[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artist: Jorge Jimenez
Summary
Picking up on the other side of the dimensional portal that appears at the end of Super Sons #7, this issue opens with the young duo in the metallic tentacle clutches of some unseen subterranean monster! Luckily for the disoriented teens Hard Line and Big Shot, two tattooed post-apocalyptic saviours free them.
Hardline has long, tied-back hair with decorative metal throughout, she appears to have super strength and glowing red eyes. Big Shot is an agile gunslinger sporting a jetpack/rocket launcher. The young girls, with the help of Super Boy beat back the monster and they take off for freedom.
The dynamic duo is finally getting the chance to speak with the girls about the new world they have been pulled into. What they learn is that is that the planet used to be populated by heroes during the “Golden Age”. It all ended when Ygarddis, a planet sized monster, entered orbit and laid destruction on the world destroying everything that Hard Line and Big Shot held dear.
Where it gets interesting for our heroes is that Kraklow and the clay was from this new world. In this world, Kraklow was a hero and used the clay to save a bunch of the heroes from the destruction. Robin and Superboy think that the heroic wizard was trying to preserve his power by giving it to our Earth’s version of himself. That’s when Ygarddis came looking for them.
What will the teens do now to get home? Will Superboy finally have a chance to be a hero for a whole planet? Will Robin be able to prove to their new companions that he is a hero, even without the powers.
Positives
Super Sons #8 is a smart and fun read. It connects a great story and a whole universe to our heroes. This book’s most interesting parts are the new heroes, Hard Line and Big Shot, who, with any luck, will get to come to our Earth and be permanent heroes. The second is the reference to the Golden Age. While it’s not crucial to the story, this reference to legacy, the whole point of Rebirth, is greatly appreciated.
The design of the two new heroes is also fantastic. Beyond the cool tools and weapons, their design lets you know everything you need to know about them. Especially that they are young and high energy. Hard Line is sporting a crop top with a type of face covering like a ninja. Big Shot sports a similar outfit with a cape and a higher level of armor, making her feel more serious, which definitely reflects her characters.
Negatives
There are no negatives worth mentioning in this issue.
Verdict
Readers will love this issue, it is fun, fast paced and smart. The new characters are a joy to see and are great challenges for Robin especially, as they are his age but far more mature and experienced them he is.
