Same Old Same Older
Written by: Tom King
Art by: Chris Burnham, Adriano Lucas, and Troy Peteri
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: July 12, 2022
I have seen a lot of crazy theories floating around social media about this book. Some say this book will de-age Jon Kent. Others say this issue will end with an announcement that Tom King is taking over the Superman book. I can only guess that these rumors have been whispered down the lane by fans who aren't reading the Dark Crisis Event or any of the issues that lead up to it... or maybe, like Kal-El, they are in their little dream world where wishes do come true! I'm not here to judge fans, just this issue, so let's get to it!
(This review is for the main Superman story. There is also an Aquaman backup that could affect your score.)
Tom King gives readers six chapters, one for each of Jon's years between thirteen and eighteen. So yep, fans get to see Jon age again, but at least this time, it's not in an active volcano on Earth-3, and Clark and Lois have to be better than Ultraman, right? Well...
Tom King plays it realistic here, and while I give him some props here, I wish he didn't. I am the father of five boys, and I have gone through the tough teenage years four times already and am currently in it with the fifth. They all think they know so much better than me, and King nails it in this issue. But, unfortunately, when you are a superhero, that can lead to trouble, and it does here.
I wonder if Jon Kent fans will get the "be careful what you wish for" vibe from this issue. We finally see Jon's missing years, but Losi and Clark aren't exactly the most fantastic parents. Again, Tom King goes for a realistic theme here, and after seeing how Jon acts, it almost feels like King is trying to convince fans that they should be happy for what we did get.
It does come around by the end, but that's King's thing - he makes his characters sus so that when he brings things back to normal at the end, it feels like an accomplishment. I am sure there will be plenty of reviewers praising him for doing it, but I have heard that song too many times to keep taping my foot.
Overall, this is a hard one to score. It doesn't mean anything to the Dark Crisis Event and probably won't give fans of young Jon much to celebrate. So, like many Tom King books, I think this one is more for Tom King fans than anything else.
I am a fan of Chris Burnham, so I liked the art in this issue. Having Jon dressed up like Robin reminded me of the New 52 Batman Inc book, especially when Jon took a bit of battle damage!
Make sure to listen to our Weekly DC Comics Recap and Review Podcast to hear us talk more about this book. Just look up "Weird Science DC Comics" anywhere you listen to podcasts or click here for podcast links and more: https://campsite.bio/weirdsciencecomics
Bits and Pieces:
Dark Crisis: World Without a Justice League Superman #1 isn't a necessary read for the Event, and I am interested to see what fans of Jon Kent feel about it. I think Tom King fans will enjoy it, but if you aren't a fan, I don't think this will change your mind.
6.0/10
I hated every second of reading this, first page to the very last, backup included. The whole premise, at least among fans, was that these one-shots with the dead Justice Leaguers were going to be centered on them and show how a world without them is worse for it. Well, sorry to say, but this was the exact opposite. Clark didn't sound like Superman at all and while I get the reason he didn't want Jon wandering into space, I totally don't buy Clark would ever be the "let's protect Earth" and screw everyone else type of guy. Even with the whole motivation around Jon. The voices for the characters were all wrong, I truly think King has it in his mind that making inspirational figures shittier is somehow a good thing. I think he has some issues and he needs to work through them, but not like this, not while throwing all of us into depression, too. The backup is somehow even worse, but that's expected from Thomas, he truly doesn't have any grasp on Aquaman, I don't get why DC keeps letting him work on that corner of their world. The rating is spot on, if anything maybe you were too generous.
ReplyDeleteAll the best wishes to you and your five kids, may the future bring them health and happiness.
I got that same vibe that i did with King's Kamandi Special story - i dont think he ever follows the rules for these things and just does what he wants to do!
DeleteI enjoyed your review but I think you were a bit too lenient on this one. I thought it was a mess. The characters sound nothing like the characters, in my opinion. Also, I didn't like that angry Superman face. It gave me Superman III vibes, but in a bad way. I thought Tom King "got" Superman after writing "Up in the Sky"? By the way, I love your input on the Comics Aficionados show. That's an entertaining Livestream! Best wishes from Japan.
ReplyDeleteYou are 100% right! There more I read this issue, the lower my score gets! For our spotlight review episode, I believe i am down to a 5, maybe lower! Thanks about the comic afficianados! I am still getting comfortable doing it and have lots of fun on it!
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