Things have already been bad for Jon Kent. If this issue’s cover is anything to go by, they’re about to get worse. As the story of the Injustice universe continues in Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #5, Tom Taylor, Clayton Henry, Jordie Bellaire, and Wes Abbott have put the weight of the world on Jon’s shoulders. Somehow, he’ll need to learn to fly all the same.
SPOILERS AHEAD for Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #5!
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #4 saw Jon come to terms with his multiversal father’s actions, and he is officially ready to meet with Batman and make a chance. He learns exactly why the Injustice Superman turned to the dark side, and he rejects his pseudo-father out of hand. Grief is no excuse for evil, and a man like Superman should know that.
It’s a heroic moment made better by Catwoman remarking that Jon sounds more like Lois than Clark. He may be Superman’s son, but he’s not only Superman’s son.
After his speech, Harley Quinn reaches out to ask Jon for forgiveness. Jon rejects her out of hand. It’s a nice moment of comeuppance for a character who caused irreparable damage as Harley did. Forgiveness isn’t instantaneous, and it isn’t always deserved. Jon’s refusal adds some nuance to the issue and makes the star of Adventures of Superman feel more realistic than idealistic.
Speaking of idealism, Damian quickly feels his hopes shot down after reporting Jon’s actions to the Injustice Superman. Superman originally isn’t inclined to listen, as he insists that Damian free a captive Jay. Damian, however, convinces Superman to strike at Batman. That tracking device Damian planted on Jon is starting to come in handy.
DC Comics
Batman’s team plans an assault on the Justice League, but they manage to convince Jon to return to the League for the night. Unfortunately, they are already too late. The Justice League attacks, while Jon speaks to Lois and his still-living grandparents in the Fortress of Solitude. It’s a chance for respite. Tragically, hope doesn’t last in Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #5.
The Justice League announces the capture of Batman’s team. Catwoman and Batgirl are to be imprisoned, while Harley and an unmasked Bruce Wayne are to be sentenced to death. Bruce promises that Jon will save him, while Jon stares dumbfounded from the Fortress of Solitude.
Everything that can go wrong has gone wrong in Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #5. Batman’s forces are now prisoners, Jon’s loyalty is officially in question, and Jay is being held in captivity by the Justice League. Jon is practically alone in the world, and it doesn’t look like there are many allies waiting in the wings.
The art has been consistent across the run. While there are a few moments where it fails to make an adequate impact, the fighting in this issue is incredible. There is a real and palpable sense of despair as Batman’s soldiers are summarily hunted down and beaten by those who used to be his friends.
DC Comics
A genuine despair overtakes Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #5, before swiftly being overtaken and warmed by Jon’s follow-up pages. The conversation with Ma and Pa Kent is a desperately needed moment that really humanizes the issue even more than the proclamation that Jon really is Lois’ son.
Early on, Jon’s interactions with Batman’s rebels also provide a much-needed moment of hope. The idea that Jon is more than Superman’s son has been a long-standing element of Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent, as well as its predecessor book, Superman: Son of Kal-El. Jon is figuring out how to be his own Superman and how to stand — and fly — on his own two feet. The entire purpose of throwing Jon into the Injustice universe is to explore that message, and it continues to be a masterful effort.
The careful attention to detail to Jon’s relationship with the Injustice Superman is sharply in contrast with that of Batman and Damian. It remains frustrating to see that their reactions to each other refuse to differ, and it would be interesting to see their relationship actually grow and change as the comic moves along. After all, Damian’s hatred of his father is engaging, but it desperately needs more exploring to avoid this ongoing repetition. Still, there appears to be change on the horizon, which is a great sign.
There is one element of Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #5 that is somewhat confusing, and it’s the ease of reading. Somehow, it can be an easy thing to breeze through the issue without even realizing that any time is passing at all. It’s an easy read that rewards patience and careful attention. It offers insightful questions, and it doesn’t spell out the answers. Instead, it leaves it to the readers to decide. What more can you ask for in a comic?
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