Review: Super Sons Vol. 2- Planet of the Capes
Quick Summary
Pros: The stories here are fun and exciting. All of the characters are well-written and their interactions range from humorous and lighthearted to serious and emotional. The artwork is incredible and is a perfect fit for this series.
Cons: The conclusion to the main story arc feels rushed.
Overall: The second volume in the Super Sons series reaffirms that this is a series worth watching out for. The volume collects a series of great adventures that all fun to experience. Throughout these adventures, the Super Sons themselves are a delight and their unique dynamic is always entertaining. Anyone who enjoyed the first volume should absolutely read this one and anyone on the fence about this series should consider diving in.
Story
Super Sons Vol. 2: Planet of the Capes, by Peter Tomasi, easily upholds the high level of quality that was present in the first volume of this series. The stories here are filled with action but also take plenty of time for the characters to simply have a bit of fun. These characters are also consistently well written and their interactions are often a delight to see. The collection’s only significant problem is that the conclusion to its main story arc feels rushed. Overall though, this is an awesome read that gives even more promise to an already promising series.
(spoilers start here)
Planet of the Capes opens with a team-up between the Super Sons and the Teen Titans. This centers around an engaging battle against a mysterious enemy. It also provides the meeting I’m sure most fans were hoping for, as DC’s two most popular youth teams collide.
Then, the book uses this opening story to launch the Super Sons’ trip to another dimension. Here, they fight robots, befriend new heroes, and learn more about this world’s interesting lore. All of this leads to a story that feels packed to the brim with imagination and excitement. The only problem is that the conclusion is rushed. The entire arc sets up the main villain as a nearly unstoppable evil and hints that Robin has a plan to address this evil but the villain is essentially dismissed with the literal wave of a magician’s hand. The arc is still fun to read but feels like it could have been better.
Finally, Planet of the Capes closes with a one-shot that has Batman and Superman revaluate the Super Sons’ team-up. On its own, this story isn’t that memorable. However, it helps provide character development and narrative advancements that further the series as a whole, which is great to see.
Alongside all of this, Planet of the Capes is incredible simply in the way it approaches the characters. Damian and Jon are amazing heroes with a balance of light and dark that makes them even more endearing. This comes out through their own interactions but also comes out in their interactions with others, particularly their parents. For fans of the titular “Super Sons”, this book has plenty to offer.
(spoilers end here)
Art
Like the story, the visuals in Planet of the Capes easily uphold the high level of quality that was present in this comic’s opening volume. Jorge Jiménez’s take on Damian and Jon are fantastic, making them look like bright-eyed kids in some places but still reserving the ability to make them look like real heroes when it comes down to it. Additionally, this volume gives readers the chance to see Jiménez take on the Teen Titans, a few new characters, and a whole new world, all of which look fantastic. All of this is further enhanced by some spectacular page structures, that allow for some wonderful character highlights alongside the story’s events, and Alejandro Sanchez’s perfect colors, which give the artwork the bright and colorful quality that is essential to its success. Contributions from Jose Luis and Carmine Di Giandomenico, while not quite as stunning as Jiménez’s work, also hold up the comic’s level of quality. Overall, the visuals in this comic are fantastic and are a big part of why this book is so fun to read.
Continuity
Super Sons Vol. 2: Planet of the Capes continues the story from Super Sons Vol. 1: When I Grow Up (Review).
The story here continues in the Super Sons of Tomorrow crossover event.
This volume also references stories from other comic books, detailed below:
- Superboy’s time on Dinosaur Island in Superman Vol. 4 #8-9, collected in Superman Vol. 2: Trials of the Super Son (Review).
- Robin (Reading Order) mentions visiting Apokolips in the past. He spent time on the planet across Batman and Robin Vol. 6: The Hunt for Robin (Review) and the aftermath of his time there was shown across Batman and Robin Vol. 7: Robin Rises (Review).