REVIEW: ‘Superman: Father of Tomorrow’ Issue 1

Superman Father of Tomorrow Issue 1 is published by DC Comics and written by Kenny Porter, art by Danny Earls, colors by Nick Filardi, and letters by Lucas Gattoni.

Instead of Kal-El landing on a farm in Kansas, it’s Jor-El who becomes part of the Kent Family.

This series doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but a single change alters everything in the story, instead of a baby landing in their fields. John and Martha Kent find a fully grown man. Superman Father of Tomorrow Issue 1 replicates the recognized origin of Superman and replaces Superman with his father. The pacing moves quickly, jumping between the major events rapidly whilst still finding time to build up a rapport between Jor-El and the Kents.

With Jor-El emerging from his pod as a fully grown adult, there isn’t that period where he has to grow up that Kal-El had. He can start bonding with the Kents straight away, helping and displaying his own talents. Being an adult doesn’t stave off any of the danger of tragedy that comes his way, however.

Porter makes the emotional sentiment just as powerful as if the events had happened to a young boy, still making it so Jor-El, who goes by Jordan on Earth, can’t do enough to help. There is then a rapid transition into the birth of Superman, one that carries many of the same elements of action and empathy as the regular incarnation, but with a slight twist.

The switch of protagonist in Superman Father of Tomorrow Issue 1 leads to a fascinating new set of interactions and relationships. Jordan is an adult with life experience and technical know-how. He’s an incredible inventor, able to bring his technology to Earth to aid in multiple ways. Instead of a parental bond being created, it’s one of brotherhood.

He lives with the Kents, helping them instead of being raised by them. Porter superbly explores the brotherly closeness between Jonathan and Jordan. The Kents were struggling to start a family, and Jor-El had just lost his. The dialogue is also different, as the conversations feel like two fathers having a discussion.

It’s fantastic that Superman’s soul remains intact despite the change in protagonist. Jor-El has the same sense of gratitude, loyalty, and general goodness as his son does in the mainstream universe. Life is just as sacred to him as repaying the kindness bestowed upon him. It’s such an integral quality to being a hero. The other characters in Superman: Father of Tomorrow Issue 1 are also intriguing but will likely develop further as the series progresses.

The art is terrific. Earls makes sure that Jordan comes across as a dad at all times, instead of a young man like Superman or even younger like Superboy. He’s tall, with broad shoulders and a healthy, beautiful beard. It changes the dynamic when he towers over Jon, even if the latter appears older. Earls delivers an incredibly detailed vulnerability to the character. He has new surroundings in Kansas, which disorient him, but there are also flashbacks to his departed family.

The design of Jor-El’s Superman uniform is intriguing because it serves a different purpose than Kal-El’s. The classic Superman outfit is meant to inspire and serve as a beacon of hope to those who witness it. This iteration honors his past and his family. It presents his strength and stature without being overly flashy. When he starts exhibiting his powers. Jordan uses them with such grace and ease. He can lift objects above his head and hold long conversations without concern.

The locations look tremendous. The comic starts at the modest Kent Farm, which is calm and quiet. But Metropolis is a seemingly endless skyline of towering buildings, awe-inspiring in its scale.

The colors are sensational. The most noticeable shift in the colors is that Jor-EL does not use the intense, bright shades so familiar to Kryptonians. Instead, his costume is a simple yet effective black-and-silver. It actually reflects General Zod, a more villainous design. It may create a more serious, less hopeful resonance, but it represents the older, more mature generation that is less inclined to use red and blue. The lettering is very clear and easy to read.

Superman Father of Tomorrow Issue 1 is a fresh approach to a familiar story. The foundations of the world and the story have barely been changed at all; it’s merely the being that steps out of the landing craft. An older Kryptonian emerging from the pod changes the outcomes in a twist that really hasn’t been explored before.

Some of the beats aren’t surprising because they have been seen so many times across multiple Superman stories, especially in the very beginning. But the age of the protagonist means that other areas of Superman’s mythos will have to change, and this issue is just the launching pad for Jor-El to follow his own unique path on Earth.

Superman Father of Tomorrow Issue 1 is available where comics are sold.