Spoilers for Challenge of the Super-Sons #4 ahead!
The Super-Sons' newest enemy, Vandal Savage, is actually one of DC’s oldest villains. The duo, consisting of Jon Kent and Damian Wayne, runs afoul of Savage when they are thrown back through time—and they find themselves caught up in his latest scheme. It goes down in the DC Digital First Challenge of the Super-Sons, written by Peter J. Tomasi with art by Jorge Corona and colors by Luis Guerrero. The issue is available from all digital comic outlets.
Vandal Savage is one of DC’s oldest villains, both in and out of comics continuity. First appearing in 1941’s Green Lantern #10, Savage is a Cro-Magnon from the Stone Age, who was granted immortality when he was exposed to a strange meteor. A cruel and blood-thirsty villain, Savage has waged war on humanity for millennia, and has come into conflict with the heroes of the DC Universe on many occasions. Now he has set his sights on the sons of Superman and Batman.
In their latest adventure, Jon and Damian are thrown back through time to 1521 while investigating the Doom Scroll, a sinister artifact on which a person’s name appears when they about to die. Felix Faust, an evil sorcerer, struck a deal with Savage the year before: Savage will show Faust the secrets of immortality in exchange for Faust showing him a vision of the future. When Jon and Damian arrive, the two villains discover the kids are from the future, and both Savage and Faust realize the Super-Sons are a means to finally accomplish their goals. They take the two teenage heroes prisoner, eager to learn their secrets.
Vandal Savage is one of DC’s pre-eminent villains; he is a sadistic and vicious barbarian brought into the modern era. He eats his opponents and betrays his own family. His name strikes fear into the heart of the heroes of the DC Universe, and now Jon and Damian are in his clutches. The two have proven themselves formidable in combat, but how will they fare against one of the most evil men on Earth? He has proven time and again that he is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. Does that mean potentially killing two kids? What is Faust’s connection with the Doom Scroll? And just how much longer will this alliance between Faust and Savage last?
Since their introductions, the Super-Sons have established themselves as worthy of their families' legacies. But now they are faced with one of the DC Universe’s greatest evils, and it will take every bit of their skills and courage to defeat him.