Jon Kent's Superboy finally gets the 1990s treatment courtesy of a new initiative from DC Comics. In a playful cover from Steven Butler, Jon Kent can be seen flying through a mall without the use of his Kryptonian powers. Jon doesn't need to fly when he has an iconic 90s skateboard at his disposal.
This November, DC is releasing a slew of variant covers based on the wild and over-the-top trends of 1990s-era comic books. One hilarious cover features voluminously-styled 90s capes on Batman and Superman; another features Wonder Woman in a stylish denim jacket that proves the 90s weren't all bad fashion choices. Superboy, of course, isn't the only hero with a skateboard: iconic 90s artist Todd Nauck gives the Flash and Kid Flash the skater treatment in his variant for The Flash #788. But the Flash certainly couldn't beat Superboy in this race—despite Jon Kent's origins as the Superboy of the 2010s, this cover proves he was born to skate.
The 90s variant cover by Steven Butler for Superman: Son of Kal-El #17 sees Jon Kent flying high over a crowd of mall patrons. He's wearing a blue S-shield t-shirt and a bright red hoodie, a look that echoes his original Superboy outfit. The highlight of the cover is the super-cool Superman-themed skateboard. The cover is angled so the viewer gets a great shot of the board's underside, which is, of course, decorated with another S-shield. While other variant covers from this series show off superhero fashion from this era, the 2010s Superboy shows off 1990s street fashion, proving just why the 90s are back in style.
Even though Jon Kent wasn't around for the 90s, this cover shows off some iconic 90s elements—especially the skateboard, an accessory that other teen heroes of that era, like Tim Drake's Robin, often used as part of their arsenal. It's always a joy to see Jon back as Superboy, especially with a big smile on his face. There's been a lot weighing on him since taking the Superman mantle. Check out why in the solicitation for Superman: Son of Kal-El #17:
SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL #17
- Written by TOM TAYLOR
- Art by CIAN TORMEY and RUAIRÍ COLEMAN
- Cover by TRAVIS MOORE
- Variant cover by JOHN GIANG
- 1:25 variant cover by JEFF DÉKAL
- ’90s Cover Month variant cover by STEVEN BUTLER
- $3.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $4.99 US (card stock)
- ON SALE 11/8/22
- “KAL-EL RETURNS” PART 4!
- Superman and son are reunited…so why doesn’t it feel so good? Could it be because of the Lexcorp automatons threatening the safety of Metropolis? I’ve got a bad feeling about this…
There's a lot to love for fans new and old in DC Comics's 90s line of variant covers coming this November, but few of the offerings are as delightful as Jon Kent's Superboy channeling the decade he missed. DC Comics has been showing the 90s a lot of love lately, especially it's 90s-era heroes. Maybe there's a 2010s Superboy and 1990s Superboy team-up somewhere in DC's future, and maybe Jon Kent can keep his new skateboard.
Check out Superman: Son of Kal-El #17, available this November from DC Comics!
