Superman: Father of Tomorrow #5 Review

 

Superman: Father of Tomorrow #5 Review

Writer: Kenny Porter

Artist: Danny Earls

Colorist: Nick Filardi

Letterer: Lucas Gattoni

Cover Artists: Danny Earls & Nick Filardi

Variant Cover Artists: Gabriel Hardman & Matt Hollingsworth; Taurin Clarke

Editors: Michael McCalister & Andrew Marino

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $4.99 US/Variant $5.99 US (Card Stock)

Release Date: September 23, 2026

 

Seeing Jonathan Kent die, and knowing he could have saved him, propelled Jor-El on a crusade. Yet while he seeks to upgrade Earth's technology, villains adapt his Kryptonian tech to build even more powerful weapons. Even Batman believes Jor-El's attempt to help Humanity adversely altered his life.

 

Now, his former ally, General Sam Lane, wants to kill or control Jor-El. Will he receive help from another of Jor-El’s former friends? And can Lois Lane prevent her father from killing Humanity’s great benefactor? Let’s leap up, up, and away into Superman: Father of Tomorrow #5 and see!

 

Story

Lex Luthor's father wanted Lex to follow in his footsteps. Instead, he bought into Superman's vision of the world. But when he deviated from the plan, Superman cast him aside. So, Lex bolstered his scientific expertise by mastering magic. Then, in the time-honored manner of tyrants everywhere, Lex killed his teachers so they could never defy him. Now, he wields Nabu, Dr Fate's former helmet, as a sword. And he intends to impose his own order on the world.

 

In Superman: Father of Tomorrow #5, Lex Luthor is in good company. General Sam Lane has become Captain Atom to kill all metahumans he cannot control. Then there’s Jor-El. After failing to save his family and his planet, Jor-El intends to insulate Humanity against its weaknesses. Each man believes he’s smart enough to save the world. But as Martha counsels Jor-El, wielding too much power creates problems instead of solving them.

 

As Kenny Porter weaves his story about three perfectionists, he also gives other characters a chance to shine. But while people strive to give Lex Luthor, General Sam Lane, and Jor-El wake-up calls, each must recognize that they have become the dangers that they dedicated their lives to combating. Still, the revelation may come too late. All of them, in their own ways, have created a threat that may destroy the world, unless they can resolve it in Superman: Father of Tomorrow #5.

 

Art

The Spectre may have sympathized with John Constantine in Bobo’s bar. But when John confronts a Lex Luthor clothed in shimmering green armor and a green cape, Lex offers him disdain instead. While General Lane's skin now resembles a diamond, the red image on his chest reinforces his status as the hardest soldier to kill. But as forces battle in Metropolis, Jor-El sits in his farming clothes at the Kent Farm. Martha wants him to be open with her. So, she pours him a mug of coffee.

 

As Danny Earls contrasts Jor-El’s futuristic Metropolis with Martha’s little-changed Kent Farm, Nick Filardi adorns Superman: Father of Tomorrow #5 with a vibrant palette. Captain Atom’s red symbol and blue skin represent his hope for the world and his anger at metahumans. Lex Luthor’s armor links him with Krypton and Jor-El’s attempt to protect his world. Yet while the orange Kryptonite in the Fortress of Solitude shows what Lex Luthor desires, the destruction he unleashes hints at his love for the world. Jor-El feels as misguided as General Lane and Lex. Yet the costume beneath his shirt and overalls expresses his belief that doing right by others should be black-and-white.

 

Lucas Gattoni fills white balloons and boxes with black uppercase letters. The words grow bold for intonation and change color when casting spells. Black letters in beige boxes locate readers in time and space. Yet amid all the fighting, energy blasts, and explosions, the rumbling ground shows how Luthor views his place in the world. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

When people are struggling, it's natural to want to help them. But when Jor-El tries to make Earth more like the world he lost, he gives them new problems to contend with. Her friend from the stars may be feeling sorry for himself. Still, Martha isn't letting Jor-El bask in self-blame in Superman: Father of Tomorrow #5.

 

Rating 9.8/10 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

For a look inside see Superman: Father Of Tomorrow #5 Preview. 

For the battle at the United Nations, see Superman: Father Of Tomorrow #4 Preview. 

For Intergang's attack on upgraded public transportation, see my preview of Superman: Father of Tomorrow #3. 

For how Jor-El fares against Kryptonite, see my preview of Superman: Father Of Tomorrow #2.

For how this series started see my preview of Superman: Father Of Tomorrow #1.  

 

Rick and Morty: The End #2 Review

 

Writer: Daniel Kibblesmith

Artist: Jarrett Williams

Colorist: Alessandro Santoro

Letterer: Crank!

Cover Artists: Dave Bardin, Troy Little, Phil Murphy, and Tom Fowler with Nick Filardi

Publisher: Oni Press

Price: $4.99

Release Date: January 7, 2026

 

Rick Sanchez has landed his grandson in a whole heap of trouble. When the young teen stands before the Council of the Universes that Matter, the Parmesan Universe gives him an ultimatum. Morty must bring his grandfather before the council to stand judgment, or Parmesan will erase him from every universe.

 

Perhaps some versions of himself deserve to die. But Morty believes that most of his alternate selves in the multiverse deserve to live. As Morty sets off in his spaceship, can he find his grandfather? And can Morty bring him back to the council, knowing they will erase Rick from existence? Let’s leap into Rick and Morty: The End #2 and see!

 

Story

Attempting to think like his grandfather, Morty travels to fringe space. On a planet that technically doesn't exist, Morty confronts the Ball Fondlers, a Bounty Hunter team featured on a show that Rick and his grandfather enjoy. But taking on a group of lethal Bounty Hunters, even fictional ones, has its hazards. Thankfully, the New Vindicators arrive. Sadly, the woman leading the superheroes is Planetina, Morty’s former girlfriend.

 

While showcasing Morty’s reunion with Planetina, Daniel Kibblesmith offers a glimpse into Rick's redoubt. After fighting with his grandson and failing to reboot a universe that hates him, Rick takes sanctuary in a fictional home. He knows his fantasy family doesn't exist. But they enjoy his company, and everyone gets along harmoniously, offering Rick a moment of peace. Rick and Morty: The End #2 serves up plenty of action, but even more drama, as Planetina still suffers the pain of their breakup, and Old Man Meeseeks lives in agony over not fulfilling his life’s purpose.

 

As the New Vindicators hunt for Rick, Morty struggles with the fact that no one trusts him. Morty is fourteen years old. He's a young teen who is trying to figure out who he wants to be. And a universal threat against all Morties everywhere doesn't help.

 

While he esteems his grandfather for his brilliance, Morty has tried to avoid becoming like him. Instead, like Rick, Morty has left a trail of destruction and resentment in his wake. And given his former girlfriend’s anger toward him, and Parmesan’s wrath at Rick, Morty seems trapped in a pattern of behavior from which he would like to break free in Rick and Morty: The End #2.

 

Art

After scenes showing each teammate preparing for their mission, Jarrett Williams uses a splash page to introduce the New Vindicators. Titanium D, an Alphabetrian enforcer, makes the biggest impression. But aside from the giant metal capital letter, their cool jackets make Morty yearn for a similar feeling of belonging. When her team finds him and the Ball Fondlers splattered in blood, Planetina’s expression clarifies that she is not surprised that Morty has betrayed more people he loved.

 

Alessandro Santoro paints Rick and Morty: The End #2 with a palette of bright colors. Like the team jackets Morty admires, blue often dominates backgrounds. Blue also links Rick’s light blue hair and shading with his fictional son-in-law. But green colors Planetina’s tale of how they tracked Rick down. Her green hair, symbolic of her ecowarrior mission, also links her with the green accents and furnishings in the home she associates with Morty.  

 

Crank fills white dialogue balloons and colored narrative boxes with uppercase dialogue that grows bold for intonation and enlarges for raised voices. White block letters introduce each New Vindicator, while sound effects amplify the deaths of beloved, if fictional, people in Rick and Morty’s lives. Thanks to Oni Press and Superfan Promotions for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

When his life hit the skids, Rick treated people he met with disdain because his later actions would fix things. But when things don't go his way, Rick settles for something that isn't real, knowing it cannot last, in Rick and Morty: The End #2.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

For more cover options see my cover preview of Rick and Morty: The End #2.