Superman: Son Of Kal-El #5
Superman deals with Bendix’s gift in Superman: Son Of Kal-El #5, by writer Tom Taylor, artist John Timms, colorist HI-FI, and letterer Dave Sharpe. By now, everyone has heard about this issue, but it deserves to be known for just being the kiss issue- it’s a great comic.
Superman powers go nova, and he can hear problems around the world. He goes into high gear and starts quickly traveling around the world to all of the hot spots he heard, doing his best to save the day, never slowing down, even when he starts to feel weird. Aerie comes to him and tells him Jay needs him, so Superman rushes there, and Jay tells him he needs to slow down and rest, not something Superman is used to. Jay puts some noise-canceling headphones on him, and he sleeps. After waking up, he and Jay talk some more, they kiss, and then Superman leaves to stop a robbery but not before promising to come back and plan their next move against Bendix.
Taylor kills it with this issue yet again. Superman is known for using his powers to help others no matter where they are, so when Jon’s powers are supercharged, what does he do? He saves everyone. He does exactly what his father would have done and goes into high gear and gets to work. He makes sure to be careful, and even when he feels bad, he keeps going. He accidentally injures one person, but all in all does a lot of good work while in a state where he could hurt someone easily if he messed up and doesn’t mess up.
Taylor has been making a case for Jon as Superman throughout this series so far, and this issue is yet another exhibit in that. Jon handles things just like his father would. Sure, he’s young and makes one mistake, but other than that, he’s Superman. He’s not perfect, but he does his best. Now, for the big moment. This is the coming out issue, and it’s going to be the center of attention. That’s the part everyone wants to talk about, and you know what? It’s great. Taylor handles everything wonderfully. It’s a natural moment, and it feels perfect. It’s a big part of the story he’s been telling so far, and anyone who is going to naysay this because of their own bigotry needs to shut up and read the comic. It’s a great moment, and the relationship should be cool going forward. Jay is a great character, and he’s a modern-day Lois Lane. Jon and Jay are perfect for each other, and he has cool powers. Anyone who negatively focuses on this moment and ignores just how good the issue and how sweet of a moment it is needs to go back to the hole they came from.
Timms’s art is wonderful. He captures the frenetic feel of Superman as he flies across the globe fixing problems. Taylor sets up the scenes, and Timms makes them real. The anxiety of not wanting to hurt anyone, the moments when he succeeds, everything looks great. The intimacy and the teenage awkwardness of the kiss scene is wonderfully captured.
Superman: Son Of Kal-El #5 has been the talk of the comic industry since it was announced, and it delivers. Taylor is making everyone a believer in Jon as Superman, one super feat at a time. The relationship between him and Jay hits the next level, and it’s a perfect moment. This issue is going to get praised by some, the ones who know comics and panned by those who don’t and are trying to make some culture war points. All that matters is that this is a great comic with some great moments.