Mark Waid and Skylar Partridge’s Action Comics run has been exploring the early days of Clark Kent’s life, which allows them to dig deep into the moments that made the Man of Steel who he is today. It’s also let Waid and Partridge showcase that even Superman was a teenager, and like most teenagers he’s still got stuff to figure out. Action Comics #1091 throws the biggest bombshell at young Clark: what kind of problems can he solve without using his powers?
It’s a good question, especially since the issue starts with General Sam Lane attempting to arrest Clark. Clark has to be smart about how he escapes, using a combo of arctic breath and super speed to mask his escape while also vibrating his features to make sure he isn’t recognized (eat your heart out, Flash.) Waid even shows how Clark deals with a very angry Lana Lang, who he stepped out on to fight supervillains, and school bully Kenny Braverman; in the latter case, he has Pete Ross to thank for saving his proverbial bacon.
The real meat of Action Comics #1091 concerns Adam Blake, aka Captain Comet. For the past few issues, Blake’s been pushing Clark to his limits, even tipping off the military. At first it seems like the story is setting him up to be some kind of secretive villain, but Waid zigs where fans might expect him to zag – and the results bring forth a truly Superman moment, proving that no matter the odds, Clark Kent will fight to save you. It does lead to Comet exiting the story sooner than expected, which is a shame because the idea of Clark having a superhero teacher is something that could definitely be explored more.
DC
Partridge’s art brings another cornucopia of expressions to the table, showcasing that Clark is still a teenager. In the opening, he’s frozen with fear once guns are pointed at him. Later at school, he winces when Lana uses his full name. Clark’s movements are also unique; every time he zips around the world, he leaves a red blur in his wake, courtesy of Ivan Plascencia. But when Clark stops still, the shaggy hair and slim build Partridge gives him is a stark reminder that at this point, he’s just a teenager (albeit one who can bend steel in his bare hands.)
Action Comics #1091 even goes so far as to feature a deep cut from Superman: Birthright, the first comic Waid penned that explored Superman’s origins. This isn’t the first time a recent work of Waid’s referenced Birthright, since the insanely brilliant Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor acts as its spiritual sequel, but it’s a good way to pay homage to Waid’s previous work and use a small detail to push forward a major part of the story. Most Easter eggs are content to be just that, but this one shows that the creative team wants to keep readers on their toes.
Action Comics #1091 continues to put a young Clark Kent against obstacles both physical and moral, as he slowly grows into the Superman the world knows and loves. Now that one chapter of Superboy’s early days has closed, the question remains: what other lessons do Waid and Partridge have in store?
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