This July, Jon Kent officially follows in his father's footsteps and inherits the mantle of the DC Universe's most iconic superhero in Superman: Son of Kal-El #1, complete with a retconned origin.

In an exclusive preview from the opening issue by Tom Taylor, John Timms and Gabe Eltaeb, Jon's father Kal-El is in the midst of a cosmic battle fighting alongside Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter, before returning home to the Fortress of Solitude in time to witness Lois Lane giving birth to their son.

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"Superman has been my hero for as long as I can remember. Being raised by a single mother, he was one of my biggest male role models as a child. I have a very strong memory of being four years old and proudly walking down the street with red underpants over blue jeans, while wearing a faded thrift-shop Superman t-shirt," Taylor said in a written statement. "For this Australian kid to grow up and become the writer of Superman… I mean, statistically, I’d have a better chance of being an Astronaut and going to space. Writing a new Superman, a new hero for a new generation to look up to, is a big responsibility and a great honor."

Jon was born in a pocket dimension during the crossover event Convergence, created in 2015 by longtime Superman writer and artist Dan Jurgens. With this new origin, Jon is much more firmly woven into the fabric of the DCU as the Infinite Frontier era continues ahead of the young hero claiming the mantle of Superman in his father's sudden absence.

Written by Tom Taylor and illustrated by John Timms and Gabe Eltaeb, Superman: Son of Kal-El #1 goes on sale July 27 from DC.

Superman: Son Of Kal-El #1

  • Written by TOM TAYLOR
  • Art by JOHN TIMMS
  • On sale July 27
  • Jonathan Kent has experienced a lot in his young life. He’s fought evil with Robin (Damian Wayne), traveled across galaxies with his Kryptonian grandfather, and lived in the future with the Legion of Super-Heroes, who were intent on training him for the day his father could no longer be Superman. There is a hole in the Legion’s history that prevents Jon from knowing exactly when that will happen, but all signs point to it being very soon. It’s time for the son to wear the cape of his father and continue the never-ending battle as a symbol of hope for his home planet.

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Source: DC