Superman 42: Happy Together

Bizarroverse Part 1: Father of Boyzarro

Patrick Gleason & Peter J. Tomasi - Writers. Patrick Gleason - Artist, Alejandro Sanchez - Colors, Rob Leigh - Letters, Patrick Gleason & John Kalisz - Cover, Jessica Chen - Assistant Editor, Paul Kaminski - Editor

Initial Reactions:

I liked this issue, and enjoy the setup to this arc.  I had to read the Bizarro prologue a few times to absorb what he was saying due to the way he speaks, but those pages were very interesting.  The issue focuses on the heart of the Superman book since Rebirth, which is the Kent family.  Until we get to the last page, we are left feeling a real warmth, like we were guests at their family dinner.  The issue is really just setting up the whole arc, with no real action, but the family beats and the juxtaposition between the Kents and the Bizarros is very interesting.

The Story:

 The issue opens with an inner monologue from Bizarro.  He is lamenting that his family doesn't appreciate what he does for them.  He just wants to be a family.  He continues through a graveyard, concluding that it is time to show the world that he is a hero.  We get a beautiful double splash page with Bizarro posing in the iconic Superman pose, revealing his backwords S by ripping open his jacket.

After the credits page, we see Bizarro saving his worm ranch with his son looking on. Next, we see a slice of life for the Bizarro family.  Loiz picks a fight with Bizarro because he is lazy, and Boyzarro chases after his cat which is running away.  He falls into a patch of cacti, and a Bizarro hawk and Hawkgirl begin to fly away the cat until Boyzarro uses his ice vision to take them down.  We turn the page to see Jon and Kathy arriving through a portal to observe Bizarro World.  They are protected by an electro-plasma membrane, so they cannot interfere with this world.  Jon seems to be thrilled to see Bizarro World, even coming face-to-face with Boyzarro.  Kathy said she is getting interference when Jon touched the membrane the same time as his doppleganger, and they are flashed back to Kathy's ship.

Jon and Kathy start catching up, and we learn that Jon misses the country life he had in Hamilton.  He makes the observation that in Metropolis, that even though there are a lot of people around, most people seem lonely.  Kathy reminds him that he owes her Chinese takeout, which reminds Jon that he is running late, and quickly flies home.

Back at the Metropolis apartment, Superman fails at surprising Lois with flowers.  They have a sweet moment, just then, Lois notices that Jon left the place a complete mess.  Jon flies in with takeout containers, and he appears to be forgiven.  Just like any nuclear family meal, Clark and Lois grill their son on where he came from.  He tries to skirt the question, but they playfully use their journalistic skills to let him know they know he was with Kathy.  Once he was discovered, he uses his speed to clean up the dining room and head up to his room.  Clark and Lois are free to binge watch some show.

It is moments like this that really endear me to this book.  Even if it is likely to be brief, I absolutely love that Tomasi and Gleason allow the Kents to have some time to be "normal".  A lot of storytellers across all mediums seem to add conflict to the family in order to build drama. I commend the creators here for being willing to allow Superman and family to be happy, tackling most conflicts united as a unit.

Jon is in his room trying to fall asleep.  He thinks to himself about his day with Kathy.  He recognizes that his family is happy together.  He remembers Kathy saying, "...that's a million times more rare than cicadas and crickets these days."   Jon says he wouldn't want it any other way.  While he is thinking about this, he is praying the "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" Prayer falling asleep, seemingly very content.  The last page shows Boyzarro jumping through Jon's window.  That is where issue 43 will pick up.

Final Thoughts:

While the cliffhanger is intriguing, I really loved the ending to this book!  I can't help but think about the previous 2-part story, where we see Superman and Superboy questioning if God exists.  While Jon saying a prayer does not necessarily contradict the last arc, but I do sense some dissonance.  I think it is clear that the team of Tomasi and Gleason value the Kent family, and I am grateful for that focus.

Of course, we know the family is important because it was instituted by God.  The family is important for raising children, and for a support system for all of those involved.  The family is modeled after Christ's relationship with His people.  As the head of our Eternal family, Jesus sacrificed His life for us so that we might be with Him forever.  God also supports us daily with everything we need, and we are to support each other as members of that same family.  What a wonderful design by our wonderful creator!

What did you think of this issue?  Do you appreciate the focus on the Kent family?  Do you think it is important to see examples of a happy family in the media?

I would love to talk about this issue with you.  Let's continue the conversation in the comments section, on Twitter @behindthecapes, or on Facebook.