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Superman (2018)
Superman: The One Who Fell
Phillip Kennedy Johnson jumps from Future State and brings the Kents back to the present, crafting a father-son story that spans both SUPERMAN and ACTION COMICS!
In “The Golden Age” Jonathan Kent is back from the 31st century and fighting cosmic threats alongside his legendary father, Clark Kent. But when an interdimensional breach opens near Earth, Jon recognizes the creatures that emerge: the cosmic leviathans that the Legion of Super-Heroes credits with the death of Superman!
As Superboy desperately tries to save Superman’s life from the leviathans of the breach, Superman discovers the breach’s shocking origins. But with his powers mysteriously fading, he is utterly outmatched.
Can Superboy change the course of history and save his father’s life?
Collects Action Comics #1029 and Superman #29-32.
In “The Golden Age” Jonathan Kent is back from the 31st century and fighting cosmic threats alongside his legendary father, Clark Kent. But when an interdimensional breach opens near Earth, Jon recognizes the creatures that emerge: the cosmic leviathans that the Legion of Super-Heroes credits with the death of Superman!
As Superboy desperately tries to save Superman’s life from the leviathans of the breach, Superman discovers the breach’s shocking origins. But with his powers mysteriously fading, he is utterly outmatched.
Can Superboy change the course of history and save his father’s life?
Collects Action Comics #1029 and Superman #29-32.
125 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 9, 2021
8 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Phillip Kennedy Johnson
529 books96 followersPhillip Kennedy Johnson earned a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas, where he served as Teaching Fellow for the Department of Jazz Studies, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Eastern Kentucky University. SFC Johnson has performed with the Lexington Philharmonic, Dallas Opera, Washington Symphonic Brass, and the Moscow Ballet, and was a member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra from 2004 to 2005. SFC Johnson remains active as a composer, arranger, teacher, and clinician, and also enjoys a second career as a writer of comics and graphic novels. His work has been published by DC Comics, Marvel Comics, BOOM! Studios, and more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
December 26, 2021
Superman’s son Jon is back from being part of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the future and is by his father’s side as Superboy - but, oh no, Superman can suddenly be hurt somehow (and not Jon)! Jon realises he must soon take his father’s place as the new Superman when his dad becomes… The One Who Fell!
Bendis’ reign of boredom on Superman is thankfully over but because I read so little of it I’m not sure if Superman’s contrived vulnerability was set up during his run or whether it’s a premise new writer Philip Kennedy Johnson has come up with. Either way, this ain’t a very good Superman comic.
Both stories are sooooo uninspired. In story #1, Superman and Jon punch insectoid aliens in space. In story #2, Superman and Jon travel to an alien world to punch other insectoid aliens. Woah… so imaginative… And, as if to emphasise further the book’s forgettable mediocrity, there’s Phil Hester and Scott Godlewski’s wholly unremarkable meh art.
I did like some of the father/son material here - about how Jon realises his dad is not the god he once thought he was, is becoming vulnerable, and isn’t long for the world. It’s poignant, sweet and is going to be relatable to a great many readers. The only thing that undermines this decent writing and fine sentiment is knowing that the father in this instance is SUPERMAN, ie. the dude who’s famously died before and come back, and, despite all this table-setting for the next Death of Superman storyline and Jon becoming the new Superman for a while, it’s all pointless because Superman - the real Superman - will come back and become Superman again, like Superman always Superman. Superman.
So yeah, even though Bendis’ generic, underwhelming run on Superman is over, his replacement - who wrote the most generic fantasy book at DC called The Last God and wrote a generic Aliens book at Marvel - is (unfortunately but not unsurprisingly) writing still more generic, underwhelming Superman comics. Don’t expect much with Superman: The One Who Fell, if you’re gonna read it, because you’re not being offered much.
Bendis’ reign of boredom on Superman is thankfully over but because I read so little of it I’m not sure if Superman’s contrived vulnerability was set up during his run or whether it’s a premise new writer Philip Kennedy Johnson has come up with. Either way, this ain’t a very good Superman comic.
Both stories are sooooo uninspired. In story #1, Superman and Jon punch insectoid aliens in space. In story #2, Superman and Jon travel to an alien world to punch other insectoid aliens. Woah… so imaginative… And, as if to emphasise further the book’s forgettable mediocrity, there’s Phil Hester and Scott Godlewski’s wholly unremarkable meh art.
I did like some of the father/son material here - about how Jon realises his dad is not the god he once thought he was, is becoming vulnerable, and isn’t long for the world. It’s poignant, sweet and is going to be relatable to a great many readers. The only thing that undermines this decent writing and fine sentiment is knowing that the father in this instance is SUPERMAN, ie. the dude who’s famously died before and come back, and, despite all this table-setting for the next Death of Superman storyline and Jon becoming the new Superman for a while, it’s all pointless because Superman - the real Superman - will come back and become Superman again, like Superman always Superman. Superman.
So yeah, even though Bendis’ generic, underwhelming run on Superman is over, his replacement - who wrote the most generic fantasy book at DC called The Last God and wrote a generic Aliens book at Marvel - is (unfortunately but not unsurprisingly) writing still more generic, underwhelming Superman comics. Don’t expect much with Superman: The One Who Fell, if you’re gonna read it, because you’re not being offered much.
November 30, 2021
A filler volume while we wait for PKJ to send Superman into space over in Action Comics while Jon will take over Superman. Two separate stories of Superman and Superboy teaming up to fight aliens. The stories are kind of basic. They are more character studies of the father and son. Anyway, they are fine but completely skippable.
September 3, 2022
This one was so good omg!
So this one tells the story of Clark and Jon teaming up as they go to the planet "Thakkram" and there they meet Clark's old buddies Faaldr and Qarath-O-Daanim's son "Baakis" and we learn how Clark and Faldr and Daanim defeated these beings called "Shadowbreeds" and learn of the planets culture and the relation between Father and son and well its quite twisted but its fun and then seeing the return of the latter villains and well what has happened here and the possession and all that and seeing how father and son team up to defeat these beings and save the planet!
This is so well written and sure the big threat of the villains is there but I love the way its more like a letter from a father to his son and we learn of how Parents feel when their children grow up and the golden age ends and what-not and how it may impact their children and well them too and through this story PKJ fleshes out both the relationships and I love the way its written, a son who don't think anyone can take his father's legacy and then there is the father who loves his son so much and its just amazing and will make you love both of them and well make you emotional by the end of it, stories like these are why we love Superman and well! <3!
So this one tells the story of Clark and Jon teaming up as they go to the planet "Thakkram" and there they meet Clark's old buddies Faaldr and Qarath-O-Daanim's son "Baakis" and we learn how Clark and Faldr and Daanim defeated these beings called "Shadowbreeds" and learn of the planets culture and the relation between Father and son and well its quite twisted but its fun and then seeing the return of the latter villains and well what has happened here and the possession and all that and seeing how father and son team up to defeat these beings and save the planet!
This is so well written and sure the big threat of the villains is there but I love the way its more like a letter from a father to his son and we learn of how Parents feel when their children grow up and the golden age ends and what-not and how it may impact their children and well them too and through this story PKJ fleshes out both the relationships and I love the way its written, a son who don't think anyone can take his father's legacy and then there is the father who loves his son so much and its just amazing and will make you love both of them and well make you emotional by the end of it, stories like these are why we love Superman and well! <3!
November 5, 2021
This is mostly a precursor to the Superman: Son of Kal-El series, a bit of a placeholder finale arc of Superman while PKJ's Warworld arc kicks into high gear over in Action Comics.
It's a tale of fathers and sons, both Clark and Jon and the two aliens that they visit to try and save. The themes are well-presented if a little on the nose, and it shows the passing of the baton between Clark and Jon nicely enough. The actual plot isn't entirely compelling, but it works as a vehicle for the character arcs more than anything else.
The artwork begins with Phil Hester, before transitioning to Scott Godlewski. If nothing else has come from Brian Bendis' tenure at DC, it's putting Godlewski in the spotlight - he's a very solid, reliable artist and I'm glad to see him sticking around.
Nothing massively essential, but it's worth a little look. It does more with the Superman/Superboy pairing than Bendis did in his entire run on Superman despite being the one responsible for the age up, so that's definitely a selling point.
It's a tale of fathers and sons, both Clark and Jon and the two aliens that they visit to try and save. The themes are well-presented if a little on the nose, and it shows the passing of the baton between Clark and Jon nicely enough. The actual plot isn't entirely compelling, but it works as a vehicle for the character arcs more than anything else.
The artwork begins with Phil Hester, before transitioning to Scott Godlewski. If nothing else has come from Brian Bendis' tenure at DC, it's putting Godlewski in the spotlight - he's a very solid, reliable artist and I'm glad to see him sticking around.
Nothing massively essential, but it's worth a little look. It does more with the Superman/Superboy pairing than Bendis did in his entire run on Superman despite being the one responsible for the age up, so that's definitely a selling point.
January 11, 2022
Entirely adequate "Father and Son" story featuring Clark and Jon having a run in with some aliens that have a quite different perspective on parenting.
November 20, 2021
This felt like a big filler arc.
Well written, focusing on Jon and Clark's relationship. It's not bad at all but feels...like kind of moving in slow motion. This was obviously written to be the buffer between Bendis and Tom Taylor's Superman. It does let Phillip write Clark in a inspirational way, which I loved, and soon Phillip will take over action comics completely and have Clark go into space for awhile. So this is kind of a goodbye in a way for Clark and Jon but mostly in Jon's perspective.
I personally enjoy this arc even if it didn't blow me away. The two different art styles are kind of jarring but they work in their own unique way. Not a bad arc by any means, and helps flush out both characters, but it didn't blow me away.
A 3 out of 5.
Well written, focusing on Jon and Clark's relationship. It's not bad at all but feels...like kind of moving in slow motion. This was obviously written to be the buffer between Bendis and Tom Taylor's Superman. It does let Phillip write Clark in a inspirational way, which I loved, and soon Phillip will take over action comics completely and have Clark go into space for awhile. So this is kind of a goodbye in a way for Clark and Jon but mostly in Jon's perspective.
I personally enjoy this arc even if it didn't blow me away. The two different art styles are kind of jarring but they work in their own unique way. Not a bad arc by any means, and helps flush out both characters, but it didn't blow me away.
A 3 out of 5.
January 19, 2022
55% | C | Good
"How many battles will it take before everyone gets a day like this one"
This isn't inherently bad, I just got bored...There is a huge focus on parenthood and the dynamic of father/son which, whilst executed fairly well, don't personally connect with me, at least not yet. There's a short lived section of Clark, Lois and Jon playing golf that serves as a nice break to the non-stop action, but aside from that, you're in for a lot of punching, flying and general Kryptonian shenanigans. Are you missing out on anything if you skip this? No. Is it a waste of time to read this? Also no. It's a strange middle point where it's worth a look, but also not something you'll be rushing to tell your friends about.
"How many battles will it take before everyone gets a day like this one"
Clark and Jon team up as the ultimate father and son duo to save some species and kick some arse
This isn't inherently bad, I just got bored...There is a huge focus on parenthood and the dynamic of father/son which, whilst executed fairly well, don't personally connect with me, at least not yet. There's a short lived section of Clark, Lois and Jon playing golf that serves as a nice break to the non-stop action, but aside from that, you're in for a lot of punching, flying and general Kryptonian shenanigans. Are you missing out on anything if you skip this? No. Is it a waste of time to read this? Also no. It's a strange middle point where it's worth a look, but also not something you'll be rushing to tell your friends about.
November 12, 2025
With Jon having travelled ahead in time and hearing the stories of father and ultimately, his father's demise, he tries to warn his dad about the danger he is in - as he may be in the final battle that will be Superman's end.
It's interesting because, on one hand, Phillip Kennedy Johnson has to deal with the whole time travelling shenanigans, the interdimensional portal - not to mention the alien/demons coming out of it, and realization of Jon suspecting, this is his dad's last adventure. But what I think Johnson does well is, make the story really about the relationship of a son and his father. You can see that Jon is very conflicted, and at the same time, you see Clark also worried about his son's current situation - even though he's the one facing death (possibly). I think Johnson highlighting their relationship was definitely the high point of the book.
Unfortunately, the book itself is a bit too drawn out. It really begins to feel like the story is just killing time until the next big arc comes along. I think if Johnson would've condensed this into maybe a couple of issues, its impact would've been a bit more felt - but it's ultimately watered down by the repetitive dialog and slow pace of the plot.
Overall, this is good characterization, but there have been better volumes of Superman.
It's interesting because, on one hand, Phillip Kennedy Johnson has to deal with the whole time travelling shenanigans, the interdimensional portal - not to mention the alien/demons coming out of it, and realization of Jon suspecting, this is his dad's last adventure. But what I think Johnson does well is, make the story really about the relationship of a son and his father. You can see that Jon is very conflicted, and at the same time, you see Clark also worried about his son's current situation - even though he's the one facing death (possibly). I think Johnson highlighting their relationship was definitely the high point of the book.
Unfortunately, the book itself is a bit too drawn out. It really begins to feel like the story is just killing time until the next big arc comes along. I think if Johnson would've condensed this into maybe a couple of issues, its impact would've been a bit more felt - but it's ultimately watered down by the repetitive dialog and slow pace of the plot.
Overall, this is good characterization, but there have been better volumes of Superman.
January 13, 2022
3.5 Stars. Better art would have pushed this to a 4.
Wrapping up the stories in Superman and Action Comics before the restart, this volume of Superman is all about legacy and passing things onto Jon (which doesn't officially happen here, but I assume at the beginning of the next Volume).
Highlights:
- STAR Labs has created a portal in their space research lab (actually in orbit around Earth) that opens to a dimension full of monsters. Clark and Jon are able to fight off the beasts, when they make it through the portal, but Clark is getting very hurt. With Jon getting more and more nervous, his father confronts him and finds out Jon's 31st Century knowledge tells him that today is the day Clark will die. Jon isn't ready to let him go, and ascends to new levels of power and saves Clark. But what does this mean for the future?
- Clark gets a distress call from Qarath O Daanim of Thakkram, an alien friend he teamed up with to defeat a great beast plaguing their planet. When he and Jon arrive there, they find out that Qarath has been dead for a while. There is a mystery to this, but they ultimately find out that a parasite in controlling the people. Obviously our Supermen save the day.
Overall, I liked this Volume more than I thought I would. With my son being 18 and having to go through these "becoming an adult" changes that are talked about in the Volume, it probably hit more on an emotional level for me.
Recommend.
Looking forward to seeing Jon embrace his new role!
Wrapping up the stories in Superman and Action Comics before the restart, this volume of Superman is all about legacy and passing things onto Jon (which doesn't officially happen here, but I assume at the beginning of the next Volume).
Highlights:
- STAR Labs has created a portal in their space research lab (actually in orbit around Earth) that opens to a dimension full of monsters. Clark and Jon are able to fight off the beasts, when they make it through the portal, but Clark is getting very hurt. With Jon getting more and more nervous, his father confronts him and finds out Jon's 31st Century knowledge tells him that today is the day Clark will die. Jon isn't ready to let him go, and ascends to new levels of power and saves Clark. But what does this mean for the future?
- Clark gets a distress call from Qarath O Daanim of Thakkram, an alien friend he teamed up with to defeat a great beast plaguing their planet. When he and Jon arrive there, they find out that Qarath has been dead for a while. There is a mystery to this, but they ultimately find out that a parasite in controlling the people. Obviously our Supermen save the day.
Overall, I liked this Volume more than I thought I would. With my son being 18 and having to go through these "becoming an adult" changes that are talked about in the Volume, it probably hit more on an emotional level for me.
Recommend.
Looking forward to seeing Jon embrace his new role!
April 19, 2025
After Green Lantern War Journal, I was hesitant to read more of Kennedy's work. That changed after I met him at 2025 Awesome Con in DC. He is a very passionate creator, and his inspirations are amazing. For example, this book was inspired by thinking about leaving a message to his own son and then saying, "What would look like if I were Superman?" I respect that, but as with GL: War Journal, I think the inspiration gets lost in the story. In no way is this a bad comic. It just doesn't live up to the inspiration - 3.0, not upset reading it, have some other things by Kennedy on my list, and they will be staying there
July 1, 2025
We went downhill, but I’m glad Jon is back and reconnecting with Clark. It’s a tough job differentiating a father and son, but I think they did a good job, especially since he’s grown up. That’s the best part of this volume. The last arc was a bit better with the mystery-solving, but that’s about it.
November 19, 2022
Meh.
Father son bonding snooze I've seen this before your parents are not perfect yada yada yada.
Art all over the place, insects being punched, more insects just because.
Woulda given it 2 stars, but, hey, it's Clark Kent.
Father son bonding snooze I've seen this before your parents are not perfect yada yada yada.
Art all over the place, insects being punched, more insects just because.
Woulda given it 2 stars, but, hey, it's Clark Kent.
January 21, 2023
[3.75/5]
I get it. I understand how this can feel like a filler arc before Phillip Kennedy Jonson's Action Comics run and Tom Taylor's Son Kal El but that doesn't mean it's bad. Like what a lot of other reviewers have said, it is a character study on Clark and Jon. But I liked it, the whole father/son dynamic and not feeling like you're able to fit into your parent's shoes was good. Overall, this was a very enjoyable story.
I get it. I understand how this can feel like a filler arc before Phillip Kennedy Jonson's Action Comics run and Tom Taylor's Son Kal El but that doesn't mean it's bad. Like what a lot of other reviewers have said, it is a character study on Clark and Jon. But I liked it, the whole father/son dynamic and not feeling like you're able to fit into your parent's shoes was good. Overall, this was a very enjoyable story.
July 26, 2022
Thankfully self-contained arc that's quite lovely
May 11, 2023
[2.75/5]
This books was fine. Nothing really special about it but nothing ultra bad about it either.
This books was fine. Nothing really special about it but nothing ultra bad about it either.
March 23, 2023
Clark Kent i jego pierworodny wyruszają w kosmos, by wspomóc mieszkańców odległej planety. W tym celu muszą stawić czoło pasożytniczej istocie mającej wpływ na umysły swoich ofiar. Czy ojciec i syn stworzą zgraną drużynę?
Scenariusz napisał nominowany do Nagrody Eisnera Phillip Kennedy Johnson. Rysunki stworzyli zaś Scott Godlewski i Phil Hester. Album zawiera materiały opublikowane w amerykańskich zeszytach Superman #29–32 oraz Action Comic #1029.
Okładka prezentuje się dość urokliwie.
Scenariuszowo komiks aspiruje do bycia czymś więcej niż pospolitą historyjką o superbohaterach. Te są też zazwyczaj przeładowane akcją. Tutaj, choć fabuła zahacza o starcie z najeźdźcą i szeroko pojęte ratowanie świata, to cała historia jest w gruncie rzeczy kameralna i skupia się raczej na relacji ojca z jego jedynym dzieckiem. Akcja nie gra tu więc pierwszych skrzypiec, aczkolwiek misja, której podejmują się protagoniści, pozwala im się do siebie zbliżyć i spojrzeć na pewne rzeczy z innej perspektywy.
Superman, żywa legenda, jest świadkiem dojrzewania Jona, swojego potomka, który podobnie jak ojciec, chce zostać superbohaterem i ratować ludzi przed niebezpieczeństwem. Świadomość upływającego czasu, obserwowanie, w jakim tempie twoja pociecha się zmienia i przestaje wymagać opieki, zwykle prowadzi do zaznania strachu większego niż kiedykolwiek wcześniej. Jeszcze większą obawą napełnia Cię widok dziecka, które zmaga się samo ze sobą. Co ciekawe, Clark faktycznie odczuwa pewien lęk, a różne wspomnienia budzą w nim melancholię. Mężczyzna jednak od początku akceptuje stan rzeczy i angażuje syna do różnych zadań. Jednocześnie pokłada w nim niezłomną wiarę, nawet jeśli chłopak sam w siebie nie wierzy.
Jon natomiast otrzymuje szansę, aby rozwinąć skrzydła, co udaje mu się częściowo dzięki predyspozycjom, jakie posiada. Prawda jest jednak taka, że te być może nigdy nie zdołałyby osiągnąć pełnego potencjału, gdyby nie wsparcie, jakie otrzymał od rodzica, którego od małego tak bardzo podziwiał. To dzięki tacie może pokonać swój strach, odeprzeć atak i wreszcie poznać własną wartość. Idolem Jona jest tata, idolem jego taty jest zaś Jon. Ich relacja to kwintesencja tej historii. Przypomina nam, jak ważne jest wsparcie ze strony ojca.
Cała recenzja na CzasoStrefa pl
Scenariusz napisał nominowany do Nagrody Eisnera Phillip Kennedy Johnson. Rysunki stworzyli zaś Scott Godlewski i Phil Hester. Album zawiera materiały opublikowane w amerykańskich zeszytach Superman #29–32 oraz Action Comic #1029.
Okładka prezentuje się dość urokliwie.
Scenariuszowo komiks aspiruje do bycia czymś więcej niż pospolitą historyjką o superbohaterach. Te są też zazwyczaj przeładowane akcją. Tutaj, choć fabuła zahacza o starcie z najeźdźcą i szeroko pojęte ratowanie świata, to cała historia jest w gruncie rzeczy kameralna i skupia się raczej na relacji ojca z jego jedynym dzieckiem. Akcja nie gra tu więc pierwszych skrzypiec, aczkolwiek misja, której podejmują się protagoniści, pozwala im się do siebie zbliżyć i spojrzeć na pewne rzeczy z innej perspektywy.
Superman, żywa legenda, jest świadkiem dojrzewania Jona, swojego potomka, który podobnie jak ojciec, chce zostać superbohaterem i ratować ludzi przed niebezpieczeństwem. Świadomość upływającego czasu, obserwowanie, w jakim tempie twoja pociecha się zmienia i przestaje wymagać opieki, zwykle prowadzi do zaznania strachu większego niż kiedykolwiek wcześniej. Jeszcze większą obawą napełnia Cię widok dziecka, które zmaga się samo ze sobą. Co ciekawe, Clark faktycznie odczuwa pewien lęk, a różne wspomnienia budzą w nim melancholię. Mężczyzna jednak od początku akceptuje stan rzeczy i angażuje syna do różnych zadań. Jednocześnie pokłada w nim niezłomną wiarę, nawet jeśli chłopak sam w siebie nie wierzy.
Jon natomiast otrzymuje szansę, aby rozwinąć skrzydła, co udaje mu się częściowo dzięki predyspozycjom, jakie posiada. Prawda jest jednak taka, że te być może nigdy nie zdołałyby osiągnąć pełnego potencjału, gdyby nie wsparcie, jakie otrzymał od rodzica, którego od małego tak bardzo podziwiał. To dzięki tacie może pokonać swój strach, odeprzeć atak i wreszcie poznać własną wartość. Idolem Jona jest tata, idolem jego taty jest zaś Jon. Ich relacja to kwintesencja tej historii. Przypomina nam, jak ważne jest wsparcie ze strony ojca.
Cała recenzja na CzasoStrefa pl
February 5, 2023
PopKulturowy Kociołek:
W albumie Superman: Ten, który spadł, na czytelnika czekają dwie oddzielne historie, w których ojciec i syn będą walczyć z wszechobecnym złem. Pierwsza z opowieści (Złoty Wiek) stara się zaprezentować złożone relacje rodzica i dziecka. Jon Kent znając przyszłość, zdaje sobie sprawę z tego, że zbliża się kres potęgi Supermana. Tytułowy „złoty wiek” jest więc swoistego rodzaju alegorią czasu kiedy dziecko uznaje swojego rodzica za niezniszczalnego i nieśmiertelnego. Wszystko ma jednak swój kres i trzeba się na niego jakoś przygotować. Dramatyczno-emocjonalny wydźwięk historii potrafi być naprawdę urzekający. Szkoda tylko, że wątek ten stanowi malutką część większej całości i nie ma okazji w pełni zaprezentować swojego potencjału. Twórca bowiem dość szybko spycha tę tematykę na dalszy plan, więcej czasu poświęcając dosyć sztampowej akcji.
Niestety drugi z dostępnych tutaj rozdziałów (Ten, który spadł) również pozostawia trochę do życzenia. Kolejny bowiem raz Phillip Kennedy Johnson poświęca moim zdaniem zbyt mało uwagi na mocniejsze rozwinięcie relacji rodzinnych. Scenarzysta ponownie na pierwszy plan wysuwa widowiskową, ale mającą swoje niedociągnięcia akcję. Jeśli ktoś chce oddać się prostej superbohaterskiej rozrywce bez konieczności zadawania pytań typu “dlaczego i po co” (i niedoszukiwania się w niektórych wydarzeniach jakiegokolwiek sensu) to prawdopodobnie będzie z lektury zadowolony. Cała reszta czytelników będzie musiała jednak poradzić sobie z niedosytem, jaki pozostawia ta historia (i cały album).
https://popkulturowykociolek.pl/recen...
W albumie Superman: Ten, który spadł, na czytelnika czekają dwie oddzielne historie, w których ojciec i syn będą walczyć z wszechobecnym złem. Pierwsza z opowieści (Złoty Wiek) stara się zaprezentować złożone relacje rodzica i dziecka. Jon Kent znając przyszłość, zdaje sobie sprawę z tego, że zbliża się kres potęgi Supermana. Tytułowy „złoty wiek” jest więc swoistego rodzaju alegorią czasu kiedy dziecko uznaje swojego rodzica za niezniszczalnego i nieśmiertelnego. Wszystko ma jednak swój kres i trzeba się na niego jakoś przygotować. Dramatyczno-emocjonalny wydźwięk historii potrafi być naprawdę urzekający. Szkoda tylko, że wątek ten stanowi malutką część większej całości i nie ma okazji w pełni zaprezentować swojego potencjału. Twórca bowiem dość szybko spycha tę tematykę na dalszy plan, więcej czasu poświęcając dosyć sztampowej akcji.
Niestety drugi z dostępnych tutaj rozdziałów (Ten, który spadł) również pozostawia trochę do życzenia. Kolejny bowiem raz Phillip Kennedy Johnson poświęca moim zdaniem zbyt mało uwagi na mocniejsze rozwinięcie relacji rodzinnych. Scenarzysta ponownie na pierwszy plan wysuwa widowiskową, ale mającą swoje niedociągnięcia akcję. Jeśli ktoś chce oddać się prostej superbohaterskiej rozrywce bez konieczności zadawania pytań typu “dlaczego i po co” (i niedoszukiwania się w niektórych wydarzeniach jakiegokolwiek sensu) to prawdopodobnie będzie z lektury zadowolony. Cała reszta czytelników będzie musiała jednak poradzić sobie z niedosytem, jaki pozostawia ta historia (i cały album).
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February 25, 2022
As a general rule I always perfer Action Comics over Superman.
AC generally tells the bigger ongoing story for Superman and the Superman title tells smaller more episodic one off stories.
In this trade we get to stories. The Golden Age (4 stars), the better of the two stories and The One Who Fell (2 stars) the much weaker of the two stories.
Both stories involve the alien race and the second a symbiotic black goo parasite that controls said race.
The art over all is bit simplistic for about half the stories. And the story itself is hard to care about because the alien race, the Thakkramites is a race of aliens we just don't care about.
Honestly maybe I had to high expectations for Philip Kenndy Johnson because he's received a lot of praise for his Action Comics work as of late.
Ultimately The One Who Fell is just to generic and short sited for me to care about and nothing new is brought into the Superman world.
Honestly Bendis has many volumes far superior to this and I'm not even a big Bendis fan.
AC generally tells the bigger ongoing story for Superman and the Superman title tells smaller more episodic one off stories.
In this trade we get to stories. The Golden Age (4 stars), the better of the two stories and The One Who Fell (2 stars) the much weaker of the two stories.
Both stories involve the alien race and the second a symbiotic black goo parasite that controls said race.
The art over all is bit simplistic for about half the stories. And the story itself is hard to care about because the alien race, the Thakkramites is a race of aliens we just don't care about.
Honestly maybe I had to high expectations for Philip Kenndy Johnson because he's received a lot of praise for his Action Comics work as of late.
Ultimately The One Who Fell is just to generic and short sited for me to care about and nothing new is brought into the Superman world.
Honestly Bendis has many volumes far superior to this and I'm not even a big Bendis fan.
October 28, 2022
This one's a bit flat. Obviously, with both Clark and Jon operating as Superman, we need a story where Jon gets to step out of Clark's shadow a bit. Johnson's narration captures that - both Jon realizing his father is vulnerable, and Clark realizing that his son is his own person - although a bit heavy-handed and the outer space action vs the breach felt tedious and repetitive.
I admit I found the primary plot tepid as well. Clark succumbs, but winds up escaping on his own ("Kryptonians are hardy"?). They need Jon's heat vision for the win, although the previous weapon was modeled after Clark's, so I guess we're supposed to assume that Clark told a white lie and encouraged Jon to find his own limits? The book had its heart in the right place, but came off a bit rote.
The art's largely good though. Hester's always been a dynamic artist.
I admit I found the primary plot tepid as well. Clark succumbs, but winds up escaping on his own ("Kryptonians are hardy"?). They need Jon's heat vision for the win, although the previous weapon was modeled after Clark's, so I guess we're supposed to assume that Clark told a white lie and encouraged Jon to find his own limits? The book had its heart in the right place, but came off a bit rote.
The art's largely good though. Hester's always been a dynamic artist.
January 30, 2022
Now, fully into the aged-up Jonathan Kent Superman era, this story focuses less on Kal-El Superman as Jon's father, but more on the passing of the torch on from father to son. There is a 2-issue story about a breach, aliens, Amanda Waller... and none of it matters. Then there's a 4-issue story about a call for help, a seeming betrayal, alien parasites... and none of that matters either. Neither of those story arcs is well defined nor are given much importance. They are only a backdrop to the growing realization that Clark has for Jon's maturity as a person and growth as a full-fledged hero. These are forgettable stories. However, it sets the stage for Jon to take on his own as a bearer of the sigil of the House of El.
August 14, 2023
Reads entirely like a filler story with empty platitudes to set up the next Superman run. Superman and his son, Jon, work together as it seems clear that one day Jon will have to take up the mantle. This collection is a smattering of uninspired space faring adventures that mostly revolve around Jon developing more confidence in himself as it becomes more apparent that he will one day have to fill the void left by Kal-El. While the father/son dynamic is pretty nice here, the uninspired missions they go on really drag this book down. I felt like I needed to read this to proceed onto PKJ's Action Comics run, but after getting through this I realize how little information was actually conveyed here so anyone is free to skip this and move onto the actual run.
September 15, 2024
This was presumably supposed to lead into the whole cancelled 5G thing, so unsurprisingly it feels disconnected from the rest of Philip Kennedy Johnson's run. Which is no bad thing as it is, all told fairly mediocre. I do like that Johnson tries to address the fact that Lois and Clark missed seeing Jon grow up, but I so hate the way Bendis handled that in the first place that it still grates, even here. The stories themselves are certainly nothing to write home about and the art seldom reaches higher than adequate (and I really like Phil Hester's stuff usually).
2.5/5. It's fine but you lose nothing by skipping it and going straight to the awesome Warworld stuff that really kicks off Johnson's run.
2.5/5. It's fine but you lose nothing by skipping it and going straight to the awesome Warworld stuff that really kicks off Johnson's run.
October 13, 2024
Solid superman tale
This is superman played with all the earnestness befitting the character and showing how you don't need to make it edgy or dark in order to work.
Superman's son works well here too. It was a strange choice to ever give him a son and clichéd to have him age up so quickly. But again, superman works as a dad. The only real issue is how it unavoidably ages superman - an odd move for a major IP that can't really age.
The art is decent although DC seems to have stock green aliens as I've seen similar ones a lot even in later superman books.
Johnson's main run on the title is even better for those who enjoy this intro.
This is superman played with all the earnestness befitting the character and showing how you don't need to make it edgy or dark in order to work.
Superman's son works well here too. It was a strange choice to ever give him a son and clichéd to have him age up so quickly. But again, superman works as a dad. The only real issue is how it unavoidably ages superman - an odd move for a major IP that can't really age.
The art is decent although DC seems to have stock green aliens as I've seen similar ones a lot even in later superman books.
Johnson's main run on the title is even better for those who enjoy this intro.
January 4, 2025
“there’s a golden age when every kid knows his parents are indestructible. that we never fall, and we always know what the right thing is. we let you see us that way, so you feel…safe, i guess. safe enough to take risks, figure out your limits. that’s how a kid’s supposed to feel.
but everybody falls, clark. and that’s okay. someday your kids’ll see you fall. and that’ll be okay, too.
when you see your kid step out of their golden age and start to test themselves, you’ll understand what it was all for.”
i see the low ratings for this comic; i’m just here for the wholesome father and son moments of clark admiring the growth of his son.
but everybody falls, clark. and that’s okay. someday your kids’ll see you fall. and that’ll be okay, too.
when you see your kid step out of their golden age and start to test themselves, you’ll understand what it was all for.”
i see the low ratings for this comic; i’m just here for the wholesome father and son moments of clark admiring the growth of his son.
September 9, 2022
Whew! Hang on, let me just dry my eyes for a second. Well, I found this volume to be a very moving meditation on parents and children.
I know technically it’s a superhero comic with aliens battling a mind controlling goo from space. Fine, yes. I’ll read that any day. However, the creative team also explores the different phases of being a parent and watching one’s child grow up. That’s what elevated this volume and it really got to me.
Art, dialogue, colors, etc. are also all terrific and worthy of the big theme. Six stars out of five.
I know technically it’s a superhero comic with aliens battling a mind controlling goo from space. Fine, yes. I’ll read that any day. However, the creative team also explores the different phases of being a parent and watching one’s child grow up. That’s what elevated this volume and it really got to me.
Art, dialogue, colors, etc. are also all terrific and worthy of the big theme. Six stars out of five.
December 29, 2022
I really enjoyed Johnson's first Warworld volume, so I backtracked to read this one ... and I don't understand how it could be so vastly mediocre.
Problem number one is extensive captioning. Adding nothing to the story and detracting from it, really.
Problem number two is entirely abstract menaces. Rifts and shadow things.
Problem number three is that the rifts are entirely a MacGuffin to put Clark in danger of death for the next arc.
There's a bit of redeeming interaction between Clark and Jon, and that's it.
Problem number one is extensive captioning. Adding nothing to the story and detracting from it, really.
Problem number two is entirely abstract menaces. Rifts and shadow things.
Problem number three is that the rifts are entirely a MacGuffin to put Clark in danger of death for the next arc.
There's a bit of redeeming interaction between Clark and Jon, and that's it.
June 22, 2025
Superman: The One Who Fell by Phillip Kennedy Johnson is a heartfelt, emotionally grounded Superman story wrapped in cosmic stakes. The art is vibrant and the writing leans into the legacy and burden Superman carries — both as a hero and a father. Watching Clark wrestle with his place in the universe while staying true to his core values gives the book real emotional depth. The father-son thread is especially strong here, adding warmth to the epic scope. A thoughtful, compelling read with just the right touch of heart. 4 stars.
December 6, 2023
An entertaining take on the nature of Superman's relationship with Jon Kent, and the weigth of expectations his son endures that's also a relatively slight filler adventure that sets up later events in Johnson's run.
Its not a bad read, but doesn't feel terribly important or exciting, which is surprising and dissaponting, considering it sets the stage to certain elements of The Warwold Saga (which is an absolutely fantastic saga).
6/10
Its not a bad read, but doesn't feel terribly important or exciting, which is surprising and dissaponting, considering it sets the stage to certain elements of The Warwold Saga (which is an absolutely fantastic saga).
6/10
March 26, 2024
I nice story seeing Clark and Jonathan acting as father and son while both being superheroes and just acting like a family. I do really like the moments where they act as family being overly concerned for each other especially when Clark does get hurt badly by one of the aliens they were fighting it is pretty touching stuff and I also love seeing heroes acting in a casual setting and dealing with family stuff like playing mini golf it is pretty good stuff.
April 29, 2022
The story, in which Superman writes a rather lengthy framing letter to his son about what is means to be Superman, was neat but it just seemed like something I would see in an annual? Like it was not enough material for an arc.
And the art...IDK at times it was approaching cool designs but the ugly linework makes me think of Miller in a bad way.
And the art...IDK at times it was approaching cool designs but the ugly linework makes me think of Miller in a bad way.
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