Review: Adventures of The Super Sons #1 (of 12)
You have to wonder about the people calling the publishing shots at DC. Firstly you have a legitimate kid friendly book that has enough humour in place to appeal to a large cross-section of readers. Secondly, you cancel the book. Thirdly, you let your newest star writer, lured from your biggest rivals, send one of the stars of said book out into space. Finally, you decide to restart the book as a maxi series, set before said star goes on his galactic road trip, negating any real threat to the character. Go figure, right?
Super Sons was one of those books that really caught a lot of peoples attention. It’s mix of humour, derived from the odd couple like characteristics of Superboy, the golly gee wow son of Superman and Robin, the would be assassin turned sidekick, turned leader of the Teen Titans and Bruce Wayne’s biological son. This time around the pair is having a bit of trouble with a Z list villain tin the guise of the Puppeteer. Of course, it seems that Superboy also has his partner-in-crime fighting to contend with. Still, the pair are firm friends and with a “Summer of Super” ahead of them, they have a grand scheme, that is until a gang of evil kids come along and try to kick sand in our heroes face, figuratively at least.
Peter J. Tomasi provides the story and the words for this book. Tomasi is no stranger to Robin, having written him in both the Batman & Robin series as well as of course this books preceding volume. So by now, he is really comfortable with the pair, and it shows. The differences between them are used brilliantly,creating the vibe of the book; the contrast of the kid who has all the power in the world with the kid who has all the knowledge in the world. Naivety versus a cynical world view, although both share a confidence in themselves, even if Robin may not be quite so sharing in his opinion of Superboy.
The pencils provided by Carlo Barberi could be seen as edgy, at least with all the angles on show. The line work is busy at times, yet Barberi does well with the exaggerated look on the lads faces, which adds as much contrast to their personalities as Tomasi’s script, with Jon always seeming so energetic and Damian being the model of efficient movement. Barberi’s art is helped by Art Thibert’s inks, emphasising the line work across the various line styles and structures on show. Colors are by Protobunker who give the book a brightness that flies in the faces of those who say the DC Universe is all darkness on top of more darkness.
Despite the confusing publishing policy surrounding this book, I am glad to see it back on the shelf, mainly as it gives DC a genuine book that can be used across reader groups. I guess, the highest praise I can give this book is that I recommended it to a colleague at work who was looking for something for his nine-year old son.
Writing – 4 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Peter J. Tomasi
Art by; Carlo Barberi & Art Thibert
Colors by; Protobunker
Published by: DC Comics
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
Latest entries
Comic BooksOctober 14, 2024Review: Absolute Batman #1
Comic BooksSeptember 25, 2024Review: Defenders of the Earth #2 (of 8)
Comic BooksAugust 7, 2024Review: Gatchaman #2
Advance ReviewJuly 30, 2024Advance Review: Defenders of the Earth #1 (of 8)
You must be logged in to post a comment.