Robin And Superboy Venture To A Galaxy Far, Far Away In Super Sons #8

Damian and Jon are thrown through a portal far from home to the strange world of Yggardis. They’re caught in the middle of a battle between super powered aliens and the planet itself. What does this have to do with the strange villain Kraklow and his magical life-giving clay? We’re about to find out, sort of.

What is interesting in Super Sons #8 is how despite being the son of the world’s greatest detective, Damian is not the one to connect the dots about the clay and Yggardis. It’s Jon. Granted, Jon makes some pretty big and way too convenient leaps in logic to get there.
Damian fulfills his role as the dark Boy Wonder, reluctant to trust these new compatriots even after they’ve shared their story. Meanwhile, Jon is immediately ready to help them because that’s what his dad taught him to do. The dynamic between the two is still spot-on and always entertaining. This is particularly true when Jon is mistaken for the older one just because he’s taller.

This jump to Yggardis kills some of the momentum built up in the first two chapters of the “Planet of the Capes” storyline. It’s bogged down with exposition as writer Peter J. Tomasi has to take time to explain this new world, its current situation, and its inhabitants. The backstory is beautifully illustrated by artist Jorge Jimenez in some uniquely laid out pages. The flashback panels branch out of the new characters’ heads, like they’re pulling memories from their minds.
I’m not adverse to these young guest stars, Hard Line and Big Shot. They show some potential and I’d be interested to see if they journey back to Earth with Damian and Jon. They could create a unique interaction there as the female dystopian version of the Super Sons. They’ve had to fight for their lives whereas the boys live in relative luxury by comparison.

Jimenez has a knack for action, creating some dynamic pages that really draw your eye. He uses silhouette well to highlight specific movements. This is especially true in a sequence towards the end showcasing how well Damian and Jon are working together. They even have their own code words for special moves. The panel layouts get more varied and angular during the fight scenes, then returning to normal structures in the calmer moments.

Super Sons is still a fun romp with the pint-size versions of Superman and Batman, however this arc is starting to drag a bit. I’m not as emotionally invested as I was for the opening storyline. The villain is a bit out there for this duo. It’s like they’re fighting Mogo or Ego the Living Planet. I’m hoping for another shoe to drop. Instead, this whole mystical clay angle is rather dry.
Super Sons #8 is currently available from your local comic shop or digitally through ComiXology and Amazon Kindle.