Super Sons Volume 1: When I Grow Up...

Hello everyone! I woke up in a blogging mood today, and wanted to write on a comic that has been on my mind since I read it.

Super Sons is part of the DC Universe Rebirth line, and Volume 1 was released on October 17, 2017. I'll be up front with you, this isn't god's gift to the comic book universe. However, I am obsessed with it and I don't really know why.  There isn't anything particularly deep or moving about the plot or character development, but Jonathan and Damien are so lovable together.

The plot line is pretty basic, but it works. Bad boy Damien convinces goody two shoes Jonathan to fight some crime with him. For those that are unfamiliar with the kids, Damien is Batman's son, and Jonathan is Superman's son. This comic is targeted at a younger audience for sure. The writing plays well to the art. Not to use "playful" 9000 times, but the art is also very playful.  The writing, while not amazing, does successfully capture childhood innocence.

I think I bonded to Super Sons because it makes up for the emotional train wreck Injustice left me as. Super Sons is the "do over" for those feelings. I don't hate Damien or Superman this time around, and that is refreshing. 

What I find refreshing about this is the intact family that Superman gets. This is shown in the images below.

This scene is so fantastic because of the relationship Superman is allowed to have here. The Kent family is intact and stable. We get so see Superman being a father and husband. He's happy, and he deserves that happiness.There isn't a great dark tragedy stretching out over Jonathan's origin. He's just a regular kid, and his dad happens to be Superman. This is important in the humanization of super heroes. Heroes have gone a dark edgy route lately. They all seem to have massive trauma behind their choice to take up the cape. 

Think about our current popular heroes. Superman: everyone in his family dies. Supergirl: everyone in her family dies. Flash (Barry Allen): everyone in his family dies. Green Arrow (CW): everyone in his family dies. Jessica Jones (Netflix): Sexual assault and everyone in her family dies. Daredevil (Netflix): Everyone in his family dies. 

Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) shares an intact family like Jonathan Kent. I am by no means saying that Super Sons is Ms. Marvel good, however they both create a sphere for super heroes with intact families. Both of these comics capture youth and innocence in their narratives. Super Sons is aimed at a younger audience than Ms. Marvel, and steps away from major themes and topics. That's OK to do. 

Super Sons isn't going to change the way people see the world, or bring awareness to minority struggles, but it is fun. This does not imply that other texts that talk about these issues can't also be fun, but this is childhood adventure fun. Super Sons is like: staying up all night at a sleep over while trying to pretend you're asleep when your parents check on you because it was "lights out" 6 hours ago, but you and your cousin made it to the elite 4 in Pokemon Red and you're not about to stop now! Super Sons reminds me of preteen summer vacation because it is able to teleport you back in time with how playful it is.  

Again, Super Sons isn't literary genius, and I don't know why I love it as much as I do. It's playful, nostalgic, happy, and adventurous.  I recommend picking it up, I bought Volume 2 recently (haven't read it yet). 

Thanks for reading. Sorry it wasn't the most in depth blog ever, I just really enjoyed this story and could't place my finger on why.

 I hope you enjoyed,

-Tory