Superman: Son of Kal-El (2021-) #8

Superman: Son of Kal-El (Single Issues)

by Tom Taylor, John Timms (Cover Art), Dan Mora (Cover Art)

Henry Bendix's plans for ultimate control threaten every superhero on Earth. And, in trying to stand against the dictator of Gamorra, Superman makes himself a target of business and world leaders. He is seen by too many as a force that must be stopped. How much can even a Man of Steel stand against before he bends?

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Superman, LGBT

26 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 8, 2022

About the author

Once a professional juggler and fire eater, Tom Taylor is a #1 New York Times Bestselling, multi-award-winning comic book writer, playwright and screenwriter.

Well known for his work with DC Comics and Marvel, Taylor is the co-creator of NEVERLANDERS from Penguin Random House, SEVEN SECRETS from Boom Studios and the Aurealis-Award-winning graphic novel series THE DEEP. Taylor is also the Head Writer and Executive Producer of The Deep animated series, four seasons of which is broadcast in over 140 countries.

He is perhaps best known for the DC Comics series, DCEASED (Shadow Awards Winner), NIGHTWING (nominated for 5 Eisner Awards), SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL (GLAAD Award Nominee), INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, SUICIDE SQUAD, EARTH 2 and BATMAN/SUPERMAN as well as Marvel's FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, ALL NEW WOLVERINE, X-MEN: RED, DARK AGES and SUPERIOR IRON MAN. Taylor is also the writer of many Star Wars series, which include STAR WARS: INVASION and STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES (Stan Lee Excelsior Award winner). Taylor has written for Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, Boom Studios, Wildstorm, 2000 AD and Gestalt Comics.

He can be followed on twitter @TomTaylorMade.

Reviews

[Rachel Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this comic series!

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Missed this one somehow.

It was the second part of the Aqualad team up and it was okay. Seeing Jon not want to hurt people and try to do everything peacefully is great, but this whole rise group is just boring. Not a fan of them at all.

[jude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jon Kent is beginning to come to terms with the fact you can’t save everyone, and this works in the favor of President Bendix framing Jon as a hero who can’t be controlled. This issue shines a spotlight on Jon’s altruism. Showing that he really is his father’s son. Even though he saved more people than he lost Jon still carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. Knowing he could’ve done more is the hardest part of being Superman.

❗️// Spoilers // ❗️

This issue sets up the groundwork for more exciting events to occur in future issues. With President Bendix spreading his anti-hero propaganda claiming there will no longer be a need for “aliens, amazons or dark knights.” He introduces a group of post-humans called The Rising. Super powered humans who are under Bendix’s mind control. I’m looking forward to seeing how this plot will play out.

[Kastie Pavlik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like what they're doing with Jon. I'm not crazy about the villain campaign. We're getting so much of this crap in reality that it's the last thing I want to read in my comic escapes. I can understand Jon feeling like he failed because his father is the same way. They had that whole miniseries about Superman going into space to find a little girl even though it meant leaving billions on Earth without his protection, and how he dealt with balancing one life vs many lives. I see this with Jon as the opposite of the same argument and very reflective of him being his father's son. It does seem quite obvious that none of this was Jon's fault, and hopefully him joining The Truth will help him see that.

[R E · Rating 4 out of 5]

A much improved series with new artist Cian Tormey. Now that the art isn’t taking away from the story, but adding to it, the overarching narrative arc is much clearer, with the personalities of the characters coming through.

There’s one panel, the bottom of page 8 where Jon is caught off guard by a huge tsunami heading for Metropolis, that perfectly captures Jon as a young man still coming into his own. It shows him with head slightly lowered, eyes looking up, mouth taught - we’ve all had this feeling, when suddenly what we thought we knew no longer applies and we’re simultaneously trying to absorb the new situation while simultaneously recalculating what to do about it. Highly effective, accomplished visual story telling.

[Clay Bartel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tom Taylor for many is the new DC darling, particularly for his work on Nightwing.

Now Son of Kal-El has never been bad but outside a couple issues I haven't been to excited.

Honestly the most interesting thing to happen this Nightwing crossover and I've never even read Nightwing but I have been waiting for the Tom Taylor Nightwing trade to enter that world. Looks like I'll be picking that up soon in anticipation of the crossover.

[Renan Fontes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably my favorite issue so far. Good action for what was there, smart thinking from Jon, a lot of heart, and exciting set-up for what's to come. There's also a Spider-Manian quality to the in-universe anti-Superman propaganda I can't help but love.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this was great! This was definitely one of the best issues in this run! The art style seems like it changed a bit and I LOVE this new direction! I think it suits the characters a lot better! An Aquaman cameo will always make me happy, and another kiss scene UGH it was great!

[Victor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Voy a seguir leyendo pq ya estoy interesado por el futuro de John, pero la historia ha perdido un poco de la esencia de los primeros issues y a hastas alturas no veo algo nuevo ni interesante en el presidente de gamorra como villano. Y quiero devuelta a John Timms para el arte.

[OinkFish Pigs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last two issues have been my favorite of the series so far. Highlighting Jon’s altruism, and Bendix’s individualism, doing anything if it could boost his profit or goals. Great two issues.

High 9.6

[Craig Schorling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely continue to love Jon and how he is written. His struggles and triumphs are so much fun. The villains are not strong and I don't buy for a single second that they pose a serious threat. The real struggle is with Jon learning to be the hero he is destined to be.

[Gore · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's the worst issue of the whole series. While I can understand Jon's grievance, he should know he is not at fault. The whole scene of him crying is just so corny.

[Burton Olivier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty basic Superman stuff. No real standout moments but not a bad issue by any means. Looking forward to the Nightwing crossover though

[Shawn Ingle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm losing interest in this title. I'll stick with it through The Rising storyline and Nightwing crossover at least.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ok issue, on the good side of this "meh" run so far. I would have thought that Superman can stop a Tsunami though (I mean, the Flash can...).

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really can't put into words how much I love this run.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rising part 2

[Karen Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eso sí que no me lo espere 😊

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[Devin Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying and resonant conclusion (of sorts) to a couple of individually underwhelming issues.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming ending.