figure out who they are in this crazy world. There is more in common than not. So I can see why they would seek each other out as well. In my head canon, Damien is lonely and wants someone his age to pal around with.

Writer Peter Tomasi does a great job in this first issue. We get a hint of an upcoming villain. We get a flashforward of a battle, a taste of things to come. And we get a compelling opening adventure which does a nice job of laying out who these characters are. When the issue was done, I wanted more. That is what a first issue should do.

I have praised Jorge Jimenez's art in the past but he really shines here. His style is starting to get a little more daring in my mind. I am starting to get a sort of Chris Bachalo/Humberto Ramos sort of feel, a sort of bending of the art away from realism and into something more interesting.

Super-entertaining and Bat-tastic. Count me in.

On to the book!