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Review: New Super-Man #6

By Andy Frisk
January 8, 2017 - 20:08

Every superhero needs their moment of clarity, and Kong Keenan gets his this issue. It's one of those moments where a young brash superhero learns what true loss means. The kind of loss that makes them a better, and more mature, person. It's a moment that could have seemed trite, given how often it happens in coming of age stories, especially superhero ones, but writer Gene Luen-Yang handles it deftly. Keenan's coming of age is more poignant, and surprise twist filled, than expected.

"Made in China," the opening New Super-Man story arc wraps up this issue bringing New Super-Man/Kong Kenan's first adventure to a close. Over the past 6 issues we've been introduced to a character that a first seemed a rather unlikely premise for a new superhero in the DC Rebirth universe of titles, but has ended up being one of its most interesting and compelling. From his on again/off again powers, and his coming of age moments, Kenan's origin story (which is what "Made in China" basically was), paralleled many other heroes' origins, including Spider-Man's, but was completely fresh and engaging. This is a testament to Luen-Yang's pacing and characterization.

Equally important to Luen-Yang's consistency with the overall pacing, has been Viktor Bogdanovic's consistent artwork. Kenan's origin benefited from a solid and consistent look and artistic pacing that Bogdanovic supplied through the first 6 issues. Some of the DC Rebirth titles have suffered from a lack of visual consistency. New Super-Man was one that hasn't.

I was skeptical about this series when it was first announced and subsequently debuted. Now I'm a fan. That's the highest praise that any new sequential art project can garner. Here's to more of New Super-Man.

Rating: 9.5 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12