Scan barcode
billyjepma's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I don't have any lasting personal connection to Jon (or Superman, honestly), so I came into this with a pretty open mind. And there's a lot here that worked for me! Taylor's unabashed sincerity works well for Superman, and I appreciate how he writes Jon as the optimistic, headstrong young adult he is now. Timm's art is also rad—his sharper, angular style leads to some great splash pages and gives the pages an energy and momentum that I enjoyed quite a bit. This first volume is mainly set up for a bigger story (which I'm not entirely sold on yet, to be fair). Still, as an introduction to this iteration of Jon Kent/Superman, it's successfully captured my attention.
Other than the abundance of stage dressing for a plot that hasn't quite begun, my main issue is Taylor's tendency to overexert his themes and voice. I think it's fantastic and well overdue to have a Superman comic address real-world politics this head-on, and I agree with literally every sentiment Taylor writes into the plot. But Taylor's integration of those sentiments borders and often strays into preachiness. It's so heavy-handed that it makes me wonder who he's writing it for—it reads as redundant to people like me who are already on his side and won't win over anyone who isn't. It also doesn't help that, so far, the story has very low stakes and has yet to plant any seeds that promise something more significant. If this is what it takes to get meaningful politics into a major superhero comic, then I'm all for it, but I also think the message would be better served if it were delivered with more elegance, at least this early on in the story.
I do like this version of Jon a lot, though, and am excited to see what comes next for him. I'm also thrilled that he has a queer love interest. While the much-publicized kiss is sudden and doesn't quite feel earned, although they have a fun chemistry, it's very cool to see a comic with Superman on the title feature two men sharing a spur-of-the-moment kiss. It feels appropriately in line with Jon's character and the general vibe of a college-age kid discovering new parts of himself.
The story is off to a slow and occasionally rocky start, but I'm definitely on board for the ride.
Other than the abundance of stage dressing for a plot that hasn't quite begun, my main issue is Taylor's tendency to overexert his themes and voice. I think it's fantastic and well overdue to have a Superman comic address real-world politics this head-on, and I agree with literally every sentiment Taylor writes into the plot. But Taylor's integration of those sentiments borders and often strays into preachiness. It's so heavy-handed that it makes me wonder who he's writing it for—it reads as redundant to people like me who are already on his side and won't win over anyone who isn't. It also doesn't help that, so far, the story has very low stakes and has yet to plant any seeds that promise something more significant. If this is what it takes to get meaningful politics into a major superhero comic, then I'm all for it, but I also think the message would be better served if it were delivered with more elegance, at least this early on in the story.
I do like this version of Jon a lot, though, and am excited to see what comes next for him. I'm also thrilled that he has a queer love interest. While the much-publicized kiss is sudden and doesn't quite feel earned, although they have a fun chemistry, it's very cool to see a comic with Superman on the title feature two men sharing a spur-of-the-moment kiss. It feels appropriately in line with Jon's character and the general vibe of a college-age kid discovering new parts of himself.
The story is off to a slow and occasionally rocky start, but I'm definitely on board for the ride.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, and Police brutality
Minor: Abandonment, Confinement, and Xenophobia
More...