Action Comics #1093 review

Superboy vs money problems, that’s what this issue’s cover promises, and that’s what we get. We saw last issue that foreclosure notices are being issued against Smallville’s farmers. The recent harvest wasn’t great, but surely things aren’t that bad?

This issue opens with Jonathan Kent reading a letter as he chats to Martha, who’s at the local antique store.

As his Pa heads for the bank, Clark hangs out with best pal Pete Ross and crush Lana Lang.

The everyday teenage fun is curtailed when Ma asks Clark to check on Pa, whose truck is parked outside the bank. Inside, the townsfolk have turned into an It’s a Wonderful Life tribute act.

The new bank manager makes the right noises.

One angry citizen heads to the front of the group, he’s masked, brandishing a gun and making threats. Luckily, there’s a hero on the scene.

Pete defuses the situation, the crowd disperses, and Clark looks for ways to help. His parents need money, and fast.

Gold! He’s got the power to know where to find an abandoned gold mine. But will the Kents accept easy money?

Of course not, although there is a beat in the art that shows Martha pondering the notion, just for a second. So how are things resolved? With the investigative skills Clark will hone as a reporter for a major Metropolitan newspaper.

Clark solves a problem, while learning a lesson. If that’s not a Superboy story, what is? But does it have to be every Superboy story? I’ve loved this series since it debuted under writer Mark Waid and artist Skylar Patridge. The stories are well plotted, with smart scripts. The art began decently and has improved in leaps and single bounds, and this is another top quality issue.

A story focusing on Superboy using powers and ingenuity to beat a supervillain worthy of him, though, with no lessons to be learned – well, that would be a lovely change. Just an issue focusing on the developing powers and Superboy not being found wanting – initially at least – by his parents, with a little more Lana and Pete. Maybe some extra special event, such as Superboy’s first time travel trip to the past. Or an encounter with Master Mxyzptlk… so many possibilities.

As for this issue, it’s great to see more of Pete’s initiative, and instinctive need to protect people – it’s amazing he doesn’t later become a police officer or paramedic. And it’s fun to see Lana so flighty… it’s a wonder the whole of Smallville isn’t always looking up. Ma and Pa are as wise as ever, and fun too.

Patridge does a fine job with the everyday drama, the emotions and body language convinces. And the little bit of super-business looks good too, while the final page, set in a war zone, is a revelation. Waid enlivens a two-page kitchen conversation by having Clark raiding the fridge for a massive Scooby snack. It all gives Patridge something to draw beyond talking heads, though Clark drinking from the milk bottle is rather disgusting. I’ve never seen young Clark doing the teenage thing of non-stop eating, I wonder whether we’ll soon see him sleep for a whole issue.

Steve Wands provides the letters, Ivan Plascencia the colours, and both do a splendid job.

Ryan Sook provides another excellent cover, surely a homage to Jim Steranko’s famous Hulk image.

So, I enjoyed this issue, but it didn’t excite me – how about you?