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Super Sons #4
Adventures of the Super Sons, Vol. 1: Action Detectives
Their dads are Batman and Superman--and now Robin and Superboy are back in the family business as the adventures of the world's greatest super-tweens continue!
Long before recent events turned their lives upside down, Damian Wayne and Jonathan Kent joined forces to take on a threat like they'd never faced before. Led by Rex Luthor and Joker Jr., these intergalactic scions of destruction call themselves simply the Gang. And they'll stop at nothing to stamp out the Super Sons' crime-fighting careers in this or any other reality!
Soon Superboy and Robin find themselves on a mad quest throughout the Multiverse, with each stop stranger than the last. On every world they visit, deadly new foes and arcane new allies await--including, perhaps, their own future selves. And wherever they go, the Gang is right behind them, ready to take them out the moment they slip up.
The stage is set. The chase is on. And the biggest adventure ever to face Superman's and Batman's boys is about to begin...
Acclaimed writer Peter J. Tomasi ( Superman ) joins artists including Carlo Barberi ( Deadpool ), Art Thibert ( Trinity ) and Matt Santorelli ( Superwoman ) to launch a legendary new chapter in the saga of comics' greatest young team-up in Adventures of the Super Sons Vol. 1: Action Detectives ! Collects Adventures of the Super Sons #1-6.
Long before recent events turned their lives upside down, Damian Wayne and Jonathan Kent joined forces to take on a threat like they'd never faced before. Led by Rex Luthor and Joker Jr., these intergalactic scions of destruction call themselves simply the Gang. And they'll stop at nothing to stamp out the Super Sons' crime-fighting careers in this or any other reality!
Soon Superboy and Robin find themselves on a mad quest throughout the Multiverse, with each stop stranger than the last. On every world they visit, deadly new foes and arcane new allies await--including, perhaps, their own future selves. And wherever they go, the Gang is right behind them, ready to take them out the moment they slip up.
The stage is set. The chase is on. And the biggest adventure ever to face Superman's and Batman's boys is about to begin...
Acclaimed writer Peter J. Tomasi ( Superman ) joins artists including Carlo Barberi ( Deadpool ), Art Thibert ( Trinity ) and Matt Santorelli ( Superwoman ) to launch a legendary new chapter in the saga of comics' greatest young team-up in Adventures of the Super Sons Vol. 1: Action Detectives ! Collects Adventures of the Super Sons #1-6.
144 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2019
13 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Peter J. Tomasi
1,387 books467 followersPeter 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.
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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
May 12, 2019
This is basically just a continuation of the previous Super Sons series and takes place before Bendis sends Jon into space so he doesn't have to deal with him over in the main Superman titles. If you liked that series, you'll dig this too as Jon and Damian fight a junior version of the Injustice Gang. Unfortunately, Jorge Jimenez has moved onto Justice League but Carlos Barberi is a fine replacement. His art is very similar to Jimenez's.
March 1, 2019
Not as great as I thought it would be.
World: The art is solid, it's not Jimenez and nothing can compare to that first series but the art is adequate for what it's suppose to do. The world building here is interesting, it continues the same theme of the kid versions of villains but this one seems a bit over the top and off. The pieces of the DCU we do see is interesting even going back to the 60s for a deep cut character, nice.
Story: The tone of the first series is here and the banter and dialog is fun, however it's a bit drawn out more here and there are times that I did find the dialog to be a bit grating and annoying especially Jons (you'll know what I mean when you read it). The story moves along quickly but there are a lot of side missions and they are thrown into situations that feel very fillery to me and does not really serve any purpose but to make the journey and the story longer. There are some fun moments her and there but the main focus of the story is a bit cliched and bland. I feel a little bit of the magic of the first series is lost here with recycled arguments and emotions. The villains are also not that interesting, they are fun on paper but the execution is a bit cliched and will make you roll your eyes, and if this is the villain for this series...zzz.
Characters: Jon and Damien are great together, their banter and personalities are just wonderful when playing off of each other. There are some repeats in the series and I had hoped that we would get more progression but it's still pretty good. There is an issue in issues 2-3 that make Jon a bit grating but overall they are quite fun. Not a lot of depth and progression though and that's a shame. The new villains we get here are okay, they are fun on paper but Rex's personal voice is rather annoying and very one note and his motivation is very bland making him a poor villain and because of the that story itself becomes rather bland. The retro character we see is okay, it's a deep cut but honestly he feels forced in and his story and the entire section feels like a sidetrack that is pointless and just a updated character to be DC's Starlord and we don't need that.
It was okay, it was not bad but from the high highs of the last series to this, it's jarring.
Onward to the next book!
*read individual issues*
World: The art is solid, it's not Jimenez and nothing can compare to that first series but the art is adequate for what it's suppose to do. The world building here is interesting, it continues the same theme of the kid versions of villains but this one seems a bit over the top and off. The pieces of the DCU we do see is interesting even going back to the 60s for a deep cut character, nice.
Story: The tone of the first series is here and the banter and dialog is fun, however it's a bit drawn out more here and there are times that I did find the dialog to be a bit grating and annoying especially Jons (you'll know what I mean when you read it). The story moves along quickly but there are a lot of side missions and they are thrown into situations that feel very fillery to me and does not really serve any purpose but to make the journey and the story longer. There are some fun moments her and there but the main focus of the story is a bit cliched and bland. I feel a little bit of the magic of the first series is lost here with recycled arguments and emotions. The villains are also not that interesting, they are fun on paper but the execution is a bit cliched and will make you roll your eyes, and if this is the villain for this series...zzz.
Characters: Jon and Damien are great together, their banter and personalities are just wonderful when playing off of each other. There are some repeats in the series and I had hoped that we would get more progression but it's still pretty good. There is an issue in issues 2-3 that make Jon a bit grating but overall they are quite fun. Not a lot of depth and progression though and that's a shame. The new villains we get here are okay, they are fun on paper but Rex's personal voice is rather annoying and very one note and his motivation is very bland making him a poor villain and because of the that story itself becomes rather bland. The retro character we see is okay, it's a deep cut but honestly he feels forced in and his story and the entire section feels like a sidetrack that is pointless and just a updated character to be DC's Starlord and we don't need that.
It was okay, it was not bad but from the high highs of the last series to this, it's jarring.
Onward to the next book!
*read individual issues*
May 11, 2019
Fantastic. One of the best series published by modern DC comics. I have said it once and I will say it again one of DC Comics biggest strengths is its legacy of characters. "Super Sons" is just a great concept. It offers fans of these beloved characters something we haven't seen before. We have seen Batman & Superman team up countless of times that it has become common place. But for the first time we get to see their sons interact. Jon Kent and Damian Wayne represent the future and you want to see what they become. They take what we love about their Dads and add a new dimension. Tomasi without a doubt knows how to cram so much heart into his stories. He does this and it doesn't come across cheesy. You see I really relate to the stories he is telling. I am a young parent and all the responsibilities and wisdom you want to impart in your kids are found in these stories. Super Sons was one of the best things to come out of DC Rebirth. I am still in shock that DC comics is currently moving away from so much of the optimism I was gaining from reading their books. So reading this book is bitter sweet and I am hoping this is not the last hurray for our kid heroes. Without spoiling anything Tomasi and his artist team continue the further adventures the Jon & Damian by sending them on a cosmic space adventure. I guest the editors at DC Comics did not want to totally throw away a great idea so sending the boys on a adventure away from earth was a good way to write more story without having an effect on the current continuity. Ultimately despite this cliché way of giving us what in most cases is filler story Tomasi still cleverly puts the boys in a situation I felt was truly creative. The villains motivations are simple but Tomasi adds a bit of intrigue to the plot. The best way to sum up this book is to say it is just plain fun. The banter between our heroes is funny and heartwarming. Their is a lot of action. The artwork crackles with color and energy. Super Sons continues to feel like everyone's favorite Saturday morning cartoon. To me Tomasi is one of DC Comics most talented writers. I really miss him on the Superman books. The family dynamic he brought to the Superman book was just a breathe of fresh air. I am currently collecting his run in Detective Comics and it has not disappointed me thus far. If you want to read more good Tomasi books I recommend the following: Green Lantern Corps, Volume 1: Fearsome-Green Lantern Corps, Volume 3: Willpower, Batman and Robin, Volume 1: Born to Kill-Batman and Robin, Volume 7: Robin Rises, & Super Sons, Volume 1: When I Grow Up-Super Sons, Volume 3: Parent Trap. Do not miss where Super Sons began in Superman, Volume 2: Trial of the Super Sons.
April 21, 2019
Adventures Of The Super Sons spins directly out of the end of the last Super Sons series, and is set before Jon's departure during Man of Steel. Peter Tomasi grabs the sons of Batman and Superman and throws them right into the thick of it again, as a team of teenage supervillains modeled on their father's greatest enemies launch an attack that will send the Super Sons across the universe and back.
This is a fun little story, but it certainly feels a bit bloated. It's a twelve issue maxi-series, but a lot of the series definitely seems like it could have been cut out, like Tomasi has artificially inflated the story to fit the run-time. The banter between Jon and Damian remains impeccable, and the artwork from Carlo Barberi and Scott Godlewski is pretty solid (if not a patch on Jorge Jimenez before them), but the plot meanders around far too much for my liking, and the villains just aren't really that compelling. Rex Luthor's a nut, but he needs more than that to make a good foil for the pair.
Not a bad story, but definitely a step down compared to what came before, at least so far. Maybe the second half of the run will elevate it back to the quality I know this book can reach.
This is a fun little story, but it certainly feels a bit bloated. It's a twelve issue maxi-series, but a lot of the series definitely seems like it could have been cut out, like Tomasi has artificially inflated the story to fit the run-time. The banter between Jon and Damian remains impeccable, and the artwork from Carlo Barberi and Scott Godlewski is pretty solid (if not a patch on Jorge Jimenez before them), but the plot meanders around far too much for my liking, and the villains just aren't really that compelling. Rex Luthor's a nut, but he needs more than that to make a good foil for the pair.
Not a bad story, but definitely a step down compared to what came before, at least so far. Maybe the second half of the run will elevate it back to the quality I know this book can reach.
September 6, 2021
I read this series as it was coming out in single issues. It’s still adorable! It has the added bonus of being after Jon and Damian established themselves as a team. Damian and Jon refer to each other as friends and partners and we see they’ve trained and practiced maneuvers.
They’re very protective over each other. This series is fun, though it’s not my favorite villain/team of villains. I love the art, the stories are cute and I just love reading about Jon & Damian as a team.
They’re very protective over each other. This series is fun, though it’s not my favorite villain/team of villains. I love the art, the stories are cute and I just love reading about Jon & Damian as a team.
Read
April 9, 2019Like everyone else, I was bummed that Super Sons was cancelled. It was one of my favorite Rebirth titles. Needless to say I was thrilled when this maxiseries was announced, because it meant more fun with Jon and Damian. And it’s great! Adventures of the Super Sons retains all of the charm of the first series. You can pick this up after volume three and not miss a beat. I get the feeling that Tomasi had this story in his pocket, and would’ve used it as the next arc anyway.
So what’s it about? We start with a group of villain-aping alien kids called the Gang targeting Jon and Damian for nefarious reasons. The conflict brings them into intergalactic shenanigans, hopping from planet to planet and meeting familiar faces along the way. While very fun, the story's a bit all over the place. It’s also not a complete arc, because we still have six issues to go. But the main reason to read this is for the interactions between Jon and Damian. Tomasi writes these kids so dang well. It’s just wonderful seeing them work together (or against each other, in some cases), and I was smiling the whole way through.
Carlo Barberi, Art Thibert, and Scott Godlewski provide solid art. Their energetic styles are similar and don’t clash.
So what’s it about? We start with a group of villain-aping alien kids called the Gang targeting Jon and Damian for nefarious reasons. The conflict brings them into intergalactic shenanigans, hopping from planet to planet and meeting familiar faces along the way. While very fun, the story's a bit all over the place. It’s also not a complete arc, because we still have six issues to go. But the main reason to read this is for the interactions between Jon and Damian. Tomasi writes these kids so dang well. It’s just wonderful seeing them work together (or against each other, in some cases), and I was smiling the whole way through.
Carlo Barberi, Art Thibert, and Scott Godlewski provide solid art. Their energetic styles are similar and don’t clash.
October 6, 2025
aggressively medium
June 23, 2019
"Oh my God, Kent! You're such a goody-two-shoes, you're inspiring yourself!"
Now this was a nice palate cleanser. The last couple of DC books I've been reading I didn't enjoy to the point where I'm done with those series until they get new writing teams, so I'm glad I still have one DC book left. I suspect this series has already been cancelled, so I'll just enjoy it while it lasts.
Damian continues to be the kind of jerk only Dick Grayson and Jon Kent could love and is the perfect counterpoint to J's overwhelming optimism.
Jon actually gets a chance to outdo Damian's negativity for once, but in true Superboy fashion he manages to overcome that resulting in D's quote above.
I'm not sure how I feel about the villains. It makes sense for kid superheroes to fight kid villains but they felt a little on-the-nose for my liking. I know that was deliberate, but they didn't come across as memorably as I was hoping.
I miss Jorge Jiménez's art, but the replacement artists do a good job with their interpretations of the characters.
Now this was a nice palate cleanser. The last couple of DC books I've been reading I didn't enjoy to the point where I'm done with those series until they get new writing teams, so I'm glad I still have one DC book left. I suspect this series has already been cancelled, so I'll just enjoy it while it lasts.
Damian continues to be the kind of jerk only Dick Grayson and Jon Kent could love and is the perfect counterpoint to J's overwhelming optimism.
Jon actually gets a chance to outdo Damian's negativity for once, but in true Superboy fashion he manages to overcome that resulting in D's quote above.
I'm not sure how I feel about the villains. It makes sense for kid superheroes to fight kid villains but they felt a little on-the-nose for my liking. I know that was deliberate, but they didn't come across as memorably as I was hoping.
I miss Jorge Jiménez's art, but the replacement artists do a good job with their interpretations of the characters.
August 11, 2019
Caramba, gente! É o festival da HQ mediana! Nossa, e isso porque eu estou sendo bonzinho com essa aqui dos Superfilhos, por que ela não é nada empolgante. Em primeiro lugar porque mudaram os desenhos regulares dos personagens, que eram feitos pelo colírio dos desenhos Jorge Jimenez e agora são feitos pelo desenhista tapa-buraco do Carlo Barberi (que muito tapou buracos na revista do Deadpool). O argumento também não ajuda muito fazendo os Superfilhos, Jonathan Kent e Damian Wayne enfrentarem versões kids dos viloes da DC Comics. Depois, eles acabam tendo a ajuda do Kid Coringa, viajam entre planetas, viajam entre dimensões, vão parar na Mansão dos Mistérios Secretos e encontram versões suas mais velhas e bem mais gordas (!) com filhos. Uma mistureba do caralho! Se ao menos fosse uma mistureba engraçada, como às vezes esse tipo de história é (até mesmo as do Deadpool), seria válido, mas foi feito de uma maneira tão chata e água com açúcar que, sinceramente? Não dá vontade nenhuma de acompanhar a segunda edição. E como estou em contenção de gastos é isso que vou fazer mesmo.
April 2, 2020
Tomasi and Barberi’s work on this series is fantastic. The only reason I didn’t give it the five-star rate, was because of this maxi-series format.
First, having one single plot through the entire run, is spreading it too thin, and it’s somewhat forced on what the Super Sons regular series used to be. If a story takes this long, it better have lots and lots of interesting points, not just one detour here, another detour there...
And second, the fact that the Super Sons are no longer in continuity, takes away some of the characters’ impact.
I know, Jonathan was aged so he could be able to join the Legion of Super-Heroes. That was Bendis plan and they followed it as it was his mandate. But the Super Sons brand got extinguished in the process and that was just sad. I mean, there was another Superboy around (Conner Kent), why not use him? Destroying one franchise to build another one doesn’t necessarily work.
I’m happy for the Legion, but really sad for the Super Sons.
Anyway, the rant doesn’t have anything to do with this current book, but I had to put it somewhere. As for the trade itself, it made no sense that they made two volumes instead of a single one. The story is far from over... And I seriously doubt this Villain Gang can hold the interest for so long.
First, having one single plot through the entire run, is spreading it too thin, and it’s somewhat forced on what the Super Sons regular series used to be. If a story takes this long, it better have lots and lots of interesting points, not just one detour here, another detour there...
And second, the fact that the Super Sons are no longer in continuity, takes away some of the characters’ impact.
I know, Jonathan was aged so he could be able to join the Legion of Super-Heroes. That was Bendis plan and they followed it as it was his mandate. But the Super Sons brand got extinguished in the process and that was just sad. I mean, there was another Superboy around (Conner Kent), why not use him? Destroying one franchise to build another one doesn’t necessarily work.
I’m happy for the Legion, but really sad for the Super Sons.
Anyway, the rant doesn’t have anything to do with this current book, but I had to put it somewhere. As for the trade itself, it made no sense that they made two volumes instead of a single one. The story is far from over... And I seriously doubt this Villain Gang can hold the interest for so long.
August 18, 2020
A really good comic for kids. The art, while not Jimenez-level, is still the show-stealer and has a wonderful charm and liveliness to it. And Tomasi is just fantastic at writing dialogue between Jon and Damian. The villain team is dumb, and every time I read the names of the villains I cringed out of stupidity, but I have to remind myself of the age group this is geared toward. Heck, I may have given this three stars as an adult, but I'd buy this in a heartbeat for my sons. I can't imagine how mad Tomasi was at Bendis... ugh. De-age Jon, and get these two super sons back these super antics.
September 17, 2021
É uma história divertida, que explora bem a relação do Damian com o Jonathan enquanto amigos e ambos sendo heróis. Acredito que seja o que mais gostei da HQ.
A trama em questão é bem viajada, com questões espaciais e alienígenas, o que não se encaixa bem com o Robin, até por isso ele não funciona direito nessa história.
Contudo, é uma HQ divertida que explora a amizade dos 2 super filhos, sem uma história tão emocionante, mas que te faz ler para saber o que os 2 estão arrumando.
A trama em questão é bem viajada, com questões espaciais e alienígenas, o que não se encaixa bem com o Robin, até por isso ele não funciona direito nessa história.
Contudo, é uma HQ divertida que explora a amizade dos 2 super filhos, sem uma história tão emocionante, mas que te faz ler para saber o que os 2 estão arrumando.
October 31, 2025
Still not sure what part of this story is called 'detectives'. The banter, dynamic duo and dialogues are still as fun as the previous installment, but the watered down mini-version of those unhinged villains and their weak motivations are just insipid.
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August 19, 2019
Not bad. Not great, but not bad.
August 22, 2020
This continues to be a fun series with good art and story. I highly recommend it to any one looking for a good jr superhero title.
August 29, 2019
Adventures of the Super Sons is set between the time of the end of the proper Super Sons series and Brian Michael Bendis taking over all the Superfamily titles and reshaping them.
This is really a fun six issue run. It's half of a story and ends on a bit of a cliffhanger as its about an alien boy who is emulating Lex Luthor and claiming the title Lex Luthor, Jr. and he has a plan but things he can grab the Super Sons and does so for fun.
Writer Peter Tomasi has a good time with this. The boys bounce into aliens worlds, they encounter the Space Cabbie, and even the "older" Super Sons. It's just a really fun book in the spirit of Tomasi's original series. If you like that, you'll love this.
This is really a fun six issue run. It's half of a story and ends on a bit of a cliffhanger as its about an alien boy who is emulating Lex Luthor and claiming the title Lex Luthor, Jr. and he has a plan but things he can grab the Super Sons and does so for fun.
Writer Peter Tomasi has a good time with this. The boys bounce into aliens worlds, they encounter the Space Cabbie, and even the "older" Super Sons. It's just a really fun book in the spirit of Tomasi's original series. If you like that, you'll love this.
April 28, 2020
This was an absolute waste of a concept. Why on earth would you create a bunch of children versions of their parents villains? This is lazy writing at it's height.
July 28, 2021
School's out and it's the Summer of Super (as declared by Jonathon)! It's off to a dramatic start when a pint-sized, wannabe Legion of Doom enters the picture to start trouble with the Super Sons.
I did find the cameos of obscure DC characters to be interesting but perhaps if the writers had a bit more focus, the story would've kept my attention better. It's always a disappointment when a sequel can't live up to the original... This was a bit too campy for my tastes as it focused on pandering for laughs rather than on producing a compelling plot.
I did find the cameos of obscure DC characters to be interesting but perhaps if the writers had a bit more focus, the story would've kept my attention better. It's always a disappointment when a sequel can't live up to the original... This was a bit too campy for my tastes as it focused on pandering for laughs rather than on producing a compelling plot.
November 28, 2020
*I’ve read a lot more than I’ve reviewed... so one sentence takeaways!*
Adored it--I need more Super Sons in my life, written by Peter J. Tomasi.... Pretty, pretty please, DC! A nice reminder that comics can be fun--because, please, DC, remember that comics CAN BE FUN. (I know it's more than one sentence, but the Damian and Jon team-ups are always a blast--plus this comic had some nice callbacks to other Superman stories.)
Adored it--I need more Super Sons in my life, written by Peter J. Tomasi.... Pretty, pretty please, DC! A nice reminder that comics can be fun--because, please, DC, remember that comics CAN BE FUN. (I know it's more than one sentence, but the Damian and Jon team-ups are always a blast--plus this comic had some nice callbacks to other Superman stories.)
September 16, 2019
I'm not generally a fan of Western graphic novels, particularly not of Cape Comics... Hard to believe, but it's true. I just don't like the art. I'm far on the side of liking Manga more than Western graphic-anything at this point, and it's mainly the Art that makes the issue... But Barberri's rendering of the Supersons is FABULOUS.
I'm still not a huge fan of the way that the grown-ups look, but the main characters are all SPECTACULAR. It's one of the very few that I've picked up specifically because I liked the art. Seriously, I think it's happened like twice before this, and it certainly wasn't any Cape Comic that caught my eye. This art is fabulous, and there's apparently a whole other Supersons series with a different artist that has similar art, too, but this one was labeled 'volume 1' so I picked it up first...
Which brings me to my other beef with Western graphic novels... WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING AND WHY AM I EXPECTED TO KNOW ALL OF IT ALREADY? The American comic industry is almost as atrocious as the American music industry. It's a half-collapsed monstrosity propped up on nothing more than fan-enthusiasm and blunt force of money-grubbing willpower. It's a disgrace and I vehemently disagree with how the problems within it are currently being 'handled' (read: studiously ignored).
This isn't a story.
It's six fragments of mostly unrelated plots, thrown together with the tenuous connection of emergency road-trip/escape-from-baddies... It's nonsense. The first three parts at least tied together kinda, and there was a return of the villains from the first issue by the end of the last one, but nothing at all really got resolved with it. The main plot was a CIRCLE. They ended up back almost exactly where they started while nothing really happened but a few more extraneous plot pieces appeared that make reference to both future and past events in a way that made it very clear the audience is EXPECTED to already understand. Which is just... ugh. If I start cursing it out, this post won't stay PG-13, because I will run a rant on why that is both insulting and very poor business practice.
Nothing at all resolved and I apparently have to obtain like ten other books to make any one of the threads weave into a satisfying tapestry. It's ridiculous. If Comics were still only ten cents a pop, that wouldn't be as insulting, but they're all at least 20 bucks these days and that is just... not cool guys, not cool. If a single volume leaves me feeling so dissatisfied there is ZERO motivation to go out and buy any more of them.
The Cape Canon as a collective is magnificent. It's vibrant and literary and so beautifully human that it can't be called anything but a pinnacle achievement of humankind, but unless you've got like 50 years of backstory it's an extremely exclusionary club. Like when Churches refused to speak anything but Latin. Or when all Operas were in Italian.
It's pitiful and I expect better.
This parcel was par for the genre, and it was pretty, but it's not really good. If you don't already like comics and know generally what's happening, it's not a good place to start. It's appropriate for ages 14 and up, but I wouldn't recommend blowing any cash on it.
Libraries are magical things.
I'm still not a huge fan of the way that the grown-ups look, but the main characters are all SPECTACULAR. It's one of the very few that I've picked up specifically because I liked the art. Seriously, I think it's happened like twice before this, and it certainly wasn't any Cape Comic that caught my eye. This art is fabulous, and there's apparently a whole other Supersons series with a different artist that has similar art, too, but this one was labeled 'volume 1' so I picked it up first...
Which brings me to my other beef with Western graphic novels... WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING AND WHY AM I EXPECTED TO KNOW ALL OF IT ALREADY? The American comic industry is almost as atrocious as the American music industry. It's a half-collapsed monstrosity propped up on nothing more than fan-enthusiasm and blunt force of money-grubbing willpower. It's a disgrace and I vehemently disagree with how the problems within it are currently being 'handled' (read: studiously ignored).
This isn't a story.
It's six fragments of mostly unrelated plots, thrown together with the tenuous connection of emergency road-trip/escape-from-baddies... It's nonsense. The first three parts at least tied together kinda, and there was a return of the villains from the first issue by the end of the last one, but nothing at all really got resolved with it. The main plot was a CIRCLE. They ended up back almost exactly where they started while nothing really happened but a few more extraneous plot pieces appeared that make reference to both future and past events in a way that made it very clear the audience is EXPECTED to already understand. Which is just... ugh. If I start cursing it out, this post won't stay PG-13, because I will run a rant on why that is both insulting and very poor business practice.
Nothing at all resolved and I apparently have to obtain like ten other books to make any one of the threads weave into a satisfying tapestry. It's ridiculous. If Comics were still only ten cents a pop, that wouldn't be as insulting, but they're all at least 20 bucks these days and that is just... not cool guys, not cool. If a single volume leaves me feeling so dissatisfied there is ZERO motivation to go out and buy any more of them.
The Cape Canon as a collective is magnificent. It's vibrant and literary and so beautifully human that it can't be called anything but a pinnacle achievement of humankind, but unless you've got like 50 years of backstory it's an extremely exclusionary club. Like when Churches refused to speak anything but Latin. Or when all Operas were in Italian.
It's pitiful and I expect better.
This parcel was par for the genre, and it was pretty, but it's not really good. If you don't already like comics and know generally what's happening, it's not a good place to start. It's appropriate for ages 14 and up, but I wouldn't recommend blowing any cash on it.
Libraries are magical things.
May 10, 2019
Adventures of the Super Sons is a 12-issue miniseries that serves as a continuation to the Super Sons series. Adventures of the Super Sons: Action Detective, a clever portmanteau of Action and Detective Comics series, collects Adventure of the Super Sons #1–6 of the 2018 on-going miniseries and covers the story "Action Detective" and three connecting one-issue stories.
"Action Detective" is a three-issue storyline (Adventures of the Super Sons #1–3) has Damian Wayne as Robin and Jonathan Kent as Superboy (Super Sons) takes on The Gang, which is a group of alien children who idolizes super-villains and has chosen to follow in their footsteps. Led by Rex Luthor, his team Brainiac 6, Kid Deadshot, Ice Princess, Joker Jr., and Shaggy Boy kidnaps the Super Sons and takes them to their planet.
The three interconnecting one-issue stories are: "Lost Boys" (Adventures of the Super Sons #4) has the Super Sons lost in space and lands on a planet named Planet of Secret Mysteries. "Deus Ex Machina" (Adventures of the Super Sons #5) has the Super Sons encountering the Wonder Machine which has the capabilities of making dreams and nightmares and they need to team up with their future selves to destroy the machine. "TomorrowNever Sometimes Dies" (Adventures of the Super Sons #6) has the Super Sons still trapped on the Plant of Secret Mysteries, but is rescued or captured by Tommy Tomorrow and is sent to Takron-Galtos – the Prison Planet.
Peter J. Tomasi penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written somewhat well, it is a lost and secret adventure of the Super Sons that is told in a flashback miniseries, which is told when Jonathan Kent is an elderly man to two children. It is an interesting story, albeit a tad far-fetched to have a whole generation of aliens wanting to intimate super-villains, but their first target is the Super Sons and kidnapped they did, however, keeping them is a far more difficult task as the Super Sons manages to escape – lost in space, but free.
With the exception of one issue (Adventures of the Super Sons #6), which was penciled by Scott Godlewski, the entire trade paperback is penned by Peter Tomasi. Since he was the main penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, I enjoyed his penciling style.
All in all, Adventures of the Super Sons: Action Detective is a rather good start to what would hopefully be an equally wonderful series.
"Action Detective" is a three-issue storyline (Adventures of the Super Sons #1–3) has Damian Wayne as Robin and Jonathan Kent as Superboy (Super Sons) takes on The Gang, which is a group of alien children who idolizes super-villains and has chosen to follow in their footsteps. Led by Rex Luthor, his team Brainiac 6, Kid Deadshot, Ice Princess, Joker Jr., and Shaggy Boy kidnaps the Super Sons and takes them to their planet.
The three interconnecting one-issue stories are: "Lost Boys" (Adventures of the Super Sons #4) has the Super Sons lost in space and lands on a planet named Planet of Secret Mysteries. "Deus Ex Machina" (Adventures of the Super Sons #5) has the Super Sons encountering the Wonder Machine which has the capabilities of making dreams and nightmares and they need to team up with their future selves to destroy the machine. "Tomorrow
Peter J. Tomasi penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written somewhat well, it is a lost and secret adventure of the Super Sons that is told in a flashback miniseries, which is told when Jonathan Kent is an elderly man to two children. It is an interesting story, albeit a tad far-fetched to have a whole generation of aliens wanting to intimate super-villains, but their first target is the Super Sons and kidnapped they did, however, keeping them is a far more difficult task as the Super Sons manages to escape – lost in space, but free.
With the exception of one issue (Adventures of the Super Sons #6), which was penciled by Scott Godlewski, the entire trade paperback is penned by Peter Tomasi. Since he was the main penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, I enjoyed his penciling style.
All in all, Adventures of the Super Sons: Action Detective is a rather good start to what would hopefully be an equally wonderful series.
August 11, 2019
3.5 Stars. The art in this one was so good, but the story was kind of all over the place. But... when you get Multiverse stuff involved, it always goes a little crazy!
Highlights:
- An interesting tussle with a statue of Superman has them stopping and shutting down the Puppeteer.
- Completing another year of school, the boys are looking forward to a "Summer of Super", but find themselves facing a new group of rivals: The Gang (multiverse child versions of enemies we know already): Rex Luthor, Ice Princess (young female version of Captain Cold), Kid Deadshot, Brainiac 6, Joker Jr. and Shaggy Boy. They are searching for "The Hypercube", a device that allows the holder to access 8 dimensions, which Rex believes will help him destroy the Justice League, their adult selves in our universe, and take over everything.
- Joker Jr. defects to the Super Sons because he no longer wants to be abused and coerced by Rex.
- Superboy is hit with a ray from a device and it splits him into Blue and Red (like it happened with Superman himself back in the 90's and 00's) though not for too long.
- Attacked by the gang again, the Sons are rescued by Joker Jr and Space Cabbie, who is an odd character that reminds me of Star-Lord at his goofiest.
- Superboy (reconnected in one body) and Robin end up in the "House of Secret Mysteries" and confront themselves only older. (This is where the story gets weirdest...) Using knowledge of how multiverse rules work, they are able to work together to escape, but are cast into another area, rather than getting home.
-The final sequence of this graphic novel has them moving on again, but getting help from Johnny Tomorrow, an adult mashup of the two super youngsters. They are on his ship as we move into the next Volume.
I'm really curious to see if this title is continued after Jon gets back from his trip with his grandpa Jor'El. Last I saw, he was all grown up!
Recommend, with slight reservations due to its confusing nature and lack of importance to the overall DC Universe.
Highlights:
- An interesting tussle with a statue of Superman has them stopping and shutting down the Puppeteer.
- Completing another year of school, the boys are looking forward to a "Summer of Super", but find themselves facing a new group of rivals: The Gang (multiverse child versions of enemies we know already): Rex Luthor, Ice Princess (young female version of Captain Cold), Kid Deadshot, Brainiac 6, Joker Jr. and Shaggy Boy. They are searching for "The Hypercube", a device that allows the holder to access 8 dimensions, which Rex believes will help him destroy the Justice League, their adult selves in our universe, and take over everything.
- Joker Jr. defects to the Super Sons because he no longer wants to be abused and coerced by Rex.
- Superboy is hit with a ray from a device and it splits him into Blue and Red (like it happened with Superman himself back in the 90's and 00's) though not for too long.
- Attacked by the gang again, the Sons are rescued by Joker Jr and Space Cabbie, who is an odd character that reminds me of Star-Lord at his goofiest.
- Superboy (reconnected in one body) and Robin end up in the "House of Secret Mysteries" and confront themselves only older. (This is where the story gets weirdest...) Using knowledge of how multiverse rules work, they are able to work together to escape, but are cast into another area, rather than getting home.
-The final sequence of this graphic novel has them moving on again, but getting help from Johnny Tomorrow, an adult mashup of the two super youngsters. They are on his ship as we move into the next Volume.
I'm really curious to see if this title is continued after Jon gets back from his trip with his grandpa Jor'El. Last I saw, he was all grown up!
Recommend, with slight reservations due to its confusing nature and lack of importance to the overall DC Universe.
May 13, 2020
Fun. That is the first word that came to mind as I was reading this. Something missing from a lot of comics, but Tomasi and Company have it in spades here. As many fans know, the concept of the Super-Sons goes back fifty years. It was a series of back-up features that asked the question, "What If Batman and Superman got married and had kids. A popular feature, the idea was resolved as a massive fantasy generated by a Kryptonian or other alien device; I can't remember which right now.
These Super-Sons are different from those however. Superboy and Robin are an alternate universe off-spring and an accelerated, aged clone; respectively. The two are polar opposites, but work well together, doing what young boys do best: Trying to prove themselves to their Dads, and constantly one-upping each other.
Here, the boys defeat a villain called the Puppeteer and then get kidnapped by a sociopathic alien who calls himself Rex Luthor. Yeah, you read that right.
Anyway, the boys run into Space Cabbie, Tommy Tomorrow and a whole host of familiar faces, just a little different. Be prepared though, this volume ends on a cliff-hanger.
Find it! Buy it! READ IT!
These Super-Sons are different from those however. Superboy and Robin are an alternate universe off-spring and an accelerated, aged clone; respectively. The two are polar opposites, but work well together, doing what young boys do best: Trying to prove themselves to their Dads, and constantly one-upping each other.
Here, the boys defeat a villain called the Puppeteer and then get kidnapped by a sociopathic alien who calls himself Rex Luthor. Yeah, you read that right.
Anyway, the boys run into Space Cabbie, Tommy Tomorrow and a whole host of familiar faces, just a little different. Be prepared though, this volume ends on a cliff-hanger.
Find it! Buy it! READ IT!
January 15, 2020
Really loved the earlier series with the Super Sons - this new start - not so much.
It really could have continued as the old series since there is nothing new in this series in terms of interactions or characters but I guess they needed to start from #1 for some reason.
Why didn't I like this as much? Well, for one main reason - the villains were too weird. An alien gets Earth broadcasts and decides he likes the villains on Earth more than the heroes so he uses alien technology to form a children Injustice gang - with him being Rex Luthor. It is a weird, clunky idea and not pulled off well, at all. Throw in the Space Cab and House of Mystery and again you have stories that are weakly pulled off. It felt like the writer said "I want Space Cabbie" but then didn't have a clever way to use him. Or"I want House of Mystery" and no idea how to do that.
And worst of all, the fun interaction between the two sons Robin and Superboy is missing here because they are taken out of their normal environment and away from their parents. Overall, a miss.
It really could have continued as the old series since there is nothing new in this series in terms of interactions or characters but I guess they needed to start from #1 for some reason.
Why didn't I like this as much? Well, for one main reason - the villains were too weird. An alien gets Earth broadcasts and decides he likes the villains on Earth more than the heroes so he uses alien technology to form a children Injustice gang - with him being Rex Luthor. It is a weird, clunky idea and not pulled off well, at all. Throw in the Space Cab and House of Mystery and again you have stories that are weakly pulled off. It felt like the writer said "I want Space Cabbie" but then didn't have a clever way to use him. Or"I want House of Mystery" and no idea how to do that.
And worst of all, the fun interaction between the two sons Robin and Superboy is missing here because they are taken out of their normal environment and away from their parents. Overall, a miss.
June 3, 2022
This book is basically a continuation of the Super Sons comics. It takes place right after that series, but right before John flies into space with Lois in the Action Comics storyline.
And being that its the same writer, you get the same tone and same type of dynamic between Damian and John. The series leans a bit more on the "adventures" part of their name as the whole thing really does feel like one adventure after another. They fight different villains, and have to solve different problems all while having some semblance of fun.
I think that is the word that perfectly describes this book. Fun. It really feels lighthearted and it makes it a breeze to read through. I will say that this one felt a bit more "all ages" than the previous volume, which it already was all ages, so it really feels like Tomasi is headed a bit more in that direction. Because of that, I may be aging out of this book as I did find myself skimming some pages where I got the gist of the story.
I think Ill read the next volume of Super Sons to see if it maintains the same tone. If you are into a fun, no consequences type of book in the DCU, this one is for you.
And being that its the same writer, you get the same tone and same type of dynamic between Damian and John. The series leans a bit more on the "adventures" part of their name as the whole thing really does feel like one adventure after another. They fight different villains, and have to solve different problems all while having some semblance of fun.
I think that is the word that perfectly describes this book. Fun. It really feels lighthearted and it makes it a breeze to read through. I will say that this one felt a bit more "all ages" than the previous volume, which it already was all ages, so it really feels like Tomasi is headed a bit more in that direction. Because of that, I may be aging out of this book as I did find myself skimming some pages where I got the gist of the story.
I think Ill read the next volume of Super Sons to see if it maintains the same tone. If you are into a fun, no consequences type of book in the DCU, this one is for you.
September 7, 2021
These super sons are just a ton of super fun. This is how you do lightweight, engaging adventure stories: have fun with the tropes, mess with the characters. It doesn’t have to make a huge amount of sense if you instill enough verve into the tale.
This takes the hokiness of the golden age adventures where Superman would gain ridiculous powers for a single issue, or Batman would encounter a truly goofy bad guy trying to conquer something for some ill-defined reason, and combines it with crazy space adventures like the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. It’s just a hoot, is what it is. Tomasi hangs a lampshade on it all and still makes it work.
Fighting statues that come to life, dealing with alien kids inspired by Earth’s supervillains, trapped inside the Star Trek “Shore Leave” planet that makes your dreams and/or nightmares come true… all silly, all fun, all good.
This takes the hokiness of the golden age adventures where Superman would gain ridiculous powers for a single issue, or Batman would encounter a truly goofy bad guy trying to conquer something for some ill-defined reason, and combines it with crazy space adventures like the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. It’s just a hoot, is what it is. Tomasi hangs a lampshade on it all and still makes it work.
Fighting statues that come to life, dealing with alien kids inspired by Earth’s supervillains, trapped inside the Star Trek “Shore Leave” planet that makes your dreams and/or nightmares come true… all silly, all fun, all good.
September 15, 2025
Not my fav since I guess this is the story squeezed in between the series' cancellation after Volume 3 and before... nothing! Because nothing bad happened to Jon Kent, nope.
I think I see what the story wanted to achieve: to have the boys go on a far-spanning, multi-genre quest by getting thrown into various scenarios while still adhering to an overarching plot.
I wish we could've spent some more time in some places, like the kids prison planet or even the Wild West planet, cuz some arcs (namely the weird horror house where they meet alternate adult versions of themselves) feel a little off the path.
In any case, I'm still a huge Super Sons fan and will continue on my DC reading journey (*cries, cries on the floor, cries harder*).
I think I see what the story wanted to achieve: to have the boys go on a far-spanning, multi-genre quest by getting thrown into various scenarios while still adhering to an overarching plot.
I wish we could've spent some more time in some places, like the kids prison planet or even the Wild West planet, cuz some arcs (namely the weird horror house where they meet alternate adult versions of themselves) feel a little off the path.
In any case, I'm still a huge Super Sons fan and will continue on my DC reading journey (*cries, cries on the floor, cries harder*).
December 7, 2020
This book is cute fun. Tomasi has a handle on these two characters having written each for years in Superman, Batman and Robin, and then the original Super Sons series. While you don't have to have read any of those to enjoy this book, there're definitely a lot of fun nods and references if you have. The same goes out to wider DC lore, as well. While the overarching plot is kind of dumb, it's really just an excuse to bounce these two characters off each other and have fun with their dynamic while throwing all sorts of hilarious craziness at them. I don't understand why this book is split into two volumes, though, instead of being collected into one 12 issue whole.
May 6, 2020
I'm always happy to see Jon and Damian working together again. The villains for this story arc are quite funny. Think of them as a mini version of a league of evil villains based on the ones from Earth. Joker Jr. is the most interesting to me so far and I hope he's able to get back home and be left in peace. The poor boy just wants to have some sense of normalcy after everything Rex Luthor has done. For Jon and Damian things are about to get more complicated. Welcome to space juvi guys! An entertaining run so far.
December 23, 2022
I was expecting much more fun and light-heartedness from this volume. That's not to say this was too serious or dire or anything like that, it just wasn't a fun, goofy adventure. Instead, I found it to be a rather bland story. I do think that the author had a good sense of the two kids' voices, but nothing was really done with them and the tension that could be played with between their contrasting characteristics wasn't played up enough.
The art was fine, nothing special. Fairly house art for modern DC.
All in all, a just okay volume.
The art was fine, nothing special. Fairly house art for modern DC.
All in all, a just okay volume.
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