Back to Superman this week! Today we are covering Superman Volume 1: Son of Superman. This volume collects issues #1-6 and Superman: Rebirth #1. This is technically the first actual issue of Superman in Rebirth. The Superman: Rebirth #1 takes place before Action Comics. So we are back to bearded Superman in black. The rest of the volume takes place after the Action Comics Volume 1. Just providing a little bit of context. On to the recap!
Superman: Rebirth #1: We start the issue with Bearded Superman flying his family out of their burning house. (The one in California.) He is reflecting on the original Superman's life and death. We see shots of the fight that led to the death of Superman. In Metropolis, our bearded hero is visiting the memorial to the Superman who died. A noise catches his attention. It is Lana Lang in an underground access tunnel below the memorial. She appears to be breaking in when Superman walks in. She gets really excited thinking that he is her Clark. She is hugging him until he admits to not being who she thinks he is. She had only seen the S.
He didn't mean to upset her, but she is upset and calls him a pretender. He isn't, but it is complicated. Lana is unimpressed with him and wants to know why he is there. He is waiting for Superman to come back. (Come back to life, like he did.) She thinks he is crazy. Lana is there to keep a promise, to bury Clark beside his parents in Smallville. He doesn't want to stop her, but thinks she should just wait. He decides to tell her the story of how he died at the hands of Doomsday. We see a recap of the epic fight that ended with both him and Doomsday dead. (Again, I did not read this story, so there is a page that does not make sense, but long story short...he came back to life.)
Bearded Superman is sure that other Superman will also come back to life. She wants to believe him, but is not convinced. He wants to take the body somewhere safe in hopes of creating the situation that brought him to life. She asks if the 'safe' place is his Fortress of Solitude? He seems surprised that she knows that. She points out that her Superman had one, maybe the stuff he needs is there. Beardy Superman never looked for it because of privacy and stuff. Now he can't find it. She knows where it is though. (Likely due to that lightning that hit her when Superman died.)
In the arctic, Lana doesn't know how to get in the fortress. Bearded Superman does though. She is impressed by the epic nature of the fortress and of her Clark's second life. They are looking for a thing called the Regeneration Matrix. Some robots go to look for it. In the meantime, Supe shows Lana the Crystal Font. (This is like Superman's version of the Bat Computer.) It knows all the things about Kryptonians. When the robots come back, they report that they did not find the Regeneration Matrix.
Supe picks up a crystal and it activates a recording of the deceased Superman. It is a message meant for Kara. They listen for a little bit and he looks around, impressed by this young Superman. We see that he had honored both sets of parents. There is a moment of realization that this Earth's Superman cannot be brought back, but he can be taken home.
At the Smallville cemetery, Supe offers to dig the grave, but Lana says that she has to do it. He tells her that every Clark was lucky to have a Lana in their lives. He flies off leaving her to keep her promise.
We end with our dark and handsome Superman adding a statue to his fortress of the Kents and the deceased Superman.
He didn't mean to upset her, but she is upset and calls him a pretender. He isn't, but it is complicated. Lana is unimpressed with him and wants to know why he is there. He is waiting for Superman to come back. (Come back to life, like he did.) She thinks he is crazy. Lana is there to keep a promise, to bury Clark beside his parents in Smallville. He doesn't want to stop her, but thinks she should just wait. He decides to tell her the story of how he died at the hands of Doomsday. We see a recap of the epic fight that ended with both him and Doomsday dead. (Again, I did not read this story, so there is a page that does not make sense, but long story short...he came back to life.)
Bearded Superman is sure that other Superman will also come back to life. She wants to believe him, but is not convinced. He wants to take the body somewhere safe in hopes of creating the situation that brought him to life. She asks if the 'safe' place is his Fortress of Solitude? He seems surprised that she knows that. She points out that her Superman had one, maybe the stuff he needs is there. Beardy Superman never looked for it because of privacy and stuff. Now he can't find it. She knows where it is though. (Likely due to that lightning that hit her when Superman died.)
In the arctic, Lana doesn't know how to get in the fortress. Bearded Superman does though. She is impressed by the epic nature of the fortress and of her Clark's second life. They are looking for a thing called the Regeneration Matrix. Some robots go to look for it. In the meantime, Supe shows Lana the Crystal Font. (This is like Superman's version of the Bat Computer.) It knows all the things about Kryptonians. When the robots come back, they report that they did not find the Regeneration Matrix.
Supe picks up a crystal and it activates a recording of the deceased Superman. It is a message meant for Kara. They listen for a little bit and he looks around, impressed by this young Superman. We see that he had honored both sets of parents. There is a moment of realization that this Earth's Superman cannot be brought back, but he can be taken home.
At the Smallville cemetery, Supe offers to dig the grave, but Lana says that she has to do it. He tells her that every Clark was lucky to have a Lana in their lives. He flies off leaving her to keep her promise.
We end with our dark and handsome Superman adding a statue to his fortress of the Kents and the deceased Superman.
Son of Superman Part 1: Clark is in a graveyard lamenting that the dead don't want people visiting them, he should know, he died once. He got a second chance but the young Superman of this Earth didn't and even Superman cannot raise the dead. As he is saying goodbye he places his hand on the ground. It leaves a blue glowing handprint. He doesn't dwell on it though, he tells the dead Clark not to worry, he is back in blue and ready to come out of the shadows.
Back at the Smith farm, lightning strikes the barn, catching it on fire. Clark is able to save all the animals and put the fire out quickly. (Two notes: Smith is the surname of this super family, not Kent, also the farm is just north of Metropolis.) Jon gives his dad a thumbs up.
The next day we see the family cat hunting mice. Clark is cleaning up the mess from the fire and Lois is enjoying that he is now beard free. Jon is ready to start the rebuild, but Clark says there is more cleanup first. Clark promises to let him know when it is hammer time if Jon promises to not use his powers without his dad around. Jon runs off to do his other chores, the cat in tow.
We see a hawk or an eagle circling. It swoops down and grabs Goldie the cat. Jon reacts and accidently uses his laser vision. It is far too powerful and he incinerates both the bird and the cat. While he is crying about hurting the cat and breaking his promise, we see a little girl standing not too far off looking shocked. Jon rubs the tears away, looks back, and she is gone.
Back at the house, Clark tells Jon it is time to get building. Jon is no longer interested in helping or using his powers. At the moment Clark doesn't push him. Later at dinner, there is small talk and Lois asks if either of them has seen the cat. Both reply no.
There is a knock on the door. Jon answers it to find the young girl from before. Her name is Kathy Branden. Her and her grandfather live on the next farm over. It is a dairy farm and she has brought over some milk as a hello. Lois asks if Kathy saw a cat on her way over, she makes a face while looking at Jon but says no. She leaves pretty quickly. Lois is giving Jon a hard time for not saying anything but thinks it will be nice having someone his age so close. Jon disagrees, complaining that their lives are all just one big secret. Clark is a little confused by the outburst, but explains that the secret identity helps them be able to help people. Jon is not having it, he bursts out again calling them all a bunch of liars. Tired of Jon's 'tude, Clark sends him to his room.
In his room, Jon is crying as he looks out his window. We see Wonder Woman walk up, followed by Batman. Superman walks out to join them. Jon listens in to the conversation. We only get bits and pieces but they are worried about the new Superman and his super powered son. All three of them look up at the window. Jon jumps back, waiting to see what happens. The issue ends with Superman going into Jon's room and telling him that Jon needs to come with him.
Son of Superman Part 2: Superman is flying a now bundled up Jon, he asks if Jon is warm enough. Jon asks if his dad is going to turn him over to the Justice League. Superman laughs and tells him they were checking up on him. Everyone is still a little unsure about a new Superman on the scene. He tells Jon that while the three were talking there was a distress call. He told Batman and Wonder Woman to leave it to him and Jon. Jon is unsure, but he can't argue with his dad's reassuring smile.
A submarine has been damaged after running into some ice. Superman lifts the whole sub and fixes the hull with his laser vision. He can hear the crew talking, they are also unsure of this new Superman. Once fixed, Supe goes to tell the crew they are good to go. Right as they are thanking him, there is a huge crash.
A giant squid, (robot squid, I think) is attacking the sub. The men rush to get back in the sub as Superman fights it. The monster squid seems to be growing. Jon is cheering his dad on when a rogue tentacle knocks him from his hiding place. Superman yells for him to use his heat vision. At first he denies having heat vision (Just realized I have been calling this laser vision...pretty close right?...) but Superman tells him to shoot for the crystal controlling the creature (so not a robot, classic mind control).
Jon doesn't want to hit his dad, but when Superman yells for you to do something, you do it. Jon uses the heat vision and does in fact hit Superman, but he is okay. Superman tells him to try again. Jon takes off his heavy coat to reveal he is wearing his own S. Jon fires again, still hitting his dad, but he is able to focus it down and hit the crystal, destroying it. The squid swims off.
Superman asks about the shirt. Jon tells him he found it at a second hand store. He just wanted to feel super like his dad. Superman gives him a speech about powers vs character. Jon admits to using his powers and accidently killing Goldie. Superman tells him that their heat vision has a distinct smell that he caught a whiff off, he had guessed that something had happened. Jon expresses his wish to undo it, that he hopes they will forgive him. Superman thinks that it will be okay, that Jon's mom will forgive him.
As they are flying off, we see some of Jon's blood on the snow. Some unknown force is analyzing it. It can tell that it is half human and half Kryptonian. Further, it knows the blood belongs to a member of the House of El.
Later, Jon is sitting in a tree. Kathy walks up. At the same time Lois is treating Clark's burnt back. They are discussing what they are going to do next, now that Jon's powers are growing. Kathy joins Jon in the tree. He asks why she didn't tell his parents what she saw. She figured it could be a secret between them. Lois and Clark think they have pretty good odds. At least with Jon, Clark knows what he is going through. Versus Clark, whose parents were just doing the best they could.
Kathy asks Jon if he is scared of his powers and he admits that sometimes he is. He doesn't want to hurt anyone. She figures he won't, she can tell he is good. Right as she is telling him she feels safe around him, the tree branch they are on breaks. Kathy is able to grab the tree but Jon falls to the ground hard.
Clark and Lois are still chatting, Clark is checking the mail. He hands Lois a package from L. Lane, but before she can open it, Kathy and her grandfather arrive carrying an unconscious Jon. Cobb, (Kathy's grandfather) offers to call a doctor or drive them all to the hospital, but Clark assures him that they have got it. It is intense, but they get Kathy and Cobb to leave. Clark had already scanned his body and the only thing he noticed was a slight concussion. They do not understand how he can have all these powers, but still scrape up his knees and get head injuries. Clark says they need to take him to the fortress.
Already at the fortress in the unknown force from before. The thing is able to get into the fortress because it is Kryptonian? It uses the super crystals to reform into a weird looking version of Superman. Looks like this guy is known as Eradicator.
Son of Superman Part Three: The super family arrives at the Fortress of Solitude that is in the Arctic Circle. Lois is unsure about being there, because it feels like trespassing. Clark points out that his mountain fortress doesn't have the same tech. Jon is still unconscious and they need to run some tests to figure out what the shared genomes will mean for him. Before Clark can finish his thought, he sees an intruder.
Superman is pissed and goes right for the weird looking Superman wannabe. He asks him why he looks like the Eradicator. (This being speaks about itself using we, like we are the Eradicator and we will make you listen.) They fight and Eradicator says that it wants to save Krypton. Jon finally wakes up, which mostly just makes it hard for Lois to get him away from the fight.
It would seem that Superman has dealt with this being before and knows he is bad news. The Eradicator on the other hand is very happy to see a real life Kryptonian. In the course of the fight, some of the wall begins to fall. It is about to crush Jon and Lois, but the Eradicator catches it saving them. Superman is confused but Eradicator is being both polite and helpful.
With the fighting stopped, Superman can now run some tests on Jon. He is still really nervous about the Eradicator, but is more worried about his son. Jon is also creeped out because the Eradicator is now just silently staring at them. (Also Krypto the dog is hanging out, being cute in his own little cape.) Jon is lying in an upright scanner, getting scanned. He is feeling all better now and not feeling all the tests. Lois is trying to keep him calm, but she is a little worried too.
Jon asks if it is his powers they are worried about, but his dad points out it is not the powers themselves so much as the lack of consistency. Jon's body is still adapting. Superman uses a clever segue to ask the Eradicator why it is wearing the El family emblem. (Now it is time for some monologuing.)
The Eradicator was a creation of General Zod. It was created to arrest Kryptonian lawbreakers that were on Zod's list. They didn't arrest so much as draw the life force out of people and then send them to the Phantom Zone. (Kinda brutal if you ask me...) Anyway, after a mission off planet, they returned to see Krypton explode. They decided their new mission would be to find any and all survivors.
Jon looks dubious as the Eradicator tells of finding Jon's blood, but noting that it is tainted with human blood. He pulls the classic bad crap by saying that the genome needs to be pure in order for Krypton to be reborn. He wants to fix Jon so that his Kryptonian half can subsume his human half. Superman is unimpressed with the idea but before he can act, the Eradicator powers up ready to suck the human life force right out of Jon. Krypto reacts the fastest, putting himself in-between the Eradicator and Jon. This causes Krypto to get sucked right into the mouth of the Eradicator, leaving behind only his little cape.
Superman punches the Eradicator. He punches him many many times. We also see Jon pick up the cape of Krypto, first looking sad and then shifting to angry. The last page of this issue we see Jon standing, holding the cape and his eyes glowing red with power and rage.
Son of Superman Part Four: Superman starts fighting with the Eradicator again. The Eradicator drops a lot of shit about race purity (gross). While they are fighting, Jon is debating getting in this fight to kill this thing. His mom gets him to chill out and remember to choose good. (I am pretty sure this kid is 10 and not invulnerable, but Lois still lets him get in the fight.) Superman and Superboy give the Eradicator a double punch in the face, literally knocking it's head open.
The open head proceeds to erupt like a volcano. All the souls of Krypton come bursting out. I think we are meant to assume that the Eradicator had absorbed all the souls while it was watching the planet blow up.
In Metropolis, two men are having an arm wrestling contest in a bar. The bar owner is one Bibbo who I feel we have seen before? He is a huge Superman fan. The other guy is from Gotham. (Not sure that matters.) Anyway, Bibbo wins and his prize is a moon rock that the other guy got from an astronaut. Suddenly the rock starts floating in the air and a huge explosion bursts through the ceiling. The Super family lands on the pool table. Lois seems to be fairing the best. Clark and Jon are both out of it. Clark is mumbling about Krypto.
All the freed spirits are zipping around the 'moon' rock. Lois realizes it must have Kryptonite in it and that is why they are drawn to it. The souls start to enter the bodies of the patrons and they seem unhappy. She tries to reason with the souls while reaching for the stone. She grabs it but loses it as a possessed patron grabs her, demanding their world back. Bibbo grabs it and she tells him it is hurting Superman and to get rid of it. He hesitates but decides if it is for Superman, he can part with the rock.
As he throws it out the window we see a soul try to take over Superman. He is feeling all of their pain and fear. He also hears his father's voice and we flash to the Kent farm. Jonathan Kent tells him he can help them to rest easy. Clark wakes in the bar and is now able to communicate with all the Kryptonian souls. They seem happy now that they are free and understand what has happened.
Of course the Eradicator shows up and is having none of that. It starts to suck all the souls back into it's crazy mouth hole. Jon wants to stay and help, but Clark is like nope, we gotta go. Bibbo is unimpressed with Superman running away. Really Superman is trying to, you know, save his family. The Eradicator chases them saying more stuff about how the boy is in the way. Jon uses his heat vision to make some steam but doesn't have much like slowing the Eradicator down.
Lois says Clark needs to stop and fight, but Clark is not having it. Too many people in danger including his fam. Some souls reach him and tell him that they want to help, that they are full of hope now for the future of Krypton. How are they going to help you ask? By surrounding the Eradicator and blowing themselves up. It falls down into the water, it is down, but likely not out.
Superman uses the time to put Lois and Jon into a submersible. Lois is unsure, but Clark has a plan. That appears to be...fly his family to the moon.
Son of Superman Part 5: Two hundred thirty-eight thousand nine hundred miles from Earth, aka, the Moon, Clark is still carrying Lois and Jon in a submersible. Jon is again super excited to be in space and knows many moon facts. Lois is less excited, she asks Clark to maybe let them in on his plan. He quotes Sun Tzu, "He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight." Jon doesn't get it, but Lois explains that Superman wanted to take the fight somewhere that he didn't have to hold back. First though, Clark needs to hide them...by putting them in a crater. Lois doesn't love the idea, but turns out our pal Batman has a moon base. A moon Batcave with metal bats to guard the door.
Lois is not a fan of bats on the moon, or in general. Superman warns to not touch anything. Jon suggests calling the Justice League, but Clark doesn't want to involve them. They only suspect Jon is super, but don't know for sure. Clark doesn't think that Jon is for the crime fighting world. Jon is dejected but agrees. Lois disagrees, they don't want to overprotect. I like that she makes a Star Wars reference, telling Clark he needs to be Jon's Obi-Wan.
At that moment, the Eradicator shows up to eradicate Jon. Naturally Superman starts fighting while telling Jon and Lois to run. The Eradicator is still pretty ranty. Jon and Lois do hide for once but are trying to figure out a way to help. Before they come up with anything, Eradicator busts in saying that Superman's love for Jon will be the death of him. Superman disagrees by punching and saying some words too about love making him stronger.
As if to prove its point, the Eradicator sucks Superman right into its mouth. Then it smiles real creepy like. Jon is pissed and tries to heat vision, but it does not work at all. The Eradicator slaps Lois away and starts to chase Jon while saying creepy things. Jon is hiding in some crates looking terrified. The Eradicator finds him and the chase is back on. Lois wakes up and starts looking in all the crates. (She knows Batman has some good shit.)
The Eradicator catches Jon and says more stuff about how humans are nothing so he has to die. Lucky for Jon and us, Lois shows up in a giant metal Bat suit. It is in fact the Hellbat suit (I think from the time Batman was fighting parademons). Lois informs the Eradicator that it forgot to take into account how much a mom will do to protect her kid. Lois and Jon tag team fight both trying to protect the other. While the fighting continues, we see Superman in whatever the realm is that exists in the Eradicators' body. He is talking to all the souls trapped there, asking for trust and help.
Now Superman absorbs all the souls into his body. He then uses their energy to break out of the Eradicator. He thanks Jon and Lois for holding down the fort but it is his turn to take this monster down.
Son of Superman Part Six: Superman is really tired of the Eradicator. Lois doesn't know what is up, but Jon somehow understands that all the Kryptonians are super charging his dad. Lois wants to help, but the fight takes a tumble into a crack in the Moon's surface. The Eradicator is still holding one soul that is giving him just enough power to keep fighting. I think their body heat is making them go further into the moon. The dialog is more fighting about whether humans are worth anything.
In Houston, NASA is picking up all the seismic activity on the moon. The fight makes it look like a volcano is erupting on the moon's surface. Luckily Batman's moon base has a Bat computer where Lois and Jon can watch the fight too.
The left behind soul is Krypto. Superman yells into the Eradicator's mouth, telling Krypto to follow his voice and bite. Krypto bursts out of the Eradicator's chest. Krypto uses his heat vision, while NASA watches, feeling worried. The explosion is huge! Like an a-bomb mushroom cloud making huge. The Eradicator is still not dead, but all of the souls are free. Finally the Eradicator powers down and Krypto sits on him.
NASA is still trying to figure out what the heck is going on. Superman is righting the lunar module and the camera is focused right on the S of his chest. Back in his bar, Bibbo is happy that this Superman is here to stay. The feed is being broadcasted everywhere and people seem pretty happy to see that Superman is still doing his thing. Lois is a little unsure, but Jon is happy and so is Krypto.
Later, back on the farm, Jon is yelling for his mom, something about a ceremony. Lois was busy enjoying a bubble bath. Jon was fixing his Super sweater and wondering if his dad will let him wear it again. Lois is confident that when Clark thinks he is ready, Jon will be back out there. For now, Super mom has his back. Jon makes a joke about her being Bat-mom. They have a cute mother-son moment. Jon asks if he will be like his dad someday. Lois says he won't, he will be Jon and that will be even more amazing.
On the TV, Superman is getting a key to the city (I assume Metropolis). There is also an interview with Bibbo, asking if he thinks this Superman is legit. He definitely does, in fact Superman came back and brought him a new Moon rock.
Later that night Jon is looking at the Moon from his window. He hears something so pretends to be sleeping. Clark has a gift for him, it is a hat from the Hamilton Huskers (the small town they are currently living in) and a pair of glasses. Jon asks why and Clark explains that many people saw a boy with Superman. Since Jon is starting school next week he will need a disguise. Jon is not happy about secrets and hiding. Clark is understanding but knows that the Eradicator is not the last threat they will face. Jon isn't scared but Clark tells him that it is okay to be.
Clark says the best thing about wearing the glasses is taking them off again. He smiles and tells Jon that he is coming with him (a fun call back to the first issue). The place they are going is none-other than the Justice League Watchtower. Batman and Wonder Woman are talking about the damage done to the Lunar Batcave. Superman apologizes, but Batman is not ready to forgive just yet. Superman offers to help, but Batman waves him off, he can afford the repairs. Superman says, "My pa always taught us to clean up our own messes. That's what we intend to do." Wonder Woman notices the we. Jon walks in and Superman introduces him as Superboy.
Thoughts: The title of this volume tells you a lot about what is going to happen. It is an introduction to Jon becoming Superboy. I think because of that, this felt like it was for a younger audience. I do continue to enjoy the Super family dynamic. I found the Eradicator to be really annoying and all of his dialogue was just the same terrible stuff over and over again. I think it tracts pretty accurately though. If I am not mistaken the Kryptonians did consider themselves to be above everyone and everything else. I am curious how the relationship with Kathy will pan out and very bummed that poor Goldie was killed.
The art in this Volume also felt like it was for a younger audience, but it was still pretty and after Batman, all the color was a fun change. I am going to sneak my favorite line in here because the random Gotham guy at Bibbo's Bar was spot on.
The Eradicator 100% is the Super-Terminator. He gets blown up and set on fire soooo many times and then just morphs back into shape, like it is no big deal. That is basically the only thing that kept me interested in this bad guy. I really wanted to know how the heck they were going to kill it. Also the way Bibbo says Sooperman is great! In my mind I make it the thickest Boston accent ever.
Hope you all enjoyed this recap, stay tuned for many more Rebirth recaps to come.
Next Week: Green Arrow Vol 1: The Death and Life of Oliver Queen
Last Week: Batman: Three Jokers
Note: All images belong to DC™
Back at the Smith farm, lightning strikes the barn, catching it on fire. Clark is able to save all the animals and put the fire out quickly. (Two notes: Smith is the surname of this super family, not Kent, also the farm is just north of Metropolis.) Jon gives his dad a thumbs up.
The next day we see the family cat hunting mice. Clark is cleaning up the mess from the fire and Lois is enjoying that he is now beard free. Jon is ready to start the rebuild, but Clark says there is more cleanup first. Clark promises to let him know when it is hammer time if Jon promises to not use his powers without his dad around. Jon runs off to do his other chores, the cat in tow.
We see a hawk or an eagle circling. It swoops down and grabs Goldie the cat. Jon reacts and accidently uses his laser vision. It is far too powerful and he incinerates both the bird and the cat. While he is crying about hurting the cat and breaking his promise, we see a little girl standing not too far off looking shocked. Jon rubs the tears away, looks back, and she is gone.
Back at the house, Clark tells Jon it is time to get building. Jon is no longer interested in helping or using his powers. At the moment Clark doesn't push him. Later at dinner, there is small talk and Lois asks if either of them has seen the cat. Both reply no.
There is a knock on the door. Jon answers it to find the young girl from before. Her name is Kathy Branden. Her and her grandfather live on the next farm over. It is a dairy farm and she has brought over some milk as a hello. Lois asks if Kathy saw a cat on her way over, she makes a face while looking at Jon but says no. She leaves pretty quickly. Lois is giving Jon a hard time for not saying anything but thinks it will be nice having someone his age so close. Jon disagrees, complaining that their lives are all just one big secret. Clark is a little confused by the outburst, but explains that the secret identity helps them be able to help people. Jon is not having it, he bursts out again calling them all a bunch of liars. Tired of Jon's 'tude, Clark sends him to his room.
In his room, Jon is crying as he looks out his window. We see Wonder Woman walk up, followed by Batman. Superman walks out to join them. Jon listens in to the conversation. We only get bits and pieces but they are worried about the new Superman and his super powered son. All three of them look up at the window. Jon jumps back, waiting to see what happens. The issue ends with Superman going into Jon's room and telling him that Jon needs to come with him.
A submarine has been damaged after running into some ice. Superman lifts the whole sub and fixes the hull with his laser vision. He can hear the crew talking, they are also unsure of this new Superman. Once fixed, Supe goes to tell the crew they are good to go. Right as they are thanking him, there is a huge crash.
A giant squid, (robot squid, I think) is attacking the sub. The men rush to get back in the sub as Superman fights it. The monster squid seems to be growing. Jon is cheering his dad on when a rogue tentacle knocks him from his hiding place. Superman yells for him to use his heat vision. At first he denies having heat vision (Just realized I have been calling this laser vision...pretty close right?...) but Superman tells him to shoot for the crystal controlling the creature (so not a robot, classic mind control).
Jon doesn't want to hit his dad, but when Superman yells for you to do something, you do it. Jon uses the heat vision and does in fact hit Superman, but he is okay. Superman tells him to try again. Jon takes off his heavy coat to reveal he is wearing his own S. Jon fires again, still hitting his dad, but he is able to focus it down and hit the crystal, destroying it. The squid swims off.
As they are flying off, we see some of Jon's blood on the snow. Some unknown force is analyzing it. It can tell that it is half human and half Kryptonian. Further, it knows the blood belongs to a member of the House of El.
Later, Jon is sitting in a tree. Kathy walks up. At the same time Lois is treating Clark's burnt back. They are discussing what they are going to do next, now that Jon's powers are growing. Kathy joins Jon in the tree. He asks why she didn't tell his parents what she saw. She figured it could be a secret between them. Lois and Clark think they have pretty good odds. At least with Jon, Clark knows what he is going through. Versus Clark, whose parents were just doing the best they could.
Kathy asks Jon if he is scared of his powers and he admits that sometimes he is. He doesn't want to hurt anyone. She figures he won't, she can tell he is good. Right as she is telling him she feels safe around him, the tree branch they are on breaks. Kathy is able to grab the tree but Jon falls to the ground hard.
Clark and Lois are still chatting, Clark is checking the mail. He hands Lois a package from L. Lane, but before she can open it, Kathy and her grandfather arrive carrying an unconscious Jon. Cobb, (Kathy's grandfather) offers to call a doctor or drive them all to the hospital, but Clark assures him that they have got it. It is intense, but they get Kathy and Cobb to leave. Clark had already scanned his body and the only thing he noticed was a slight concussion. They do not understand how he can have all these powers, but still scrape up his knees and get head injuries. Clark says they need to take him to the fortress.
Already at the fortress in the unknown force from before. The thing is able to get into the fortress because it is Kryptonian? It uses the super crystals to reform into a weird looking version of Superman. Looks like this guy is known as Eradicator.
Son of Superman Part Three: The super family arrives at the Fortress of Solitude that is in the Arctic Circle. Lois is unsure about being there, because it feels like trespassing. Clark points out that his mountain fortress doesn't have the same tech. Jon is still unconscious and they need to run some tests to figure out what the shared genomes will mean for him. Before Clark can finish his thought, he sees an intruder.
Superman is pissed and goes right for the weird looking Superman wannabe. He asks him why he looks like the Eradicator. (This being speaks about itself using we, like we are the Eradicator and we will make you listen.) They fight and Eradicator says that it wants to save Krypton. Jon finally wakes up, which mostly just makes it hard for Lois to get him away from the fight.
With the fighting stopped, Superman can now run some tests on Jon. He is still really nervous about the Eradicator, but is more worried about his son. Jon is also creeped out because the Eradicator is now just silently staring at them. (Also Krypto the dog is hanging out, being cute in his own little cape.) Jon is lying in an upright scanner, getting scanned. He is feeling all better now and not feeling all the tests. Lois is trying to keep him calm, but she is a little worried too.
Jon asks if it is his powers they are worried about, but his dad points out it is not the powers themselves so much as the lack of consistency. Jon's body is still adapting. Superman uses a clever segue to ask the Eradicator why it is wearing the El family emblem. (Now it is time for some monologuing.)
The Eradicator was a creation of General Zod. It was created to arrest Kryptonian lawbreakers that were on Zod's list. They didn't arrest so much as draw the life force out of people and then send them to the Phantom Zone. (Kinda brutal if you ask me...) Anyway, after a mission off planet, they returned to see Krypton explode. They decided their new mission would be to find any and all survivors.
Jon looks dubious as the Eradicator tells of finding Jon's blood, but noting that it is tainted with human blood. He pulls the classic bad crap by saying that the genome needs to be pure in order for Krypton to be reborn. He wants to fix Jon so that his Kryptonian half can subsume his human half. Superman is unimpressed with the idea but before he can act, the Eradicator powers up ready to suck the human life force right out of Jon. Krypto reacts the fastest, putting himself in-between the Eradicator and Jon. This causes Krypto to get sucked right into the mouth of the Eradicator, leaving behind only his little cape.
Son of Superman Part Four: Superman starts fighting with the Eradicator again. The Eradicator drops a lot of shit about race purity (gross). While they are fighting, Jon is debating getting in this fight to kill this thing. His mom gets him to chill out and remember to choose good. (I am pretty sure this kid is 10 and not invulnerable, but Lois still lets him get in the fight.) Superman and Superboy give the Eradicator a double punch in the face, literally knocking it's head open.
In Metropolis, two men are having an arm wrestling contest in a bar. The bar owner is one Bibbo who I feel we have seen before? He is a huge Superman fan. The other guy is from Gotham. (Not sure that matters.) Anyway, Bibbo wins and his prize is a moon rock that the other guy got from an astronaut. Suddenly the rock starts floating in the air and a huge explosion bursts through the ceiling. The Super family lands on the pool table. Lois seems to be fairing the best. Clark and Jon are both out of it. Clark is mumbling about Krypto.
All the freed spirits are zipping around the 'moon' rock. Lois realizes it must have Kryptonite in it and that is why they are drawn to it. The souls start to enter the bodies of the patrons and they seem unhappy. She tries to reason with the souls while reaching for the stone. She grabs it but loses it as a possessed patron grabs her, demanding their world back. Bibbo grabs it and she tells him it is hurting Superman and to get rid of it. He hesitates but decides if it is for Superman, he can part with the rock.
As he throws it out the window we see a soul try to take over Superman. He is feeling all of their pain and fear. He also hears his father's voice and we flash to the Kent farm. Jonathan Kent tells him he can help them to rest easy. Clark wakes in the bar and is now able to communicate with all the Kryptonian souls. They seem happy now that they are free and understand what has happened.
Lois says Clark needs to stop and fight, but Clark is not having it. Too many people in danger including his fam. Some souls reach him and tell him that they want to help, that they are full of hope now for the future of Krypton. How are they going to help you ask? By surrounding the Eradicator and blowing themselves up. It falls down into the water, it is down, but likely not out.
Superman uses the time to put Lois and Jon into a submersible. Lois is unsure, but Clark has a plan. That appears to be...fly his family to the moon.
Son of Superman Part 5: Two hundred thirty-eight thousand nine hundred miles from Earth, aka, the Moon, Clark is still carrying Lois and Jon in a submersible. Jon is again super excited to be in space and knows many moon facts. Lois is less excited, she asks Clark to maybe let them in on his plan. He quotes Sun Tzu, "He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight." Jon doesn't get it, but Lois explains that Superman wanted to take the fight somewhere that he didn't have to hold back. First though, Clark needs to hide them...by putting them in a crater. Lois doesn't love the idea, but turns out our pal Batman has a moon base. A moon Batcave with metal bats to guard the door.
Lois is not a fan of bats on the moon, or in general. Superman warns to not touch anything. Jon suggests calling the Justice League, but Clark doesn't want to involve them. They only suspect Jon is super, but don't know for sure. Clark doesn't think that Jon is for the crime fighting world. Jon is dejected but agrees. Lois disagrees, they don't want to overprotect. I like that she makes a Star Wars reference, telling Clark he needs to be Jon's Obi-Wan.
At that moment, the Eradicator shows up to eradicate Jon. Naturally Superman starts fighting while telling Jon and Lois to run. The Eradicator is still pretty ranty. Jon and Lois do hide for once but are trying to figure out a way to help. Before they come up with anything, Eradicator busts in saying that Superman's love for Jon will be the death of him. Superman disagrees by punching and saying some words too about love making him stronger.
As if to prove its point, the Eradicator sucks Superman right into its mouth. Then it smiles real creepy like. Jon is pissed and tries to heat vision, but it does not work at all. The Eradicator slaps Lois away and starts to chase Jon while saying creepy things. Jon is hiding in some crates looking terrified. The Eradicator finds him and the chase is back on. Lois wakes up and starts looking in all the crates. (She knows Batman has some good shit.)
The Eradicator catches Jon and says more stuff about how humans are nothing so he has to die. Lucky for Jon and us, Lois shows up in a giant metal Bat suit. It is in fact the Hellbat suit (I think from the time Batman was fighting parademons). Lois informs the Eradicator that it forgot to take into account how much a mom will do to protect her kid. Lois and Jon tag team fight both trying to protect the other. While the fighting continues, we see Superman in whatever the realm is that exists in the Eradicators' body. He is talking to all the souls trapped there, asking for trust and help.
Son of Superman Part Six: Superman is really tired of the Eradicator. Lois doesn't know what is up, but Jon somehow understands that all the Kryptonians are super charging his dad. Lois wants to help, but the fight takes a tumble into a crack in the Moon's surface. The Eradicator is still holding one soul that is giving him just enough power to keep fighting. I think their body heat is making them go further into the moon. The dialog is more fighting about whether humans are worth anything.
In Houston, NASA is picking up all the seismic activity on the moon. The fight makes it look like a volcano is erupting on the moon's surface. Luckily Batman's moon base has a Bat computer where Lois and Jon can watch the fight too.
The left behind soul is Krypto. Superman yells into the Eradicator's mouth, telling Krypto to follow his voice and bite. Krypto bursts out of the Eradicator's chest. Krypto uses his heat vision, while NASA watches, feeling worried. The explosion is huge! Like an a-bomb mushroom cloud making huge. The Eradicator is still not dead, but all of the souls are free. Finally the Eradicator powers down and Krypto sits on him.
Later, back on the farm, Jon is yelling for his mom, something about a ceremony. Lois was busy enjoying a bubble bath. Jon was fixing his Super sweater and wondering if his dad will let him wear it again. Lois is confident that when Clark thinks he is ready, Jon will be back out there. For now, Super mom has his back. Jon makes a joke about her being Bat-mom. They have a cute mother-son moment. Jon asks if he will be like his dad someday. Lois says he won't, he will be Jon and that will be even more amazing.
On the TV, Superman is getting a key to the city (I assume Metropolis). There is also an interview with Bibbo, asking if he thinks this Superman is legit. He definitely does, in fact Superman came back and brought him a new Moon rock.
Later that night Jon is looking at the Moon from his window. He hears something so pretends to be sleeping. Clark has a gift for him, it is a hat from the Hamilton Huskers (the small town they are currently living in) and a pair of glasses. Jon asks why and Clark explains that many people saw a boy with Superman. Since Jon is starting school next week he will need a disguise. Jon is not happy about secrets and hiding. Clark is understanding but knows that the Eradicator is not the last threat they will face. Jon isn't scared but Clark tells him that it is okay to be.
Clark says the best thing about wearing the glasses is taking them off again. He smiles and tells Jon that he is coming with him (a fun call back to the first issue). The place they are going is none-other than the Justice League Watchtower. Batman and Wonder Woman are talking about the damage done to the Lunar Batcave. Superman apologizes, but Batman is not ready to forgive just yet. Superman offers to help, but Batman waves him off, he can afford the repairs. Superman says, "My pa always taught us to clean up our own messes. That's what we intend to do." Wonder Woman notices the we. Jon walks in and Superman introduces him as Superboy.
The art in this Volume also felt like it was for a younger audience, but it was still pretty and after Batman, all the color was a fun change. I am going to sneak my favorite line in here because the random Gotham guy at Bibbo's Bar was spot on.
Hope you all enjoyed this recap, stay tuned for many more Rebirth recaps to come.
Next Week: Green Arrow Vol 1: The Death and Life of Oliver Queen
Last Week: Batman: Three Jokers
Note: All images belong to DC™
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