Throughout Mark Waid’s current run on Action Comics, he has been sure to highlight that Clark Kent operates on a far different level as a teenager than he did as an adult. Adult Clark is Superman, a hero who’s beloved by millions and skilled with the use of his Kryptonian abilities, while Teenage Clark isn’t quite sure of what he can do…and more prone to making mistakes. Action Comics #1092 will remind its readers of this dichotomy in its opening pages, which feature Superboy trying to stop a falling plane.
At this point, Clark doesn’t have his heat vision. He also learns that there are distinct differences between his hurricane breath and his arctic breath, which escalates the window for rescue significantly. Another major misstep happens when he saves an elderly woman in Metropolis from being run over by a truck, not knowing that she’s blind. The old woman panics, and pretty soon, Superboy’s surrounded by an angry mob. Waid scripts these moments in a way that feels believable while also playing into Clark’s growing anxieties.
Those anxieties are only compounded by other factors, including Lana Lang’s crush on Superboy, which frustrates Clark to no end, and the fear that he’s growing apart from Pete Ross. The biggest threat comes from General Sam Lane, who is determined to capture Superboy, to the point where he brings military forces into Smallville. Again, Waid crafts a tense situation that Clark’s able to diffuse thanks to using his brain rather than his powers, and even sprinkles in some humor; a conversation between Clark and Pete consists entirely of Star Wars quotes.
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Action Comics #1092 also sees a change in artists, with Cian Tormey illustrating the interiors. Tormey previously worked on a backup story in Action Comics, and his sleek style is a perfect fit for the interiors. From the moment you open the comic, you’ll be drawn in by Superboy gliding through the air, then speeding up until he becomes a red and blue blur. Another page is a montage of images featuring Superboy crossing the world from Central City to Indonesia, and Tormey makes each of these images feel distinct.
So does FCO Plascenscia. Plascenscia’s color art is a wonder to behold, as it makes each page sing. Fireworks are a brilliant pop of color. The night is depicted in a cool blue color. Smallville is perpetually caught in a glowing golden haze during the day. Good colors in comics should fit the world and the characters, and Plascenscia’s warm tones are a perfect fit for Superman.
The rest of the issue is dedicated to sowing seeds for future issues, including a last page that raises plenty of questions. Hopefully, Waid delivers some satisfying answers while also bringing some new elements to the Superman mythos. Action Comics #1092 continues to put Clark Kent through the trials and tribulations only a teenager can go through, magnified by the issues that only a superhero can deal with.
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