[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artists: Carlo Barberi, Art Thibert
Colors: Photobunker
Letters: Rob Leigh
Reviewed By: Derek McNeil
Summary
The Super Sons are back in an all-new 12-issue miniseries written by Peter J. Tomasi! Check out the lost and secret adventures of Damian Wayne (Robin) and Jon Kent (Superboy) in this flashback miniseries that takes a deep dive into the bombastic bromance between the sons of the DC Universe’s greatest heroes. It’s an epic dual storyline that transcends current events, as Superboy and Robin find themselves targets of an interstellar team of young badasses called the Gang.
Positives
Superboy may have disappeared from Superman and Action Comics since Brian Michael Bendis took those titles over, but you can find him here in the pages of Peter J. Tomasi’s new mini-series. This series is set in the recent past, before Jon went for an extended trip off planet (and off panel) in the Super-titles, so Tomasi is free to continue the adventures of the junior World’s Finest team without contradicting Bendis’ story.
Happily, Peter J. Tomasi is returning to write this mini, making it a welcome continuation of his stellar Super Sons title that was cut short a few months ago. The end of that title came as a major disappointment, especially in the wake of Tomasi and Gleason handing over the reins of Superman to Bendis. So it’s great to have him back, even if it may only be for a twelve-issue mini.
It seems fitting that the sons of Batman and Superman should find themselves facing kid versions of some of DC’s major villains. This issue introduces us to “The Gang” (presumably derived from The Injustice Gang), led by Rex Luthor, and including members such as Joker Jr. and Kid Deadshot.
We only get the barest introduction before the issue ends, so we are left wondering who these kids are, and if they are related to the villains they resemble, or if they just patterned themselves after them. Brainiac 6 seems especially fascinating. My first thought was that he might be Lyrl Dox (son of L.E.G.I.O.N.’s Vril Dox. However, that would make him “Brainiac 3” – Brainiac 6 should follow after 5 (Querl Dox from the Legion of Super-Heroes).
The series hasn’t lost any of its charm during its hiatus. Jon and Damian’s banter/bickering is as amusing as ever. And I loved the idea of Jon fighting his “father” – or rather a giant statue of his father brought to life.
Negatives
As great as it is to have a continuation of Super Sons, it makes me a bit uneasy that this is only a mini-series. Why is DC only willing to commit to a mini-series and not an ongoing? Also, this is set in the past, and the events of the Bendis Super-titles hint at coming changes in Jon’s status quo. I’m hoping that this isn’t a last hurrah for the Super Sons, and that we will see their adventures continue after this series in some form – and hopefully with Tomasi at the helm.
Verdict
The import thing is that the Super Sons are back, and this series is every bit as good as their previous title. Fans of that series will not want to miss this one. Tomasi is putting the fun back into funny books.
