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Review: Superman, Son of Kal-El #5

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Superman: Son of Kal-El #5

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

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Radio Apocalypse #1

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!

Preview: Superman: Son of Kal-El #5

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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 #5

Preview: Superman: Son of Kal-El #4

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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.

Superman: Son of Kal-El #4

Jon Kent Comes Out as Bisexual this November

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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.

Preview: Superman: Son of Kal-El #2

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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!

Superman: Son of Kal-El #2

Around the Tubes

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Sweet Paprika #1

It’s new comic book day! What’s everyone excited for? What do you plan on getting? Sound of fin the comments below. While you wait for shops to open, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web.

The Comichron – Diamond full estimates return in mammoth June – A very interesting shift.

Fox 16 – ‘Villains’ steal more than $30,000 worth of Conway man’s comic book collection – If anyone can help, please do.

Reviews

CBR – Batman Secret Files: Huntress #1
CBR – The Breaker Omnibus Vol. 1
Atomic Junk Shop – Slow Death Zero
CBR – Superman: Son of Kal-El #1
CBR – Sweet Paprika #1

Preview: Superman: Son of Kal-El #1

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Superman: Son of Kal-El #1

Story: Tom Taylor
Art: John Timms

Jonathan Kent has experienced a lot in his young life. He’s traveled the galaxies with his Kryptonian grandfather and lived in the future with the Legion of Super-Heroes, who were intent on training him for the day his father, Clark Kent, could no longer be Superman. There is a hole in the Legion’s history that prevents Jon from knowing exactly when that will happen, but all signs point to it being very soon. It’s time for the son to wear the cape of his father and bear the symbol of hope that has told the world who Superman really is. Join writer Tom Taylor (Nightwing, DCeased) and artist John Timms (Infinite Frontier) as they usher in a whole new era for the House of El! Also, “Tales of Metropolis” continues. Jimmy Olsen gathers his misfit heroes, including Ambush Bug and Gangbuster, to find out who the Projectress really is and why she set her sights on Bibbo!

Superman: Son of Kal-El #1

There’s a Super Shake-Up for Superman Come July

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There’s pretty big changes coming for the Superman Family in July. There’s a new Man of Steel to protect Earth, Sueprgirl is on a mission to catch a murderous fugitive, and Clark Kent is on a mission to liberate Warworld and he’ll need some help to do it.

Superman: Son of Kal-El

The action begins on July 13 as a new ongoing monthly series, Superman: Son of Kal-El, replaces the current Superman monthly title. Written by Tom Taylor with art by John Timms, this series follows the new adventures of the son of Superman as he’s entrusted with the protection of Earth.

Jonathan Kent has experienced a lot in his young life. He’s fought evil with Robin (Damian Wayne), traveled across galaxies with his Kryptonian grandfather, and lived in the future with the Legion of Super-Heroes, who were intent on training him for the day his father could no longer be Superman. There is a hole in the Legion’s history that prevents Jon from knowing exactly when that will happen, but all signs point to it being very soon. It’s time for the son to wear the cape of his father and continue the never-ending battle as a symbol of hope for his home planet.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

Arriving July 20, issue #2 of this eight-issue limited series by Tom King and artist Bilquis Evely continues Kara Zor-El’s journey of self-discovery and emergence from the shadow of her famous cousin.

Supergirl, Krypto, and their new friend Ruthye find themselves stranded with no way to pursue Krem, the murderous king’s agent. Each moment this fugitive roams free, the more beings come dangerously close to dying by his hand. There is no time to lose, so our heroes must now travel across the universe the old-fashioned way…by cosmic bus! Little do they know their journey will be a dark one, filled with terrors that not even the Maid of Might is prepared to face!

Action Comics #1033

Writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and artist Daniel Sampere keep Superman on the front lines in his battle to free the prisoners of Warwold in Action Comics #1033, on sale Tuesday, July 27. This issue takes the action to Atlantis and the Fortress of Solitude, where Warworld refugees have taken possession of dangerous Warworld tech, bringing it to Aquaman’s undersea kingdom and risking an all-out war that even Superman may not be able to prevent. Meanwhile, some of the escaped Warworld prisoners have found the Fortress of Solitude…and along with it, Lois Lane!

And in this 40-page blockbuster’s second feature, Midnighter has gone deep into the Trojan compound and found a very unexpected guest whose path he crossed in Future State—none other than Shilo Norman, a.k.a. Mister Miracle!

Superman and the Authority

If Superman is to free the prisoners of Warworld, he’s going to need help, the kind of help that doesn’t scream “Justice League.” Fortunately, multi-Eisner Award-winning writer Grant Morrison and fan-favorite artist Mikel Janín have the solution in the form of a new four-issue limited series, Superman and The Authority.

Launching July 20, this new team will be led by Manchester Black, and combine original members Midnighter and Apollo with new members Enchantress and Natasha Irons, as well as new versions of Lightray and O.M.A.C. This new team will have to learn to work together, and fast, as the Ultra-Humanite has formed his own team of villains to take out the Man of Steel.

This new limited series will help launch an all-new status quo for Superman, setting up story elements that will impact both Action Comics and Superman: Son of Kal-El in the months to come.

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