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.

Review: Action Comics #1094

 Action Comics #1094  came out last week, another chapter in Mark Waid's exploration of the introduction of Superboy to the DCU. I have been very pleased with this run of stories and this issue is no exception as Waid answers questions I think have been in the back of my mind as a reader. Why would the military not try to control or co-opt Superman when he first revealed himself?

The bulk of the issue is Superboy doing what he does best, trying to save lives and do what is right. But this time that is by helping the US military extract men from a foreign nation. It is Superboy entering war, being given orders, and still assisting because that is what is needed. But appropriately questioning his role afterwards. I think we are just scratching the surface of this confrontation with General Lane. 

But surrounding the main title is that exploration of Clark's feelings and dealing with this. He is still just a kid. He is still crushing on Lana. He is still doing silly little Smallville tasks. But now he has seen things that most people won't ever see, the horror of war, and has to find a way to deal with it. That is a story worth telling.

The art on the issue is done by Patricio Delpeche, whose work is new to me. There is a raw feeling here. There is as sort of Sean Phillips feel to the work too. Given the darker tone for most of this issue, the pencils and shadow work all works wonderfully here.

Lastly, the ending of the book synchs up a favorite Silver Age moment with these modern times. I smiled. Kudos to Waid for his usual walking the tightrope of honoring the old while refreshing it for today.

On to the details.

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.