Superman and Batman just want their kids to get along and learn how to work together; the little ones are still new to the whole superhero thing (more so Superman’s son) and together could (possibly) learn to watch each other’s backs. Unfortunately they hate each other and this issue aims to bring those forces together. Is it good?
Superman #11 (DC Comics)
So what’s it about? The official DC summary says:
“IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER” part two! Superman and Batman are up against the ropes, and it’s up to Superboy and Robin to save the day— but can they work together long enough to get the job done?
Why does this book matter?
Considering how different these characters are from each other, Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason have plenty of dynamic drama to work with. Add in the parenting of two characters who haven’t always seen eye to eye and you have one rollicking plot device!
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Get used to this annoying badgering.
To be honest, while the premise of this issue is fun, it doesn’t make a ton of sense, and that’s because Superman’s son isn’t trained like Damien and I don’t think Superman is sadistic enough to do this to his kid. This issue is all about Batman and Superman testing their kids with multiple challenges to see if they can work together. The results are as you might expect, especially given how stubborn Damien is — and that’s failure. As the characters barely make it out alive (though Superman is at the ready to save them if need be), Tomasi uses the challenges to show these boys are very competitive. By the end of the issue you’ll get the sense that their dynamic will be mined for stories for possibly years to come and based on this issue that’s not a bad thing.
Gleason’s pencils look great as always with some fun splashes here and there (like the characters riding a motorcycle and trying to avoid being punched by Goliath). The colors by John Kalisz are bright and like something out of a cartoon. While some pages are downright chaotic with the stuff going on you won’t have trouble following the action.
It can’t be perfect can it?
You will have a hard time caring though. The biggest failing of this issue is how the characters don’t learn a damn thing. The challenges they face are somewhat forced and unrealistic, it’s hard to believe they’re ever really in danger due to their parents keeping a close eye, and the ending challenge is straight up silly. If anything, Batman and Superman come off as bad parents and even worse heroes. This is a good example of brainless action comics and nothing much more. It’s unfortunate, because there was an opportunity here to do more than show how the super son dynamic works.
At least they got their action pose down.
Is It Good?
If you’re in doubt about the super sons offering an interesting dynamic, Superman #11 will prove it’ll be fun to see in the future. It may not do much more than show that and deliver brainless action, but it looks good at least.
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