SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL #1/ Script by TOM TAYLOR/ Art and Cover by JOHN TIMMS/ Colors by GABE ELTAEB/ Letters by DAVE SHARPE/ Published by DC COMICS

Jonathan Kent’s birth coincided with an attempted alien invasion was was overseen by four of the World’s Finest heroes. The first son born of Earth and Krypton, it was uncertain what powers, if any, he might have. Now, Jonathan has grown to manhood, if not maturity, and he has inherited his father’s powers, his compassion and his name. Yet for all the power Jon has as Superman, there is one challenge he can’t quite conquer; deciding when and where to use his abilities.

The first issue of Superman, Son of Kal-El is more character study than action-packed extravaganza. This is for the best, given the need to separate Jonathan Kent from his father and establish him as an individual. Tom Taylor’s script accomplishes this through three separate sections; a flashback detailing Jonathan’s birth, an action sequence in which he deals with a disaster and a quiet conversation with his best friend, Damian Wayne. To the surprise of no one who recalls Taylor’s use of the characters in DCeased, he manages this daunting task with style, show that Jonathan is his father’s son but also his own man.

The artwork us equally excellent. John Timms has an excellent sense of composition and a fantastic sense of visual pacing, guiding the reader easily among some complex panel arrangements. The colors by Gabe Eltaeb are varied and vivid. The letters by Dave Sharpe are well-spaced and easily read.

Superman: Son of Kal-El is everything a Superman story should be, even if it is about an entirely different Superman. The script introduces Jonathan Kent perfectly and the artwork impresses throughout. Even if you’re not a fan of the Man of Steel, you would do well to check this book out.