WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Challenge of the Super Sons #1 by Peter J. Tomasi, Max Raynor, Luis Guerrero, and Rob Leigh, on sale now.
Currently, in the DC Universe, the Super Sons are no more. They're still alive, but they are no longer an active team. The World's Smallest had to go their separate ways due to Jon Kent's aging up in Brian Michael Bendis' run of Superman, and his running off to join the Legion of Super-Heroes in the future.
And as for Damian Wayne, the latest Robin has had a hard time of it lately. He has broken away from his father's methods and struck out on his own in a much more violent manner. But this doesn't have to be the end of the line for them, as Challenge of the Super Sons #1 provides a brief glimpse into one bright future the boys might share.
Taking place shortly after Adventures of the Super Sons, the present day story is narrated over by the grandchildren of the heroes reading about the Super Sons' adventures while the two older men play video games. These two men are heavily implied to be an older Robin and Superboy, both aged and retired. Despite the current status of their present-day selves, this future implies that the Super Sons could reunite at some point and avoid the terrible futures that (mostly) revolve around Damian Wayne, which isn't too surprising to see why that may be the case.
The issue begins with the two men bickering over a fighting game starring Robin and Superboy. Their banter is very familiar to that of the Super Sons, and it's their way of communicating with each other, even if it doesn't always appear to be the friendliest. This lends further proof to that these two are older versions of the Super Sons,.
However, the likely presence of Damian here suggests that he did not act like an immortal Batman or the head of the League of Assassins, which implies that Jon had a role in steering Damian away from the darker paths that seem to permeate his future. Jonathan Kent has always been the day to Damian's night. The two are opposites, yet they complement each other. At first, naturally, they despised each other. That part was mostly Damian's fault, as he kidnapped Jon because he thought the young Superboy might present a threat to the world one day. But through trials and tribulations, the boys discovered that they enjoyed each other's company and in time, they became best friends.
More impressively, the friendship benefitted both boys. Damian's skills and seriousness helped Jon hone his own budding abilities, as well as taught him how to work with other young heroes. And Jon in turn, helped Damian to experience what it was like to be a normal kid, bringing a much-needed injection of fun and childishness into Damian's far too broody demeanor. So by the time of their last adventure, one could argue that both boys were at the peak of their crimefighting career, with even more improvement forthcoming.
That all changed when Jon disappeared into space and returned much older. While this single act was not the sole reason Damian decided to break away from Batman, it was one of the major reasons. Damian had not only lost his best friend to the future, but also a friendly ear. If anyone might have been able to help Damian through his issues with his father and Alfred's murder, Jon could have. But his absence was just another factor putting pressure on Damian and isolating him even further.
But if Challenge of the Super Sons is any indication, it isn't too late for things to turn around. The Bat-Family might not be able to reach Damian, but Jon might. He's always been the one Damian would turn to when he was frustrated with his dad and Damian needs a friend now more than ever.