Superman: Father of Tomorrow has made some pretty big changes to what fans expect from a Superman story by shifting the focus from the Man of Steel to his adoptive father, Jor-El. Those changes continue in Superman: Father of Tomorrow #2, which picks up 20 years after the first issue. Jor-El has settled into his role as Superman, defending the planet from all manner of threats while continuing to use science to help humanity. Yet he faces opposition from his partner Lex Luthor, who’s pushing him to weaponize that technology, and General Sam Lane, who still sees him as a potential threat.
I admit that reading through Superman: Father of Tomorrow #2 had me pleasantly surprised with the tweaks that Kenny Porter made to the world of Superman. Lois Lane is still connected to Superman, but instead of a romantic relationship, it’s more of a father/daughter relationship, as Jor-El’s been more of a father to Lois than her actual father. We also see that Jor-El’s influence has spread across the world, as his machines save lives in Central City and Smallville in addition to Metropolis. Even his version of the Justice League is wildly different, focusing more on science-based heroes like Mr. Terrific and Doctor Light.
The focus on science and its potential for weaponization is also a major thread running through Superman: Father of Tomorrow #2, particularly when Jor-El and Luthor have spirited debates about it. What’s impressive is that Porter manages to write these arguments in a way where you see where both men are coming from: after the dark fate that befell Krypton, Jor doesn’t want to use science for anything other than genuine progression, while Luthor points out that others have managed to weaponize Kryptonian tech and he just wants to use weapons he creates for non-lethal ends. How this argument shakes out is tragic and will no doubt influence future issues, especially given the way Father of Tomorrow #2 ends.
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Danny Earls puts his own unique spin on certain characters throughout Superman: Father of Tomorrow #2, giving them a more sci-fi based design. The Atomic Skull is a hovering green skull powered by a mechanical suit of armor, while most of the other heroes have sleeker designs for their costumes. Perhaps the character who stands out the most is the Parasite, who’s towering and muscular and carries a set of hi-tech manacles around his wrists; those manacles don’t stop him from absorbing Jor-El’s powers, leading to an intense fight scene.
Earls’ coup de grace comes with his take on the Fortress of Solitude. Rather than being stuck in the middle of the Arctic, it’s smack dab in the middle of Metropolis and features a fusion of Kryptonian crystals with a skyscraper that pierces the heavens. Combined with Nick Filardi’s bold silver color scheme, it truly makes Metropolis feel like the City of Tomorrow. Superman: Father of Tomorrow #2 continues to put a bold spin on the Superman mythos, while also exploring how science can be both a force for progress and a source of destruction.
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