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Superman: Son of Kal-El
Superman: Kal-El Returns
Father and son are at last reunited after the Warworld Saga ripped them apart!
In the aftermath of Superman’s epic Warworld Revolution, the Man of Steel is back on Earth and stronger than he’s ever been! As he and Steel join forces to remake Metropolis as a true City of Tomorrow, two of Superman’s most classic villains take notice… and they have plans of their own.
Collects Superman: Son of Kal-El #16-18, Action Comics #1047-1050, and Superman: Kal-El Returns Special!
In the aftermath of Superman’s epic Warworld Revolution, the Man of Steel is back on Earth and stronger than he’s ever been! As he and Steel join forces to remake Metropolis as a true City of Tomorrow, two of Superman’s most classic villains take notice… and they have plans of their own.
Collects Superman: Son of Kal-El #16-18, Action Comics #1047-1050, and Superman: Kal-El Returns Special!
232 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2023
61 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Phillip Kennedy Johnson
522 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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January 4, 2024This gets off to a bad start with a Nathan Szerdy cover of Lois and Clark which is, and it pains me to think much less write this, like Greg Land but worse. It claims the story is "Presented for the first time in scene-specific order", and if that were true then I could forgive kicking off with chapters 1, 3 and 5, but it very obviously isn't; the fourth issue of the collection is the first thing from the Tom Taylor run I was actually reading, which builds to a (beautifully done) reunion between Kal and Jon that clearly precedes what we've just been looking at. And that's without even considering the various short stories from other creative teams entirely, which vary hugely both in quality and degree of integration with the two main series (though at least the World's Finest prequel bodes well for that book).
Still, on one level the key information is that yes, the Taylor issues still feel like part of that series, which gave us Lois and Clark's son as a new generation of Superman without ever belittling what came before. That comic is not subsumed by what's going on around it; it remains big-hearted, forward-thinking and a general delight.
How about the Philip Kennedy Johnson series with which it dovetails here, though? A comic I've not read at all, though in theory it follows on from Superman And The Authority, Grant Morrison's deeply anticlimactic farewell to DC. The concept of Clark flying off to liberate Warworld never really grabbed me; superhero comics keep coming up with these alien planets whose defining feature is 'nasty and fighty' (see also: Breakworld, Arakko, Sakaar) as if that weren't the one type of planet we really don't need to invent. And nothing here makes me want to go back and revisit that assessment. Warworld in Earth orbit leads to a brief Do You See? bit about refugees, and one page which makes passing mention of a plotline the back cover seems to think is a big deal; if either of these elements go anywhere, it's not in anything contained here. Apparently Warworld used to have a red sun, then got a white one which powers Kryptonians up even more than yellow (very modern DC, that) - but scenes there still look very red to me. Then again, even on Earth, Mike Perkins' art and especially Lee Loughridge's colours make everything look like Astro City in a dusty autumn. Sometimes worse than that - there's a desperate fight with Orion and Kalibak where at one point it looks more like a happy, weightless dance, and then when Kal's meant to be shocked, he instead looks like Stephen Mangan. He's also picked up two alien kids who deserve a better, less fighty life, exactly like the ones the Fantastic Four acquired in Empyre, except at least those didn't come with a side-order of waffle about the Fire of Olgrun that sounds like the way people who don't like fantasy think all fantasy sounds. Oh, and the collection culminates with an issue which I'm tempted to accuse of going back to the Morrison/Millar/Peter/Waid Superman pitch and deliberately picking out the worst bit, though to be fair it ends up less bad than Marvel's attempts to put Spider-Man and Daredevil's secret identities back in the bottle.
But at the same time, there are bits where it really does feel like Johnson has a handle on writing a Superman comic, which is a rarer skill than it should be, and also more than I'd expected after the only other thing I've read from him, his woeful Alien. Yes, sometimes there's a similar sense to that series of just reusing familiar components and hoping that'll work (the Luthor/Metallo subplot), but elsewhere it's elements that I haven't seen seen in a while (Bibbo!), and one early scene is a pitch-perfect vignette where Clark rescues a family car, then tells the kids to keep wearing their seatbelts. Occasional lovely bits of writing, too: "In another twenty thousand years, Metropolis will be as wondrous and unknowable as Krypton was."
Still, on one level the key information is that yes, the Taylor issues still feel like part of that series, which gave us Lois and Clark's son as a new generation of Superman without ever belittling what came before. That comic is not subsumed by what's going on around it; it remains big-hearted, forward-thinking and a general delight.
How about the Philip Kennedy Johnson series with which it dovetails here, though? A comic I've not read at all, though in theory it follows on from Superman And The Authority, Grant Morrison's deeply anticlimactic farewell to DC. The concept of Clark flying off to liberate Warworld never really grabbed me; superhero comics keep coming up with these alien planets whose defining feature is 'nasty and fighty' (see also: Breakworld, Arakko, Sakaar) as if that weren't the one type of planet we really don't need to invent. And nothing here makes me want to go back and revisit that assessment. Warworld in Earth orbit leads to a brief Do You See? bit about refugees, and one page which makes passing mention of a plotline the back cover seems to think is a big deal; if either of these elements go anywhere, it's not in anything contained here. Apparently Warworld used to have a red sun, then got a white one which powers Kryptonians up even more than yellow (very modern DC, that) - but scenes there still look very red to me. Then again, even on Earth, Mike Perkins' art and especially Lee Loughridge's colours make everything look like Astro City in a dusty autumn. Sometimes worse than that - there's a desperate fight with Orion and Kalibak where at one point it looks more like a happy, weightless dance, and then when Kal's meant to be shocked, he instead looks like Stephen Mangan. He's also picked up two alien kids who deserve a better, less fighty life, exactly like the ones the Fantastic Four acquired in Empyre, except at least those didn't come with a side-order of waffle about the Fire of Olgrun that sounds like the way people who don't like fantasy think all fantasy sounds. Oh, and the collection culminates with an issue which I'm tempted to accuse of going back to the Morrison/Millar/Peter/Waid Superman pitch and deliberately picking out the worst bit, though to be fair it ends up less bad than Marvel's attempts to put Spider-Man and Daredevil's secret identities back in the bottle.
But at the same time, there are bits where it really does feel like Johnson has a handle on writing a Superman comic, which is a rarer skill than it should be, and also more than I'd expected after the only other thing I've read from him, his woeful Alien. Yes, sometimes there's a similar sense to that series of just reusing familiar components and hoping that'll work (the Luthor/Metallo subplot), but elsewhere it's elements that I haven't seen seen in a while (Bibbo!), and one early scene is a pitch-perfect vignette where Clark rescues a family car, then tells the kids to keep wearing their seatbelts. Occasional lovely bits of writing, too: "In another twenty thousand years, Metropolis will be as wondrous and unknowable as Krypton was."
September 20, 2025
Following the Warworld Saga that was occurring during Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s run on Action Comics, Clark Kent returns to his home of Planet Earth to be reunited with his family, including his son Jon, who was wrestling with his own problems, such as being the planet’s sole Man of Steel. As Clark and Steel join forces to remake Metropolis as a true City of Tomorrow, numerous threats are coming, such as a couple from his iconic rogues gallery and an ancient and powerful enemy awakened from Superman’s meddling on Warworld.
Covering the remaining issues from both Johnson’s run and Tom Taylor’s run on Superman: Son of Kal-El, this trade serves as an epilogue and a transition point for what these creators will be doing next, as well as setting up Joshua Williamson’s current run on DC’s flagship Superman title. Because we have already seen the climax of both runs, these remaining issues do feel like treading water.
With the Action Comics issues, there are numerous threads going on, from the aftermath of the Warworld Saga in which the resurrected Osul-Ra carrying a fraction of the power of Olgrun, first and mightiest of the Old Gods, making him a target of the New Gods. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor has another dastardly plan against Superman, which involves Metallo, who would rather remain behind bars than seek vengeance. There are various art-styles going on, from the likes of Mike Perkins, Riccardo Federici and Nick Dragotta, which can get jarred transitioning from one style to the next.
The best issues are Taylor and artists Cian Tormey and Clayton Henry’s work on Superman: Son of Kal-El, which doesn’t have to worry about heavy world-building and focus on a young man going through everyday problems but presented in a grand superhero fashion. Although he is delighted to be reunited with his father, Jon worried that the distance between him could put a strain in their relationship, especially how Jon as Superman has become a prolific figure with his romance with Jay being publicised. While these issues build up a new villain that will be Jon’s own Luthor, the scene where the father and the son have THE conversation is far more compelling and emotional.
Superman: Kal-El Returns Special #1 is an anthology issue that celebrates the OG Man of Steel’s return to Earth, with various writers and artists telling their own tale. As always with anthology issues, the stories can vary in quality, such as Mark Waid and Clayton Henry’s fun story, in which Supes and Batman being Super Friends as they battle Mr. Nobody, to Dean Haspiel’s awkwardly drawn Jimmy Olsen tale. More hits than misses, the issue serves as a nice reminder about why Superman is iconic, from showing his human side to friends and family, to leaving behind a legacy as a superhero whilst admiring a new generation.
More of a footnote, the Superman: Kal-El Returns trade is decent with moments of characterisation but is rather long-winded in setting up what will be Superman’s time during the Dawn of DC initiative.
Covering the remaining issues from both Johnson’s run and Tom Taylor’s run on Superman: Son of Kal-El, this trade serves as an epilogue and a transition point for what these creators will be doing next, as well as setting up Joshua Williamson’s current run on DC’s flagship Superman title. Because we have already seen the climax of both runs, these remaining issues do feel like treading water.
With the Action Comics issues, there are numerous threads going on, from the aftermath of the Warworld Saga in which the resurrected Osul-Ra carrying a fraction of the power of Olgrun, first and mightiest of the Old Gods, making him a target of the New Gods. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor has another dastardly plan against Superman, which involves Metallo, who would rather remain behind bars than seek vengeance. There are various art-styles going on, from the likes of Mike Perkins, Riccardo Federici and Nick Dragotta, which can get jarred transitioning from one style to the next.
The best issues are Taylor and artists Cian Tormey and Clayton Henry’s work on Superman: Son of Kal-El, which doesn’t have to worry about heavy world-building and focus on a young man going through everyday problems but presented in a grand superhero fashion. Although he is delighted to be reunited with his father, Jon worried that the distance between him could put a strain in their relationship, especially how Jon as Superman has become a prolific figure with his romance with Jay being publicised. While these issues build up a new villain that will be Jon’s own Luthor, the scene where the father and the son have THE conversation is far more compelling and emotional.
Superman: Kal-El Returns Special #1 is an anthology issue that celebrates the OG Man of Steel’s return to Earth, with various writers and artists telling their own tale. As always with anthology issues, the stories can vary in quality, such as Mark Waid and Clayton Henry’s fun story, in which Supes and Batman being Super Friends as they battle Mr. Nobody, to Dean Haspiel’s awkwardly drawn Jimmy Olsen tale. More hits than misses, the issue serves as a nice reminder about why Superman is iconic, from showing his human side to friends and family, to leaving behind a legacy as a superhero whilst admiring a new generation.
More of a footnote, the Superman: Kal-El Returns trade is decent with moments of characterisation but is rather long-winded in setting up what will be Superman’s time during the Dawn of DC initiative.
May 5, 2024
My kriptonyte is decent Superman stories. They're brief respites from a more cynical approach to superheroism so popular in mainstream comics; from the constant bad news in this decaying world; from my own pessimistic views. I'm a sucker for this character and just how good he tries to be, how thoughtful and caring his actions are. I'm currently also reading Marquis de Sade and filling my cup with the worst forms humanity can take, that is also part of being alive, experiencing the bad, the evil, but that's not all there is out there. Superman does not exist, and if he did I'd have a lot of questions for him, about his connection with the USA and his priorities in a world destroyed by capitalist logic. Thankfully, though, he does not exist, he's just an idea, and ideas can be cruel and deformed like De Sade's, or something else, good maybe, or trying to be at least, an imagining of a person who does not predate, someone trying to be better, like most of us try everyday. Like I said I'm a sucker for this alien, immigrant character, there's enough otherness in him to keep me interested and at the same time a comforting feel to the world he managed to build around his fictitious self. There's a scene in this comic in which Clark Kent's son is coming out of the closet, he's ashamed, nervous, but Superman's reaction to this is so heartwarming and touching, saying words of acceptance and care I never listened from my own father and probably never will. So that's what this character is, an intermission, a diversion, a few moments of escapism maybe, but what's wrong with that? It's mass media, made for me to like, I'm eating from the trashcan of ideology and I'm enjoying myself while the world burns.
April 8, 2025
There were parts of this book I thought were done really well, but some that were just slow and for me were unessary. A big part of the book is setting up things to come for Superman and his family.
The best thing about this book for me was the relationship between Superman and his son. The return between Clark and the Justice League was more comedic than heartfelt. The setup for things to come with Lex was great.
A good setup for things to come and things to come. Not passing the torch yet, it looks like Clark might have more to come. Every chapter starts with a cover and varient cover. The book finishes with a thumbnail varient cover gallery.
The best thing about this book for me was the relationship between Superman and his son. The return between Clark and the Justice League was more comedic than heartfelt. The setup for things to come with Lex was great.
A good setup for things to come and things to come. Not passing the torch yet, it looks like Clark might have more to come. Every chapter starts with a cover and varient cover. The book finishes with a thumbnail varient cover gallery.
November 14, 2023
Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Tom Taylor wrap up their respective Super-series in this extra large crossover. Did it need to be a crossover? Eh, probably not, but the collection ain't bad regardless.
Johnson's wrap-up is more engaging, with Superman returning to Earth, Warworld in tow. Naturally, this causes an uproar. How dare he bring these murderous refugees to Earth? Taylor's wrap-up mostly has warm fuzzies, with Jon and Clark hugging it out after being apart for so long. Jon also goes up against Red Sin, a random new villain who strips powers and hates Superman because reasons.
Lex Luthor slinks through the background of these narratives, resurrecting Metallo (against his will), and working on Project Blackout (). There are also a bunch of forgettable shorts in the package. All told, perfectly adequate Superman, but feels very much like a transitional volume within two separate series, not the Big Crossover it's designed to be.
Johnson's wrap-up is more engaging, with Superman returning to Earth, Warworld in tow. Naturally, this causes an uproar. How dare he bring these murderous refugees to Earth? Taylor's wrap-up mostly has warm fuzzies, with Jon and Clark hugging it out after being apart for so long. Jon also goes up against Red Sin, a random new villain who strips powers and hates Superman because reasons.
Lex Luthor slinks through the background of these narratives, resurrecting Metallo (against his will), and working on Project Blackout (). There are also a bunch of forgettable shorts in the package. All told, perfectly adequate Superman, but feels very much like a transitional volume within two separate series, not the Big Crossover it's designed to be.
December 29, 2023
Man... the Superman books really are a f@$#ing MESS right now, aren't they?
Between Phillip Kennedy Johnson finally ending his protracted John Carter fantasy riff on Warworld, Tom Taylor having to make due with the mangled status quo Brian Michael Bendis left behind for Jon Kent, or the desperate hail-mary quick-fix this book throws out for the world knowing Superman's identity, this is a whole volume's worth of damage control. "How fast can we get Superman back to feeling like Superman?"
That said, at least things feel like they're on the right track again. Superman needs Clark Kent to ground him; take that away, and you lose half of the appeal of the character. I just wish Phillip Kennedy Johnson and his bizarre obsession with recontextualizing Superman as either the figurehead of a revolutionary movement or the patriarch of a special dynasty would just... stop. I don't want King Superman. I don't want the House of El. I just want SUPERMAN.
Between Phillip Kennedy Johnson finally ending his protracted John Carter fantasy riff on Warworld, Tom Taylor having to make due with the mangled status quo Brian Michael Bendis left behind for Jon Kent, or the desperate hail-mary quick-fix this book throws out for the world knowing Superman's identity, this is a whole volume's worth of damage control. "How fast can we get Superman back to feeling like Superman?"
That said, at least things feel like they're on the right track again. Superman needs Clark Kent to ground him; take that away, and you lose half of the appeal of the character. I just wish Phillip Kennedy Johnson and his bizarre obsession with recontextualizing Superman as either the figurehead of a revolutionary movement or the patriarch of a special dynasty would just... stop. I don't want King Superman. I don't want the House of El. I just want SUPERMAN.
October 5, 2024
This had such an amazing start and I was heartbroken by how quickly it deteriorated. The volume would have been a lot better if it only contained Action Comics issues instead of constantly interspersing decent writing with nonsense.
March 25, 2024
Not the greatest wrap up to the whole Warworld/Son of Kal-El stories. Just never comes together with any actual cohesion.
October 7, 2023
Um volume que colige a conclusão de um arco narrativo que colocou um Super-Homem exilado a trazer a paz ao planeta Warworld. Neste regresso à Terra, o herói terá de enfrentar o medo que despertam os exilados do planeta da violência, recuperar as ligações com a mulher, filho, família e amigos, voltar a enfrentar os velhos inimigos, e descobrir que, na sua ausência, o filho se tornou um herdeiro à altura.
February 3, 2025
The majority of this is about a 3.5 star read. Really good. Once you get to the Kal El Returns special, it’s a revolving door of one shot stories with varying degrees of success. But when it works it’s gangbusters. Taylor is pretty great with both Jon and Kal El. I also liked Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s Action issues.
March 12, 2023
Can not wait for what is coming for Superman and family! Taylor and PKJ do an amazing job setting storylines for the future. Up, Up, and Away!!
December 7, 2024
Solid transition between this era and Dawn of DC. Nothing groundbreaking but still fun to read
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July 27, 2023How does nobody notice that Superman and his extended family are all flying around Metropolis and also living in the same apartment
September 26, 2023
No cap I read this just to get the final three issues of Tom Taylor's Son of Kal-El Jon Kent run. I came for Jon Kent, and it was eh since it was geared for this event. I got a happy surprise in the Action Comics issues but its a lead in for the next TPB of Superman. And I left with the mediocre special issue and backup story with all-over-the-place art.
The Action Comics issues were neat with lovely pencils from Mike Perkins and good coloring from Lee Loughridge especially for the Metallo parts. Its a neat story of Clark Kent returning and a set up with Lee Luther forcing Metallo back into action. Never read anything about Metallo but damn is he a sympathetic villian here.
The Jon Kent issues were fine. They were obviously a tie in for this event. Not much relation to anything else from his comic. Just Jon Kent seeing his Dad again and fighting a boring villain who's also being led by Lex Luthor. The art by Cian Tormey and Ruairi Coleman is usually good but they can't agree on Jon's face so he ends ends up looking different each panel.
Then it goes into what I think is a backup story that spanned the main Action Comic Issues? It goes into the Red Moon stuff. Its a three three part story of the Supers seeing Supes with eh and slightly kiddish writing from Philip Johnson and Lapham's art which is just not for me with its excessively thick lines and chunky rigid poses.
The Kal-El Return specials were fun but nothing crazy (except for the crazy bad art from one of the artists). The ending with Action Comics #1050 was good. It sets up Clark and Jon's Dawn of DC titles. While Project Blackout feels like a copout (and had an art-shift with a new artist who drew action well but otherwise was awkward with constant fish-eyed faces) it also continues the Metallo deal which was the surprise hit for me of the collection.
The Action Comics issues were neat with lovely pencils from Mike Perkins and good coloring from Lee Loughridge especially for the Metallo parts. Its a neat story of Clark Kent returning and a set up with Lee Luther forcing Metallo back into action. Never read anything about Metallo but damn is he a sympathetic villian here.
The Jon Kent issues were fine. They were obviously a tie in for this event. Not much relation to anything else from his comic. Just Jon Kent seeing his Dad again and fighting a boring villain who's also being led by Lex Luthor. The art by Cian Tormey and Ruairi Coleman is usually good but they can't agree on Jon's face so he ends ends up looking different each panel.
Then it goes into what I think is a backup story that spanned the main Action Comic Issues? It goes into the Red Moon stuff. Its a three three part story of the Supers seeing Supes with eh and slightly kiddish writing from Philip Johnson and Lapham's art which is just not for me with its excessively thick lines and chunky rigid poses.
The Kal-El Return specials were fun but nothing crazy (except for the crazy bad art from one of the artists). The ending with Action Comics #1050 was good. It sets up Clark and Jon's Dawn of DC titles. While Project Blackout feels like a copout (and had an art-shift with a new artist who drew action well but otherwise was awkward with constant fish-eyed faces) it also continues the Metallo deal which was the surprise hit for me of the collection.
October 4, 2024
So... this was slightly my fault. I've been going through the Jon Kent Superman storyline and Goodreads tells me that this is technically the finale of that particular storyline. And... it's not NOT that.
But it's also what I absolutely hate the most about superhero graphic novels... when you're buying them for a specific storyline you're following and then it turns out that they've just lumped in thirteen other titles that are part of some massive "crossover" event... and that you just do not care about.
This is one of those. And even slightly worse than that... this is presented in... some sort of order. Honestly, if you told me that they put the names of the stories on little notecards, threw those cards into the air and then randomly picked them up based on how far away they fell from the door to the office, I would believe you.
Because Superman (Kal-El... we'll just call him that, it gets too confusing) is back, he's been back a while, he's suddenly just back, he's seeing Jon for the first time, the bad guys he fought back at the beginning seem to just now have come to Earth... mumble mumble really bad Jimmy Olsen sidebar mumble mumble... now it's a bunch of crap with Lex that I just don't care about and we're now maybe just mostly resetting the DC continuity or at least the Superman continuity, because this is DC and it must be a Tuesday.
Does this wrap up the Jon Kent storylines... kinda. It is in any way interesting if you don't care about the rest of the Superverse? Not even slightly.
But also, I should have expected that based on the title.
A little like my brief sojourn into Gay Aquaman (Jackson Hyde edition) was interesting, this brief visit to Gay Superman (Jon Kent edition) was enlightening, and I think I can leave DC here for a hot minute until perhaps we circle back around to bisexual Tim Drake/Red Robin.
But it's also what I absolutely hate the most about superhero graphic novels... when you're buying them for a specific storyline you're following and then it turns out that they've just lumped in thirteen other titles that are part of some massive "crossover" event... and that you just do not care about.
This is one of those. And even slightly worse than that... this is presented in... some sort of order. Honestly, if you told me that they put the names of the stories on little notecards, threw those cards into the air and then randomly picked them up based on how far away they fell from the door to the office, I would believe you.
Because Superman (Kal-El... we'll just call him that, it gets too confusing) is back, he's been back a while, he's suddenly just back, he's seeing Jon for the first time, the bad guys he fought back at the beginning seem to just now have come to Earth... mumble mumble really bad Jimmy Olsen sidebar mumble mumble... now it's a bunch of crap with Lex that I just don't care about and we're now maybe just mostly resetting the DC continuity or at least the Superman continuity, because this is DC and it must be a Tuesday.
Does this wrap up the Jon Kent storylines... kinda. It is in any way interesting if you don't care about the rest of the Superverse? Not even slightly.
But also, I should have expected that based on the title.
A little like my brief sojourn into Gay Aquaman (Jackson Hyde edition) was interesting, this brief visit to Gay Superman (Jon Kent edition) was enlightening, and I think I can leave DC here for a hot minute until perhaps we circle back around to bisexual Tim Drake/Red Robin.
December 15, 2023
Kal-El has been gone from Earth for quite a long time. Detailed in the pages of Action Comics, he was dealing with Mongul and the what will probably be come to be known as the Warworld Saga. Meanwhile, on Earth, Jon has been Superman, and his book has dealt with new enemies, becoming the hero he was meant to be, and the whole controversy with his relationship with Jay.
But... at some point, Superman the Father, was going to come back to Earth. This book is about his homecoming.
Most of the long book (though it didn't feel that way) deals with Kal getting reconnected with friends and family, taking care of his relationships and reintegrating himself with the plots that needed wrapped up. By the end, there is really only three things that need remembered:
1) Metallo has been given a new body and seems more ready than ever to fight Supes.
2) Lex Luthor has gone to jail for murder, having killed Manchester Black, a metahuman with very strong psychic abilities, because he initiated...
3) Project Blackout. Luthor has sent a psychic pulse around the world, affecting everyone (except the Kent Family and all the heroes of the Justice League who has received psychic blocking training from J'onn J'onzz) in one key way. They no longer can remember the human identities of both Supermen. This is part of Luthor's plan to remove the "human" aspects of the heroes and have the public see that they are aliens, allowing xenophobia to reign when it comes to the Men of Steel.
I guess we'll see how it pans out, especially as we head into "Dawn of DC" event, yet another start over for things.
Overall, despite its length, I really enjoyed this GN. Recommend.
But... at some point, Superman the Father, was going to come back to Earth. This book is about his homecoming.
Most of the long book (though it didn't feel that way) deals with Kal getting reconnected with friends and family, taking care of his relationships and reintegrating himself with the plots that needed wrapped up. By the end, there is really only three things that need remembered:
1) Metallo has been given a new body and seems more ready than ever to fight Supes.
2) Lex Luthor has gone to jail for murder, having killed Manchester Black, a metahuman with very strong psychic abilities, because he initiated...
3) Project Blackout. Luthor has sent a psychic pulse around the world, affecting everyone (except the Kent Family and all the heroes of the Justice League who has received psychic blocking training from J'onn J'onzz) in one key way. They no longer can remember the human identities of both Supermen. This is part of Luthor's plan to remove the "human" aspects of the heroes and have the public see that they are aliens, allowing xenophobia to reign when it comes to the Men of Steel.
I guess we'll see how it pans out, especially as we head into "Dawn of DC" event, yet another start over for things.
Overall, despite its length, I really enjoyed this GN. Recommend.
January 25, 2025
This book was really disappointing. Just couldn’t really get into it, after really enjoying Son of Kal-El Volumes 1-3.
The collection of stories just seemed like a mess and didn’t really follow any sort of narrative.
At times the art was decent, and at other times it wasn’t very good.
I actually didn’t even finish the book.
Would not recommend.
The collection of stories just seemed like a mess and didn’t really follow any sort of narrative.
At times the art was decent, and at other times it wasn’t very good.
I actually didn’t even finish the book.
Would not recommend.
April 3, 2025
There was a better way to bring this story together.
Superman being in space for so long was not particularly a book that I want to read about, seeing as how I'd rather read about Metropolis and the Daily Planet cast, or Lois, or Ma and Pa Kent, or Kara, or Connor Kent, or Krypto, or pretty much anything other than a story about Superman fighting Mongul on a slave planet. In premise its a bad idea, but I never read the story to say if the execution proved me wrong.
I haven't been loving what they've been doing with the Superman family since the Bendis run, and while Warworld was supposed to ultimately bring the characters to a more coherent status quo, the delivery was just okay.
Phillip Kennedy Johnson is an actual good writer, and I'm going to pick up his Kryptonian history when its collected in trade. It's some of the other writers here that aren't doing much for me. Tom Taylor specifically.
Taylor's writing is subpar most of the time. There are some things I like about his writing, but for the most part, I've never been a fan. His characters always feel under written, the stories are often over the top or lacking in any real sort of depth, and the stories oftentimes prioritize the action over actual compelling narratives. I think what he was saying about Jonathan Kent being a more politically active Superman could and SHOULD be interesting, but it isn't when he's the one writing the book. He's actively done a lot to destroy the character in my opinion, and while I don't think people should be so up in arms about Taylor putting Jonathan in a gay relationship, Jai is not particularly interesting nor does he add much to the plot in my opinion.
Mark Waid is also intermittently scattered across the series, but I think that his writing is not terrible. But it is showing a greater concern with Waid's writing of comics, where the story is yearning for something less serious and harkens back to the silver age of comics. The thing that I liked about Waid up until the last few years is that his writing paid homage while telling stories that felt important and redefined their genre. His work on Kingdom Come, the Flash, the Fantastic Four, and Daredevil all remain all time classics and some of my favorite comics to ever come out. They take the greatest parts of those characters and make a story that feels specific to them. The Jimmy Olsen story and the other little things he worked on here and there don't feel special.
The art is good all around most of the time, with a couple of not so great art. I can't really remember who was on the book because it was pretty forgettable in terms of writing unfortunately.
Ultimately, I know what this was. A revert to the status quo. No one outside of a few characters know Superman's identity anymore. He's back on Earth, with 2 kids that he's adopted, which is always welcome. More cast for Superman is better in my opinion.
I'm excited to read Superman stories that have Clark earthbound, and I'm excited to see more of the kids he has and being a dad again. Thank God there's no more Bendis to have messes that need cleaning up again, but let's focus now on good stories, not on continuity cleanup.
Superman being in space for so long was not particularly a book that I want to read about, seeing as how I'd rather read about Metropolis and the Daily Planet cast, or Lois, or Ma and Pa Kent, or Kara, or Connor Kent, or Krypto, or pretty much anything other than a story about Superman fighting Mongul on a slave planet. In premise its a bad idea, but I never read the story to say if the execution proved me wrong.
I haven't been loving what they've been doing with the Superman family since the Bendis run, and while Warworld was supposed to ultimately bring the characters to a more coherent status quo, the delivery was just okay.
Phillip Kennedy Johnson is an actual good writer, and I'm going to pick up his Kryptonian history when its collected in trade. It's some of the other writers here that aren't doing much for me. Tom Taylor specifically.
Taylor's writing is subpar most of the time. There are some things I like about his writing, but for the most part, I've never been a fan. His characters always feel under written, the stories are often over the top or lacking in any real sort of depth, and the stories oftentimes prioritize the action over actual compelling narratives. I think what he was saying about Jonathan Kent being a more politically active Superman could and SHOULD be interesting, but it isn't when he's the one writing the book. He's actively done a lot to destroy the character in my opinion, and while I don't think people should be so up in arms about Taylor putting Jonathan in a gay relationship, Jai is not particularly interesting nor does he add much to the plot in my opinion.
Mark Waid is also intermittently scattered across the series, but I think that his writing is not terrible. But it is showing a greater concern with Waid's writing of comics, where the story is yearning for something less serious and harkens back to the silver age of comics. The thing that I liked about Waid up until the last few years is that his writing paid homage while telling stories that felt important and redefined their genre. His work on Kingdom Come, the Flash, the Fantastic Four, and Daredevil all remain all time classics and some of my favorite comics to ever come out. They take the greatest parts of those characters and make a story that feels specific to them. The Jimmy Olsen story and the other little things he worked on here and there don't feel special.
The art is good all around most of the time, with a couple of not so great art. I can't really remember who was on the book because it was pretty forgettable in terms of writing unfortunately.
Ultimately, I know what this was. A revert to the status quo. No one outside of a few characters know Superman's identity anymore. He's back on Earth, with 2 kids that he's adopted, which is always welcome. More cast for Superman is better in my opinion.
I'm excited to read Superman stories that have Clark earthbound, and I'm excited to see more of the kids he has and being a dad again. Thank God there's no more Bendis to have messes that need cleaning up again, but let's focus now on good stories, not on continuity cleanup.
February 16, 2023
Boy, things sure went to crap while Superman was off on Warworld. Jon's been holding down the fort, but seriously it's a trainwreck. You think things are going to magically get better with a giant moon rockets itself into Earth's orbit?
I'm sure the world will LOVE that. (can you spell xenophobia? No fair, you cheated!)
We've got the Action Comics issues focusing on Superman coming home and making his presence felt. He catches up with his friends. He stops some old foes. He even fixes his parents farm. (Am I the only one that can't keep track of the life/death status of the Kent elders?) The backup Action Comics story has Supergirl, Superboy (in all his 90's retro attire), and Steel showing Thao-La how life is like on Earth after she's come out of a coma....that lasted the ENTIRE run of issues that Superman was away on Warworld.
Oh, we've also got the latest schemes (Metallo?) from Luthor. He's working on something called Project Blackout. It wouldn't be a Superman story if it didn't have Luthor trying to show his superiority...again.
On the 'Son of Kal-El' side of things, there's Jon getting into a rhythm with superheroing. We've seen Jon get more comfortable with being Superman (and stepping into his father's role). Now, it's that awkward time with Superman shadowing his son and passing on the torch. Also, Jon gets his first official nemesis in Red Sin
This would have benefitted from the inclusion of Action Comics #150. That issue is a setup for what's to come for The House of El in 2023. Other than that, this collection is a nice little reset for the Superman family. He isn't depowered. He isn't dead. (Who knows what the future holds *wink wink nudge nudge*)
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Bonus: How is the planet not freaking out more with another moon dropping into orbit around Earth? Is everybody just numb to stuff like this now?
Bonus Bonus: The Kal-El Returns Special #1 features a great short with Superman flying to Gotham and letting Batman know he's back for good. It also features the World's Greatest Detective/Chef.
I'm sure the world will LOVE that. (can you spell xenophobia? No fair, you cheated!)
We've got the Action Comics issues focusing on Superman coming home and making his presence felt. He catches up with his friends. He stops some old foes. He even fixes his parents farm. (Am I the only one that can't keep track of the life/death status of the Kent elders?) The backup Action Comics story has Supergirl, Superboy (in all his 90's retro attire), and Steel showing Thao-La how life is like on Earth after she's come out of a coma....that lasted the ENTIRE run of issues that Superman was away on Warworld.
Oh, we've also got the latest schemes (Metallo?) from Luthor. He's working on something called Project Blackout. It wouldn't be a Superman story if it didn't have Luthor trying to show his superiority...again.
On the 'Son of Kal-El' side of things, there's Jon getting into a rhythm with superheroing. We've seen Jon get more comfortable with being Superman (and stepping into his father's role). Now, it's that awkward time with Superman shadowing his son and passing on the torch. Also, Jon gets his first official nemesis in Red Sin
This would have benefitted from the inclusion of Action Comics #150. That issue is a setup for what's to come for The House of El in 2023. Other than that, this collection is a nice little reset for the Superman family. He isn't depowered. He isn't dead. (Who knows what the future holds *wink wink nudge nudge*)
----------------
Bonus: How is the planet not freaking out more with another moon dropping into orbit around Earth? Is everybody just numb to stuff like this now?
Bonus Bonus: The Kal-El Returns Special #1 features a great short with Superman flying to Gotham and letting Batman know he's back for good. It also features the World's Greatest Detective/Chef.
January 8, 2024
This book collects Superman: Son of Kal-El #16-18, Action Comics #1047-1049, and Superman: Kal-El Returns Special, so every issue pertaining to the "Kal-El Returns" crossover, as well as a smaller arc that aims to return the Superman book to its pre-Bendis status quo.
I feel it was important to have some breathing space and a reigning down of big events after the massive Warworld saga, and the issues collected here do just that. There's some action, but it takes a backdrop to the world coming to terms with the return of their favored hero.I think the book works very well as a coda of sorts to The Warworld Saga.
Phillip Kennedy Johnson deals with the aftermath of the events of the liberation of Warworld by Superman very well, but his attempts at bringing the character's status quo back to something similar to what it was before Bendis, while commendable, felt awkward and unconvincing, altough that's not really his fault, considering the mess he was left with to fix.
As allways, Johnson writes the characters very well, which makes the quieter moments more genuine and welcome.
In short, a necessary slowing down of events, but that might feel inconsequential and slight if not perceived as a coda to what had come before.
6.5/10.
I feel it was important to have some breathing space and a reigning down of big events after the massive Warworld saga, and the issues collected here do just that. There's some action, but it takes a backdrop to the world coming to terms with the return of their favored hero.I think the book works very well as a coda of sorts to The Warworld Saga.
Phillip Kennedy Johnson deals with the aftermath of the events of the liberation of Warworld by Superman very well, but his attempts at bringing the character's status quo back to something similar to what it was before Bendis, while commendable, felt awkward and unconvincing, altough that's not really his fault, considering the mess he was left with to fix.
As allways, Johnson writes the characters very well, which makes the quieter moments more genuine and welcome.
In short, a necessary slowing down of events, but that might feel inconsequential and slight if not perceived as a coda to what had come before.
6.5/10.
March 3, 2024
Takes place following Warworld (which I haven't read) and wraps up Jon Kent's series, Son of Kal-El (which I have.) It also soft-resets the status quo post-Bendis, re-establishing Superman's secret identity, and sets the stage for the latest era ("Dawn of DC," yes?) of Superman comics.
I loved Superman and Jon reuniting - positive reactions from parents in coming-out stories ALWAYS make me cry and this was no exception! Also, this is the best version of Pa Kent, we love an enlightened grandpa!
A lot of this volume is Superman flying around reuniting with various people after being away for so long and some of that is sort of "meh" but I was tickled to see Bibbo again and the brief sojourn to Gotham was fun.
Kal-El Returns has a lot to do and is kind of all-over-the-place and I really hope it's not the first Superman book someone picks up because they would be HELLA confused. This is not helped by the fact that the issues are clearly presented slightly out-of-order. Why, DC?
BUT criticisms aside, I don't hate this - I'm glad to see the secret identity re-established and I'm excited to dive into the newest Superman series with SuperCorp next!
I loved Superman and Jon reuniting - positive reactions from parents in coming-out stories ALWAYS make me cry and this was no exception! Also, this is the best version of Pa Kent, we love an enlightened grandpa!
A lot of this volume is Superman flying around reuniting with various people after being away for so long and some of that is sort of "meh" but I was tickled to see Bibbo again and the brief sojourn to Gotham was fun.
Kal-El Returns has a lot to do and is kind of all-over-the-place and I really hope it's not the first Superman book someone picks up because they would be HELLA confused. This is not helped by the fact that the issues are clearly presented slightly out-of-order. Why, DC?
BUT criticisms aside, I don't hate this - I'm glad to see the secret identity re-established and I'm excited to dive into the newest Superman series with SuperCorp next!
April 18, 2024
Containing two stories and one Special issue with a couple of one shots centering on the Man of Steel. The Action Comic issues continue the story of Warworld, with the New Gods entering the fray. What I liked about it was that it used the trauma Lois and Kal have over losing their son during the Bendis Era. The anger a fear they have towards not seeing Jon grow-up is a definite emotional point for the story. These issues also T-up a Lex Luthor plot that has me intrigued.
The other story comes from the Son of Kal El issues, and though I liked its concept it did pinpoint why I dont care for this series. Introducing a new villain with cool powers as well as a strong resurgence of xenophobia towards Kryptonians; the story centers on Jon and his emotions. And what I learned from this Tom Taylor series is that I dont like it because it's to sweet. The Son of Kal El series has been some of Taylor's weakest work in my opinion because it makes the entire El/Kent family come off as a bunch of Mary Sue's. Which I know is sometimes Big Blue's archetype, but this just feels like overkill. When every dialog and character drive is dripping with sentimentality it's easy to see why Superman is disliked as a character.
The other story comes from the Son of Kal El issues, and though I liked its concept it did pinpoint why I dont care for this series. Introducing a new villain with cool powers as well as a strong resurgence of xenophobia towards Kryptonians; the story centers on Jon and his emotions. And what I learned from this Tom Taylor series is that I dont like it because it's to sweet. The Son of Kal El series has been some of Taylor's weakest work in my opinion because it makes the entire El/Kent family come off as a bunch of Mary Sue's. Which I know is sometimes Big Blue's archetype, but this just feels like overkill. When every dialog and character drive is dripping with sentimentality it's easy to see why Superman is disliked as a character.
September 8, 2023
Kal-El Returns was billed as one of those big crossovers where you have to read all the parts to get the full story, when in actuality it's mostly just a banner for the two books and the special that it comprises.
Here we get the conclusion of Jon Kent's Son Of Kal-El series, seeing him come up against the Red Sin. It's nice to see how much Jon has grown, and having Superman back on the ground to contrast the two helps emphasis the journey that they've both been on.
Meanwhile over in Action Comics, Superman's Warworld adventures follow him home, in both good and bad ways. I like that Warworld's effects aren't just over and done with straight away, it was an epic story that deserves to make some lasting changes to the Super-Family.
And then the Special and Action Comics #1050 are a series of short stories about various characters to help pad out space. They're all pretty cute, and the big twist in Action #1050 regarding Superman's secret identity is executed with surprising brutality.
A decent collection, but fairly disconnected given how the story was presented. Worth a look, at least.
Here we get the conclusion of Jon Kent's Son Of Kal-El series, seeing him come up against the Red Sin. It's nice to see how much Jon has grown, and having Superman back on the ground to contrast the two helps emphasis the journey that they've both been on.
Meanwhile over in Action Comics, Superman's Warworld adventures follow him home, in both good and bad ways. I like that Warworld's effects aren't just over and done with straight away, it was an epic story that deserves to make some lasting changes to the Super-Family.
And then the Special and Action Comics #1050 are a series of short stories about various characters to help pad out space. They're all pretty cute, and the big twist in Action #1050 regarding Superman's secret identity is executed with surprising brutality.
A decent collection, but fairly disconnected given how the story was presented. Worth a look, at least.
September 5, 2023
Es muy difícil evaluar este tomo de forma individual, sin tener en cuenta los números anteriores de la serie regular a la que le sirve de colofón. Está formado por casi una decena de números que cierran el arco de Superman y Jon durante el tiempo que estuvo en Mundoguerra, pero también introduce algunas referencias a la Liga, Lex Luthor (que parecía haber desaparecido de mapa) y algunos otros personajes propios de las aventuras de Superman.
Creo que es un tomo que pude resultar confuso porque salta en el tiempo en algunos momentos (vemos el instante previo a Crisis Oscura y en la página siguiente Supes vuelve a estar aquí) pero en el fondo sirve muy bien para recapitular y poner punto y seguido a lo que, se supone, viene ahora después de la nueva crisis.
A nivel de dibujo, con tantos artistas involucrados, es normal que el resultado sea desigual, pero en general es un tomo agradable de leer y deja buen sabor de boca.
Creo que es un tomo que pude resultar confuso porque salta en el tiempo en algunos momentos (vemos el instante previo a Crisis Oscura y en la página siguiente Supes vuelve a estar aquí) pero en el fondo sirve muy bien para recapitular y poner punto y seguido a lo que, se supone, viene ahora después de la nueva crisis.
A nivel de dibujo, con tantos artistas involucrados, es normal que el resultado sea desigual, pero en general es un tomo agradable de leer y deja buen sabor de boca.
February 13, 2025
honestamente no me pareció tan malo. en mis libros este es un típico caso mid, nada que destaque
si bien hay algunos puntos que me gustaría remarcar, como es que me encantó ver a un personaje tan importante como superman ser bi y que le importe dos huevos así como sentir que es literalmente un adolescente que intenta llenar las botas de su padre y pelear por lo que cree correcto. btw tampoco me pareció jay un personaje molesto capaz
ahora bien, muy straight foward la historia, podrían haber desarrollado un poco más los incios de amistad entre jon y jay. pero para mi el mayor "error" fue que jon no se destaca, no se diferencia de clark, sigue siendo el hombre mitad alien mitad humano qué ama la humanidad, me hubiera gustado que tenga alguna característica que lo diferencie de su padre
lo que si me mató de la risa es que los villanos le dijeron de todo a jon pero nunca len dijeron nada sobre que era bi
si bien hay algunos puntos que me gustaría remarcar, como es que me encantó ver a un personaje tan importante como superman ser bi y que le importe dos huevos así como sentir que es literalmente un adolescente que intenta llenar las botas de su padre y pelear por lo que cree correcto. btw tampoco me pareció jay un personaje molesto capaz
ahora bien, muy straight foward la historia, podrían haber desarrollado un poco más los incios de amistad entre jon y jay. pero para mi el mayor "error" fue que jon no se destaca, no se diferencia de clark, sigue siendo el hombre mitad alien mitad humano qué ama la humanidad, me hubiera gustado que tenga alguna característica que lo diferencie de su padre
lo que si me mató de la risa es que los villanos le dijeron de todo a jon pero nunca len dijeron nada sobre que era bi
March 1, 2025
I continue to maintain that one of the biggest errors made by DC recently is having Jon be Superman. First, it got rid of the great chemistry and fun of the Jon/Damien stories. Then, Jon just isn’t interesting.
I mean, every reader was aware that Clark would be back soon. The writers try to make this seem like it wasn’t the case by throwing in characters like the Flash say they weren’t sure if Superman was ever returning, as if he hasn’t gone off-world dozens of times before and returned every single time.
So Jon gets to be Superman while Clark is gone…and the story acts like Jon has made improvements to Clark’s style. For example, they mention that Jon sticks around after “saving the day” to make sure things get cleaned up. As if Clark hasn’t done that before.
Anyway, the Clark stuff is pretty good. The Luthor/Metallo scheme is intriguing. You can skip all the Jonathan stuff. It’s just meh.
I mean, every reader was aware that Clark would be back soon. The writers try to make this seem like it wasn’t the case by throwing in characters like the Flash say they weren’t sure if Superman was ever returning, as if he hasn’t gone off-world dozens of times before and returned every single time.
So Jon gets to be Superman while Clark is gone…and the story acts like Jon has made improvements to Clark’s style. For example, they mention that Jon sticks around after “saving the day” to make sure things get cleaned up. As if Clark hasn’t done that before.
Anyway, the Clark stuff is pretty good. The Luthor/Metallo scheme is intriguing. You can skip all the Jonathan stuff. It’s just meh.
October 12, 2025
Superman shakes off the remaining plot threads from the Bendis and PKJ runs, just in time for a creative changing of the guard. Fantastic work all around! Highlights include Riccardo Federici's pencils, the 'round-the-clock banging that Lois and Clark are doing now that he's back from space, and Jon coming out to his dad.
And there's like fourteen pages of crazy Nick Dragotta art thrown in here for good measure. 5/5
"... but I need you to hear something.
Every day of my life has been better since you've been in it. Every single day.
Who you love is the last thing that could change that. Anyone who makes your life better will always be a hero in my eyes.
And no matter what, I will stand beside you. I will defend you, I will love you, and I will always, always be your father.
You're a miracle, Jon Kent. My child of two worlds. My Superman.
My son."
And there's like fourteen pages of crazy Nick Dragotta art thrown in here for good measure. 5/5
November 19, 2023
A solid if unexceptional yarn - more of Phillip Kennedy Johnson's interminable Warworld saga, a reasonably decent look at how the world world view a planet full of refugees (but a heavy handed "House of El" riff and several forgettable secondary characters); Tom Taylor's saccharine but sweet tale of Jon and Clark reunited; and some decent stories of how other heroes react to Clark's return (I LOVED David Lapham's art on the Super-family chapter, but I'm a longtime Stray Bullets fan!). Then the secret identity is reset, which is fine. It'll be nice to see Lois in a more active reporter role again (hopefully).
June 21, 2024
Lo mejor de la recopilación fueron los números de Son of Kal-El de Tom Taylor, la reunión de Jon y Clark… el coming out… el arte de Cian Tormey… Todo muy bonito. Mi problema fueron los números de Action Comics, los sentí muy apresurados, muy sin contexto, muy para estar ahí y como antecedente del siguiente arco pero sin ser algo por su propia cuenta. Tampoco me gustó que prácticamente no se mostrara nada del aftermath de Warworld (¿¡Qué pasó con The Authority!?) Eso pudo haber sido el siguiente gran arco, pero bueno. Entiendo que quizás el escritor no tuvo otra opción por la nueva iniciativa que DC andaba empujando.
November 27, 2024
The main stuff with Superman was pretty good but man if what I read here with Jon is typical of that series then I'm definitely not reading it. Relied on cheap rushed emotion with no payoff or tension and a boring af art and writing style. Anyway seeing the New Gods characters is always fun for me and the smackdown with Lex's new (and FUCKIN AWESOME) power suit was pretty damn good despite a few weird looking faces in the art.
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