Tony Black reviews Superman #3…
“THE SON OF SUPERMAN” Chapter Three: In #3, with a touch that means death, the Eradicator proves he’s a match for Superman, but his super-powered offspring may be more than anyone can handle — including the Man of Tomorrow.
SEE ALSO: Check out a preview of Superman #3 here
The concluding third part of the ‘Son of Superman’ arc both concludes the burgeoning issue of Jon Kent’s powers, and flings Superman off into a new, connected and potentially devastating direction. Peter J. Tomasi had placed Jon in a perilous position in the previous issue; weakened following his adventure helping his father, in a confused state as to his Kryptonian origins warring alongside the human ones, Superman and Lois bring him to the ‘dead’ Superman’s Fortress of Solitude in order to try and figure out what may be happening to their son – only to find an Eradicator waiting for them, waiting with a specific purpose in mind.
Now I’d be lying if, as a relative comics newbie as I’ve stated I am a few times, if I didn’t have to look up the Eradicators historically, but Tomasi does a pretty decent job in establishing through flashback panels who essentially they are and their place in Superman mythology. It allows artist Patrick Gleason to once again draw a beautiful blend of the icy Arctic Fortress locales against the hot devastation of Krypton, as we glimpse the big bad General Zod and the destruction of that world from an Eradicator perspective.
From a character perspective, it’s lighter than previous issues as Tomasi concentrates on the fallout from clashing with the Eradicator and teeing up the subsequent arc, but we do have both Superman & Lois continuing to worry about the consequences of what their son is experiencing. It’s primarily plot, this issue, and may ultimately end up a tad controversial given how Tomasi ends up using the super dog Krypto who accompanies the Eradicator here. It’s brave to an extent, and will doubtless upset more than a few people.
If lacking the dramatic weight some of the previous Superman issues have had thus far, it’s nonetheless an entertaining read. Coloured beautifully in many places, with a story which balances current action with mythology baiting historical touchstones, there’s plenty to enjoy both in this issue and one suspects in a much darker and more personally troubling arc for Superman yet to come.
Rating: 6/10
Tony Black
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Originally published July 21, 2016. Updated November 14, 2019.
