Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #6 (of 6)
(W) Tom Taylor (A) Clayton Henry
In Shops: Aug 01, 2023
SRP: $3.99
SUPER SON VS. SUPER SON! It’s Batman versus Superman. Super Son versus Super Son. Injustice Superman is ruling with a fist of steel. Can Jon Kent free an entire world? And what could he lose if he tries?
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #6 (of 6)
(W) Tom Taylor (A) Clayton Henry
In Shops: Aug 01, 2023
SRP: $3.99
SUPER SON VS. SUPER SON! It’s Batman versus Superman. Super Son versus Super Son. Injustice Superman is ruling with a fist of steel. Can Jon Kent free an entire world? And what could he lose if he tries?
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #5 (of 6)
(W) Tom Taylor (A) Clayton Henry
In Shops: Jul 04, 2023
SRP: $3.99
The Super Sons are reunited and up against an entire world of Injustice…but in this penultimate issue, will Jon Kent have a hope of returning to his Earth? It’s a battle for the soul of Superman and the safe return of the Super Son as the Injustice saga cranks up the heat!
We’re going back to early 2018 to revisit an old column this week, because if you listen to Those Two Geeks, then you’ll understand why this comic was so loved.
This is a column that focuses on something or some things from the comic book sphere of influence that may not get the credit and recognition it deserves. Whether that’s a list of comic book movies, ongoing comics, or a set of stories featuring a certain character. The columns may take the form of a bullet pointed list, or a slightly longer thinkpiece – there’s really no formula for this other than whether the things being covered are Underrated in some way. This week: Ivar, Timewalker
My comic shop recently got the deluxe hardcover edition of Valiant’s Ivar, Timewalker in on a special order for yours truly, which collects the entire twelve issue run in one place for $40. You can also pick up the series in three softcover trade paperbacks, if you’re so inclined, but I’ve become partial to the oversized hardcovers (especially because of the bonus material in the back, but then I love that stuff). I had already read the final four issues of the series long before I started reading the hardcover, which some would think would be foolish, but when you’re reading a book about time travel then it suddenly becomes less foolish.
In order to give you a bit of context, you’ll find the preview text for the series below.
“At this very moment in Geneva, Switzerland, history is being made. A thousand meters underground inside the Large Hadron Collider, researcher Neela Sethi is about to discover time travel – and jeopardize her life in the process. But she doesn’t know that yet. Ten minutes from now, every deadbeat chrononaut, wannabe conqueror, and misguided protector of the timestream will be banging down her door. Good thing that the legendary Ivar, Timewalker, got there first…right? Now it’s down to history’s most jaded, most tempestuous time traveler to stop the worst of everything that is, was, and will be…before time runs out!“
The series was written by Fred Van Lente, who was joined by Pere Perez, Francis Portella and Clayton Henry with Robert Gill, the first issue being released in January 2015, with the final issue coming in December of that year. The twelve issue series is one of the more underrated offerings from Valiant Entertainment, as many people don’t tend to think about Ivar, Timewalker when talking about the great comics to have come from this publisher – myself included.
As a story about time travel, Ivar, Timewalker is a series that rewards multiple readings – indeed, you could reasonably start at the beginning of any of the three arcs within the series, though this is admittedly more difficult to do with the deluxe edition than the single issues or the trades. Van Lente put together a story that will leave you with as many questions as it will provide answers with an intelligent script that effortlessly blends a heartbreaking story of loss, hope and determination with a sly wit that will have you laughing out loud more often than you would expect in a series that, technically, isn’t a comedy.
Time travel, and effects travelers can have on history are touched on, and often provide some interesting flashes to a story that at its heart is a tale of two incredibly different people; Ivar himself, and Neela Sethi – the scientist who will invent time travel. For as fantastical as the scenery is in this series (and thanks to the artists, it truly is phenomenal), the true draw is the relationship between the two leads.
And that relationship is why you need to read this wonderful story at least twice. I didn’t realize how good this book was when I first read it, and I dare say it’ll only get better with time. Pardon the pun.
Time travel has never been so wonderful.
Join us next week where there will doubtless be another movie, series, comic or comic related thing discussed that is, for whatever reason, Underrated.
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #5 (of 6)
(W) Tom Taylor (A) Clayton Henry
In Shops: Jul 04, 2023
SRP: $3.99
The Super Sons are reunited and up against an entire world of Injustice…but in this penultimate issue, will Jon Kent have a hope of returning to his Earth? It’s a battle for the soul of Superman and the safe return of the Super Son as the Injustice saga cranks up the heat!
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #3 really kicks off the story we’ve been waiting for and has been teased since not long after the series was announced. Jon Kent arrives on an Earth he’s never seen…the world of Injustice! While a Kal-El rules this world in seeming peace, why does everyone Jon meets fear the S symbol on his chest? And why is Batman public enemy number one? Jon needs to figure out what’s going on in this strange new world because things seem… off.
Written by Tom Taylor, Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #3 is getting to what we really want to see, Jon Kent in the world of Injustice. He’s still positive in his outlook on life, figuring things out. Despite his suffering and the bumps in the road, there’s a lack of jaded viewpoint. How will he react to this world’s Superman who has taken harsh actions on his world to bring peace? Then there’s this world’s other versions of familiar people Jon knows? We see his interaction with Damian teasing things out a bit. Overall, it’s a nice opening chapter though could have played out a little better keeping Jon in the dark for a bit longer.
The art by Clayton Henry continues to be solid. With color by Jordie Bellaire and lettering by Wes Abbott the look of the comic delivers the false order and safety of the world of Injustice. There’s something neat and clean about it all, hiding the sinister of reality underneath. The look has an autocratic aspect about it. There’s also something great about the art and it hides the reality of everything. Everything from Luthor’s body language to Superman’s facial expressions hint and tease what’s to come.
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #3 begins the upcoming conflict of idealism taking on the harsh absolutism of the world of Injustice. It should be interesting to see how Jon reacts in the next issue and you wonder if this event might be what breaks him a little in his journey onward. So far, it’s nice to see Jon’s general positive outlook in his journey and how that guides him here will be truly interesting.
Story: Tom Taylor Art: Clayton Henry
Color: Jordie Bellaire Letterer: Wes Abbott
Story: 8.35 Art: 8.35 Overall: 8.35 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #3 (of 6)
(W) Tom Taylor (A) Clayton Henry
In Shops: May 02, 2023
SRP: $5.99
Jon Kent arrives on an Earth he’s never seen…the world of Injustice! While a Kal-El rules this world in seeming peace, why does everyone Jon meets fear the S symbol on his chest? And why is Batman public enemy number one? Jon has to pick a side, and the consequences make either choice a dangerous one!
Adventures of Superman: Jon Ket #2 (of 6)
(W) Tom Taylor (A) Clayton Henry
In Shops: Apr 04, 2023
SRP: $3.99
Kal-Els across the Multiverse are being murdered…and the culprit is the man who stole Jon Kent’s childhood! Jon is joined by Earth-2’s Superman, Val-Zod, and a surprise third hero to try to stop Ultraman’s killing spree. But when Jon comes face-to-face with the man who tortured him and kept him imprisoned, he discovers an even greater threat!
Adventures of Superman: Jon Ket #2 (of 6)
(W) Tom Taylor (A) Clayton Henry
In Shops: Apr 04, 2023
SRP: $3.99
Kal-Els across the Multiverse are being murdered…and the culprit is the man who stole Jon Kent’s childhood! Jon is joined by Earth-2’s Superman, Val-Zod, and a surprise third hero to try to stop Ultraman’s killing spree. But when Jon comes face-to-face with the man who tortured him and kept him imprisoned, he discovers an even greater threat!
There’s been a massive change in the status-quo for the Superman family. Their secret identities are a thing again, allowing them to live their dual lives and get back to the way things were some time ago. That includes Jon Kent who has to find his way now that his dad has returned to Earth and Metropolis. Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #1 looks to do exactly that, sending Jon on a mission across the multiverse with what seems like major implications.
Written by Tom Taylor, Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #1 has a dual purpose. First, it needs to set up what’s to come and second, it needs to give readers a sense of where Jon is with his life. It does both of those in a nice transition that feels organic and natural. But, it drags all of that out through the comic making it a rather slow, but at the same time satisfying, start.
Someone is killing Kal-Els across the multiverse and Jon is the one being recruited to stop the villain. Why are versions of Superman being murdered? What happens after? None of that is really answered though we’re told the ramifications are huge. All of this is delivered by Val-Zod in an introduction that feels a bit odd at first. Val-Zod, known as “President Superman,” is a known entity to readers which makes the standoff-ish nature of the initial meeting between Jon and him a little weird. We know he’s a good guy but I guess they’ve never met, have they? Intelligently, Taylor forgoes the usual heroes fighting each other, and even makes a bit fun of that overused plot device.
The art by Clayton Henry is solid. The comic is able to go from amazing action sequences to a conversation at a kitchen table without missing a beat. With color by Jordie Bellaire and lettering by Wes Abbott, the comic delivers a balance of ominous without being totally doom and gloom. Superman is being killed and yet the imagery and colors still pop. The lettering, especially at the opening, adds to the overall vibe of scenes and comics. It’s a good combo and look that delivers a comic that feels like its style fits with what we’ve seen from both Action Comics and the newly relaunched Superman. All three titles are able to do big battles and even weighty topics but still deliver a look and feel of cheer and hope.
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #1 is a good start. It takes a bit to get to the end’s big reveal and also the mission ahead, but it does a good job as an opening chapter. There’s a lot we know that’s coming, and that’s part of the issue. While the comic sets up Jon’s adventure, it doesn’t get us to where we want it to go, him heading to the world of “Injustice.” That’s partially why it feels a bit slow getting to the point. Overall though, it’s a first issue that’ll fit in nicely as we get to read more of the series, sadly we need to wait for that to happen.
Story: Tom Taylor Art: Clayton Henry
Color: Jordie Bellaire Letterer: Wes Abbott
Story: 7.5 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle
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