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Mild Mannered Reviews - Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent Comic Books

Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #2

Scheduled to arrive in stores: April 4, 2023
Cover date: June 2023

"Countdown to Injustice: Chapter 2 - Out of the Volcano"

Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Clayton Henry
Cover: Clayton Henry and Marcelo Maiolo
Variant Covers: Zu Orzu, Tiago Da Silva, Mike Perkins and Mike Spicer

Reviewed by: Craig Boehmer

Click to enlarge

SPOILER WARNING!

The story opens with kid Jon and Ultraman in the volcano, then it cuts to Lois and Jay waiting in the Fortress of Solitude. Lois gives Jay some terrible advice about what to do when Jon is away, seriously, just awful advice. Then Red Tornado Lois, Val, and Jon find where Ultraman will strike next and head out. Before they leave Lois embraces Jon and gives him something, and Jay and Jon kiss. The three heroes arrive on a different Earth. Red Tornado Lois is immediately broken by Ultraman, and she and Val are sent to the Phantom Zone. Ultraman notices Jon and is surprised to see "his" Jon there. They fight, with Ultraman gaining the upper hand until Jon turns blue and knocks him out. Turning blue expended too much of Jon's energy and he collapses, giving Ultraman the upper hand again. He starts to choke Jon and threatens Jon's mother.

SPOILER WARNING!

Injustice Superman swoops behind Ultraman and breaks his neck. Jon is incredulous that he killed Ultraman, and Injustice Superman is floored that Jon has Lois' eyes.

Story - 3: The ending originally thrilled me to no end. But as I have had time to digest it, I am a little concerned about it. First this was advertised as an opportunity for Jon to face Ultraman, the whole purpose of this series seemed to be so that he could gain catharsis for his years of torture in the volcano. Now that's gone, and I guess he got some closure, but his last image of Ultraman will be getting choked to death until Injustice Superman killed him. Second, Ultraman is a pretty major character to be taken off the board like this, it's a little underwhelming. It seems like Ultraman was only used to give Injustice Superman a chance to show how strong he is. I always hated when writers did that to Superman.

I really liked how Ultraman sent Red Tornado Lois and Val to the Phantom Zone so quickly, though it does make Val look kind of dumb. I have mixed feelings about Jay and Jon's last interaction. The dialogue feels like Whedon or Bendis silliness. It feels unnatural to the characters, especially given the gravitas of the moment.

Art - 3: It's the same artist as last issue, but it doesn't seem to bother me as much this time. It is still very simplistic and cartoony. The action is pretty good, but some of the faces just look... bad. I was really looking forward to seeing Jon's new costume design, and we get a glimpse of it here. It was a little disappointing, it is basically the same suit design with a different color scheme. I was hoping for more of a radical change to something closer to Clark's blue Superman suit.

Cover Art - 4: I don't like the artist's style on this book. Both Ultraman and Jon have heads that are very rectangular. Aside from that though, the cover is cool. Ultraman looks menacingly dangerous in the background. Jon looks determined and hopeful in the foreground, I also enjoy the text along the side providing a glimpse of what's to come.

Variant Cover - 5: This is a great cover. Val and Jon fighting against Ultraman makes for a great image. All three characters are posed amazingly, and the face work is beautiful.

Variant Cover - 1: I do not like this style... at all.

Variant Cover - 3: This cover of Ultraman and Jon fighting is fine. The texture on the suit looks great, but the poses just seem a little wonky. Jon's hair looks good, which is rare for him.

Variant Cover - 4: This is a fun cover of Clark and Jon flying up together. I really liked the blurred coloring on this image.

Mild Mannered Reviews

2023

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Mild Mannered Reviews - Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent Comic Books

Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #2

Mild Mannered Reviews

2023

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