Summer’s over, and for Clark Kent, that means one thing: back to school! In Action Comics #1088, Mark Waid and Skylar Patridge dive headfirst into the awkward, action-packed world of teenage Clark as he navigates high school after a less-than-stellar debut as Superboy.
The issue kicks off with a fun, rapid-fire exchange between Perry White and new writer Eliot as they try to pin down a catchy name for the burgeoning hero. After some hilarious misses like “Wondro” and “Mightor,” they land on Superboy, a name that perfectly encapsulates the youthful energy Clark brings to the superhero scene.
Before he hits the hallowed halls of Smallville High, Clark’s parents, Martha and Jonathan, are still grappling with how to protect their eager-to-help son from the harsh realities of the world. In a charming turn, they decide to let him “take the show on the road,” and Clark, ever the organized superhero, tackles it with a map! We see him zipping across the country to Gotham, Central City, and Los Angeles, saving lives and genuinely enjoying the freedom of not having to hide his powers. It’s a pure, unadulterated dose of classic Superman fun, reminding us of the joy and boundless energy the character should always embody.
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But it’s not all cross-country capers. Now, Clark has to face a new kind of challenge: high school. With his mom’s trusty glasses as a disguise, he tries to blend in, perhaps a little too well, becoming virtually invisible to his classmates, everyone except his old pal, Pete Ross. Mark Waid truly captures the essence of the teenage experience, a testament to his enduring grasp of youth, even after all these years.
The real action ignites when one of Clark’s eccentric teachers accidentally sets the school ablaze. With a new school and potentially shoddy fire suppression, Superboy has no choice but to leap into action, using the town’s water tower to douse the flames. However, the true villain turned out to be a shady contractor cutting corners and pocketing federal money. Superboy’s rage is palpable and righteous, and he finds himself seeing red. In a moment that’s truly Superman to his core, he takes a quick breather to compose himself, returns, and apologizes, not for his anger, but for how he reacted. With the proper authorities alerted, we can only hope justice is served. The comic ends on a cliffhanger, leaving us wondering if Superboy’s adventures are already over. We’ll have to wait for the next issue to find out.
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The art by Skylar Patridge, with colors by Ivan Plascencia, is fantastic. It’s crisp, charming, and bursting with energy. Patridge’s action sequences are particularly stellar; you can practically feel the heat of the fire and the impact of Superboy’s punches. Plascencia’s colors make everything vibrant and stand out, especially that incredibly realistic and dangerous-looking fire.
And let’s not forget Steve Wands on letters. His work shines, especially in capturing Clark’s reaction to seeing Lana for the first time post-summer break, and the hilarious effects of him crushing his locker door and then trying to fix it. Wands also masterfully conveys the urgency when the fire erupts, with alarms blaring across the pages.
Action Comics #1088 is a charming comic. Watching Superboy operate with such righteous fury and a genuine desire to help made me grin from ear to ear. Mark Waid, as always, delivers a solid, engaging story that captures the heart of what makes Superman (or, in this case, Superboy) so great.
‘Action Comics’ #1088 Superboy Goes Back to School!
Action Comics #1088 is a charming comic. Watching Superboy operate with such righteous fury and a genuine desire to help made me grin from ear to ear. Mark Waid, as always, delivers a solid, engaging story that captures the heart of what makes Superman (or, in this case, Superboy) so great.
