Super Sons/Dynomutt Special #1 Review

A Man's Best Friend

Story and Words: Peter J Tomasi
Penciller: Fernando Pasarin
Inker: Oclair Albert
Colorist: Gabe Eltaeb
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Published by: DC Comics
Reviewed by: Andrew McAvoy

I was attracted to this book by the fact that (a) it was a Super Sons title (b) it was by one of my favorite writers Peter J Tomasi and (c) Dynomutt kinda reminded me of Krypto the wonder dog which is always a guilty pleasure of mine. There also seemed to be a huge potential for fun with those factors in the mix. Did it deliver on that? Let's see!


Well, I must confess, I am slightly too young to remember Dynomutt, so I had to do a little due diligence work before delving into this one, my research (okay, okay, I just looked up Wikipedia so sue me)  tells me that  Dynomutt, Dog Wonder was a Saturday morning animated series centering on a Batman-esque superhero, the Blue Falcon, and his assistant, described as the bumbling yet generally effective robot dog Dynomutt, a robotic dog. Dynomutt can produce a seemingly infinite number of mechanical devices from his body. Okay, now you are fully briefed on D-Mutt's background (D to the Mutt!).

I have to say that it was impressive how much Tomasi managed to pack into one issue. We get a background to Dynomutt and Blue Falcon's relationship, a plausible link with Damian established, a pretty nasty villain in Red Vulture, and a relatively satisfactory resolution. I mean these books are what they are, and the issue is enjoyable enough. There is a sense of set up, enjoyable action, and a nice closing page to the issue, and a few laughs worked in. The initial lead in scene of the funeral is a bit odd, but it provides the excuse for Jon and Damian to hook up, and there is a symmetry provided between the opening scene and the closing elements of the book.

The art style is very nice in this book, we get a pretty serious looking Blue Falcon and Dynomutt, and a slightly more mature looking Jon Kent and Damian Wayne than readers of the Supersons title from Tomasi and Gleason are used to. I have to say I was very impressed with the interior and cover art and it made a nice change - it was certainly a good looking book.

Bits and Pieces:

This title is never going to really appeal beyond a small group of completists or those who fancy taking a gamble on new comic book day and adding a wildcard to their pull list. For those that do there is a pretty good self contained story here and it gives a return on the admission fee. An enjoyable piece of light reading.

7.1/10