Warning: Contains spoilers for Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #4The Injustice universe is known in large part for its controversial portrayal of Superman, but that universe's version of Batman carries some blame for his best friend's evil deeds. After Superman becomes a dictator in the aftermath of the death of his wife and unborn child, Batman leads the superhero resistance against the Man of Steel's new regime. Though Batman is widely considered to be the dystopian world's central hero, Superman's son Jon Kent from DC's primary Earth knows that the Batman of this (and any) universe isn't without failures himself.
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #4 by Tom Taylor, Darick Robertson and Norm Rapmund follows Jon Kent as he continues to get to know the universe of the Injustice: Gods Among Us video game and comics series. As Jon learns more about his father's role as the fascistic ruler of this new world, he follows Lex Luthor to the underground hideout of Batman and his fellow insurgents. After a confrontation, Jon calls Bruce out for not having any comion for Superman after the death of that universe's Lois Lane, regardless of Superman killing the Joker (who tricked him into murdering her) as recompense. Similarly, Jon asks, "Did you push Damian away when he needed you?" referring his fellow Super Son's counterpart accidentally murdering the Injustice universe's Dick Grayson.
Injustice Batman Failed Superman, Too
Jon Kent's Superman recently arrived in the Injustice universe following an attempt to stop Ultraman as he killed various Kal-Els throughout the multiverse. Once there, Jon immediately meets that world's Superman, witnessing him kill Ultraman in front of him. Though he is at first taken back to the Hall of Justice by Superman, Jon quickly learns of the state of this new Earth; not only does he witness a grown-up, rage-filled version of Damian Wayne at war with Batman, he also notices the planet's apprehension and fear of that world's Superman.
Though the actions of Injustice Superman are certainly his own, this isn't the first time Tom Taylor has critiqued Batman's handling of the fallout. Taylor's Injustice 2 Annual #2 details a conversation between Bruce and Pa Kent in which Pa, while still onishing Clark, questions if Bruce was there for Superman in his greatest time of need. The issue ends in an emotional moment where Batman says he's sorry for what happened to Lois and says, "I should have been better." In Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #4, Jon similarly accuses Batman failing not only Clark, but his own son as well. In both cases, Batman pushed away two of the closest people in his life in what was likely each of their greatest moments of shame.
Both Clark and Damian have made a number of terrible decisions in the Injustice universe, extending far beyond their initial kills. Still, Jon Kent raises a valid point in stating that Batman's moral absolutism (a failing of his across universes) did not do Clark, Damian or their world any favors. The fallen heroes of Injustice may be the villains of that world, but acting as Batman when his son and best friend needed Bruce Wayne is still a major moral failing on the part of that universe's Dark Knight.
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #4 is available from DC Comics now.
