"Superman: Son of Kal-El" Comic Book Index
2022
Superman: Son of Kal-El #5
Cover date: January 2022
"Who's Got You?"
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: John Timms
The overcharge of power courtesy of President Bendix sends Jon into a spin. Instead of reacting like the other teenagers who expended their power in one chaotic and devastating burst, Jon decides to channel the extra power. Echoing Clark's struggle years before of wanting to help, Jon begins by rescuing the captive teen and dropping him off with Wally West in Central City, then he begins a crusade across the globe of fighting crime, and helping the weak and oppressed. As he dismantles a bridge with sick and injured passengers, he transports them to Metropolis General where notices his power levels beginning to fluctuate. Feeling faint and overwhelmed by calls for help, Jon struggles to continue and accidentally breaks a man's arm misjudging his strength. Aerie soars in and takes Jon to safety in Jay Nakamura's apartment. Jay tells Jon his heroics are global news but if he's burning out as suspected he needs to rest, or he risks tarnishing his good name if he makes another mistake. Jon, near collapse agrees reluctantly while Jay monitors his vitals. Jay theorizes that because of his half human genetic make-up Jon is susceptible to exhaustion. They also figure out a way to dampen Jon's hypersensitive hearing with noise cancelling headphones. Jon is shocked to find out he has slept for a full nine hours and struggles with his human limitations especially if he's to continue his fathers legacy ad protecting the ones he loves. Jay cuts Jon short and says something that shocks Jon. "I don't need you". Jay explains that with his ability to become intangible he's the one person that will never need Jon to worry about him. The two teenagers kiss and in true Superman style, an emergency interrupts (plus Jon remembers he needs to return the bridge he dismantled). Jon apologises for kissing and running but duty calls and of course they need to plan retaliation on Bendix!
Superman: Son of Kal-El 2021 Annual #1
Cover date: February 2022
"Homecoming"
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Steve Pugh & Clayton Henry
Lex Luthor and Metallo take Superman (Kal) down in battle. Luthor gets carried away in bravado over his fallen opponent and admits to orchestrating a crime. He realizes too late that it was a ploy to catch him in a confession by Superman (Kal) and the Justice League. Later Superman (Kal) visits Lex in prison and they have a battle of wills over a game of chess, a game Superman (Kal) never finished leaving Lex on a cliffhanger he will never resolve. Jon visits his mother and gives her the sad news that wherever Clark is he is far out of reach of even Kryptonian senses. Jon is surprised further when Batman stops by for a visit. Lois stops Batman in his tracks and tells him Jon is not to be a member of the League but he informs the Kents that Clark left a sunstone in his care to be delivered to Jon if he was ever missing or... gone. Jon takes the sunstone to his Fortress and upon activating it is surprised to find an AI of his father as Clark Kent. Just as Jor-El had once done for Clark, Jon's father has programmed a simulation of himself to be a confidante and provide some semblance of guidance. As conversation steers to Lex, several high powered, but shady, business men and women receive a parcel from Luthor. The villain demands that they donate a portion of their trillions of funds to him in exchange for their lives. He informs them that the parcel they opened was infected with nanites that will kill them if they refuse to bankroll his new empire. Within weeks, a new Lexcorp tower appears, towering over all others in Metropolis. With his parents' words echoing in his ears Superman (Jon) decides to pay Luthor a visit. To Jon's surprise Luthor's armed android forces attack both he and Luthor. Luthor suspects one of his 'donors' hacked into his androids but hides this from Superman (Jon). Lex brings up the unfinished chess game and offers Jon the opportunity to finish it if he truly wishes to continue his father's legacy. Lex underestimates Jon as an inferior successor to Superman and tries to make a mockery of him, however Jon proves to be as smart as his father and finishes the chess game, making a fool of Lex in the process. As Lex watches Superman (Jon) soar away he instructs Mercy to contact the President of Gamorra to forge an alliance to take down this young upstart...
Superman: Son of Kal-El #6
Cover date: February 2022
"Beginnings"
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: John Timms
Homeless teenagers are kidnapped from the streets of Blüdhaven and slung into shipping crates for shipment to Gamorra. In Smallville, Lois is livid that a simple crop duster could obliterate the Kent farm - while under the protection of arguably the most powerful team of heroes in the universe. Lois swears revenge and an embarrassed Batman licks his wounds enquiring after Jon. Superman (Jon) now back in Metropolis and free of the power overcharge takes some time out for a dinner date with Jay atop the Daily Planet globe. Jay opens up to Henry Bendix usurping his own mother as the Gamorran president. He explains that his mother is missing, presumed dead, and the citizens of Gamorra (including himself) have become unwilling guinea pigs in a super soldier bio weapon programme. In a twist of events Jon, Jay, Lois Lane and Robin all break into STAR Labs simultaneously to find out how Fault Line was taken from custody. They discover the Gamorran ambassador was involved and Superman (Jon) rushes to intercept the cargo ship he is leaving on. Superman (Jon) finds the kidnapped teens and, along with the ambassador, he returns them to Metropolis while a mysterious foe is left to break news of failure to Bendix. President Bendix, who should be upset, is more interested in his new alliance with Lex Luthor and the results of his experiments he calls... The Rising.
Superman: Son of Kal-El #7
Cover date: February 2022
"The Rising" - Part 1
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Cian Tormey
The ocean is developing dead zones and near Metropolis an over polluted part of the ocean forces a hibernating creature to awaken. Frightened and alone it begins to desperately seek help. Elsewhere Bendix and Luthor decide The Rising should begin with a very public display of dealing with this poor creature. Jay gives Jon a reverse secret, secret identity. A way he can be anonymous when he's not Superman. As they get used to this idea Jon detects the creature and instead of fighting it, takes a 'think first' approach. He is surprised to find the new Aquaman also trying to reach out, and working together they are almost able to solve the problem... almost. The mysterious Gamorra Corps arrives and completely mishandles the situation in full view of the world and social media. They are obviously part of The Rising but Jay and The Truth cannot figure out how everything links together. Bendix steps up his plan and sets a plan in motion that nobody was prepared for and one that will devastate the world...
Superman: Son of Kal-El #8
Cover date: March 2022
"The Rising" - Part 2
Writer: Tom Taylor
Inker: Raül Fernandez
Jon and Jackson are horrified at the death of Sparks. The Gamorra Corps are violently intent on a quick aggressive end to the problem, while Jon and Jackson want to calm the leviathan and send it back home to the depths of the ocean. The Gamorra Corps under Bendix's control attack the creature and it naturally retaliates, however, being the size of Metropolis itself means its reaction sends a tidal wave that will kill thousands if it is not stopped. Superman manages to save the city with some quick thinking and teamwork with the young Atlantean but in the view of the public his choice not to kill meant that citizens were hurt and property damage in the millions of dollars was caused. It doesn't matter that he saved the city. The fact he didn't stop the creature immediately is the focus of the media. The Truth's broadcast does reveal what really happened but the damage Bendix hoped for was already done. As the creature is led home but Arthur and Jackson the Gamorra Corps publicly question Jon's mantra not to kill and as Jon sees the disgust in people's faces that he refused to use his powers that way, it cuts him to the bone. Bendix holds a world news conference where he belittles the world's meta human community and unveils his post human Gamorra Corps as a successor to Task Force X (Suicide Squad) and a product he's willing to sell to any country who wants one. Jon comes to the realization that he can't be Superman all the time and does a deal with Jay that will have huge ramifications for the future of Superman.
Nightwing #89
Cover date: April 2022
"World's Finest Sons" - Part 1 of 2
Writer: Tom Taylor
Penciller: Bruno Redondo
Inker: Bruno Redondo
(A special two-part crossover with "Superman: Son of Kal-El #9"). When Jon was just a boy and learning how to control his powers he disobeyed Clark and, frightened about losing control, went into hiding. It was Nightwing that found him and his kind approach helped calm Jon, an act that did not go unnoticed by Jon's father. Today, Jon is reaching out to the Fortress AI that his father has programmed to look like Clark Kent. Despite its message of support, Jon feels the hologram falls short as a substitute for the real thing. Kelex watches on and puts a plan into action. In the dead of night the Kryptonian robot sneaks to Blüdhaven and carries out a personal request from Superman; that if Jon ever needed guidance, to seek out Nightwing. The next morning three black cladded post-humans seek out the former Teen Titan known as Risk, murdering him. They say a worrying phrase with deadly significance: "The Rising has begun." In Metropolis, Jon visits Jay's apartment but discovers that The Truth's main investor is seeking a meeting. So Gossamer (Jay) must meet him urgently, with Jon in his new masked identity. The investor is Dick Grayson and as the meeting commences sad news of Risk's murder interrupts them. Jon is shocked that Dick has seen through his disguise and the two agree to team up to investigate. Oracle radios in that there have been other murders across the globe and with their combined skills, Dick and Jon track the murder trail back to Lexcorp!
Superman: Son of Kal-El #9
Cover date: May 2022
"World's Finest Sons" - Part 2 of 2
Writer: Tom Taylor
Penciller: Bruno Redondo
Inker: Bruno Redondo & Wade Von Grawbadger
Bendix and Luthor's hero killers are forcing heroes around the globe in to a buddy system. Even Batman has to patrol with others to ensure the hit squad doesn't come for him. Of course Nightwing (Dick Grayson) defies the rule and is somersaulting all over the Metropolis rooftops, quickly attracting the attention of a trio of killers. However Superman (Jon Kent) reveals himself and the dynamic duo battle the leather clad foes until two escape to Lexcorp. Jon is able to hold only one and tries to get answers but is horrified when Bendix detonates a bomb in the teen's head. Jon is broken as the glowing ashes float away in the breeze. Broken emotionally, Dick and Jon decide to head to the Kent home to recover. Dick offers Lois a job as the public face of "The Truth" to represent his investment and give them more credibility. While she ponders the offer, Jon confides in Dick that Nightwing was the hero he always looked up to and that when he was trapped on the the Crime Syndicate's Earth, it was Dick that he had hoped would rescue him, not Superman. Dick is taken aback offering to be the teen's mentor going forward. Jay arrives and shows them footage Bendix had secretly recorded of the earlier altercation. The grainy footage uses awkward angles to frame Jon as a murderer. This is the catalyst for Lois to swear she'll reveal the truth with the help of Jay, Dick and the post humans.
Superman: Son of Kal-El #10
Cover date: June 2022
"Reputation"
Writer: Tom Taylor
Penciller: Cian Tormey
Inker: Cian Tormey
The post-human members of The Truth are watching Lex Luthor's press conference. Jay refuses to cover it on the pirate broadcast as they know it is fabricated. Lex tries to cast doubt on Superman (Jon) using the satellite footage to show him as a killer. He highlights Jon's actions in protests and himself in political events. While the world begins to doubt Superman's (Jon's) judgement and start to fear him, Jon continues the never-ending battle. In Ireland Jon saves people from a fallen monument and the civilians begin to see him for his actions, not Lex's words. Dick and Barbara call Jon and tell him Luthor's conference has taken an explosive turn. Lois pushes her way to the front of the crowd and reveals that there was a bomb in the head of Superman's attacker and that was what killed him, and Nightwing has given a written statement to corroborate events. The crowd is in awe when Lois presents Wonder Woman's lasso of truth and asks Luthor to hold it in front of the world media and tell the world that this isn't a ploy to frame Jon for murder. Confronted with the ultimate symbol of Truth, Lex backs away, refusing to participate. This action speaks volumes and when Luthor's Gamorra Corps bodyguards try to shut down the conference with aggression, Jon intervenes with remarkable restraint. Later Lois reveals the lasso was just a bit of plain rope painted gold and that she knew Luthor would embarrass himself on television when cornered. In the interest of honesty, Jon takes the opportunity to come out to his mother and is stunned by her response. Batman arrives out of the blue and tells Lois and Jon to pack their essentials as they need to immediately go into hiding in a safe house along with Jonathan and Martha. Turning the press conference back on Luthor and Bendix means they are all in danger. Jon asks Batman why Jay cannot join them in hiding and Batman tells Jon he knows all of Jay's secrets and that his boyfriend cannot be trusted.
Superman: Son of Kal-El #11
Cover date: July 2022
"The Right Path"
Writer: Tom Taylor
Penciller: Cian Tormey
Inker: Cian Tormey
At the safe house Batman tells Jon what he knows of Jay's past and advises him not to trust him. Jon decides to consult Nightwing before making any decisions and while he does Jonathan Kent Snr. takes Batman aside and delivers some home truths and a revelation about Bruce Wayne's past that even he was unaware of. Amid some superheroics Dick offers Superman a shoulder and Jon comes to a decision that leads him back to his boyfriend. Jay opens up about how he left Gamorra and the vigilante group, The Revolutionaries. The one to one opens their eyes as they realize that Bendix and Luthor have been using a device to take control of the super powered teenagers and when they outlive their usefulness they detonate, killing the host. Jon realizes even the Gamorra Corps and the false accusations of murder were a result of the devices, and races to the Hall of Justice to rescue one of the refugees he left there realixing Inferno was both a bomb and reluctant sleeper agent. The Flash and the Atom are there to meet Jon and they attempt to remove the device to save Inferno. Bendix takes control and again tries to manipulate Jon. Superman formulates a plan and he is able to outsmart the villain using his vision powers to perform microsurgery. Realizing their plans are on the verge of failure Bendix and Luthor decide to escalate The Rising and kill Jon Kent as a bonus.
Superman: Son of Kal-El #12
Cover date: August 2022
"Insiders"
Writer: Tom Taylor
Pencillers: Cian Tormey & Ruari Coleman
Inkers: Cian Tormey, Ruari Coleman, Scott Hanna & Raül Fernandez
Superman reunites Shrapnel with his family after the attack on the Hall of Justice but realizes the the sleeper attack has distracted him from the Safe House where Lois, Jonathan Snr and Martha are hiding with Jay and Batman. Luckily the 'threat' isn't Luthor or Bendix but Krypto on his return from his adventures with Kara (See "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow"). Superman reveals to Batman recent goings on and both Jonathan and Batman agree that The Rising cannot be stopped without evidence. Superman smiles that a plan is already in motion. Dick Grayson calmly walks into Lexcorp for an introductory meeting with Lex himself. Dick probes Lex for answers and while Lex talks away Dick plants a bug in the office. He tells Superman that they need to gather as much information as possible before they remotely destroy the bug. As suspected, Dick's questions prompt Lex to call Bendix and Jay is able to listen in to the call. The trio discover Senator Henderson is in league with Bendix and during a press conference, Jay and Jon publicly expose him for assisting in trafficking teenagers and the attack on the Kent Farm. Henderson tells them he doesn't have a choice and out of nowhere Krypto attacks him. At first everyone believes The Truth and Superman have murdered Senator Henderson, but then, he mutates. Bendix is in control and fights Superman and Krypto in the form of a giant octopus creature that was once Henderson. Jay meanwhile uses his intangibility to sneak inside Henderson's body and locate the chip Bendix implanted. Following what Superman did to save Shrapnel, Jay is able to deactivate it and joins Superman outside. Unfortunately for him, his chameleon mask did not phase through Henderson and The Truth is now exposed to the world as Jay Nakamura.
Superman: Son of Kal-El #13
Cover date: September 2022
"Dreams and Nightmares"
Writers: Nicole Maines and Tom Taylor
Artist: Clayton Henry
To escape the revelation that the head of The Truth, that was attacking the President of Gamorra through pirate transmissions was actually Jay Nakamura, the previous ruler's son, Superman decides they should hide out in the arctic Fortress. When they arrive they are shocked to discover Dreamer inside, but not Jon's friend Nura, from the future, but the original, Nia Nal. She reveals that her newly emerged powers have revealed a vision of the future that sees the deaths of several Justice Leaguers. Jon thanks her for stepping up despite her unease with her new powers. He assures her that just by sharing the dream, she has changed the future and gives her a gift from Nura in return. Nia is astounded to find the encounter has given her full control of her abilities and she quietly tells Jon that his father will definitely return to Earth, sooner than he thinks. Elsewhere, the reveal of Jay's identity leads Bendix to exact a terrible revenge.
Superman: Son of Kal-El #14
Cover date: October 2022
"Siege of Gamorra" - Part One
Writers: Nicole Maines and Tom Taylor
Artist: Clayton Henry
As Lois Lane and The Truth reveal everything about Gamorra and President Bendix, the dictator seals his country off from the world with a force field bubble. Meanwhile Superman and the rebellion of Gamorran refugees (known as The Revolutionaries) argue over the next course of action. Dreamer informs them that Superman cannot attack directly as one of the Gamorra Corps is made of kryptonite gas, but the teens cannot agree on a game plan, that is until Robin arrives and they devise an assault with Jay at the centre. Superman gifts Jay with a Legionnaire flight ring and a costume from the future for him to sneak inside the force field with his power of intangibility. Superman 'airdrops' Jay as 'Gossamer' and the teen is able to bypass the armed forces until he gets to the shield controls. If he can deactivate it then Superman, Robin and The Revolutionaries can launch a final assault. Jay is confronted by Bendix's staff and explains this may be their only chance of freedom, he is shocked by the response to his plea. Dreamer gasps as she sees a terrifying vision and begs Superman to get to Gossamer as fast as possible. What could hurt an intangible man?
Superman: Son of Kal-El #15
Cover date: November 2022
"Siege of Gamorra" - Finale
Writer: Tom Taylor
Penciller: Cian Tormey
Inkers: Cian Tormey & Scott Hanna
Gossamer/Jay is shocked to be confronted by his mother, the first of Bendix's experiments. Even with Superman and the scientists by his side Jay is visibly shaken. Jay whispers to Superman that he should evacuate everyone, because if Bendix is focused on him he's neglecting his domination over Gamorra. Bendix takes control of President Nakamura and uses the boys' attachment to deal damage to the teenager. Meanwhile Superman tries to locate the control devices so he can free the post humans and deactivate their explosives. One of the scientists reveals they are stored in a bunker only accessible by a teleporter. Superman realizes the Revolutionaries can help and rushes to find Wink. With their combined skill they are able to deactivate the controllers and both the post humans and the Gamorra corps are freed from Bendix's control. Bendix is losing everything and seeks out his business partner Lex Luthor, only to find he and all the participants in The Rising are abandoning him... Lex warns that he won't go down lightly. Bendix has one last contingency plan and only Superman can stop it. Superman absorbs a huge amount of energy to save Gamorra, he saves the day but something in him has changed forever, but at least the day was saved... or was it?
NOTABLE ISSUE: Action Comics #1047 - "Kal-El Returns" - Chapter One: "Double Sun"
Superman: Son of Kal-El #16
Cover date: December 2022
"Kal-El Returns" - Chapter Two: "Reunion"
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artists: Cian Tormey & Ruairi Coleman
Jon remembers the first time his super hearing manifested back in the cornfields of Hamilton and how his father was there to comfort him through the pain. A sad Jon wakes from his dream and realizes just how long it's been since he's heard from his father as he comes down for breakfast, he realizes that his mother is also experiencing the loss. Pushing back the pain the two struggle on, Jon in particular struggles to continue on in the name of his father while maintaining his own relationships. He even has a touching moment with the survivor of The Rising. Jon visits Lex to inform him of a robbery from a police evidence locker and of course Lex is less than grateful. As Superman races to stop an explosion, Lex swears that he will destroy the reputation of this 'alien masquerading as a teenager'. Mercy is more concerned, explaining that the seized equipment is from an experiment called 'Red Sin'. And now it's in the wind. Jon arrived at Stryker's Island to discover Ultra Humanite has escaped his cell. Superman is more than prepared and saves the day only for the guards to reveal the bomb was discovered and, in the process of being diffused, detonated outside the wrong cell... it was meant for another inmate. As Jon soars away after the revelation he is stunned to hear a familiar heartbeat... his father, Clark! Elsewhere the thief of the Red Sin tech is trolling message boards when the suggestion that Jon murdered President Bendix to save his boyfriend pops up. The thief posts that he has the solution to end Jon Kent.
NOTABLE ISSUE: Action Comics #1048 - "Kal-El Returns" - Chapter Three: "Olgrun's Heir"
“Superman: Son of Kal-El” Comic Book Index
Introduction
Here is a listing of the Superman: Son of Kal-El comic book series which launched in July 2021 and ended in December 2022. The Writers, Pencillers and Inkers for each issue are listed within the Comic Index pages, directly below each title's name and number.Note: Remember, the month dates listed are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic was on sale.
CONTENTS:
2021 | 2022 | 2023
Back to Comic Index Contents Page.
Check out the Mild Mannered Reviews for reviews of the comics listed in this Index.