Super Sons Vol. 1: When I Grow Up (Rebirth), by Peter J. Tomasi and Jorge Jimenez
Description: (from DC comics)
Superboy and Robin make their super-hero duo debut in SUPER SONS! These stories from issues #1-5 take them on a collision course with Lex Luthor and introduce Kid Amazon, a villain whose ascension parallels the boys’ own understanding of their powers—except he believes it’s his right to rule every being on the planet!
Expected publication: October 17th 2017.
A review copy (eARC) of this book was provided by the publisher through Netgalley. Some things might change in the final copy.
I first read Super Sons in their monthly single issues format and then took the chance to re-read and review properly when I found the complete volume available to request on Netgalley!
This was such a fun read! I’m not up to date on the Rebirth event, so I think I can safely say that this is pretty easy to understand for people who have not really followed the other series and are curious about this one. There are references to past events but they are quickly explained and never stopped me from understanding what was going on.
The plot was nothing really mind blowing but it was cool and gripping enough to let us witness those two boys go into nightly adventures and surveillance, get into trouble and be at each other’s throats while making us smile. There might have been a bit too many flahsbacks that had me confused for a second but that didn’t last.
I loved that the boys really looked the part. Jon (Superboy) really looks like a 10 years old boy, with his giant sweet blue eyes and skinny jeans, while Damian (Robin) also looked like a teen, not too bulky or anything, with his usual frowny face.
They are two very different boys in their personalities, but have enough similarities in their “family” situations that it is compelling to read about them coming to terms with each other. Damian’s a know-it-all and Jon wants to be a good boy, to please his parents but also to help other people, be it standing up to bullies or stopping unstable kids from killing their family. Damian is pragmatic and has it all simingly figured out, while Jon occasionally gets carried away by his emotions and is aware of his situation as a kid who cannot handle everything a grown up could. I really love how on point every one of their reactions to what was happening were. They are a bit like a good cop/bad cop duo, with a bit of a sibling-like rivalry thrown into the mix!
Why’s your name first?
I’m older.
I’m taller.
Shut up.
There was just enough of Pennyworth, Batman and Superman (and Lois) not to miss them but not too much so they don’t steal the show from the boys. This all made me want to get into reading the other new rebirth series to have more of them where they don’t risk outshining their boys.
I loved the art, some pages made me gasp or left me gazing at them for a few seconds more than usual. Maybe not a fan of the way Lois was drawn sometimes, but eh, there’s been so much worse.
I couldn’t help but smile at Jon, he’s really the sweetest vigilante out there. Seeing his life with his supportive mother and father was also a very nice addition.
Totally recommend! Starting at 9 or 10 years old maybe? There’s a bit of blood, some allegedly dead people but not too graphic gory violence. Would totally consider buying this to some kids I know, when it’s out in french!
I’ve already read some of the issues following this volume and they’re still as great! So, yeah, I’m sold to this series 😀
a dragon in space 