Years ago, an attack on the Metropolis Expo of Tomorrow forced Clark Kent to bring forward his planned debut as a super-powered saviour. It’s the day after and the Press is excited, wondering what to call the flying kid with amazing strength. One idea catches the imagination of the Daily Planet’s young editor, Perry White.
On seeing the newspaper, Jonathan and Martha Kent give son Clark permission to train for a few afternoons a week, but it has to be away from Smallville to keep interested eyes away from him.
A newcomer to town, though, already has eyes on Clark (while Clark has eyes on Lana, back from a summer trip and looking less the cute kid than when Clark saw her last).
Later that day, fire breaks out on the newly expanded school campus, forcing Clark to forgo his plan to avoid appearing locally in his new outfit.
Well, if writer Mark Waid didn’t have me at that cute, logical map moment, the appearance of the classic Superboy logo would have sealed the deal. That gave me all kinds of fuzzies. Which isn’t to say this second part of the new Action Comics feature isn’t full of things to recommend it. From the clever way to retain Lois Lane’s Superman naming rights to the revelation that Clark’s new teacher is Atomic Age hero Captain Comet – toldja! – ‘Trial By Fire’ is a thoroughly entertaining expansion of the current Superman Legend.
The story also brings in classic Superboy supporting character Pete Ross and Triangle era addition Kenny Braverman, and shows Superboy with the yen for social justice displayed by Golden Age Superman. With every scene, every detail, Waid reminds us of the richness of Clark’s world.
Drawing that world is Skylar Patridge, and things look very good. There’s a lovely clear line which evokes supposedly simpler times, and the character consistency is commendable. I’m not yet used to Clark having the curlier hair sported by David Corenswet in the new film but the specs he starts sporting this month look decent enough. (Oh, and if you’ve been to the movie, watch out for a couple of visual references to something in there…) Our hero feels a lot of emotions here, and Patridge captures them all efficiently. I also like the warmth of the Kents.
Colourist Ivan Plascencia does a top job throughout; I think he especially enjoys adding sunny tones to the Smallville scenes. And Steve Wands judges the dialogue perfectly, adding emphasis as needed.
The cover by Ryan Sook nicely hints at what’s to come; not only do we get flames in Clark’s glasses, the words and background of Clark’s sweatshirt also suggest fire… or am I imagining it?
All in all, Action Comics #1088 is another cracking issue of the New Adventures of Superboy. Mark Waid has said he’ll continue this strip for as long as people keep buying it. Let’s do that!
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 
omg I’m kicking myself for not recognizing Caltain Comet. It’s all *right there*
Mr. Blake… the red white and blue colour scheme… sheesh! My geek card needs to be revoked. 🤪
But another thoroughly enjoyable issue on all fronts ! High fives all around!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed! The first hint Captain Comet was coming would be his statue at the expo last issue.
LikeLike
Some stuff I like, some stuff I don’t. I like Superboy’s personality, his adventuring to locales for the first time, and the supportive nature of the Kents. I don’t like the hair, the costume (how is going from that thing to the proper uniform) ad hoc nature of Superboy learning the ropes. A map? Really? Not a cellphone with an earbud??? Superman has a photographic memory, so one look at any map should be all it takes. The things they do to make Superboy “human” borders on ridiculous sometimes. I did like his reaction to Lana in the classroom, as well, X-Ray vision, do your thing! Great review as always.
LikeLike
Could be Superman’s super-memory hasn’t kicked in yet. Or his intelligence… maybe he’s rubbish at reading maps at this point.
If this story is set about 14 years before Superman’s ‘now’, would phones have enough range, and even GPS? And if such tech did exist, would Clark even have a smartphone? We know money is tight for the Kents.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a wonderful experience, art, colors, story, and letters. I had to dig for a complaint! I’m not sure I like Captain Comet as a stoic, disapproving, and stern figure. He’s from the Secret Society Of Super-Villains from my childhood and a different characterization hits wrong. A very subjective complaint so I’ll deal. Maybe he chills in the decade or so before the SSoSV arc…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It could be that working with Clark lightens him up!
LikeLike
I’m loving this so far. The moment where he sees Lana was great, and I loved how Waid managed to retain the idea of Lois naming Superman — a great tweak to the mythos to keep something it’d be a shame to lose. Looking forward to seeing Captain Comet next time. Will we see the rest of the Justice Alliance?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be great, though they need to work on the team’s colour balance – so much yellow!
LikeLike