Action Comics #1087 review

It’s a big day for the teenage Clark Kent. It’s his fifteenth birthday and parents Jonathan and Martha are taking him from Smallville to the big city. Metropolis is hosting the Expo of Tomorrow

On the coach, Ma is perturbed when she spots Clark is wearing something he’s meant to keep for a very special occasion.

Clark is disappointed his plan to have a sneaky wee flight around Metropolis has been knocked on the head, but there’s still plenty to be excited about.

Such a perfect day.

The best laid plans of mice and Kents… suddenly Superboy’s public debut can’t be delayed.

I loved this comic. After a page or two I found myself slowing down, savouring the moments, not wanting the issue to end. For months I’ve been quietly excited at the prospect of not merely hearing that Superman’s past as Superboy is back in continuity, but seeing it. And now it was in my hands, written by the great Mark Waid.

A framing sequence set at the 2025 Expo cements Superman and Supergirl’s past as members of the Legion of Super-Heroes and prompts memories.

Ah, June 18, Superman’s Earthday and Clark Kent’s birthday. Also mine, so I’m glad to have that referenced for the first time in, probably, decades.

And what is that ‘Mystery Device’? Given we see it at both Expos, I expect it’ll turn out to be Chekhov’s Mystery Device.

Other things I enjoyed included a look at how Pa helped Clark with his early training, a wonderful new insight into how Clark learned about his super-vision and, after Superboy’s first fight, a final page mystery.

Who is the superhero?

From left, we have the Flash, Blue Beetle, the Green Lantern, Crimson Avenger, Hawkman, Amazing Man, Liberty Belle and… Captain Comet. I’m guessing Adam Blake, the man born 100,000 years before his time, is coming out of retirement.

Other theories very welcome! No peeping at solicitations, now.

Waid’s script is as smart and enjoyable as we’ve come to expect. Young Clark’s joy in his powers, his optimism for the future, his having to face a bad guy before he’s ready – it all makes for joyful reading. Jonathan and Martha are as vibrant as I’ve ever seen them, while the villain is… well, cursory, but I bet there’s a lot more to him than we see here. The Expo is a clever way into the story – of course a curious young person who’s blooming into goodness knows what would be attracted to a show about the future.

The only thing I don’t like about this issue is the appearance of one of the few Superman supporting characters I really cannot stand, apparently in the thrall of the HIVE or some other group of DCU purple-robed types. There are a lot around.

Skylar Patridge’s art is breezy, totally appropriate to the story; there’s a scratchy energy to the characters I like, and the exhibition – in both time periods – does look rather enticing. The action sequences work well, too… I see this big assignment as Patridge’s reward for managing to make the recent deadly dull Supergirl back-up strip almost bearable The only thing I dislike is the proto-Super outfit, with baggy shorts and baseball boots; I hope it will quickly be replaced by the traditional look. Still, it does make as much sense as Ma Kent being able to sew an entire Super-suit from scratch, and under Patridge’s hand there is a wonky charm.

Oh good grief. I’ve not actually shown it, have I?

I look forward to seeing the first cosplay!

The colours are by Ivan Plascencisia, whose work I’ve not seen at DC for yonks; no one does a tutti-frutti sky as nicely as Ivan Plascencia. And Steve Wands gives us as neat a lettering job as you could wish for, the typewriter-style narration by modern day Clark is a nice touch.

And did you notice that as well as the scrumptious opening image by Ryan Sook, the Action Comics logo goes back to its classic chunky goodness… all it lacks is the initial ‘A’ trailing off the cover. Maybe next time. And hopefully then the ‘Superman’ will be replaced by ‘Superboy’, the actual star of the show.

Action Comics #1087 is a magical start to the All-New Adventures of Superboy. I can’t wait for more.