Review: Action Comics #1088

Action Comics #1088 came out last week and continued the look at Clark's earliest adventures as Superboy. I don't think I realized how much I wanted this story until I started reading it. It is the oldest writing tip - don't give the audience what they want; give them what they need.

Writer Mark Waid is truly giving us the first adventures of Superboy. Last issue, we saw Clark have to reveal himself to the world, earlier than the Kents were hoping. This issue we see some of the fallout of that reveal. How was he named? Where do the glasses come from? How powerful is he right now? How does this impact how he acts as Clark? Does he get training in his powers? All of these pieces of Superman's legend have been told in bits and pieces over different continuities. But here, reading them all in one place, has been so refreshing and fun.

In particular, I am going to be interested in seeing how Waid integrates Lana and Pete Ross into the mix. Both make appearances here, hinting at more to come.

The story is perfectly complemented by Skylar Patridge's art which just feels 'young' and 'nostalgic' but also modern and gorgeous. You'll see a page in the review with Lana which is so beautiful and perfect that I lingered on it for a while before turning the page. When the art is so wonderful that I pause the read, you have a win.

I have heard Waid talk that he has at least a year planned for this Superboy run in Action Comics. I am here for it.

On to the details.

A flying boy saved Metropolis from a terrorist attack. 

The Daily Planet wants to be the one to name him. A reporter named 'Elliot' throws out a bunch of options, none of which sticks. Then a very young Perry White picks what the niece of George Lane said when she visited the place.

'Superboy'.

It is a small scene but it packs a wallop. Young Perry White has just been named editor based on the office door being painted. It is implied Lois named him Superboy, a riff on her naming the adult version Superman. I like that.

And is 'Elliott' a nod to Maggin?

Front page news!

I do love how the Kents are walking this tight rope of being proud of their son and the mission he is on while also being worried about what it all will mean and how they can keep his life normal. 

But no mistaking that pride Pa has as he tousles Clark's hair. Art working perfectly with words. Too good a panel not to share.

With the cat out of the bag, the Kents allow Clark to go out as Superboy a couple of times a week. I love how they will only allow it if he does his chores ... and at normal speed. Another throwaway line but one that shows how the Kents are making sure Clark is living as typical life as he can between the super-heroics.

We see adventures around the world and how his powers are just manifesting. We learn how he needed maps and seeing highways to navigate when flying. That's brilliant. 

Bruises because of bullets is a nice touch, and maybe a nod to the 'only a bursting shell' weakness of the extremely early Superman adventures from the thirties.

And there is no denying that Patridge knows how to draw a young hero. 

The summer ends and school starts.

Time to recreate Clark to distance him from the now worldly Superboy. 

So Ma throws glasses on him, a way to dim the stellar blue eyes Superboy has been showing.

Another piece of the legend.

And then my favorite moment of the book.

After being hassled by Kenny Braverman and yukking it up with Pete Ross, Clark wonders if he'll see Lana who had been away.

He spies her ... and boy does he ever.

She has changed, making that jump from kid to young woman. I could almost feel this as a movie, her walking in slo-mo, back lit, hair shimmering. Clark crushing the locker door when he sees her and then quickly fixing it was laugh out loud funny.

Just perfect comic book storytelling here.

A chemistry lab experiment lights the new school ablaze forcing Clark to go into action as Superboy in Smallville. Turns out the contractor didn't install a sprinkler system. And Clark isn't happy. 

Losing his temper, showing the 'red eyes of anger' (I guess for the first time), he almost throttles the man. He almost loses control.

It was interesting to hear Superboy tell the man that he had friends in the school fire. Perhaps this one line will lead to the idea that he lives in Smallville?

But realizing he can't hurt people in that way, he stops and then apologizes.

I have to say I really love seeing this sort of birth of the hero. 

Apologizing to the crook for threatening him! That is Superman.

More importantly, I like how the moment remains with Clark, almost unnerving him. 

When Pa speaks up, Clark doubles down. He knows what he did was wrong. He learned that lesson.

I love the anguish on his face here. He can't solve everything with a fist. And learning that people can skirt the law is a lesson he'll face later in life with the like of Luthor. 

But this whole scene - the red eyes and cocked fist to apology and regret and then realization that he can only do so much despite his powers - is incredible.

And then a cliffhanger.

Mr. Blake, one of Clark's teachers, shows up to the Kent Farm to talk to Superboy.

So not Iron Munro. 

Given the next chapter being called 'Schooled', I have to assume that Captain Comet will be teaching Superboy how to use his powers. 

I really liked this issue as we peek behind the curtain to get a sort of definitive (for now) origin of Superboy. Waid can give old-school stories a modern shine and he does so here. And Patridge's art is meant for a story like this.

I hope we get that year of stories if not more.

Overall grade: A