REVIEW: ‘Superman: Son of Kal-El,’ Issue #9

It’s a team-up of the Super-Sons! Nightwing and Superman must team up to take on Lex Luthor’s secret operations. But will they emerge from their battles unscathed? Superman: Son of Kal-El #9 is written by Tom Taylor, with pencils by Bruno Redondo, inks by Redondo and Wade Von Grawbadger, colors by Adriano Lucas, cover by Redondo, variant cover by Janaina Medeiros, and letters by Wes Abbott. It is published by DC Comics.

With similar but distinct personalities and approaches to crime-fighting, Dick and Jon make a perfect team-up as they fight the bad guys. But it’s in the more intimate scenes that Taylor writes that their friendship shines brightest, bonding over similar experiences of growing up with their famous dads and reflecting on the emotional toll of fighting crime. There’s such palpable warmth and understanding that Taylor writes in these scenes, and it makes the issue all the more compelling to read.

The way that Taylor positions Dick as a big brother to Jon is great and allows us to know even more about this young hero we’ve been following through his series. As Jon is doubting himself as a hero, as he often does, Dick lets him know that he is not alone in feeling that way. It’s a poignant moment that will speak to anyone dealing with their own feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy as Taylor continues to write both these characters with incredible heart and dedication. Even Kryptonians need a pick-me-up speech sometimes, and Nightwing is able to deliver exactly what Jon needs here.

The art by Redondo, Von Grawbadger, and Lucas is fantastic. Redondo’s penciling gives great, but not overly complicated details of the characters and environments, and does a wonderful job at capturing the characters’ expressions. His and Von Grawbadger’s inks give the comic a great sheen, as Lucas’s colors add to the sleekness with an almost neon palette of bright blues and reds. It’s fantastic artwork that works perfectly with Taylor’s excellent story.

Abbott’s letters are perfectly placed in each panel, not only staying out of the action’s way but accentuating it with their placement. It’s the perfect finishing touch to this excellent issue.

Superman: Son of Kal-El #9 is a fantastic team-up story that highlights the strengths and vulnerabilities of Superman and Nightwing in a relatable way. Taylor continues to write both these characters with poignant heart and warmth, Redondo, Von Grawbadger, and Lucas’s art is bold and graceful, and Abbott’s lettering makes the perfect finishing touch. Superman and Nightwing fans alike will love the team-up, and likely be clamoring for more team-ups after. Go pick it up wherever you can.

Superman: Son of Kal-El #9 is available now wherever comics are sold.