DC Universe: Last Sons
A new series of original novels based on characters from DC Comics kicks off with DC UNIVERSE: LAST SONS, written by Alan Grant, who tread similar waters with the 2001 Justice League novel BATMAN: THE STONE KING.
LAST SONS centers on three characters: Superman, the Martian Manhunter and Lobo. But this isn’t a superhero story, as Lobo – a boozing, horny, immoral bounty hunter – is the star of the show. He rides across the galaxy on his talking, booby-trapped motorcycle, collecting payment for picking up wanted criminals. His latest target is J’onn J’onnzz, the Martian Manhunter, though he has not committed any crime. Lobo succeeds in capturing the green-skinned hero, who’s wanted by a rock giant named the Alpha, who imprisons him. The Alpha also double-crosses Lobo and snares Supes, who followed his friend. They’re all desired for being the only survivors of their respective home planets, for wholly nefarious reasons, of course, so the enemies have to work together in order to escape.
Lobo is an odd choice for a central character, but at least doing so makes LAST SONS a little less predictable. Apparently, this anti-hero picked up profanity lessons from JOHNNY DANGEROUSLY, and his dialogue is a little hokey, but I suppose appropriate to the character. The novel assumes a level of familiarity with Lobo, but I had no idea who he was, so it made the beginning a little rough getting into. As the premise takes hold, though, no such troubles exist.
Midway through, the book starts to spin its wheels, lacking further ideas and in need of more plot. However, since that clears the way for one action set piece after another, the target audience is likely not to complain. All in all, this is a serviceable adventure, heavy on sci-fi derring-do with killer robots, strange creatures and a least one bosomy waitress. LAST SONS may only exist as a product of corporate synergy, but I’m glad it does. –Rod Lott
[...] Grayson – a comics scribe for NIGHTWING – has a workable plot that’s tailor-made for these heroes, but every time you get sucked in, the action keeps getting interrupted by lengthy backstory and origin tales of the three sidekicks. Likely, anyone inherently interested in reading INHERITANCE is going to know the background of these characters anyway, although it does allow for other characters like Green Lantern and Black Canary to put in cameos. INHERITANCE has the same strengths and weaknesses as the previous entry (DC UNIVERSE: LAST SONS by Alan Grant), which is to say it remains true to the characters as we know them, but can’t quite sustain momentum for its 325-odd pages. Still, it’s a hair better than LAST SONS, with more interesting players and better dialogue. While you’re waiting in line this summer for SUPERMAN RETURNS, this’ll certainly help pass the time enjoyably. –Rod Lott [...]
[...] And Mr. Lott found issues with DC Comics novelizations again. Devin Grayson’s DC UNIVERSE: INHERITANCE – much like its precursor, LAST SONS – carries on the unfortunate idea of comics readers and book readers being separate species. That said, there’s something to be said for continued support of this series; I think it could go somewhere interesting, but more work – and more Ambush Bug – is needed. [...]
[...] OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF THE MAN OF STEEL: • DC UNIVERSE: LAST SONS by Alan Grant • IT’S SUPERMAN! by Tom De Haven • SHOWCASE PRESENTS SUPERMAN FAMILY: VOLUME 1 [...]