DC Comics Needs to Let Its Next Generation Grow Up
- David Folson
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
From the Rebirth Era to All In, and now Next Level we have had countless stories told. But for years, DC has struggled with legacy characters unable to grow because they are trapped in their parents' shadow. Jon Kent and Damien Wayne, also known as the Super Sons. Two legacy heirs, discovering what it meant to be a hero together. Jon embodied hopeful, youthful optimism and Damien and brooding un-socialized ball of lethal arrogance. It sold well; readers loved it and the chemistry between them was undeniable. Batman and Superman were always a winning pair, and the Super Sons was one that was ready to be dealt to the new generation.
But, Jon went on summer vacation touring the cosmos with his grandpa Jor-El. Shenanigans ensued and he was aged up years even though it had only been weeks on Earth. Jon goes from being Superboy to Superman. He fills in when his father is off planet and had his own title named "Superman: Son of Kal-El" running from July 2021 – December 2022. For the time in recent history, it felt like DC was allowing a legacy character to truly advance.
Damien was left behind by Jon and left in the shadow of the Bat. And it seemed as if DC was finally letting a legacy character move on. I mean we have seen this before with some other legacy characters. Dick Grayson, the first Robin, left the shadow of Batman and forged his own path as Nightwing. Now he is arguable one of the most respected DC heroes. Jason Todd even rejected Batman's moral boundaries and became Red Hood. Neither one of them stayed Robin, they survived becoming by becoming something new. As recently as DC K.O. Knightfight #4 we see teases of a DC universe ready to move past Bruce Wayne as Batman, and transition him to a mentor, trainer, and grandfather.
And this is where the frustration sets in. Just as older Jon Kent is hitting his strides, Jon develops a new identity, Tomorrow Man. And a fifth dimensional imp reintroduces a time displaced young Jon Kent.
Why? The tension isn't even creative, its editorial. Friendship evolves, legacy evolves, heroes evolves but the Super Sons can't? Sliding time scales means they have to remain teens forever for the stories to work? I think not.
The next generation shouldn’t exist merely to remind us of older heroes. They should challenge, expand, and redefine what those symbols mean. The Super Sons shouldn't stay children forever. They were meant to grow up, alongside the fans and usher in new generation of readers as their heroes.
And the future of the DC Universe depends on whether DC is willing to let them.
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