Superman Homepage

Mild Mannered Reviews - Superman: Son of Kal-El Comics

Superman: Son of Kal-El #4 Superman: Son of Kal-El #4 KindleDownload iBookBuy Now

Superman: Son of Kal-El #4

Scheduled to arrive in stores: October 19, 2021
Cover date: December 2021

"Proportional Response"

Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Daniele Di Nicuolo
Cover: John Timms
Variant Cover: Inhyuk Lee

Reviewed by: Adam Dechanel
Click to enlarge


Clark has left earth for a space bound peace-keeping mission. Martha and Jonathan Kent are doing their best to keep the calm and keep the conversation flowing with the two teenage boys.

Time slows to a crawl as the Kent Farm explodes but Jon reacts at super speed. He makes a shocking discovery about Jay but has no time to mull it over as he speeds out of the explosion with his grandparents.

The Justice League arrive and find the young terrified Fault Line. Jon leaps in to protect her and calms everyone down for the young girl to explain that she was forced to be a gravity bomb after being kidnapped. The Flash commends Jon's conflict resolution and also reviews his secret identity. He explains that he is in the same position, as he has taken over as The Flash from Barry and that if Jon needs a friend he'll always be there.

Jay arrives and Jon confronts him about having super powers, but worse still is the loss of the Kent Farm, his 'fortress'. Jon comes to the same realization Clark did many years ago about loved ones becoming targets. Jay distracts Jon with another secret a network of Post-Humans.

Returning to Metropolis, Jon and Jay meet Aerie and Wink, two post-humans researching the super powered teens popping up in America. They conclude the attack on the Kents was by Bendix in retaliation to Jon's social justice stance.

Jon is horrified by the data they present of the experimentation on children and takes it to his mother. Lois is cautious, pointing out that this isn't a supervillian but a president, with very good PR. Jon heads to Gamorra to speak face to face with president Bendix. Bendix stands coldly and issues an instruction over a transmitter that leads to a terrifying scream.

Jon races to find a prison cell holding the teenager from the forest that was setting things on fire. The cell along with the boy's energy begins to overload Jon but as he escapes skyward Jon's powers begin overloading, whatever Bendix has done, could mean disaster if Superman's powers grow out of control like the others!

To be continued...

5Story - 5: A lot to unpack here in so few pages, but perhaps the best issue to date. It delves far deeper into Jon's personality and his relationships with other heroes and even his closest family.

Not much is said about Jay and his revelations, though it does tie in very nicely with the overall story arc. Jon is very likeable and though a little more reactionary than Clark has things coming from a good place just like his father.

One thing I thought was odd was that The Kent Farm is meant to be cloaked, not just 'under protection' not a big deal but when it's explicitly stated as such getting around it should really be explained.

I also hope that the scene between Wally and Jon is explored further. I'd never have made the connection but it's absolutely true and it's nice that Jon isn't alone in his situation as a torchbearer for another's moniker.

The explosion scene in slow motion was brilliantly written - more please.

3Art - 3: The art is bursting with fluid and fast strokes, the detail is to a minimum but the action is obviously this artist's focus. I'm on the fence as there were dramatic beats that deserved just as much attention.

5Cover Art - 5: The bug bear that it couldn't/shouldn't have happened aside. This was a great cover to open with leaving the readers with a multitude of questions! I am not a fan of the dead space but on this occasion it works to show the enormity of the blast.

5Variant Cover Art - 5: I LOVE IT! Usually glowing eyes stuff is an overdone trope but given the story, this teenager is literally all fired up and ready to kick ass! This is the absolute best variant I've seen so far. I want a poster DC!

Mild Mannered Reviews

2021

Note: Except for digital first releases, the month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic went on sale.

January 2021 February 2021 March 2021 April 2021 May 2021 June 2021 July 2021 August 2021 September 2021 October 2021 November 2021 December 2021

Back to the Mild Mannered Reviews contents page.

Check out the Comic Index Lists for the complete list of Superman-related comics published in 2021.

DISCLAIMER: SUPERMAN and all related elements are the property of DC Comics. TM & © 2024

This Superman Homepage is Copyright © Steven Younis 1994-2024
All Rights Reserved

Dedicated to Andrew J Gould - the original keeper of the Superman Homepage!

Since May 2001, the address is www.SupermanHomepage.com

Our Privacy Policy.