Future State: Superman: House of El #1

Writer: Phillip K. Johnson Artist: Scott Godlewski Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: February 24, 2021 Cover Price: $5.99 Critic Reviews: 15 User Reviews: 25
8.7Critic Rating
6.3User Rating

Centuries into the future, the bloodline of Kal-El, the hero we know as Clark Kent, continues. Meet a new generation of Kryptonian heroes as they stand against one of the greatest threats they’ve ever faced: a diabolical foe called the Red King. Get ready for the unexpected debuts of the twins known as Rowan and Ronan Kent, descendants of Jonathan Kent. Rowan is the new Superman of Earth, while his sister is a Blue Lantern. Also on board are Theand’r Ban-El, whose mother was Tamaranean, and other heroes-all led by the original Man of Steel himself! Plus, don’t miss an appearance by the Black Racer!
See how the future of the Supe more

  • 10
    Major Spoilers - Jonathan Cadotte Feb 27, 2021

    Future State: House of El #1 does so much in such a small amount of pages it's astounding. Of all the possible futures seen in Future State, this one is the first one that deserves a much deeper examination. Read Full Review

  • 10
    ComicBook.com - Spencer Perry Feb 24, 2021

    New Superman writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson once again proves that his taking over the two main books for the Man of Steel was a tremendous decision on the part of DC Comics, delivering one of the best epilogues to the entire legacy of the character that's been printed. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles Feb 23, 2021

    This might not be on your Future State radar, but it's one of the strongest reads in the event. Johnson might not get a chance to revisit this setting again, but he establishes a conclusion that's open ended enough just in case. Don't miss out on this one. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Forces Of Geek - Lenny Schwartz Feb 24, 2021

    Phillip Kennedy Johnson is a genius. Not only has he written a great issue here, but he developed an entirely new approach to Superman. The art is great too, and really shines throughout. I hope this is a part of the new direction Superman is taking. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Comic Watch - Ariel Bee Feb 24, 2021

    An epic scale finale for Clark's lineage... or perhaps the beginning of a new era? House of El delivers superheroics meshed with a science fiction war narrative featuring interesting characters and history both, with the potential for more pulsing under its surface. It will leave you satisfied, yet with your appetite whetted for more. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Feb 23, 2021

    We only get to know these characters for a short time before the war finds them, and it's a testament to how good Johnson's writing is that deaths already pack an intense emotional punch based on those few pages. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    COMICON - Tony Thornley Feb 24, 2021

    A far future Superman family tale captures the spirit of the Man of Steel and his legacy, with a great script and fantastic art. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Black Nerd Problems - Morgan Hampton Feb 24, 2021

    Future State: Superman: House of El #1 introduces some new characters in the Kryptonian family that will make you want to pick up all Superman-related books to see where they might pop up next. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - Jake Palermo Feb 23, 2021

    The House of El depicts a future where the legacy of Superman reaches its pinnacle. The cosmic scale across the DC universe shows the power and influence the names of Superman hold. It's probably one of the few titles that genuinely tribute the Man of Steel beyond his humanity. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Bleeding Cool - Hannibal Tabu Feb 27, 2021

    Finally, a depiction of the legacy of Superman bracketed in triumph and excellence, one that can truly unite and inspire under the words, "truth and justice." Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    Supergirl Comic Box Commentary - Anj Mar 1, 2021

    I liked this story a lot. Superman Worlds Of War was a sort of primer on who Superman is. This was a summer blockbuster action movie. And heck, even I need one of those now and then. Plus you add in all the spice - heroic sacrifices, crises of faith, a few standing against many - and you have the elements you need. All this and new characters I want to read more of? Win win win. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comics: The Gathering - Carlos R. Feb 23, 2021

    This is a great issue for fans of Superman and newcomers wanting to get a feel for what The Man of Tomorrow stands for. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    But Why Tho? - Collier "CJ" Jennings Feb 23, 2021

    Future State: Superman-House of El #1 has a strong premise and solid artwork, but a story that fails to offer an entry point for new readers. Most of the previous Future State titles have managed to build off of or tie into other titles, and it's a shame that this one didn't because there were some genuinely great ideas in this story. I am still looking forward to Johnson's next issue. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Newsarama - Oscar Maltby Feb 23, 2021

    The creators of Future State; Superman: House of El are continuing on as part of a new era in the ongoing Superman and Action Comics titles later this year. Read Full Review

  • 5.5
    Weird Science - Eric Shea Feb 23, 2021

    We continue Phillip Kennedy Johnson's mission statement of letting you know that Superman inspires people into the year 3000 and just like his Superman: Worlds of War book.... you don't get much out of the title character. Not much of anything really... Just a bunch of fights and people telling you that Superman means a lot to people....... and then it's over with no real fanfare for the villain of the story. Thankfully the art looks great throughout, I just wish the story felt bigger. Read Full Review

  • 10
    GammaBurst Feb 23, 2021

    Wonderful! Superman is in great hands.

  • 9.0
    axdn Feb 23, 2021

    THis was so epic and amazing, what a great comic book, I am really excited for what is coming !

  • 8.5
    GEEKYTIME! Feb 24, 2021

    8.4!

  • 7.5
    Swift Planet Mar 30, 2021

    It's okay.

  • 7.5
    F.T. Wolf Mar 2, 2021

    A fitting end to Future State if you ask me. It's well written, with good art and some very interesting characters. Said characters don't get a lot of page-time but I nonetheless felt invested in them. The book also provides an intersting look at Clark's legacy though it is admittedly not one I would personally give the Man of Steel.

    Recommended.

  • 7.0
    mrDovydas Mar 21, 2021

    Interesting concept, though very rushed - this definitely could've used another issue. Nonetheless, I've had fun reading this.

  • 7.0
    REYNARD Feb 27, 2021

    Super compressed but more enjoyable than most of the shit pumped out of Future State. I would have loved to read a 3 issue mini with these characters and the glimmers of rich history PKJ has infused into this single issue. I hope to get more of this in his run.

  • 6.0
    Nihilist Feb 23, 2021

    When you think about it, the concept of Superman's descendants going through superpowered family struggles is pretty dope. There are good apples, there are bad apples, family drama in mainstream media generally has tons of potential. The Borgias, Sopranos, Corleones and Lannisters among many others have proven that time and time again. So it's somewhat surprising comics didn't necesarily pick up this idea and run with it, spicing everything up with superpowers and capes.

    So, in theory it's all good. In practice the concept derails significantly, because one comic is hardly enough to introduce several new characters and establish them. Yes, we learn their names and some of them seem to have little problems with others... but I can more

    + LikeComments (3)
  • 5.0
    Psycamorean Feb 23, 2021

    This wasn't worth it.

  • 4.5
    Onomatopoeia Feb 24, 2021

    I'm not sure who this comic was supposed to be about. If it was the House of El as a whole, well I applaud Johnson's ambition, but attempting to pull it off in a single issue was a huge mistake. Every time I was about to feel anything for one of these characters the story shifts to a new one. I was getting some Invincible vibes from it, but that's as far as my praise will go...

    It just came across like another multiverse storyline, and I know that wasn't the intention.

  • 3.5
    Batman Jones Feb 24, 2021

    Oof. This does not bode well for the Superman line. I mean, Bendis was awful but he wasn’t this dull. (Not that his awful wasn’t also dull. It just wasn’t quite this dull.) As with Generations this was a whole lot of nothing. I’m a very easy mark with total brand loyalty—I pretty much only read DC when it comes to comics. I’m ready to go on any kind of ride they want to take me on as long as I’m not bored. To think that DC let Mark Waid leave for Marvel rather than let him write Superman. Sigh.

  • 1.5
    Merlyn Feb 23, 2021

    I don't get how people get to claim that "Superman is in good hands" when this is the third story from PKJ when SUPERMAN IS BARELY IN IT. How can he be in good hands when he's not in the story? It looks like PKJ got a note from Bendis and he's applying the same system: doesn't care about Superman at all, he just tries to build other characters that maybe will pay off one day and he'll get the money for it.

    + LikeComments (2)
  • 10
    Bruno Mael Apr 6, 2021

  • 9.0
    Jason The Dude Oct 2, 2021

  • 9.0
    tonpas1989 Feb 27, 2021

  • 8.5
    sebastianorellana95 Feb 23, 2021

  • 8.0
    BitchWitcher Feb 23, 2021

  • 7.0
    Khan/Murdock Oct 8, 2021

  • 7.0
    TheKize Mar 1, 2021

  • 7.0
    TheKing Feb 24, 2021

  • 6.0
    ActionCity Mar 4, 2021

  • 5.0
    Adsun22 Nov 1, 2022

  • 2.5
    KnM Mar 23, 2024

  • 1.5
    TheBest Feb 23, 2021

  • 1.0
    RKS May 12, 2021

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