Warning: Spoilers ahead for Superman #29
In Superman #29, the Golden Age is given new meaning by Superman and his son Superboy. The two-part story arc's title, The Golden Age, will sound very familiar to any seasoned comic book aficionado, but in Superman's latest adventure it means something completely different. It relates to Superboy's experience growing up, watching his father take on the universe's most dangerous threats. The phrase is referred to as a phase of innocence, where children see their idols as in a naive manner as they aren't fully aware of whatever the stakes are at hand, it's a Golden Age.
Originally, the Golden Age referred to a period in comic book history beginning in the late 1930s and ending in the mid-1950s. This was a time when comic books and superheroes became more popular than ever. Characters like Batman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and Superman were introduced. Superman famously made his first appearance in Action Comics #1 in 1938 - arguably the start of the Golden Age. These characters and their comics became extremely popular sources of entertainment, making their way into homes all around the world.
In Superman #29 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Phil Hester, Eric Gapstur, and Hi-Fi, the Golden Age for Jonathan is that he thought his dad was invincible. However, it turns out Superman is mortal just like everyone else, he isn't unkillable. Although it takes a lot to kill Superman, it has been done before. The Golden Age doesn't last forever, because as kids grow up, "their fears grow with them." For Jonathan, this feeling of overwhelming fear is perhaps greater than what any other might feel because his dad is Superman. He must protect the Earth from the most dangerous of villains, putting his life on the line every day.
Jonathan is out of his Golden Age, and his fears have never been greater. Jonathan's doubts plague his mind, especially since he was told of Superman's death in the future. Having only heard whispers and not knowing the exact time, place, and cause of Superman's death, he's extremely skeptical about the risks his father takes. In Superman #29, the creatures which the Legion of Superheroes credit with the death of Superman appear and it sends Jonathan into a panic. What he feared most could be happening right in front of his very own eyes, but he's determined to prevent it.
Ultimately, it's interesting to see DC reuse a famous term and give it a new meaning. It is fitting they use the Golden Age to refer to a time of innocence or more accurately, a period of joy. As that is exactly what the beginning of comics' rise to popularity is to fans, a time of nostalgia where everything was great. Whereas, for Jonathan, the feeling relates to the way he used to perceive Superman. Before Jonathan became Superboy, he saw his father as a hero who could conquer any obstacle, which as a result made him fearless of the foes he faced. Superman #29 is in comic book shops and on digital platforms now.