A comiXologist recommends…
SUPERMAN #11 by Patrick Gleason and Peter Tomasi
The World’s Finest Smallest team-up we’ve been waiting for is finally here! In the Name of the Father Part 2, the first adventure between Robin (aka Damien Wayne, Son of the Batman) and Jonathan Kent (aka Superboy) continues!
For those just coming aboard who haven’t heard of Jonathan Kent, he’s Superman and Lois Lane’s son. “How can this be?” you ask. I’ll explain. Jon and his parents are from the pre-new 52 DC continuity. Somehow the Kents were able to survive the events of Flashpoint (check out this super-epic story arc if you missed it) and have been living in secret in the new 52 universe. Once Jonathan begins to develop powers, he draws Damian’s attention, as Damian sees this “boy of steel” as a potential threat. This eventually leads the super-dads Batman and Superman to devise a super “boot-camp” where Robin and Superboy must demonstrate they can work together to literally earn their capes. It seems the boot-camp that Robin and Superboy are put through doesn’t lead to the bonding their dads had hoped.
Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason craft an amazing story that perfectly captures Damian’s dark persona while giving readers a good look at the new Superboy, who in contrast to Damian is almost completely new to the super-hero game. Bats and Supes make an appearance in this issue but the spotlight belongs to the super-lads. Patrick Gleason does double duty on pencils and does a fantastic job of conveying edginess and innocence within the two main characters of this tale. Let’s not forget this issue packs tons of good old fashioned boots and tights superhero action.
When a real crisis develops, will the spawn of DC royalty work together and rise up to the challenge? Buy a copy today and see for yourself!
John Paterno is comiXology’s art director. He says he liked this issue better than Nightwing, what is this world coming to?
Pretty sure this is the best cover of the week… SUPERMAN #10 by Patrick Gleason and Peter J. Tomasi
“IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER” part one! For the first time, the Man of Tomorrow and the Boy of Steel team up with the Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder in a father-son adventure you won’t want to miss! Damian Wayne has been hearing a lot about this mysterious new Superboy, and now’s his chance to find out who he is…
New this week – TEEN TITANS #1, by Benjamin Percy, Jonboy Meyers, and Jim Charalampidis
“Damian Knows Best” part one! Now that Damian has “summoned” the Teen Titans, the tyrannical teen reveals his master plan! But a great evil from Damian’s past is lurking around the corner, ready to strike at the team’s newest leader and destroy the new Teen Titans before they even begin!
Incorrect bat family quote
- Damian Wayne: I hate your hair.
- Dick Grayson: Impossible. Nobody does.
A comiXologist Recommends:
Jonah Chuang recommends Robin Rises: Omega #1
Robin Rises is an event that builds off of stories from the stories we loved from the pre-Flashpoint DC Universe while mixing in the most exciting elements of the New 52. The recent Batman/Superman and Batman and Robin books have been setting up the stakes for this crossover so that they seem higher than ever. There’s a reality-bending gem involved that can end the world if it falls into the wrong hands on top of the chance that Batman might be able to get his son back. However, there’s also the risk that Robin might be manipulated by his grandfather, Ra’s Al Ghul, into becoming something that would go against everything Batman stands for.
This issue is a really well executed starting point. There’s a detailed recap at the top of the story to refresh old readers’ minds and orient new readers to what’s going on. It also shows a side of Batman we’re not used to seeing. He’s angry and desperate, violently lashing out at friends.
The most exciting aspect of this story is the implications it will have on the Bat family. In the past, Robins have experienced dramatic deaths (both literal and figurative) and then enjoyed profound, long-lasting rebirths into new identities– whether it’s Dick Grayson into Nightwing (and more recently into an Agent of Spyral), Jason Todd to the Red Hood, or Steph Brown to the new Batgirl. As dear as the old guard has been to Bruce Wayne, none of them have ever been his flesh and blood so one can only imagine how Batman will be affected by all of this. Additionally, Damian is one of the most complex and tumultuous characters to date, and I can’t wait to see what kind of transformation he goes through, or who he’ll be when he comes out the other side.
[Read Robin Rises: Omega #1 on comiXology]
For fans of: action, superheroes
Jonah Chuang is a Production Coordinator Assistant. His spirit animal is Karl Pilkington.
Guest Star KARA’s Picks of the Week for 10/30/13!
- Saga #15 - I’ve judged this book by its cover, and I have found it EXCELLENT. If you haven’t started this series yet, a) WHY HAVEN’T YOU and b) GET ON THAT. It’s engrossing and weird and utterly wonderful, and you’ll want to wallpaper your life in Fiona Staples’s art.
- Powerpuff Girls #2 - Cue the theme song. The first issue set the tone as a spot-on adaptation of the killer Cartoon Network series of yore. You can just about hear the characters talking in their voices as you read. Plus, more Mojo Jojo is always a good thing.
- The Fox #1 - I have a soft spot for the Red Circle heroes, so when The Fox was announced I was excited, but when I saw that Mark Waid was involved I almost passed out. It’s gonna be good, is what I’m trying to say here. Stop reading this list and start reading this book, NOW.
- Damian: Son of Batman #1 - Definitely scared to read this one. DC killing off Damian was rage-inducing for me, so I’m not sure I’m ready to have my heart broken again. But I’m also morbidly curious, so, yeah, I’ll read it. I just might have to angry-capslock-tweet about it afterwards.
Kara supervises the international production team at comiXologyand is super excited about her Halloween costume this year.