Tony Black reviews Superman #1…
“THE SON OF SUPERMAN” Chapter One
The Last Son of Krypton must decide whether to help his young son use his new and rapidly increasing abilities, or hide them from the world.
SEE ALSO: Check out a preview of Superman #1
The Rebirth universe of DC is affording us two parallel, straddling Superman stories right now. Action Comics are seeing the brand new, alternate-universe Superman standing fighting big bads in Metropolis, whereas the main Superman: Rebirth story here dials everything back to being much more of a family based, character story written by Peter J. Tomasi, with artwork by Patrick Gleason. Given the subtitle ‘Son of Superman’, it’s quite fitting as the narrative spirals here not around Clark Kent (or should that be Smith) but rather his and Lois’s son Jonathan, who is embroiled in the classic teenage struggle of internal angst and the external pressure of his burgeoning, half-Kryptonian power.
In the last few issues, Clark has been keen to emphasise to his son the importance of keeping not just their identities a secret, but also Jonathan’s powers in check. As a young, impetuous boy, one in awe of his father’s God-like power, this was always going to be difficult and he faces a challenge here–albeit simply–which teaches him the lesson of great power equalling great responsibility. Jonathan, in a moment of anger at what he considers an unjust act on the natural food chain, reacts dangerously and not only serves to conceal the fact, but in doing so may very well put his parents at odds with the local rural community south of Metropolis, but also his father with the rest of the Justice League. It’s great how Tomasi & Gleason keep the new Superman’s bigger calling–given context in Clark talking to this universes’ dead Superman’s grave–almost entirely through Jonathan’s prism too.
By the end, it looks like Jonathan has already begun embarking upon a journey which will foster deeper and greater conflict, and it’s exciting to see where it may lead. Scaling back for this Superman issue, with Gleason delivering some colourful and familial art in the process, leads to much in the way of character developing rewards. A smaller scale but important chapter in the Rebirth story.
Tony Black is a freelance film/TV writer & podcaster & would love you to follow him on Twitter.
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Originally published June 20, 2016. Updated November 10, 2019.
