Calum Petrie reviews Second Coming: Only Begotten Son #1…
Do you know the origins of Superman? I would hope you do if you are reading a comic book review, and Second Coming starts off like the beginnings of the Man of Steel. The only difference is that instead of a wise and technologically advanced species, this appears to be the world of capitalism and ignorance… might sound familiar.
This first issue plays very much to a comedic tone, with the setting light-hearted and extinction treated like a some form of mediocre bad news. The highlight of the issue is a temper tantrum over a soup dinner. If you read that last sentence and wondered “What the hell?” then you are on the same wavelength as me.
The wonderful characters are absurd, comical and enjoyable. The fact that scenes from this comic are still in my head a couple of days after reading it is a testament to design and delivery of the characters. The choice to basically parody the Man of Steel is brave, but has been delivered in a non offensive manner. The enjoyment after finishing this, and the smiles the come from the absurd story, is an experience that grim and dark comics are rarely able to deliver.
We are greeted in this first issue with some funny, bold and striking moments. The plot is nowhere near clear, but as it is the first issue I am willing to let that slide. I do know at this point that I am going to be coming back for issue #2, if only to get a better idea why our Superman-type character is sharing a house with Jesus in the closing pages of issue #1.
Rating: 8/10
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