Warning: Spoilers for Shazam #20The controversial age-up ofSuperman’sson, Jon Kent, has been a source of controversy for DC for the past five years, with fans clamoring for him to be restored to childhood. Now, those prayers have been answered as Superman undergoes a lore-changing transformation. Jon Kent’s age is officially being reversed - but will it last?
As part of DC Comics' February solicitations, a synopsis forShazam!#20 by Sina Grace and Dan McDaid has just been released, and this issue will feature an unexpected crossover with none other thanJon Kent’s Superman.
SHAZAM! #20 (2025)
February 5th, 2025
Variant Covers:
Inhyuk Lee, Mark Spears
A special guest writer stops in to tell a very special one-off story! Jonathan Kent, son of Superman, is in Philly when something funny happens in the Rock of Eternity. Jon is caught in the lightning and transforms…back into a little boy?! While Jon gets a second chance at childhood, Billy better figure out how to get the grown super son back before the world misses him!
According to the synopsis, a malfunction with the Captain’s powers will result in Jon turning back into a child. Superman’s most criticized mistake is getting a reversal now thatJon Kent is about to age back down and become a young kid again, and those who miss seeing the Super Sons in action can look forward to this unexpected comeback of Superboy.
Superman’s Son Is Officially Becoming a Child Again in DC Lore
Jon Kent’s Fan-Favorite “Super Sons” Design Will Return At Last
Jon Kent made hisfirst appearance in DC lore during theConvergenceeventas the son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane. Once he learned that his father is Superman and that he has superpowers of his own, Jon took on the mantle of Superboy and became a hero in his own right. His most prominent legacy from this era is his iconic team-up with Damian Wayne as the World’s Finest of the next generation, forming a duo called the Super Sons. However,Jon’s tenure as Superboy was abruptly cut short in 2019’sSuperman#8by Brian Michael Bendis and Ivan Reis, when he returned from space as a teenager.
DC Is Finally Done Ignoring The Superman Family’s Most Underrated Heroes
Superman’s lesser-known allies get their chance to shine at last in his absence, proving that DC needs to pay more attention to his superhero family.
Jon Kent’s age-up has promoted him from Superboy to Superman, much to the dismay of readers who yearn for the return of the Super Sons. WhileJon being a teenager opens up opportunities for exciting new storiesthat weren’t possible for him as a kid, such as hisromance with Jay Nakamura, it’s understandable that fans were put off by this sudden shift in characterization. Now, with Jon becoming a child again and thus closer to Damian’s age, there’s hope that theSuper Sons can reuniteand restore that former status quo.
Will DC Aging Jon Kent’s Superman Back Down to a Child Be Permanent?
Superman’s Transformation into Superboy Probably Won’t Last Long
Although it’s notable that Jon Kent is reverting to his childhood state, the fact that this change to Superman’s son is taking place in a one-and-done issue rather than a longer story is a clear indication that it won’t last. Ultimately, the fleeting nature of this de-aging may be for the best; Jon Kent has grown since his younger years, eventaking over as Supermanin his father’s absence. Aging him down permanently would diminish what he has accomplished as a teenager. Jon Kent’sSupermanwon’t remain a child forever, but it will nonetheless be fun to see this Super Son return while it lasts.
Shazam!#20is available February 5th, 2025 from DC Comics.
Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
