In the last issue of Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent, it’s finally time for Jon to say goodbye to the Injustice universe. After spending this series familiarizing himself with this world’s Superman, Tom Taylor, Clayton Henry, Jordie Bellaire, and Wes Abbott bring Jon’s story to a close as he reshapes Injustice forever.
SPOILERS AHEAD for Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #6!
There are a few things that Jon has been struggling with throughout Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent and Superman: Son of Kal-El. He needs to learn how to use his empathy to his advantage, how to control his powers fully, and how to become Superman in his own right. Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #6 provides all that and more.
After taking a trip to the sun, Jon comes back more powerful than ever. Fast enough to track down The Flash, he confronts the fastest man alive and even manages to convince him to let Jon handle the Injustice Superman. It’s a sign of Jon’s willingness to rely on diplomacy, rather than sheer might, and it’s proof that Jon really is meant to be Superman.
Unfortunately, the issue then transitions onto Jon quite literally ripping off Hawkgirl’s wings, not three panels later. The wings may be artificial, but it is a jarring moment after Jon just displayed his restraint. He makes absolutely no effort to explain the situation to Hawkgirl or Parallax or to Wonder Woman. Instead, he takes them out with relative ease, before moving onto Damian.
DC Comics
Jon’s subsequent conversation with Damian is genuinely touching, but it feels severely unearned. Jon has hardly spent much time with this Damian, and the Boy Wonder has been working against him from the start. A short talk with a lasso in hand can do wonders, but it doesn’t feel particularly reassuring that it completely changes Damian’s point of view for all time.
Batman also has no presence in this comic. Despite Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #4 ending with his capture, he doesn’t even appear. Jon frees him from prison off-panel, and he fades into the night without so much as a spark. It’s a weak revolution to Batman’s plot and leaves numerous questions to be explored.
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent is not obligated to solve all the problems in the Injustice universe in one miniseries, but that does appear to be Jon’s motivation. He attempts to resolve the threat of the Injustice Superman with empathy and a tight hug, before being sent back to his world by a Cyborg that he outright — and bafflingly — ignored.
The issue is all about Jon attempting to solve the world’s problems, yet he just gives a short speech before leaving. The Injustice universe feels completely lifeless throughout the issue and throughout Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent in general.
DC Comics
Average, everyday people are restricted to the backs of shadowy figures as they wave cameras at Superman and Jon. They are never given any true life, making it impossible to actually care about whatever it is that Jon attempts to accomplish by embracing Superman. It’s even more challenging when the Injustice universe isn’t touched on again after Jon leaves. In fact, there’s only a single page before the series is over completely. It leads to a rushed conclusion that just doesn’t go anywhere.
What Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent does get right, though, is character. Jon’s empathy and naivete bleeds off of the page. It’s hard not to notice how profoundly powerful he is, but also how much he refuses to lash out without care. Rather than relying on his strength, his restraint is what makes him most like his father.
The issue also sets Jon up for his next stage. Jon Kent will be appearing in the newly-announced Beast World series, which will be beginning this November. It’s nice to know that Jon won’t be completely shelved as this series comes to an end. Still, for a breakout character like him, a new solo series wouldn’t be unwelcome as Dawn of DC rages on.
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #6 has the difficult job of wrapping up an important arc, while also attempting to resolve many of the Injustice universe’s problems. It doesn’t really accomplish either of those goals. Tom Taylor does a great job with Jon’s character, but there is just not enough space to really flesh out Jon Kent, the world, and every supporting character that he comes across. It’s unfortunate that such a brilliant series ends with ashes, rather than a bang.
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