Originally published on Patreon
After a long time being built up, the fight for Gamora finally comes to an end in the latest issue of Superman: Son of Kal-El, as Jon and his team bring the reign of the evil President Bendix to an end.
I've not hidden how much I enjoy this series, and it's consistently one of the comics that gets the highest praise from me each month. And with this final issue, we continue this tradition. The action is great, the character moments are wonderful, there's tension, romance, and laugh out loud moments that feel like they couldn't work anywhere else.
Tom Taylor completely understands the right way of writing Jon, he gets what makes the character great and delivers that every time; but it's not just him. Damian is absolutely delightful this issue, and almost steals things in the few panels he's in. The friendship between the two of them is great, and all those who were upset when Jon was aged up because it could change his friendship with Damian have nothing to worry about, because Tom proves here that even though there are a few years between them now, that camaraderie, competitiveness, and compassion between the two of them still thrives.
There are some great twists and turns in this issue, and it looks like there's something being set up here that is going to have an important impact on Jon going forward. There's a sense that this was just the first stage in a much bigger story; and I'm eager to see what this means for the character.
Something else that I also absolutely loved about this issue is the final pages, where Jon stands in the ruins of the battlefield with Jay, and the two of them kiss as people look on, taking their photos. As far as I can remember, in this series the two of them have kept their relationship somewhat quiet outside of their social circles, and whilst they've been romantic with each other it's always been in private. This big, open display of love, with crowds seeing it, with the photos sure to be shared around the world, feels big.
I really hope that this is something that will get a bit of focus, that 'Superman is Gay!!!' headlines appear and are something that Jon has to acknowledge. I'd especially be interested if perhaps that's the way Clark finds out when he returns next issue. Not because I think it would cause drama, but because I think a Superman standing up proudly, showing the world he's queer, with his Superman father standing beside him with love and support sends a wonderful message to the world.
With Clark back next, I'm very much looking forward to seeing the family reunited.
This article, and many others, can be read a month early on my Patreon for as little as $3 a month!
No comments:
Post a Comment