REVIEW: ‘Superman: Son of Kal-El,’ Issue #3

The Infantino residential building is collapsing! Not one but two Supermen are on their way to save the hundreds of residents! But a protest against the arrest of  Gamorran refugees distracts the younger Superman, one Jon Kent, who makes a decision that leaves him on the wrong side of the authorities. What does this new Superman stand for? Superman: Son of Kal-El #3 is written by Tom Taylor, with art by John Timms, colors by Gabe Eltaeb, and letters by Dave Sharpe.

It’s rather amazing to me that this is only the third issue. Taylor has packed so much into these first couple of issues of the series while deftly exploring Jon’s psyche and conveying to the reader why he wants to be the new Superman. This issue starts in media res as Jon and his father save civilians from a collapsing building, and the story hits the ground running from there. While this issue isn’t necessarily overstuffed, a LOT is happening, requiring the reader to shift focus frequently. It might have been better for this issue to be less busy and focused more on one or two aspects, but Taylor wisely still keeps the story rooted in the relationship between Jon and his father as they conflict on how best to approach being a hero.

The standout aspect of this series is how much it keeps Jon focused on social justice issues. Taylor continues his keen interest in making the new Superman someone who will challenge the system to do better, and the story’s impact is refreshingly unique. And Taylor smartly ties Jon’s ethos to the legacy of Superman. The “Super-Family” isn’t extraordinary only because of their amazing powers, but their drive to challenge humanity to do better by each other. Taylor constantly conveys his understanding of this in this series through Jon, making this a quintessential Superman story. And there’s so much to anticipate from here based on the intriguing ending.

The art and colors by Timms and Eltaeb remain fantastic. Timms’ style is sleek, action-packed, and nuanced while still conveying plenty of emotion from the characters he draws. Eltaeb’s colors remain vibrant, even in darker environments at night where the blues and reds of Superman’s costume remain bright. The art in this series has been a joy to observe, and I can’t wait for more.

Sharpe’s letters keep up with the fast pace of the issue by being sleekly placed in the midst of all the action. He has a good knack for placing speech bubbles in the midst of these dynamic pages, keeping the reader’s attention ground focused on the story. It’s always a delight to read.

Superman: Son of Kal-El #3 is a dynamic and fast-paced issue that gives readers a day in the life of Jonathan Kent. Taylor further develops the new Superman, who learns more about why he wants to be a hero, especially in relation to his famous father. Even though a lot is going on in one issue, readers will still be enthralled by Jon’s overall journey and what will come later. The art and colors by Timms and Eltaeb keep the readers beautifully immersed in this heroic world, while Sharpes’ letters keep the pace of the issue moving along swimmingly. The journey is just getting started, and I’m excited to see where it goes next.

Superman: Son of Kal-El #3 is available now wherever comics are sold.