Review: Action Comics #1095

Action Comics #1095 came out last week, a look at the Superboy myth from Pete Ross' perspective. Last issue ended with Pete secretly discovering that Clark is Superboy. This issue shows us the fallout. Clark and Pete are best friends. Pete can't help but wonder why Clark didn't share this info.

Writer Mark Waid has the unique talent of taking an old concept (Pete Ross knowing Clark is Superboy; heck even the existence of Superboy) and updating it to make sense for our modern world. It is hard for me to ponder that Superboy was active in the 2000s. That means I am old. But there are elements in this story that shift us far away from 1950s Smallville. What I really love about this is how Waid makes Pete Ross just an incredibly nice, empathetic, good guy. His coming to understand Clark's view is well handled.

Patricio Delpeche remains on art and has a sort of Chris Samnee/Alex Toth approach to the art. This inky style works very well for one of the ending scenes and harkens back to more classic comics which feels right here. 

I grew up seeing Pete Ross peeking out his tent and seeing Clark turning into Superboy. I grew up seeing Pete help Clark by creating a diversion so Clark could skip out. I grew up with Pete keeping that secret. And now I get to grow old with this wonderful addition to the mythos again.

On to the book.

We open with Pete reeling a bit from his discovery.

There is a sort of conspiracy board in Pete's room trying to tie together Superboy sightings and Clark events to see if he can piece it all together.

Had to chuckle at the creative team getting to sign Pete's birthday card.

But you can see how it is weighing on Pete. He can't sleep. He is wondering why Clark didn't share. He goes through all sorts of reasons. Does Clark not trust Pete? Is he laughing at Pete?

Delpeche does a great job showing all these emotions in a series of panels just of Pete's eyes, darting around. Well done.

Pete decides the best thing to do is simply avoid Clark.

Pete sees some jocks picking on a classmate named Curtis who is gay. Like Pete does, he steps in to save the day.

What I love here is how Pete just disarms and defuses situations without stoking any fire.

He stops the football player from using a homosexual slur, saying the coach would bench the player. Then he props up the player, pointing out he is a great player. He is able to just end the situation and lead Curtis out.

Pete is a hero. And this scene is certainly not something we saw in the more classic Smallville stories. It updates the world and makes it feel real.

Later, Superboy needs to swoop in and stop a flood coming out of a ruptured hydrant. Every student pulls out their phone to record things.

I love how Lana is being portrayed in this book. But Pete points out that she obviously is swooning for the Boy of Steel. I love the 'burst into flames' line about her passionate looks. Unfortunately, rumors are now out that Lana is dating Superboy.

Remember this is coming from Pete's view. He knows Lana isn't dating Superboy. He knows Clark loves Lana. He wonders why Clark doesn't just tell Lana and soak in the love. I like how Pete is trying to make sense of Clark's secret identity from all angles.

But he is spinning.

I love this panel where Pete thinks that maybe the Kents aren't farmers but scientists, creating super-serums or cloning super-beings. Can he trust the Kents???

It makes complete sense for Pete to be spiraling about all of this. 

But this introspection has been noticed by Clark and Lana. Finally Lana confronts him.

Without saying names, Pete talks about someone he knows and cares about who has kept a secret from him. He doesn't know if he can trust the person any more.

Good for Lana for coming up with some good advice.

One, if the person isn't treating Pete differently, it shouldn't matter.

Two, didn't Curtis keep his secret from Pete at the beginning ... for good reasons?

It seems to break things down a little bit for Pete. But then ...

Some goons show up to threaten Lana for being 'Superboy's girlfriend' and wanting to know where Superboy lives. 

Superboy shows up (hope he wasn't eavesdropping) and threatens the thugs Batman style.

A few things here that I like. 

Remember, we haven't seen heat vision yet. So these red eyes are worth noting. Is this the canonical chronologically first 'angry red eyes of anger'?

And the coloring of that last panel, dark and foreboding, dripping in shadows except the red eyes, really works. Perfect art by Delpeche.

Superboy flies back and tells Lana that this attack was because those men thought she knew about Superboy's life and identity. That they thought she was close to him. For her own safety, Lana needs to clear up the misinformation. The reason why Superboy keeps his private life so private is so people he cares about won't be targeted.

Boom! 

Suddenly Pete gets it.

It is probably very hard for Clark to keep his secret from his friends. But he has his reasons.

I love how the you of 'And YOU are?' is bolded, as if Clark is trying hard to over-emphasize that Superboy shouldn't know how Pete is.

With new understanding, Pete now knows he can be a secret weapon for Clark. He has come to learn a look Clark gets when an emergency arises. And he can be a silent partner.

Wonderful!

I am so thrilled that classic Pete Ross is back. I have loved how Waid has handled Pete throughout this run. But this story is pitch perfect. And this art style works perfectly for the flashback.

How great to have Superboy stories on the rack again!

Overall grade: A