Artist Jorge Jimenez has revealed that Jon Kent nearly had a manga-inspired look in the popular Super Sons comic series from DC Comics, sharing unused costume designs for the mighty hero. On his Instagram account, Jimenez posted concept art for Jon Kent's super-suit, which he admitted he didn't end up using because it was "probably" too manga and anime-inspired. While he ultimately chose the right costume, the new designs show how different Jon Kent could have looked.
Jon Kent and Damian Wayne starred in one of DC's best team-up books, as 2017's Super Sons title and subsequent series' from Peter J. Tomasi and Jorge Jimenez paired up Batman and Superman's sons in a fun adventure featuring the young heroes. While Jon was eventually aged-up in the current continuity, the Super Sons ended up being a fresh and energy-infused title, where the two heroes showed they're so much more than the children of famous superheroes. The Super Sons are about to star in DC Battle of the Super Sons, their first CGI film set in the DC Animated universe.
On his Instagram account, artist Jorge Jimenez (Batman) shared his unused concept designs for Jon Kent's Super Sons costume. While Kent's outfit in the series featured a Superman sweater, ripped jeans, and sneakers, his alternate designs gave the hero a more manga-inspired look. Jimenez's designs featured three alternate costumes, including one closer to his father's, Superman.
The more manga-inspired look comes from the second design, as Jon Kent wears a Superman-like sweater with rolled-up sleeves, red gloves, shorts, and boots. The third ensemble is closer to what Kent would actually wear in the Super Sons DC Comics series, with ripped jeans, a Superman sweater, a cape, with blue sneakers. However, the costume featured different colors than the look Jon would end up wearing.
Additionally, Jimenez shared more concept art, which features Kent's transformation from the mild-mannered youngster to a superhero, as he reveals his Superman emblem just like his dad. The last image also features the look Jimenez and DC Comics eventually used.
Jimenez has proven time and time again to be an incredible character designer, with his work providing stunning and exciting takes on well-known heroes and villains. With the Super Sons costume for Jon Kent, it's hard to argue that what they went with wasn't the right choice, as it perfectly fits the hero in the DC Comics stories alongside Damian Wayne. Still, seeing the unused, manga-inspired concept art starring Jon Kent shows almost had a much different yet equally as fun look.
Source: Jorge Jimenez - Instagram