Superman #16
The SuperSons reunite in Superman #16, by writer Brian Micheal Bendis, artist David Lafuente, colorist Paul Mounts, and letterer Dave Sharpe. Bendis reunites Jon and Damian in what is probably the most fun this book has been so far. As a bonus, he gives readers Jon’s decision on whether to join the Legion of Superheroes or not.
Damian Wayne battles Leviathan in Gotham City, feeling offended that they stole the name of his mother’s organization. They escape him using their teleportation tech, which he covets because of Damian when Jon shows up. At first, Damian suspects this aged up Jon is a Leviathan trick, but after they talk for a bit, Damian believes he is who he claims to be. Jon describes what happened to him while he was gone, then they go on around, stopping crimes and talking about Jon’s offer to join the Legion of Superheroes. They part ways, and Jon heads back to the Fortress Of Solitude to see his father. They talk for a bit when Saturn Girl from the LoSH turns up, and Jon makes his decision about whether to join the team or not.
Bendis captures the rapid-fire banter of Jon and Damian perfectly. There’s really no other way to describe it. Readers were wary of what Bendis would do when aging Jon up. Everyone was scared that he would make Jon all grimdark, but that hasn’t at all been the case, and this issue showcases that. It feels like there has been no change at all to Jon. He and Damian’s relationship is exactly the same- a bit adversarial, but the friendship of the two shines through. The way they interact with each other has always been very entertaining, and this issue follows that. Bendis’ humorous dialogue is perfect for these two, and he even captures the depth of feeling that they have for each other.
As the two fight their way through the night, Jon reveals the LoSH’s offer, and Damian reacts in typical Damian fashion- he would join in a heartbeat. Jon is still reticent to go, mostly because he would miss Damian, but Damian has an answer for that- Jon could put in a good word for him. Damian Wayne on the Legion of Superheroes is something the world needs, and Bendis needs to make this happen at some happen.
David Lafuente’s art is perfect for this issue. His character acting is top-notch, his action scenes are kinetic, and his detail is amazing. Bendis has brought a lot of great artists with him to DC, and Lafuente is one of them. There’s really no standout page because they are all stand out pages.
Superman #16 is pure entertainment. This is easily the best issue of the series so far. It’s funny and poignant, a reunion of two friends that readers have been missing together. Bendis hits all the right notes in this issue. Add to that Jon’s decision about joining the LoSH, and this issue has it all. David Lafuente’s art perfectly compliments Bendis’ script, making the humor and emotion work so well. This is the kind of comic that can be read over and over again. It’s so much fun. Bendis is writing a lot at DC right now, but this issue proves just how amazing a SuperSons book by him would be.
