Oh goody. Here we go again.
Brian Michael Bendis has again fucked with the Superman-mythos. Since DC made the pathetically stupid decision to not only hire on the much maligned former Marvel writer, they doubled down by letting him take over their second most successful character of all time; THE SUPERMAN TITLES.
Prior to his taking over of the books, Peter Tomasi and Dan Jurgens revitalized the character on Superman and Action Comics respectively. Tomasi utilized Jon Kent, Superman and Lois Lane’s son, to great comedic effect, while also showing what a world would look like when the only true living-god has to look after his son. These stories have been told before from the perspective of his dynamic with Lois, but the child element shows a much more human side. A side that demands protection of our youngest. A side that looks at the children of today, as the men of tomorrow. Pretty symbolic if you ask me. Through these stories we got to see what a young Superboy would look like, the adventures, friends and questions he would have. How does he balance having powers with being a kid? Where does he fit in with the family dynamic? How does a pre-teen balance a huge enormity on his shoulders?
Boil it past the superpowers and really, these are common questions all kids and parents ask themselves.
Over on Action Comics, Jurgens not only used John as well, but gave many of his iconic villains a facelift that served them well. Focusing more on the adventure side of the Kent’s and less about the world building Tomasi did, Jurgens thrust the family into unique and challenging adventures, re-designing characters and updating stories from his original run in the 90’s that was met with great praise at the time for his storytelling abilities, even if most of DC’s books at the time were trying to go for the “gotcha” type of sales tactics; like the Death and Return of Superman storyline.
Since taking over both books, and numerous others, Bendis has separated Lois and Clark, turning the once proud family into a broken marriage that is only ever visited when Lois needs to get her rocks off.
She also abandoned her son so that she could return to writing at the Daily Planet. Something she never stopped doing under Tomais and Jurgen’s run, so that decision was dumb in of it self.
Then, he aged up the pre-teen Superboy. Leaving Earth with his Grandfather Zor-El – yup – Jon aged up to about 16. Why? Who the fuck knows. Many thought Bendis was trying to capture the classic character traits of Connor Kent, the Jurgen’s created Superboy, who was a clone of Superman.
Except Bendis then brought back that Superboy anyway. So…..what’s the point?
Now Superboy is getting a new code-name. What Superboy? Who knows. During an AMA, Bendis said;
Jon and Conner will meet and work that out. On panel. PROMISE, yes, there will be some rebranding and some new looks. Change is good!
If change is so good, how about some more change? Fire Bendis.
Now that’s change I can get behind.
In Other News…
The Hollywood Reporter is claiming Chris Hemsworth has been cast to play Hulk Hogan in an actual biopic. You read that right, the God of Thunder is playing the man known as Thunderlips. The irony. No word yet how honest this adaptation will be of Hulk’s life. Will they cover the steroid trial? The racist rhetoric? His son’s life changing car wreck? THe Joker’s Todd Phillips is directing, with a script form Scott Silver. Bradley Cooper of all people is co-producing, as is Eric Bischoff. The movie is expected to air on Netflix.
Quick Hits – Kevin Smith, who is working on Howard the Duck animated series for Hulu, will be bringing back Lea Thompson for a secret role in the series. Thompson originally starred in the horrifically bad 1980’s live-action film. The man who played Luke Cage himself, Mike Colter, will appear as the lead on CBS’s new show Evil. The CW has cast Dougray Scott as Kate Kane’s father on Batwoman.