Super Sons #1 -- Initial Thoughs
Last Saturday, during our Lego Batman fan screening experience, we bumped into one of the group that supported us from the very beginning. They offered if I wanted to read the very first issue of Super Sons by Peter Tomasi and Jorge Jimenez.
Heck yeah! Who wouldn't say yes to that!? I mean, Super Sons is one of the most highly anticipated titles in the Rebirth series!! I wouldn't let that opportunity pass me by. Plus, this is completely legal (hehe). Previews send digital copies to some reviewers a week before the actual release for some early reviews. It just so happens that we've got friends from higher places (hehe). You guys know who you are, and thank you very much for sharing your resources with us.
There are many reasons why you should get this book. So let me highlight those reasons based on the story that I've read.
1. The patented "Peter Tomasi" formula
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Peter Tomasi is an underrated writer! To cut things short and make things interesting, Peter's prevalent elements in writing are still evident in Super Sons #1. Peter always loves to bring in the concept of a "family" in his stories. Title of the first arc alone, "When I Grow Up," should be clear enough to tell you that this series revolves around the that concept.
2. The unlikely pairing
One's a brat, and the other is a very powerful kid. Pair the two together, and that may smell trouble for the universe. Comicbook fans are already accustomed to the World's Finest. But the offsprings of Superman and Batman are different from their fathers. Prior to reading Super Sons #1, I thought that the team of Jonathan "Jon" White (yes, Supes and Lois was able to survive the Flashpoint rebirth and assumed the surname of 'White') and Damian Wayne is a ticking time bomb. But it doesn't seem like that in Tomasi's first installment. It felt like Damian was a necessity to Jon's character development.
3. The easter eggs
Comicbook fans will definitely love this first issue. There's a "The Dark Knight Returns" homage towards the end. And I'm pretty sure there's another cover homage right after that TDKR panel, but I just can't get my references right. It just looks like a very famous cover of Superman and Batman.
Two things I least liked about Super Sons #1:
1. Jorge Jimenez' artwork is all over the place
I thought it was just me, but after reading the book, our friend told me that the art was overwhelming. Don't get me wrong. Art is good, and it fits perfectly to the entire story, but it was just too strong.
2. Lettering kinda sucks
I hope DC later on changes the lettering design. I was able to read the digital copy using an iPad Pro so I'm not particularly sure if that had to do something with the lettering. But after asking our friend, he confirmed that the digital copy is exactly the same as the physical copy.
3. No Goliath
This is just sad (T_T). I'm a big fan of Goliath and I've been missing him since Robin: Son of Batman.
Final thoughts:
Despite everything else, I think Super Sons will be a great book. The thought of Damian teaming up with Jon is something out of the ordinary. The unlikely pairing of the two adds another layer to the Batman-Superman relationship as both will definitely have a role in the upbringing of this tandem.
Overall, the story is okay. Nothing spectacular other than the easter eggs and the team-up, but from the get-go, you'll already see that Tomasi is trying to set up something big for the Super Sons.
Jimenez is an amazing artist, but, just for me, I don't think his artwork jives well with a story telling of Tomasi. It could work, but with the current story line (or at least where I think the story is headed to) I don't think he's the perfect artist for a story like this.
While I'm a bit doubtful that the value of this book will skyrocket, it is still a MUST get especially for DC fans. This book can be playful without compensating a good story. Make sure to get your copy of Super Sons #1 when it hits the shelves this coming Wednesday, February 15!
Paolo Ollero, 27, working law student, is a comicbook enthusiast who recently expanded his collection to action figures, memorabilia, movie posters, and statues. He is one of the admins for The Dark Knight Philippines -- the premier Batman group in the country. He also contributes reviews and write-ups in Geekend Gladiator.
