Superman: son of Kal-El

[Vordan]

The “son” in the thread title being lowercase makes my eye twitch but I’m cool with this being the official spoilers and discussion thread for Taylor’s run if everyone else is fine with that. I hate using spoiler boxes so I won’t be doing so though.

[oneveryfineday]

“PS: it also contains the best line that Jon Kent has ever uttered in his entire existence and this is no fake hype)”

https://twitter.com/TheBigBang_/stat...458952192?s=20

I need this book already!!!

[Vordan]

Reading the interview and it is kind of interesting how Taylor and Morrison are both doing takes aimed at exploring the original Golden Age Superman spirit in the modern day.

[Robanker]

Bumping this thread

So for the bits I liked from Taylor’s interview:

-“It’s important to remember he’s not just the son of Clark, he’s the son of Lois Lane, one of the greatest champions of truth on the planet. Her fire and sense of justice is as much a part of Jon as anything he gets from his father. When my wife and I met, she was actually a crime reporter, so I don’t have to look far beyond her, or my own mother’s long history of activism and protecting others, to see Lois Lanes around me.”

I love that he didn’t forget Lois, and it’s cool Taylor used to be an acrobat and his wife is a crime reporter. What a great fit to be the writer of Nightwing and Superman. He also talks how Margot Kidder was arrested for her activism, and it would be great to see Jon in a similar situation.

-“It’s the question that will hang over the series. If you’re one of the most powerful people on the planet, how far do you take that? What do you accept before stepping in?…But still, that question of how to be a hero today will be there. It’s easy enough to punch a giant, rampaging gorilla. It’s harder to punch social inequity and the climate crisis.”

I was worried that DC would want to play this book safe since making Jon Superman is already risky enough, but I’m glad that this book has a clear worldview and wants to plant itself firmly in political discussion.

-“Without giving too much away, Jon’s heart is going to see him stand up to something the rest of the world is willing to ignore. He is going to make powerful people very angry. And his world will be threatened.”

As vague as it is, this is probably the most intriguing hint of the series. Can’t remember the exact quote, but I think PKJ mentioned before about how Jon would change the power structure of the DCU. It’s interesting that Clark and Bruce can’t *really* change the status quo of their books—not a knock on them because Status Quo Is God—but on the flip side we have Taylor writing the legacies who’ll instead effect the change their elders couldn’t do. There’s a lot of real world parallels to that, and I like that it’s about giving a voice to the younger generation.

-Taylor saying that he’s in constant contact with Williamson and Williamson saying they have weekly meetings makes me think that there’ll be another in-continuity Super Sons book. Whether it’s an ongoing or maxi series, I love the Super Sons, and I’d rather they have a separate book so Jon’s book can remain focused on him.

-Aside from the page previews of Jon’s birth, there’s this from the banner on the website



Which parallels this:



Jon being able to see past the monster and see grief and fear repeats the same theme from Infinite Frontier #0, which is one of my favorite bits of characterization for him. Though I found it funny that we returned to the Convergence origin in IF #0 just to go back to the Reborn origin again. I understand—it’s simpler and more adaptable, even though I like the thematic parallel of Jon being the last son of a doomed universe.

-Someone who’s read an early copy says that the book clearly shows how Jon is different from his father, so that’s really great to hear.

https://twitter.com/TheBigBang_/stat...851365894?s=20

He's saying all the right things, particularly what I've placed in bold text, but so did Zack Snyder many times about Wonder Woman. Ultimately, I'll judge the final product in my hand. Taylor has been more miss than hit with me (his Nightwing being the hit island in an ocean of misses) but I respect him as a professional and he seems an absolute gentleman, so I'm eager to see what he's got in store for a book I know he's been itching to write.

[Superlad93]

I'll just post the whole interview here

Jonathan Kent’s time has come. In the upcoming series Superman: Son of Kal-El from writer Tom Taylor and artist John Timms, he’s taking on his father’s iconic role and embracing his destiny as the 21st Century Superman.

And he’s not the only one embracing destiny—if you’ve followed Taylor’s career and read his posts on social media, his affection for the Man of Steel has long been clear. Though he famously wrote a corrupted Superman in Injustice, Taylor has spoken at length about how the iconic hero is a symbol of much-needed hope and optimism, which Jonathan Kent will represent in distinctly contemporary ways in Superman: Son of Kal-El.

DC Nation spoke with Taylor about how it feels to launch a new Superman series for a new era, how both of Jonathan’s parents play an equal role in shaping him as a hero, what it’s like collaborating with Timms, and how—despite age changes and evolving roles within the DC Universe—Jon and Damian Wayne remain the World’s Finest friends.

Tom, it’s clear to anyone who has followed your career over the years how much Superman means to you. What are the emotions involved in not only writing Superman, but launching a wholly new title—one starring Jonathan Kent in the lead role?

Taylor: It is oddly emotional. Superman has been my hero for as long as I can remember. Being raised by a single mother, he was one of my biggest male role models as a child. I have a very strong memory of being four years old and proudly walking down the street with red underpants over blue jeans, while wearing a faded thrift-shop Superman t-shirt. For this Australian kid to grow up and become the writer of Superman…I mean, statistically, I’d have a better chance of being an astronaut and going to space.

Writing a new Superman, a new hero for a new generation to look up to, is a big responsibility and a great honor.

You’ve written an older Jonathan Kent before, in DCeased: Dead Planet, though that’s a very different type of story. How much does your past experience writing Jon inform your take in this series?

Taylor: I think writing Jon, both as a child and as an adult, gives me a good idea of his soul, of his drive, and his desire to help people and right wrongs. It’s important to remember he’s not just the son of Clark, he’s the son of Lois Lane, one of the greatest champions of truth on the planet. Her fire and sense of justice is as much a part of Jon as anything he gets from his father. When my wife and I met, she was actually a crime reporter, so I don’t have to look far beyond her, or my own mother’s long history of activism and protecting others, to see Lois Lanes around me.

I was also fortunate enough to spend time with Margot Kidder and she was truly the embodiment of Lois for me. We had lunch one day, and Margot told me stories of her protesting. She was arrested fighting against the powerful for the voiceless.

John Timms is not only an amazing artist, he also already has experience in drawing Jonathan Kent-as-Superman from Future State: Superman of Metropolis. What’s exciting for you in collaborating with John on this series?

Taylor: John and I have met and talked over Zoom and we’re both ridiculously excited about this book. I’m guessing this is the first time that Australia and Costa Rica have come together to tell the stories of America’s finest hero. He’s a brilliant artist and we speak a similar storytelling language. He makes the big moments and the small just as impressive. There’s a wonderful appeal to his art and he’s especially perfect for a character like Jon.

One thing I found notable about the Superman: Son of Kal-El #1 cover, beyond the homage to the original Superman #1, are these words: “The 21st Century Superman.” In what ways do you see Jonathan as a distinctly contemporary character? How can he represent this current moment better, or at least differently, than his father can?

Taylor: That’s a really big question. Not just for me, but for Clark and for Jon. When Superman leapt his first tall buildings in 1938, he was a hero needed for his time. He wasn’t fighting aliens and robots, he was fighting domestic violence and corrupt politicians.

It’s the question that will hang over the series. If you’re one of the most powerful people on the planet, how far do you take that? What do you accept before stepping in? I’ve explored one side of this question in Injustice, but that’s a story I never believed in because, for me, Superman is incorruptible. He has to be. I’ve written the story of absolute power corrupting absolutely and a world held together by a fist of steel. Now I get to write something better, someone with the power to change the world with a heart full of hope.

But still, that question of how to be a hero today will be there. It’s easy enough to punch a giant, rampaging gorilla. It’s harder to punch social inequity and the climate crisis.

What can you share about the villains or threats that Jonathan will face in the opening arc?

Taylor: Without giving too much away, Jon’s heart is going to see him stand up to something the rest of the world is willing to ignore. He is going to make powerful people very angry. And his world will be threatened.

In his relatively short history, Jonathan has had many notable allies and close connections—his Super-family, Damian Wayne, the Legion of Super-Heroes. What supporting cast are you utilizing in this series?

Taylor: With a lot of his supporting cast in the future, or in his childhood, we will be seeing a new cast in this book. There will be new allies and new villains.

But, of course, we won’t be ignoring his relationship with Robin. Josh Williamson (writer of Robin) and I are in constant contact. I know some fans are upset about Jon and Damian being different ages now, and as someone who has written the Super Sons, and as a fan of that dynamic, I understand. But they actually still have the same three-year age difference—it’s just reversed. Damian is fourteen and Jon is seventeen. They’re still the World’s Finest friends.

Nearly beat-for-beat EXACTLY what I wanted to hear/predicted/hoped for.

And I really wanted to point out how this is from DC's official site, so it had to be vetted and looked over well before going out. But not just that, I also want to point out that the site and DC's official twitter seems to be underscoring how progressive of a Superman Jon will be. To me, that means it's not just lip service, but rather the whole point of his take, and the book.

I'm also really taken by how he parallels Jon and his mom without even making too much of a big deal of it outside of saying she is equal parts part of what makes him up as Clark is. What I'm speaking of specifically is how Jon is "Jon’s heart is going to see him stand up to something the rest of the world is willing to ignore. He is going to make powerful people very angry. And his world will be threatened." That's Lois' kid written all over it.

And what makes that parallel possible without having to make Jon a reporter *just* like his parents is the fact like, like his mom before him, he's a public figure with no secret identity to escape to. He says what he says, and he does what he does, and he's gotta deal with the backlash after. That's both a compelling update to the Golden age Superman AND a smooth as silk homage to his mom.

This has it in it to be something really, really special, and I'll be hear for it.

[Vordan]

Heh I remember them advertising Morrison’s Action as “socialist Superman” so they certainly aren’t shying away from that kind of attitude in regards to Superman. Nice note about Kidder, I wasn’t aware of that aspect of her career and it’s cool to see that incorporated into the comics.

[HsssH]

Starting from the birth is not how I would have done this, but I suppose it makes sense.

The “son” in the thread title being lowercase makes my eye twitch but I’m cool with this being the official spoilers and discussion thread for Taylor’s run if everyone else is fine with that. I hate using spoiler boxes so I won’t be doing so though.

Makes sense, thou maybe spoiler warning should be added to the thread name so that someone new doesn't get confused and read what he didn't want to read.

[kryptonian]

I once said that this comic would be cancelled after 12 issues before revising that down to 8 issues


Now I am certain this won’t even make it pass 6 issues

[The Frog Bros]

Nice to see the significance and influence of Lois, his own wife, and the activism of his own mother.

[oneveryfineday]

The “son” in the thread title being lowercase makes my eye twitch but I’m cool with this being the official spoilers and discussion thread for Taylor’s run if everyone else is fine with that. I hate using spoiler boxes so I won’t be doing so though.

Makes sense, thou maybe spoiler warning should be added to the thread name so that someone new doesn't get confused and read what he didn't want to read.

Mods?

(10 characters)

[Vordan]

I hope Lex isn’t involved in this because 1. I did not like Taylor’s attempt at a traditional Lex in DCeased and 2. I’d prefer they use a bunch of new Rogues to play off Jon, with whichever one takes off being his archenemy

[Frontier]

I hope Lex isn’t involved in this because 1. I did not like Taylor’s attempt at a traditional Lex in DCeased and 2. I’d prefer they use a bunch of new Rogues to play off Jon, with whichever one takes off being his archenemy

I don't think Lex has much of a reason to involve himself with Jon. I think it'd be more interesting if, like, Lena showed up.

[sifighter]

I think Lex is currently busy via Infinite Frontier/The Totality right now to care about his archenemies son.

Personally and this is an odd choice I know, but I’d like to see Doomed as last seen in Red Hood. You know the Teenage Doomsday who is actually a tragic figure because he’s really just a teenager whose been infected by the Doomsday Virus, and could be a good way of showing Jon as a caring character. Also come on son of Superman vs Teen doomsday would sell pretty well I think.

[manwhohaseverything]

Manchester black might be interested in Jon though.I mean,black dawn was a major arc..

[SuperX]

I think Lex is currently busy via Infinite Frontier/The Totality right now to care about his archenemies son.

Personally and this is an odd choice I know, but I’d like to see Doomed as last seen in Red Hood. You know the Teenage Doomsday who is actually a tragic figure because he’s really just a teenager whose been infected by the Doomsday Virus, and could be a good way of showing Jon as a caring character. Also come on son of Superman vs Teen doomsday would sell pretty well I think.

I like this idea