Adventures of the Supersons #1
Writer: Peter Tomasi
Penciler: Carlo Barberi
Inker: Art Thibert
Colorist: Protobunker
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Publisher: DC Comics
Review by Greg Brothers
Back when Rebirth started I gave pretty much every series a chance by picking up the first issue. Some were good; some were bad; and, some were somewhere in between. Supersons was one of those series which was enjoyable but just not retaining my attention. Of course, since money always must have some factor in purchasing decisions, a book that was not holding my attention ended up dropping off my pull list. Throughout that time, I kept hearing how good the book was, but again trying to keep the comic book budget under control, I never added it back. Then along came Adventures of the Supersons, so what has changed to make me give it a try? Number one is that this is a limited series, so I know exactly what I am getting into and when the series will end.
Adventures of the Supersons #1 starts with the boys in the middle of fighting Superman. Wait! What? Okay it is a statue of Superman that has somehow become animated, but still the boys are trying to defeat it. After a relatively easy victory, we jump to the last few seconds of school before summer vacation starts. While others are planning vacations and pool parties, Damian has different plans for Jon and himself. Before too long, another threat is made to the city and Damian and Jon are off to save the city again. This time, however, things go a bit differently for the boys.
One thing that is obvious from the very first pages is that the give and take between Damian and Jon continues in this series. It makes sense since Tomasi was the writer in the previous series and is here, as well. It is one of those things where, if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. And in my opinion, from what I have read of these two before, the idea of them being complete opposites works. Even when not interacting directly, the unique personalities shine through–such as Damian discussing his grade with his teacher, while Jon is more interested in a classmate’s pool party. While the Summer of Super gets derailed a bit near the end, it is also where you get the sense that there will be more to this series. Gone quickly is the flippant attitude and a serious threat is presented to the boys. The big bad for the series seems like they will be a fun and interesting take on more well-known characters. It will also provide a suitable adversary for the boys.
The art works well overall. Everyone is drawn to look age appropriate as neither Damien nor Jon have huge muscles or more adult builds. Instead, Jon especially is presented in that awkward young teen look. The colors are bright and engaging, presenting a more cheerful aesthetic to the book. Panel layouts are easy to follow, making for an easy and quick read.
Verdict: Buy it.
If you were reading Tomasi’s other Supersons series, the Adventures of the Supersons is a must read. If you have an idea of who these characters are it is a must read. And if you have no idea who these characters are, this is a must read. So, to be clear, if you read comics, this is a MUST READ! The story is entertaining and feels real. The art is bright, cartoonish, and easy to follow. Do not miss the adventure and grab this series this week.
