Superman: Son of Kal-El #7
Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: Cian Tormey
Superman has recovered from the devastating attack against him. After the life-changing events of issue #5, Jon Kent and his new ally Jay Nakamura are ready to strike back. They are on a collision course with the type of power that is used to swatting problems out of the way. But Superman is not so easily swatted.
It’s new comic book day! What’s everyone excited for? What do you plan on getting? Sound off in the comments below. While you wait for shops to open, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.
The Guardian – Rare first edition of The Incredible Hulk comic sells for $490,000 – We were a little short.
Yen Press – Entry Level Positions at Yen Press – If you’re looking for a new job in 2022!
Reviews
Monkeys Fighting Robots – Dark Knights of Steel #3
Monkeys Fighting Robots – One-Star Squadron #2
Geek Dad – Superman: Son of Kal-El #6
Superman: Son of Kal-El 2021 Annual #1
Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: Steve Pugh, Clayton Henry
Jon Kent’s first days as Earth’s new Superman have been a trial by fire. His actions have already put those he loves in harm’s way. He has stood strong in the path of constant attacks, but the immovable object is about to meet an unstoppable force. Lex Luthor—the man, the myth, the menace—returns to Metropolis.
Following the news that the first four issues of Superman: Son of Kal-El are being reprinted, the fan excitement for the series continues to grow as DC will also be reprinting the milestone fifth issue of the series. If you missed out on ordering the first time, fans can now order a copy of Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 at their local comic book shops by Sunday, November 28 and it will be available on the same day as Superman: Son of Kal-El #6, Tuesday, December 28.
From writer Tom Taylor, artist John Timms, colorist HI-FI and letterer Dave Sharpe, issue #5 of Superman: Son of Kal-El is now available in comic book shops and digital retailers. After initially striking up a friendship with reporter Jay Nakamura, he and Jon become romantically involved in the pages of Superman: Son of Kal-El #5. Following a scene where Superman mentally and physically burns out from trying to save everyone that he can, Jay is there to care for the Man of Steel.
Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 second printing features a special version of the variant cover originally created by Travis Moore and Tamra Bonvillain for the fifth issue.
Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 shows just how stressful being Superman is (Especially when Bendix hits you with some solar energy.) in a focused story from Tom Taylor, John Timms, and Hi-Fi. Jon Kent think he can save everyone thanks to his little power boost that enhances his strength and speed, but it also increases his stress levels and leads to a kind of superpowered burnout. This is a comic for anyone who has taken on way too much at work or school and just can’t handle it any more as Taylor and Timms zeroes on Jon’s emotions and also set up a little romance with Jay, a journalist and metahuman.
John Timms and Hi-Fi’s visuals drive home how overworked Jon is while Tom Taylor’s plot has Jon Kent flying all over the world and only delegating a single task to a fellow superhero, The Flash, who definitely knows what he’s going through. Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 features several single and double page spreads with darting figures everywhere. There’s one page in particular where Timms and Hi-Fi depict Jon as just a red blur grabbing every citizen of a town in Luxembourg that has been overwhelmed by a flood. However, when Jon is portrayed in close-up, John Timms draws him with dark circle and beads of sweat coming down his face showing that he’s ill, and although he’s bulletproof, he still gets tired. A concept that comes into play throughout the comic is control with Jay and The Aerie finally telling Jon to take a break because people around the world are filming and saying that he can’t control himself.
These reality checks combined with Taylor’s narration for Jon shows how much self-control it takes to be Superman. You can’t just fly around willy-nilly: that shit is for Miracleman or Homelander. He and John Timms are digging into a vein of Superman story that can be great (The ending Superman vs. Darkseid battle in Justice League Unlimited) or not so great (Superman Returns video game). They create tension through Jon having to maintain control of his enhanced abilities and avoiding collateral damage that would directly contradict his mission to save everyone. However, the events of Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 are a wake up call for his youthful idealism and stress the importance of self-care and not filling one’s plate too much. But because Jon Kent’s job involves the difference between life or death, this sometimes gets lost in the shuffle, and the issue wraps up with him again going into action.
The cover of Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 isn’t misleading as Tom Taylor and Timms continue to flesh out the relationship between Jon and Jay. In-story, a big deal isn’t made about Jon’s sexuality: he and Jay have chemistry and an emotional bond so they smooch. It’s refreshing and reads like your standard superhero romantic subplot instead of some kind of Glee-esque very special issue although that’s the kind of media coverage this comic has been getting. (Just saying, Superman being bi would have been a huge deal for me as a queer kid so I’m 100% okay with all the hype and have enjoyed laughing at the ignorant cretins on Fox News and right wing Twitter.) I enjoy the back and forth that Taylor writes for Jon and Jay, and how sensitive Jay is to Jon’s needs giving him noise-canceling headphones so he can take a break from saving the day. Previous comics have laid the ground for their activism-driven approach to superheroics so Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 is really the culmination of everything as they’re ready to fight Bendix in upcoming issues. Also, Hi-Fi’s colors play an underrated part in showing Jon and Jay’s feelings for each other as the studio uses softer lighting compared to Jon’s frenetic flying and superheroing. The vibe for their first kiss is more like a Carly Rae Jepsen live show than a cape book.
Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 is character, not plot-driven as Tom Taylor, John Timms, and Hi-Fi dig into Jon Kent’s emotions at both work and play. He has great power, but he also has limitations. However, smooching a cute boy and taking some time for self-care will help with that so that Jon is back in action and using his powers in a social justice-tinged way.
Story: Tom Taylor Art: John Timms
Colors: Hi-Fi Letters: Dave Sharpe
Story: 9.0 Art:8.5 Overall: 8.7 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
Wednesdays (and now Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in
Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.
A Chance (Graphic Mundi) – A story about a family’s struggles and triumphs about raising kids, adoption, and struggles with health.
Almost American #3 (AfterShock) – This based on a true story comic series about Russian FSB agents who defect has been intriguing so far and as the tension and danger ramps up, we want to see how crazy this story really is!
Batman #117 (DC Comics) – “Fear State” has been one of the best Batman events in years and we’re excited to see how it ends and where it leaves the status-quo.
Batman Secret Files: The Gardener #1 (DC Comics) – The Gardener has been an x-factor of a character. We don’t know much about her but that’s going to change here!
Carriers #1 (Red 5 Comics) – A band of weaponized carrier pigeons, they soar the night sky looking for new threats and find their largest one yet when the Croc King comes climbing up out of the New York sewer!
Chicken Devil #2 (AfterShock) – A fast food chain owner seeks revenge against the mob who killed his family. There’s something very 80s about this series and we’re excited for that.
Commander Rao #1 (Scout Comics) – On the final dawn of an exhausted war, a rogue commander sets out on a warpath to confront a tyrannical baron. A year later, stories are sung of her heroism, but the mystery of her motives remains.
Dark Ages #3 (Marvel) – This alternate world story has been great so far and the twists have been excellent. Apocalypse looks like he’s unstoppable with the “heroes” he’s gathered, will the rest be able to stand up against him?
Getting Dizzy #1 (BOOM! Studios) – Dizzy wants to be the best but everything she’s tried has been a disaster. Now she needs to stand up to defend her neighborhood when the Negatrixes attack!
The Nice House on the Lake #6 (DC Comics) – Ending the first arc, it’s a doozy of an issue. Holy crap!
Primordial #3 (Image Comics) – We’re having a lot of fun with this weird alternate history involving the space race.
Radio Apocalypse #1 (Vault Comics) – Long after the rock out of space struck the world and turned it all to dust, in Bakerstown stands the last Radio Station on the planet. Radio Apocalypse broadcasting into the unknown. It’s the soundtrack to the end of the world!
Robins #1 (DC Comics) – What’s better than one Robin? All the Robins!
Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 (DC Comics) – There’s been some high-profile news lately about Jonathan Kent and his sexuality. This is the issue eyes are on. It’s already getting a new printing, so don’t miss the “event” that has made the mainstream news!
Wonder Woman: Evolution #1 (DC Comics) – We’re always excited to check out a new Wonder Woman series and where it’ll take the character. In this series she’ll stand trial as aliens judge humanity’s worthiness to exist in the universe!
Superman: Son of Kal-El #5
Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: John Timms
Faster than fate. As powerful as hope. Able to lift us all. For all his great power, Jon Kent can’t save everyone, but that won’t stop him from trying. How much can Earth’s new Superman do before this Man of Steel buckles? And when he does, who swoops in to save Superman?
Superman: Son of Kal-El #4
Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: Daniele Di Nicuolo
Kal-El has left, and the weight of the world now rests on his son’s shoulders. Powerful forces have been threatened by Jon Kent’s first leaps in his father’s boots. It’s hard to hurt a man of steel, but his loved ones make a much easier target. Jon’s world is about to come crashing down.
Today, October 11, is National Coming Out Day and DC has revealed that this November, Jon Kent, the Superman of Earth and son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane, will come out as bisexual.
Writer Tom Taylor said in the announcement:
I’ve always said everyone needs heroes and everyone deserves to see themselves in their heroes and I’m very grateful DC and Warner Bros. share this idea. Superman’s symbol has always stood for hope, for truth and for justice. Today, that symbol represents something more. Today, more people can see themselves in the most powerful superhero in comics.
Just like his father before him, Jon Kent has fallen for a reporter. After initially striking up a friendship with reporter Jay Nakamura, he and Jon become romantically involved in the pages of Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 from writer Tom Taylor and artist John Timms. Following a scene where Superman mentally and physically burns out from trying to save everyone that he can, Jay is there to care for the Man of Steel.
Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 features a main cover (left) and inks by Timms, colors by Gabe Eltaeb and lettering by Dave Sharpe. Variant covers were created by (center) Travis Moore and Tamra Bonvillain, and Inhyuk Lee (right).
Faster than fate. As powerful as hope. Able to lift us all. For all his great power, Jon Kent can’t save everyone, but that won’t stop him from trying. How much can Earth’s new Superman do before this Man of Steel buckles? And when he does, who swoops in to save Superman?
Superman: Son of Kal-El #1-3 are available now at participating digital retailers and comic book shops. Superman: Son of Kal-El #4 and #5 will be available on Tuesday, October 19 and Tuesday, November 9, respectively.
Superman: Son of Kal-El #2
Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: John Timms
Jonathan Kent now dons his father’s cape, but can he be Superman and still have a normal life? It’s tough in this modern world. Danger is everywhere. The new Superman learns this the hard way on his first day of college, and a deadly attack forces Jon to step from the shadows and into the spotlight-where his identity is exposed to the Truth, an activist news machine ready to upset everything. But first, the son still has some things to learn from his father-and a few cool toys to inherit. Ask yourself, what would you do with your very own Fortress of Solitude? This all-new chapter in the legacy of Man of Steel has only just begun to reveal its surprises!
