[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artists: Carlo Barberi, Art Thibert
Colours: Photobunker
Letters: Rob Leigh
Reviewed By: Derek McNeil
Summary
The Super Sons find themselves tumbling through space and time without so much as a GPS to guide them! Having battled the intergalactic group of teen hoodlums known as the Gang, Superboy and Robin barely escape. However, they do end up having a shootout with gunslingers on a Western-like world before engaging in a swordfight to save a princess on a medieval-like planet. The Sons need to find their way back to Earth before the Gang does a planetary smash-and-grab with the whole planet!
Positives
After being exposed to Red Kryptonite by Rex Luthor, Superboy has been split into Superboy Red and Superboy Blue, much like his father Superman did in the late 90s. As in that story, Jon’s split selves don’t get along very well. In fact, the usual bickering between Jon and Damian is mostly absent, with Jon supplying it all by himself (himselves?). However, as we would expect of Jon, his two halves eventually put their conflict aside and work together to save lives when they need to.
The Gang is an interesting concept. It gives the Super Sons a junior version of the Injustice Gang to tackle without suddenly inserting previously unmentioned offspring into the backstories of DC’s foremost villains – not that DC hasn’t gone to that well before (the original Joker’s Daughter for example). Alien children dressing up as their favourite villains sounds rather unlikely, but doesn’t mess up the continuity.
There are some other nods to DC history as well. Rex wears the original Luthor’s classic pre-Crisis costume, while Kid Deadshot wears his older namesake’s pre-Flashpoint outfit. Also, a character that’s been around since the Silver Age, Space Cabbie puts in an appearance.
Despite the light-heartedness of the idea, I can’t help wondering what would happen if any of the original villains encountered these pint-sized copies. Most of these villains, Luthor and Joker especially, are notoriously protective of their reputations, and I can’t imagine them taking too kindly to having these kids trading on their names.
Negatives
Once again, I can’t find anything to fault in this issue. I just hope that when Bendis finally reveals what he has planned for Jon Kent’s future, that it allows for Tomasi’s Super Sons to continue in an ongoing series, rather than as a mini.
Verdict
Although this title may not be as high-profile as Doomsday Clock or Heroes In Crisis, it is still one of my favourite titles. The writing is charming and witty and art is superb – and it’s always the most fun book in the week’s stack of comics.
