Superman: Son of Kal-El Annual: 2021

Tom Taylor has done a brilliant job of establishing the adversarial relationship between Lex Luthor and the new Superman. The Son of Kal-El 2021 makes it clear that Jon has an interesting challenge ahead of him as he butts heads with his father's arch-foe. I look forward to seeing how both Jon and Lex tackle the challenge that each poses for the other. Read Full Review

As usual, miss Taylors taken on Superman if youre averse to quality storytelling. This was another fantastic issue featuring the new Superman. Read Full Review

It might be tempting to say not too much happens in this issue, because it's well over halfway through the issue before Jon and Luthor even meet. But the buildup to that meeting is fantastic. And once they do, it's clear that this isn't going to be the same-old, same-old. Read Full Review

This is an exquisite issue and an absolute essential chapter in Jon Kent's story. Read Full Review

Superman: Son of Kal-El 2021 Annual is a good one-shot, building on Jon's experience as Earth's new Superman while building towards something intriguing with Lex Luthor. It's a great example of how Taylor is one of the best at crafting genuine character interactions no matter who is in the room. Read Full Review

But also, maybe instead of teaming up, Lex can just do good. Basically, Jon asked Lex to solve the climate control issue. Hmmm ... That contrast between Clark and Jon in facing off against Lex was really the juice for me. I'd like to see more of this sort of 'how is this Superman different from the old one' story. Read Full Review

This Superman: Son of Kal-El Annual not only looks great, but it brings Lex Luthor back to the forefront and leaves you wondering what road he's going to take with our new Superman and that prospect alone makes me interested right off the bat, not to mention our continued look at what kind of Superman wants to be, while also giving us some fun stuff with the Fortress of Solitude. Yeah, I would have liked Lex working a little harder to be accepted by humanity again, but I like what we got here still. Read Full Review

Superman: Son of Kal-El Annual #1 is an intriguing issue that sets the stage for the new Superman's rivalry with Lex Luthor, juggling some important systemic questions in its storytelling. Taylor continues to explore very interesting ideas with Jon Kent through his fantastic writing. The art and colors by Pugh, Henry, Fajardo, and Buccellato, are epic enough to be the grand setting for this new adventure with Jon. The letters by Sharpe are the cherry on top to make this an overall engagingly exciting and deep read. Read Full Review

deen

Dec 15, 2021

An absolutely excellent issue. Jon continues to show how different he is from his dad, due to the tenacious influence of his mother. This is also some of the best Luthor writing I've read in a long time. The artwork is also amazing, I lov d that cover ever since I saw it solicited and am glad it's in my hands now. Seeing Superman with his feet up on Lex's desk is a perfect image to summarize how different his approach is to Lex than his dad's. This continues to be a don't-miss run and has all the makings of a classic. Don't pay attention to sad, pathetic losers on the internet who grouse at this kind of story, all because they chose to forego joy and empathy in their lives. Those louses are not worth our time.

Mail2g

Jun 09, 2022

The Lex story was interesting.

Dave

Dec 05, 2021

Enjoyable issue, but no 10s til Jon is!! I was thinking which group is less likely to be fair to this book: A-homophobes and such B- the Jon should be 10 crowd Ones a bunch of bigots the other just wants good comics and Supersons back

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Merlyn - Dec 7, 2021

At least you tried.

UxasIs

Dec 11, 2021

Great, fun, interesting issue, probably my favourite so far

Psycamorean

Jan 25, 2022

Okay real talk, this obsession with men being "feminized" is probably the most obvious sign that someone wants to suck a dick. I'm an expert, you can trust me. As a half gay, this is just science. But seriously, it's part of larger antisemitic conspiracy pushed by such lovely people as Jordan B. Peterson and/or the last 5 conservatives caught raping children. ANYWAY, this is a fun book.

Danilo Silva

Dec 07, 2021

Taylor is creating Jon's own mythology, what is great, and a holographic dad and Lex Luthor couldn't be outside, of course. I liked how Taylor prevented any complaint about Jon not using his powers to solve climate changing in this issue by just simply showing that is everyone's problem and Superman isn't a nanny. Other thing: the chess play was far more interesting than the fight itself. I liked the art, but Jon's hair was ugly as s**it. And Batman was terrible in this issue.

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DiegoLDUganda - Dec 7, 2021

Oh thank god I wasn't the only one who thinks like that. Man, John's hair looks terrible in this book. It makes no sense why they changed his style, Im not a fan of Bendis, but John looked amazing in his run.

SurvivorLiv

Jan 14, 2022

This story is amazing and, through both Clark and Jon content, shows the reader that Tom Taylor deeply understands Superman as a character. I have grown tired of edgy and cynical takes on the Man of Steel so seeing a writer so proudly write about the Man of Tomorrow is so important. I have been loving this book and this annual just continued that trend. Lex Luthor plays off of both Superman's very well. His underestimated of Jon Kent plays well and works as a good way to end the book. I am excited to hopefully see Lex and Jon interact more in the future.

Puzzlebox

Oct 12, 2022

Funny Annual

Stormwrath

Dec 07, 2021

Another great issue, really enjoyed the writing and the chess game, art was ok, but after Death Metal wasn't luthor a part of totality? Did I miss something?

Onomatopoeia

Dec 08, 2021

The rage this brews in lonely straight white guys is hilarious.

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Onomatopoeia - Dec 12, 2021

Little dramatic there don't you think?

WhistleBlower - Dec 13, 2021

They’re terminally online malcontents who worship pedophile Youtubers like Yellowflash and the Quartering

Psycamorean - Jan 25, 2022

I'm a white and I'm offended.

Jawsh

Dec 17, 2021

Crazy kids

DiegoLDUganda

Dec 07, 2021

The writting at the first half of the book was just terrible. Superman and Batman looked kinda OOC. Also, no references of Luthor being the servant of Perpetua or the Totality? Like... Don't get me wrong, I hate everything related to Death Metal, but jezz, not even The Totality, it was a great concept. Still, I loved the interactions of Luthor and Jon. But pls, change Jon's hairstyle. The art is amazing but reveals how bad looks that hair.

BigCliff

Dec 14, 2021

Superman told Lex to "take this L" this series is a hoot.

Valiant Son

Dec 11, 2021

I've been very critical of this comic previously, and while this is not the best thing ever, it is a perfectly competent comic. The story makes sense, and Jonathan Kent's authoritarianism is actually used intelligently.

Merlyn

Dec 07, 2021

We continue the feminization of Jon Kent who this time comes up with a classic lesbian haircut, we're probably on the path of him coming out as gender neutral (the bi thing is clearly not enough for progressives) because, to quote Tom Taylor, "We don't need yet another straight white savior", we all know how disgusting those people are. And of course we get another rant about climate change because Taylor is just obsessed with that to the point that he sees nothing else in front of him, green propaganda has eaten his brain at this point. But by far my greatest issue with this is the rewriting of Superman's history just so Taylor can push his Mary Sue character to the front. Why does he act like Superman never tried reasoning with Lex and was always antagonistic? He has tried that at least 100 times, it never worked because Lex hates Superman from his guts and whatever happens, he can never get past that. And now Taylor pretends like, no, Superman was always antagonistic, Jon is so revolutionary trying to reason with him and manipulate him. I can tell the douchebag never read much Superman comics. And Jon Kent beating Lex at chess? I mean, sure, he's a Mary Sue character, of course he can. more

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Machinery Insect - Dec 7, 2021

The straight white savior line is about representation, and a story trope, not about demonizing straight white people. It's a trope that the straight white person is the norm and always the hero. This is the case in comics especially. And in an effort to broaden and diversify the universe to more fit the reality of the world's demographics, there's been an effort to write more diverse characters. Simple as that. You're reading the hatred into it, probably because you're hateful.

Merlyn - Dec 7, 2021

I remember you, you're an idiot. I blocked you before in the hope you'll get better. You didn't. Oh well, here we go again.

SenpaifenixJäger - Dec 7, 2021

Anything can happen my good friend. Therefore I prefer to turn this series around and read only your comments. You just have to put Jon singing "And it was not my fault, or where he was, or how he dressed" with his boyfriend dancing to the side.

Merlyn - Dec 7, 2021

I don't know how much I can resist, though, I'm going to give it some issues and probably I'll drop it too, there's just too much stupidity in it.

Mingthemerciless - Dec 7, 2021

Maybe Taylor is going to make aged up Jon the kryptonian version of thise frogs that change sex when there's a shortage of mates? That would "broaden and duversify" every which way including amphibians.

SenpaifenixJäger - Dec 8, 2021

XD

SenpaifenixJäger - Dec 8, 2021

Sometimes I feel like I'm living on the South Park show, with Kyle's dad getting the dolphinplasty and asking for baths and special treatment.

Robin

Dec 07, 2021

I liked the new superman because of the way the writer was picking up stories, but now climate change and Lex Luthor arc feels much like a "been there done that" senerio where the villain is trying to befriend the hero's protégée. And apparently they don't even care how Jon's characters was, What in the Actually FUCK is this chess master bullshit. Where the fuck is his innocence and caring for everyone. He literally acts like a typical hero, he has special powers is sassy, smart, sarcastic, nice to animals, cares about the earth, and lastly does NOT act like the character he was. I want to give this issue more points but its Jon's book and Jon doesn't even act like the Jon he acts like the mix of Superman and Louis and Damian Wayne, and before someone says those were the people who influenced him the most. I do NOT mean in a good way. He acts a bad mash up of them, where he acts like them and not himself. more

RKS

Dec 07, 2021

Hopefully there won't be an Annual #2 next year. Save your money kids!

Zazikarion

Dec 13, 2021

This was so bad, Tom Taylor can’t write Lex Luthor at all. Apparently Superman was always antagonistic to Lex (Which isn’t the case, it’s usually the opposite), which makes no sense.

S.J

Mar 15, 2022

Lex Luthor is underrated.