A rare medical condition afflicts some people with ‘face blindness’, an inability to recognise folk from one meeting to the next. This might explain why Lois Lane couldn’t connect the dots between Clark Kent and Superman when he took his glasses off and changed clothes. It turns out things are worse than that for Lois…
She’s also unable to recognise the colour pink.
OK, I’m kidding, but having ace reporter Lois Lane fail to realise the pink-haired kid in the ninja suit is the same pink-haired kid who’s been hanging out with her super-son is very odd. Mind, a metahuman engaged in stealth work exposing inarguably lurid locks is also bizarre.
Anyway, the good news is that despite his horrible choices in the tonsorial department – dig that titchy topknot! – I finally warmed to Jay Nakamura this month, as we learn something of his past and see him not just sending new Superman Jon Kent off to do his bidding, but getting his hands dirty himself. It turns out he’s surprisingly springy.
The issue opens with street kids in Blüdhaven kidnapped via metahuman.
Meanwhile, Jon is indulging his penchant for outdoor dining – that kid’s never met a high surface he didn’t want to perch on.
And Lois is giving Batman an earful.
I’m pleased writer Tom Taylor returned to this point, as the ease with which series villain Henry Bendix dropped a weaponised metahuman on Ma and Pa Kent a couple of issues ago was rather disturbing; it’s not something to be casually forgotten.
I also like that rather than continue his bombastic approach to any perceived problem, Jon sits back and lets Jay use his knowledge and power set to advance their cause.
So Jay is the son of the president of Gamorra? Jay’s associate, The Aerie, from Taylor and Bruno Redondo’s sublime Suicide Squad series, is the progeny of the Badhnisian President. Coincidence? Or is Taylor planning a new supergroup, All the Presidents’ Kids? Every Madeupistan in the DCU could contribute someone. Heck, perhaps Oolong Island chief Veronica Cale has a heretofore unrevealed sprog? And Queen Bee of Bialya a larva lad.
After last month’s annual, Superman: Son of Kal-El continues to improve, as the Henry Bendix plotline starts picking up steam and Jon goes from solo contractor to team player. There’s Jay, Lois, Batman, even old pal Damian shows up – in a rather cool new Robin costume – to bless his pal’s new relationship.
Series artist John Timms does his usual fine job, with smart storytelling choices, plenty of drama in the figurework and an ever more confident young Superman – I especially like the way he draws Jon flying, his pose different to his dad’s classic soaring posture.
Hi-Fi’s covers are as attractive as ever, with especially great lighting and blast effects. And Dave Sharpe’s letters are another plus.
While happily absent inside the issue, blustering Jon is right there on the cover. ‘Get off my world!’? It’s like he’s having a super tantrum.
Anyway, overall this is a good read, fleshing out the storyline in fine style. I’d love to know your thoughts.
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 
The idea that Jay wouldn’t keep his pink hair covered… and the idea that later he wears his own distinctive orange hoodie when he speaks with the Gammoran ambassador — makes me think he’s not the brightest bulb in the chandelier. I have to think Lois was just being kind, pretending not to recognize him.
On the other hand, I liked Damian’s blessing of their relationship. And I liked that Jon actually saved the kids in the transport container — I was honestly ready for them to disappear without him noticing.
This series still hasn’t grabbed me as much as Johnson’s Action Comics — which is exactly the opposite of how I thought I’d feel about these books once Taylor came on board. Taylor pretty much fires on all cylinders for me, but not here. Not yet, anyway.
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It’s funny, every time I see ‘Jay’ without a picture, I think the Flash. I wish writers would give everyone a unique name.
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