[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artists: Carlo Barberi, Brent Peeples, Art Thibert, Scott Hanna
Reviewed By: Derek McNeil
Summary
“END OF INNOCENCE” part two! The epic battle between the Super Sons and Kid Amazo crashes to a close, and Superboy and Robin must decide how to pick up the pieces of the disastrous Amazo Project. The Super Sons face tomorrow in this latest chapter of their journey together!
Positives
There have been persistent rumours of late that Superboy is due to retconned out of the DCU or killed off. The cancellation of Super Sons, the relaunch of Superman under Bendis, and the solicitation text for Man of Steel referring to the “fate of Lois and Jon” have provided adequate fuel for these rumours, despite both Bendis and Tomasi making statements that Jon isn’t going anywhere.
So this issue adds a bookend story around this final chapter, which makes it clear that we haven’t seen the last of the Super Sons. This story shows an elderly man telling his grandchildren the story of how Robin and Superboy saved the Justice League from Kid Amazo.
We aren’t told who this man is, but it seems implied that it’s Jon Kent from the future. When the children ask to hear more stories, he goes to the bookshelf and pulls out Volume 2 of “Adventures of the Super Sons.”
Not coincidentally, DC has just announced that the boys are due to return in a maxiseries with that very title. Plus, Tomasi drops a hint that a “mystery cube” will figure in that series.
Also, in a nice nod to DC history, the word “Adventures” in the book’s title makes use of the logo for the classic title Adventure Comics.
The story also shows Superman and Batman agreeing that the boys have the potential to eventually surpass their fathers. This echoes Batman’s speculation in Tomasi and Gleason’s Superman that Jon’s mixed heritage will make him more powerful than Clark. This certainly bodes well for their future.
Negatives
The only problem I have with this issue is that it is the last one of the series. However, we don’t have to wait long for more Super Sons tales. Damian and Jon are returning next week in the Super Sons/Dynomutt Special and then in August’s in Adventures of the Super Sons maxiseries. However, I do wish it was an ongoing series instead of 12 issues.
Verdict
Super Sons has been a stellar title, both as a companion to Tomasi and Gleason’s Superman, and in its own right. This book has definitely been one of the Rebirth era’s biggest successes, and I eagerly look forward to “Vol. 2.”
