Review: Action Comics #1087

Action Comics #1087 came out last week, the first issue in this look back to Clark's earliest adventures as Superboy. If there ever was a story that needed to be told ... or is it retold ... it is this. With all the soft reboots, hard reboots, and reimaginations of recent years, I frankly don't know whether Superboy existed or not. It is time for DC to put their foot down. There was a Superboy, the adventures of Superman as a boy, who was part of the Legion. Classic.

Who better to write this tale than Mark Waid who also has been handed the difficult task of writing the upcoming History of the DCU. What started the universe? The hand Krona saw? Perpetua? Did Argo City survive Krypton's explosion? What about the Legion? 

I have the sense that Waid will do the right thing. I certainly saw it here. We get a Legion reference. We get a loving Ma and Pa. We get some Pa Kent wisdom. And we get to see a very green Clark whisking into action for the first time. We see him realize these fights are real; he gets a bit battered. We see him get an understanding how powerful he is. It really feels fresh.

Skylar Patridge is on art and brings a very appropriate feel of youth and vitality to the book. I especially love her 'cobbled together' costume with beach shorts and red high tops instead of trunks and boots. Patridge seems perfect for young characters (she was the one bright point on the recent Mariko Tamaki Supergirl stories) so is a great fit.

On to the book.

I love a good framework story. 

In present day, Superman is celebrating the opening of a new Hall of Tomorrow in Metropolis. Part of the show is letting kids use Superman and Supergirl's Legion flight rings to fly around the hall. 

Legion flight rings! Supergirl mention! Perry White as mayor!

The present day is good. 

Superman changes into Clark and walks around the Hall reminding him of his youth. We get to learn about Superman's 'Earth-day', his sort of 'birthday' time. Another deep cut.

This walk through the Hall reminds Clark of the first time he went to a Metropolis Expo.

But what about that Mystery Device? Any guesses?

I am weird. But the first thing I thought of was the way Marshall Rogers drew a Mother Box. 

We flash back to Ma and Pa and Clark on a bus trip to Metropolis. They spy the Superboy shirt under Clark's clothes. (And no glasses ... this is early!)

Here is the Pa wisdom. I wonder if this is Mark Waid's response to the the Pa Kent in Snyder's Man of Steel.

Yes, you have powers and it is the biggest secret in the world. Yes the world may not be ready for you. But you have to do what you can do to help. We just have to control the narrative.

No 'maybe you should let the bus full of kids drown'.  No 'don't show yourself'. More 'be prepared'.

Clark wanders into the Hall of Heroes where we see that there were Golden Age heroes. 

Liberty Belle! Blue Beetle! And is that Captain Comet?

Clark has heard of all these heroes because Pa taught him lessons using them as inspirations and battle tricks. 

I am a sucker for Pa Kent wisdom.

As is always the case, a disaster happens on the day Clark is there. An armored being (who I don't recognize) begins blowing up the place and ripping the place apart.

It is clear. This is a job for Superboy!

We see our hero for the first time! Jockey shorts! Chuck Taylors! But stronger than a locomotive for sure. 

There is a fight. The first super-fight Clark has been in. His nose gets bloodied ... a very classic comic trope, shorthand to show a Kryptonian shocked to be injured.

Clark flies around ready to lash out.

But then realizes that he might pop this guy's head like a pimple with a super-punch. 

No killing!

But love that an inexperienced Superboy doesn't know about gauging power or pulling punches. And it is conveyed so well by Patridge here.

Instead of hitting, he is hit. And that puts him into a sort of shock state, reeling, super-senses overwhelming him.

That is ... until Pa gives wisdom. (Have I said I love Pa wisdom?)

Those early flashbacks of Pa teaching the other heroes' techniques pays off. Superboy is able to spin the villain around in a superspeed tornado until he passes out. (I do wonder if this is a human being controlled by someone who then leaves the vessel once Superboy battered him causing the faint.)

But this is clearly the first 'super-hero' action in a long time. The world is agog.

First up?

The army and a sort of Star Chamber asking General Lane to look into things.

And when Superboy's acts are seen on the news, a mystery man gets upset and flies off.

Who is this???

I am hoping beyond hope that it is 'Iron' Munro. 

But it isn't going to be.

Sad.

Anyways, this was a fun issue starting off this run of Superboy adventures. Will we see the glasses get added? Will we see an old super-hero train Clark? Who was that villain? What is that mystery device?

I'm ready!

Overall grade: A-