Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by Ivan Reis
and Brandon Peterson
Published by DC Comics
Brian Michael Bendis has been doing stellar work on this title. While it might not be for everyone, I have been enjoying it very much.
I have to admit to liking his Action Comics run a little more than this one but this book has a few charming elements to it of it’s very own.
The last issue especially made me sit straight up and this one follows suit!
The opening few pages have a flashback with Jon and his grandfather, Jor-El, having a conversation.
Jor-El asks Jon why he agreed to come with him on this expedition in space. Jon makes a couple of jokes. Then he comes out with the real reason.
Jon is questioning his place in the universe and apparently has been for quite some time.
It’s not easy being the son of Superman and Jon is starting to feel it.
Surprisingly, Grandpa Jor-El gives some decent advice. It’s a nice sequence and it’s powerfully drawn by Brandon Peterson. It’s honest and true and Bendis made the dialogue feel completely real.
From there, we cut over to present day to the Fortress of Solitude and we see what Lois thinks of her son now being a complete teenager. The Fortress itself is examining Jon. Clark is upset that he lost all of those years with Jon. And then, Mongul shows up at the site of the old Fortress of Solitude. What the hell does he want?
Superman goes to greet him. And it’s perfect timing because Clark has to beat the hell out of something. This leads to another flashback and we get to see the Black Hole that Jon and Jor-El went down and how he grew up that quickly.
And then, on top of it all, after he got out of the Black Hole, there was a surprise waiting for him. The ending is just awesome.
The art by Ivan Reis is wonderful. He does an amazing job and never phones it in. He is grouped quite well with Peterson here and it makes for a quite an issue. Let’s hope the twists and turns keep coming. I’m enjoying the ride thus far!
RATING: A-
