Challenge of the Super Sons #2 Review

Writers: Peter J. Tomasi
Art: Max Raynor and Jorge Corona

Colors: Luis Guerrero

Letters: Rob Leigh
Publisher: DC
Price: $3.99
Release Date: 5/11/21
Reviewer: Soycornholio

Goku and Vegeta?

I have wracked my brain trying to compare Damian Wayne and Jon Kent to some other duo, and I have yet to come with the perfect comparison. They bicker like Ozzy and Sharon, yet they work somewhat together like Patrick and Spongebob. Maybe they’re like Cosmo and Wanda? Samantha and Darrin? Well, whatever they are, they are doing their best to live up to their father’s great legacies. Peter J. Tomasi’s Challenge of the Super Sons #2 packs multiple one-liners and heroics that would make Beast Boy and Cyborg jealous! Let’s take a look and see what these two heroes are up to.

PS: The title of this comic comes from the old school JLA cartoon Challenge of the Super Friends. I LOVE this homage to classic cartoons!

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Carbon Copies:

After reading the next name on the Doom Scroll, the pair are whisked to another city to save Wonder Woman. Throughout this adventure, we see both heroes acting like their fathers to the extreme. Naturally, they’re opposites. Jon (like Clark) is the sun. Bright, optimistic, and an all-around straightforward superhero. Damian (like Bruce) on the other hand, is dark, blunt, and morally grey (come on, Batman injures A LOT of people). These two consistently show us how opposites they are. For example, when Jon is in a pretty hairy situation, Damian does his best to assist (with a kick to the face) him. Jon is like “Really? Karate?” while Damian is more so like “it is not karate!” They love to argue. Anytime and anyplace. Like Tom and Jerry. There we go! They are like Tom and Jerry! Beef on sight! But seriously, how often do we see heroes arguing to the extent that these two do?

The Son of the Bat:

One standout character is Damian. He knows he is lethal and is not afraid to show it. He is cocky, arrogant, and a typical know it. However, it is evident that he at least respects his father. This is demonstrated numerous times throughout this issue as he makes it a point to return a special item to the Batcave once they have saved Wonder Woman. His main reason? He does not want Batman to find out. Out of all people that Damian does not care for (to include the Man of Steel), he does not want to anger Batman. Arguably, if anyone was to truly grow up and become Batman (the same way Wally West became the Flash) it would be Damian. Now do not get me wrong, I understand that Nightwing and Tim were mentored and coached by Batman over the years. He views them as his sons as well. However, Nightwing has developed his brand of being a hero (he is like the Beyonce of the Bat-Mythos) and Tim…Well, he’s Red Robin (yuuuuum). Damian hungers for the Dark Knight mindset. He wants to challenge villains and kill them. The latter is what he still needs to work on. What I can see happening, is Jon’s positive energy, smoothing the edges on Damian so when he is ready to take up the Cowl and Cape, he will be ready.

Final Thoughts:

This is a great story. One thing that I did not necessarily like, was the reverse storytelling. The second chapter in this issue takes place somewhere in issue number 1. That portion confused me, but it smoothed out. Seeing the sons of some of the world’s finest heroes battle villains is hilarious. To me, I read this as those particular villains are so corny that young kids can destroy them. On the other hand, you can view it as the pair being so great together, that they can destroy top-tier villains. Either way, I would recommend reading this series. Damian and Jon are pure comic relief, yet, they have the potential to become true heroes within the DC Universe.