'Adventures of Superman' returns at DC Comics

Super-son takes center stage in six-issue miniseries

The “Adventures of Superman” title has returned to DC Comics, and now, Kal-El’s son, Jonathan Kent, is the titular Superman. 

“Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent” #1 is written by Tom Taylor, with art by Clayton Henry, colors by Jordie Bellaire, and letters by Wes Abbott.

There’s a lot of multiversal mayhem in the first issue of “Adventures,” which opens with a Superman facing off against an overpowering foe. Spoilers follow below for the issue, which is on-sale now. 

This is just the cold open to get us into the action, as we move back to DC’s primary Earth and meet up with Jon Kent, getting used to his identity again being secret due to recent machinations in the “Superman” books. An emergency calls him into action, where he both has a flare-up of sorts with his powers (where this is likely going is spoiled, or maybe just teased, on the cover) and he meets up with another interdimensional Superman counterpart. Val-Zod, the Superman of Earth-2, has come to Earth Zero to recruit Jon Kent for his upcoming battle. This sets up the conflict to drive this storyline, as Jon Kent finds out about a threat coming for his father – and its possible ramifications on his mother – unless he’s able to intervene. That threat is the evil alternate Superman, Ultraman, seen destroying a Superman in the first pages of this issue, and who is responsible for the loss of Jon Kent’s childhood.   

Henry and Bellaire provide a good mix of kinetic action and softer character moments in the art. With a story titled “Countdown to Injustice,” something writer Taylor has a lot of experience with, it seems likely this story could go down some dark paths. Taylor confirmed at dc.com that the videogame world of “Injustice,” with its evil Superman, will come into play in this series. I’m hopeful Taylor, who has done a good job filling the Son of Superman with some joy and hope, will continue to provide that contrast in this six-issue series that replaced Jon Kent’s “Son of Kal-El” on the schedule. “Adventures of Superman” is a title with a lot of history, from the George Reeves TV series and the long-running comics title of the “Triangle Era” in the 1980s and 1990s. It’s nice to see the title on the stand again, and I’m intrigued to see where Jon goes from here. 

Weekend Events at Speeding Bullet Comics

Erik Betts of “Power Rangers” coming to Speeding Bullet on Saturday

Actor, stuntman and martial artist Erik Betts of "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" will appear at noon Saturday, March 11 at Speeding Bullet Comics, 614 N Porter Ave. in Norman, OK.

Betts performed as the stunt double for the Red and Green Rangers on “Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers."

Betts also portrayed the Putty Patrollers and Pudgy Pig.

Betts was a stunt double for Jason David Frank, and wants to share his experiences with "Power Rangers" fans, while honoring JDF's legacy and helping provide mental health awareness for anyone struggling.

Erik's other roles included stunning television audiences as the suavely vicious "Panther" in "WMAC Masters" (1994).

Betts played Agent Brown and other roles on "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer" and "Keeper of the Name," among others, on "Angel."

His credits also include the films G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Avatar, The Last Airbender, The Green Hornet, Fast Five, The Fate of the Furious, and Lady Gaga's music video "G.U.Y."

Pictionary Showdown, Round 2 on Friday!

Speeding Bullet Comics will host a Pictionary Drawing game and silent auction to help raise money for Annette Price’s run for Norman School Board. (Annette is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet and spouse of Matthew Price.) The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 10 at Speeding Bullet Comics, 614 N Porter Ave. in Norman, OK. The runoff election for school board is April 4. More info on the election: https://annetteforkids.com.

Matthew Price, matthew@matthewlprice.com, has written about the comics industry for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman.