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“When I grow up” part one! The sons of Batman and Superman have graduated to their own monthly comic-but if they want to survive, they’re going to have to share it! Writer Peter J. Tomasi (BATMAN & ROBIN, SUPERMAN) teams with rising-star artist Jorge Jimenez (EARTH 2) to bring you the adventures of the World’s Smallest. This debut issue looks at the lives of Robin and Superboy and their destiny to follow in their fathers’ footsteps, while we meet a new villain whose ascension parallels the boys’ own understanding of their powers-except that he believes it’s his right to rule over every being on the planet!

25 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 15, 2017

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301 people want to read

About the author

Peter J. Tomasi

1,387 books467 followers
Peter J. Tomasi is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, such as Batman And Robin; Superman; Super Sons; Batman: Detective Comics; Green Lantern Corps; and Superman/Wonder Woman; as well as Batman: Arkham Knight; Brightest Day; Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors; Nightwing; Black Adam, and many more.

In the course of his staff career at DC Comics, Tomasi served as a group editor and ushered in new eras for Batman, Green Lantern, and the JSA, along with a host of special projects like Kingdom Come.

He is also the author of the creator-owned titles House Of Penance with artist Ian Bertram; Light Brigade with artist Peter Snejbjerg; The Mighty with Keith Champagne and Chris Samnee; and the critically acclaimed epic graphic novel The Bridge: How The Roeblings Connected Brooklyn To New York, illustrated by Sara DuVall and published by Abrams ComicArts.

In 2018 New York Times best-selling author Tomasi received the Inkpot Award for achievement in comics.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
Profile Image for Rusty Grey.
143 reviews1 follower
March 31, 2018
This comic book is 100% aaawwwwww material . Very cute . Reading about the childhood of the super sons of Batman and Superman is more interesting than I had thought .

The art is very good . Though at some places it's a bit hazy . Otherwise , the story of Damian Wayne and Jonathan Kent is cute enough , to warm the coldest of hearts .
Profile Image for Liam.
336 reviews2,220 followers
February 16, 2017
This was adorable, can't help but love this series already !!!!!!
Profile Image for Chelsea &#x1f3f3;️‍&#x1f308;.
2,038 reviews6 followers
February 15, 2017
I adored this!!! I ran out to get it today because I didn't want to wait to read it.

The relationship between Damian and Jon was my favorite part of the SuperMan Rebirth series and this issue is just more of that.

The art is fantastic. It really captures the mischievousness in Damian's smirks and the stubbornness in Jon's expressions. I can't wait to see how their relationship develops.

The parallels between Jon and Supes and Damian and Batsy were interesting. It kind of paints Bruce in a less flattering light but that's nothing new. The relationship between Jon and Supes was straight out of WB's Smallville. Although, Supes has a lot more faith and trust in Jon knowing wrong from right.

It ends on a cliffhanger so I can't wait to read the next issue!

5 stars.
Profile Image for Vinton Bayne.
1,383 reviews33 followers
February 16, 2017
I might be looking at this through rose colored glasses of having been excited about this series since it was announced and absolutely loving these characters, but I thought this issue was fantastic. It exceeded all my expectations. I really enjoy the contrast between these two and how it plays out in their interactions.
Profile Image for Münevver.
354 reviews22 followers
June 18, 2017
"You don't have to wear an 'S' or a bat on your chest to be a hero, son. Just be one when it counts."
Profile Image for সাদমান হুসাইন.
155 reviews36 followers
February 19, 2017
What would you get if you mixed the arrogance of the Bat and the sheer cunning of an Al Ghul?

You would get Damian Wayne, the lovable utter brat.

Similarly, Jonathan Kent is the epitome of the naive good boy, who wants to save the world as much as his father, Superman, yet fails miserably. Also, he has a set bedtime of 9 PM. These two offsprings of the World's finest can never be more different.

When these two start to work together, the comic gets more interesting by every panel. Damian, the kid with a world of experience on his shoulders, working with Jonathan, the kid with the world yet to experience.

I loved every panel of the comic. I loved it so much that it forced me to write almost an essay on it.

I know some people who only read the dialogues of any comic, skimming through the artwork. Here, the artwork deserves its own praise. Jorge Jimenez catches the intensity of the Bat-brat and the naivete of the Super-son well, keeping the readers glued and waiting for the next page. And yes, I loved the subtle nod to the classic Dark Knight Returns pose as well.

Did I mention their banter? Oh, the banter is truly hilarious! The Super-son trying to match the cunning and the ferociousness of the Bat-brat is absolutely endearing. At the same time, it reminded me of how similar the psyches of Bruce and Damian are. Damian inherited all that is awe-inspiring with the Dark Knight. The apple didn't fall far from the tree, here. Jonathan, as the literal new kid on the planet, is trying to match the standards of his father. But at the same time, he wants to befriend Damian. He even offers Damian a ride on his shoulder's when they face a large jump. Which Damian despises in true Bat-fashion.

I really really hope the later issues will be of similar quality and make the new duo of Superboy and Robin the next World's Finest.

I'll just finish my essay of a review with my new favorite quote of Damian -

Superboy - "Just climb on and piggyback, I'll leap across."

Robin - "Rest assured, you will never find me piggybacking on your narrow shoulders.

I've managed to move across cities and landscapes without your assistance long before you had an S on your chest."
Profile Image for S..
324 reviews54 followers
March 15, 2017

"Just climb on and piggyback -- I'll leap across."
"Rest assured, you will never find me piggybacking on your narrow shoulders. I've managed to move across cities and landscapes without your assistance long before you had an "S" on your chest."


HA. This is awesome. The son of Batman and the son of Superman fighting crime together.

This was only the first issue, so it's hard to really form an opinion on the whole story, but I think it could be great. Jonathan and Damian are just so like their fathers and so that dynamic really, really works -- even more so, with Damian having his short temper and arrogant attitude turned up to a thousand. You can tell Jon wants to be a superhero in his own right, and it just so happens that Damian encourages his rebellious side and basically gets him into a lot of trouble.

I really, really can't wait to read more in the series.
Profile Image for Patrick.
2,163 reviews21 followers
February 16, 2017
This is a high quality read, right here. Tomasi captures the essence of each of the boys in witty dialogue while Jimenez and Sanchez shows the small moments not shown, not spoken.

Fantastic start.
Profile Image for Emma Gerts.
374 reviews23 followers
January 4, 2018
This is a tricky review for me to write, because for a long time, I have hated Damian Wayne on sheer principle. When I started reading Batman comics, Dick Grayson was Nightwing, Jason Todd was dead, and Tim Drake was Robin. Some of my favorite comics are set early on, as well, either when Batman doesn't have a Robin, or when Dick was Robin (The Long Halloween, Year One, Dark Victory, etc). I also read and watched a lot of classic Teen Titans, with Dick as Robin and then as Nightwing. I then dropped out of comics for a long time, so I missed the New 52, the collapse and re-establishment of the multiverse, etc.

So when I came back to Batman comics, and Tim Drake was gone, and there was this new kid with a punk attitude calling himself Bruce Wayne's son, I was enraged. This wasn't the Robin I knew and loved. Robin had always been a fun, light-hearted character - despite the tragedy they sometimes had, the Robins I knew were a bright counterpoint to Batman's darkness. To me, that was the point of Robin - be be a light in the dark, their bright, silly costumes set in opposition to Batman's darkness. And Damian, with his whole 'raised by the League of Shadows', too good for this, dark and angsty demeanor, didn't seem bright enough to act as a foil to Batman - and my feelings on this point haven't changed.

That said, Damian is starting to grow on me, as long as it's in comics where he's separated from Batman. There are some scenes in some of the newer Batman titles I've read where I haven't minded him so much, but it's largely when he's interacting with the other past Robins, Dick and Jason. I can tolerate him in Teen Titans, but the Super Sons comic is the first time that I felt I could start to like him. His dynamic with Jon is interesting - I enjoyed the feeling that Damian is trying to make friends, in his own prickly, difficult sort of way. Jon is a bit of a goody-two-shoes like his father, but that works well against Damian's "I'm the best at everything" sort of attitude. I liked the art style in this comic - it would have bothered me in say, a Justice League story, but I think it fit the tone well, and it was cute and entertaining. The story was fun and fast paced, and overall I really enjoyed it.

So Damian gets a pass in this instance, even if overall I still think he fails as a Robin.
Profile Image for Patrick.
1,363 reviews6 followers
March 29, 2017
Really fun issue. This could be a great series, for adults and kids. I really liked this, and that homage to the Dark Knight Returns. I highly recommend it

I received an advanced copy of this from NetGalley.com and the publisher
Profile Image for Kay ☾.
1,280 reviews21 followers
February 23, 2019
Solid first issue, hope to get some more characterization and it’s not cliche. So far Robin is mysterious and all about fighting while superboy is calmer and very kid like. The artwork is good too, Robins facial expressions are funny.
5,630 reviews8 followers
February 22, 2017
These two compliment one another so well just like their dads.Its evident from the first issue this is going to be a lot of fun.
Profile Image for Lea.
79 reviews
November 1, 2025
Vous me les surveillez ceux là 🫶
Profile Image for Ada Esiz.
26 reviews79 followers
March 30, 2020
it was super cute but can’t see where the story is going...
guess I’ll have to continue reading to find out🐣


çok tatlıydı ama hikayenin tam olarak nereye gittiğini kestiremiyorum, sanırım bulmak için devamını okumam gerekecek🐣
Profile Image for Brendan Hughes.
27 reviews
February 17, 2017
The Following is an Excerpt from NerdEnt.Net (http://www.nerdent.net/2017/02/16/sup...)

What do you get when you put together the sons of Earth's mightiest hero...one hell of a comic book! The issue is a light-hearted engaging read that reminds me of the Goonies with superpowers. In comics these days the trend from jovial has been pushed to the wayside in favor of dark and gritty. Which is why Super Sons is a breath of fresh air in the comic community.

Tomasi captures the moment of childhood perfectly both from the school and home aspect. When Jon was taking on bullies in the schoolyard it brought back memories to many reading this can probably relate to. During the home scene where Damian hides from Louis Jon casually plays it off is also reminiscent as everyone has tried to sneak things past their parents. When Damian was making fun of Jon for not yet developing flying skill this shows the characters have more room to grow and follow their fathers as mentors.

The art is great but what else could be expected of an artist of Jorge Jimenez’s caliber. The story pairs well with art as it portrays the child mystery team up perfectly the Stand By Me vibe. The facial expressions were proficiently captured especially with Jon shock and aggravation. Alejandro Sanchez provided the coloring for this issue adding texture to Jimenez’s medium penciling with semi-vibrant colors. Paneling was great as there were many that had unique elements towards them especially the scene where Jon was caught in the middle of Clark and Louis.

Super Sons was an anticipated title since its announcement and fans should be glad it doesn't disappoint. Tomasi perfectly captures that kid vibe balancing social life and school in addition to their super powers. Jimenez's art was a great addition to the issue as it captures expressions perfectly. This is one of the comics I will definitely be adding to my pull list.
Profile Image for Siona Adams.
2,617 reviews54 followers
February 16, 2017
I might read this as a trade, but I'm not going to waste money on it in single issues. I really like Jon as a character because I see a little of myself in him (not trying to toot my own horn lol), and I'd read a solo series if he was the focus, but I just cannot stand Damien.
271 reviews3 followers
January 11, 2019
There are at least three volumes of this series out now with the same writer. One day they might all may be published together in an Omnibus or some other larger collection, so reviewing one volume is in some ways like reviewing all three of them. It is a team-up of Superman's son with Lois Lane and Batman's son with Talia, the daughter of a Batman arch-nemesis, Ras al Ghul. Everyone of course knows Lois Lane, but the sequence with Batman meeting Talia were some classic stories with gorgeous art by Neal Adams. The personalties of the Super Sons are appropriate. Batman's son is Robin, who is a total D**k, mixed with some of his father's darkness. Superman's Superboy is a beaming Boy Scout, which is easier to take with him because he is in fact a boy, in fact ten-years old in the story. The art is very nice and the adventures fast-paced as Superboy counters Robin's belittling put-downs. It is smooth story-telling that leaves you reaching for the next volume. The alternate Dustin Nguyen covers to each comic are a welcome inclusion. I would like to see him do a story some time.
Profile Image for mayday.
119 reviews18 followers
February 21, 2017
bought this as a gift for myself and i'm so freaking glad i did. superman #10 and #11 together formed a cute setup for this, but THIS. i was smiling all the way through this issue. this might be the first time i actually follow a comic week by week and i don't even care that i'm entering the wallet danger zone just omg DC take all my money.
Profile Image for Noura &#x1f4d6;&#x1f4da;.
41 reviews
March 27, 2017
I have to admit, this comic had me smiling the whole way through. It was funny, lovable and overall good. What I truly love about this comic, is that it brings together some of the most iconic characters like superman and batman into a comic like this. But in a fun relatable way for young readers- like myself. The way the boys act with each other makes this comic just as enjoyable, they have this love, hate, relationship. Damian Wayne (Robin) is definitely on the side that Superman and Batman are enemies and that's the way it should be. Though Jon Kent (Superboy) is more on the side that, it's okay, they don't have to hate each other.

One of my favourite thing about this comic, is that we see the different between the way Jon and Damian live and the way their relationship with their parents and mentors is very different. We see that Damian and Bruce have a very straight forward relationship, it doesn't seem like they'd show much affection for each other on a regular basis. Meanwhile Jon and Clarks relationship is less straight forward, it's more of a affectionate relationship and it's obvious that Clark and Jon have a strong relationship that is more affectionate regularly. The other thing I found about their lives and the difference, is that Jon looks to be happier than Damian. I mean Damian isn't a very jolly guy, he's more serious. So to be honest, this is more of me inferring, than something that is actual fact. Any who, one thing that leads me to believe that Jon is happier, is the fact that Jon parents are together. I mean okay, a person can be happy and their parents aren't together. But I mean Damian has got it bad, his mom and dad half the time want to kill each other, and when they meet their at each other throats- sometimes literally. So, I believe this causes Jon to be happier, his parents are together, happy and obviously more affectionate and pay more attention to Jon. Than Damian gets from his mom and dad. Another thing, that leads me to believe that Jon is happier, is that he goes to a proper public or private school. He interacts with kids his age regularly and obviously has friends. Now, Jon is younger than Damian, but their still comparable. Now, Damian on the other hand is home schooled, he doesn't really interact with kids regularly and is more intelligent than the average thirteen year old. Though, he doesn't seem to have a lot of friends. I mean obviously he is close "friends" with Dick Grayson the first robin- and I saw friends in quotations because that doesn't always imply in ever comic. So, he doesn't interact with a lot of people his age, meanwhile Jon does. So, with this evidence, I think it's likely that Jon is happier than Damian in a lot of different parts of their lives.

Secondly, I really loved the concept of this comic book. Because, we see a lot of the regular life for a hero. Which I wish we saw more of in other medias. So, we see Jon's school, his regular home life, we see Damian's home life and a bit of him outside of that in the scene that he shows up at Jon's school.

Lastly, I loved not just the regular lifestyle we see, but the fact that they address that both Jon and Damian our still very young. Jon has to go to bed at 9pm which is a reasonable time for a ten year old, but the fact that they addressed this made me really happy. Also the fact that their addressing the fact that they- Jon and Damian, are scared of their fathers. Damian maybe not a lot, but it's obvious that Jon is quite scared of his father- when his father is mad. It's not really addressed exactly in this comic but it's addressed in this specific comic, but I'm pretty sure it was addressed in superman 10 or 11. When Damian and Jon fight meet.

Profile Image for  ManOfLaBook.com.
1,371 reviews78 followers
April 22, 2018
For more reviews and bookish posts please visit: http://www.ManOfLaBook.com

Super Sons (Rebirth) Vol. 1: When I Grow Up by Peter J. Tomasi & Chris Burnham (Illustrated by Jorge Jimenez & Alejandro Sanchez, colored by Dennis Culver & Alejandro Sanchez) is a graphic novel which tells about the partnership between Damian Wayne, a gung-ho Robin, and the straight laced Jonathan Samuel “Jon” Kent, Superboy. This graphic novel collects issues #1-5 of the series.

Damian Wayne is an arrogant Robin, son of Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul. Damian has been raised by his mother until he reached the age of ten, which at that time she promptly left him to be raised by h is father. Damian who has been trained by the League of Assassins is violent and thinks the world revolves around him. Jon Kent is the son of Superman and Lois Lane, he has a strong moral compass which Damian seems to know how to manipulate.

The two young “almost heroes” take on their own villains, refusing to call their fathers to help them with the situation.

About half way through the graphic novel Super Sons (Rebirth) Vol. 1: When I Grow Up by Peter J. Tomasi & Chris Burnham (Illustrated by Jorge Jimenez & Alejandro Sanchez, colored by Dennis Culver & Alejandro Sanchez) I noticed that I’m enjoying this book way more than I should. It was a real nice surprise and I’m glad my friend recommended it to me.

The relationship between the arrogant Damian and the straight laced Superboy is funny and endearing, but also strained while the two boys learn to play off each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Damian’s sharp tongue and “let’em have it” attitude is in direct contrast to Jon’s stubbornness and fortitude. The relationship with the parents, fathers especially, also plays and important part in the story. While Superman has faith and trust in Jon, he keeps him on a short leash, on the other hand Bruce Wayne (who doesn’t come off as parent of the year), doesn’t trust Damian as far as he can throw him, but gives him much more room to operated.
Jon’s relationship with Lois and Damian’s with Alfred are also touched on, but are not as strong focused as they are on the fatherly side. Maybe DC Comics can hire a female writer to deal with these storylines?

The art is very good, not only does it move the story forward, but captures the two boys perfectly and enhances it. I can honestly say that the smirks on Damina’s face and the stubbornest in Jon’s eyes enhanced the story much more and allowed my brain not only to process what the words say, but also how they were said.

I’m looking forward to reading the second issue of this graphic novel. This issue exceeded by expectations (which were low for the subject matter, but elevated due to the creative team and the excellent Rebirth story-lines I have been reading).
Profile Image for Stacy.
688 reviews2 followers
February 25, 2017
I've not been a fan of Damian, though this is the first time I've liked him in a comic. I am frustrated that we started with a scene happening in the present, and then flashed back for the rest of the comic. Why have the now/then scene at all if you're not going to tie it up in the issue? By the time I read #2 I'll have forgotten it and it will have lost all significance. That makes it feels sloppy in the story-boarding department.

I do like the art. I do like the interactions/dialogue. I will admit that I'll probably judge this title a bit harsher as it strives to win me over. Right now, it's the past/present jumping around making no reasonable plot-sense that's working against it.
44 reviews
December 18, 2017
This was a very good comic it was funny it had a good story it had brilliant art work I thought it was brilliant to bring superboy and robin together ina comic i think I got a bit stuck when they were fighting kid Amazo so I had to start the page all over again but it was a very good comic I give it 5 stars
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