Review: Super Sons Vol. 1- When I Grow Up

Quick Summary

Pros: The book’s plot and action is thrilling and intense. The book takes an all ages approach that doesn’t make any sacrifices. The Super Sons themselves are a joy to read about and connect with.

Cons: Nothing, unless you really don’t like children.

Overall: This is a fantastic start to a series which is sure to be in for a bright future. The characters are well written and make for a read that is both humorous and wholesome at the same time. Plus, the story and action are so well written that they feel like something Superman and Batman should be dealing with. Overall, this is a fantastic book that any comic fan, young or old, should read.

Story

Readers looking for a lighthearted and fun superhero book that still has the high stakes and action of a standard comic series are in luck because Super Sons Vol. 1: When I Grow Up is exactly what they are looking for. It teams Superman’s wholesome and optimistic son up with Batman’s snarky and pessimistic son in a brand new superhero team. The relationship between the two is a love/hate dynamic that provides plenty of laughs, while also being something wonderful to watch evolve. In addition, the book’s plot is thrilling and intense in a way that is as good as, or better than, any other book out there. The Super Sons series is starting out right and I am really looking forward to watching it grow.

(spoilers start here)

The first thing that readers will notice about the plot in this book is that it does not tone itself down to an adolescent level just because the book stars children. The book is about a child who realistically has the ability to take over the world and thus is presenting a very real and imminent threat. The stakes are as high as any other superhero book and at no point does the story feel like it is holding back because of the protagonist’s age.

In fact, the action in this book is often better than many other superhero books out there. The Super Sons, in more than one instance, have to outsmart their enemies tactically instead of just trading punches until someone goes down. My favorite example of this happens when the boys start fighting with each other despite being surrounded by enemies. The two fight long enough to distract their enemies and take them off their guard, only to reveal the fight was a ruse and then spring into an attack. It is well written and fun to see happen on the page.

In addition, the book doesn’t seek to plunge itself too deeply into mature themes. At no point does the book ever become too dark and scary, allowing it to appeal to all ages. The only time it ever comes close to this is when it shows a dead body; however it is later revealed that this is a robot and that no one actually died. The all ages approach is refreshing and nice to see in a comics industry so often dominated by darkness.

The real gem of this series though is the titular characters, the Super Sons themselves. The two boys are like water and oil in a bizarre contrast that proves to be a joy to witness. They are constantly trading juvenile blows, both verbally and physically, yet it is written in a way where readers can tell that there is an underlying respect to their actions. These two are strange friends to be sure, but they are definitely still friends. In this way, the book becomes about adolescent friendship and growing up together in the face of adversity, something every reader, young and old, should be able to relate to.

(spoilers end here)

Art

I don’t think it’s possible for DC Comics to have put a more perfect artist on this book than Jorge Jimenez. His artwork is light and fun in a way that allows it to show off the childish nature of this book. It also just gives it a more “all-ages” feeling that makes it even more approachable in general. Plus, he has a wonderful hold on what these characters should look like, from Damian’s scowl to Johnathan’s smile. Especially when teamed up with Alejandro Sanchez’s artwork, this book is a true visual treat for the eyes.

Continuity

Super Sons Vol. 1: When I Grow Up starts a brand new series from DC Comics, so there are no direct predecessors to this book. However, the main relationship in this book has its origin in Superman Vol. 2: Trial of the Super Son (Review) which could be considered the spiritual precursor.

The story here continues in Super Sons Vol. 2: Planet of the Capes (Review).

This issue also references the stories from other comic books, all of which are detailed below:

• Jon is shown with his friend Kathy. They become friends in Superman Vol. 1: Son of Superman (Review).
• Lex Luthor (Reading Order) declaring himself the new Superman happens in Action Comics Vol. 1: Path of Doom (Review).
• The Amazo virus is a big plot point in this book. The history of this virus can be found in Justice League Vol. 6: Injustice League (Review).
• The Kents moving to Metropolis is a plot point started in Action Comics Vol. 4: The New World (Review).
• The panel of Superman (Reading Order) and Batman fighting depicts a scene from Batman: Hush.