When Action Comics #1098 begins, ish has hit the proverbial fan. Clark Kent learns that the time-traveling tyrant Epoch has stolen the rocket he came to Earth in, intending to use its technology to become virtually unstoppable. To stop him, Martian Manhunter and Booster Gold start asking the Kents how they came to adopt Clark as a baby. Meanwhile, Mary Marvel helps Clark with his girl troubles — particularly Lana Lang.
Compared to the two previous issues, Action Comics #1098 is, ironically, fairly light on action, aside from a pretty intense ending. Instead, it delivers a strong reminder to fans that what makes Clark Superman isn’t just the yellow sun; it’s more than that. It’s the kindness that Martha and Jonathan showed him, and ultimately instilled in him. Mark Waid also highlights the trials and tribulations that the Kents went through to adopt Clark, and rightfully points out that no one can just outright claim a baby is theirs even if they found him in a rocket.
I also love that Waid continues to incorporate the Justice Leaugers who traveled through time, as each of them winds up being a foil to Clark in some way. In the same way that Clark is now reeling with the potential idea of witnessing his own future, Booster Gold has been dealing with his own trauma in the wake of DC K.O. Martian Manhunter, who is also the last of his kind, manages to find a way to bend the usual time travel rules to give the Kents a heartwarming message. But it’s Mary who provides the best moments in the issue; she’s been a teenage superhero herself, so she knows exactly how to help Clark out with the precarious balance that is maintaining one’s secret identity.
DC
The art duties in Action Comics #1098 are a two-hander, as Skylar Patridge and Patricio Delpeche both illustrate interiors. The way they handle this is very clever, as Patridge illustrates the majority of the comic while Delpeche handles the flashbacks involving Jonathan and Martha. Once again, Patridge’s style proves to be quite handy in depicting teenage characters and superheroes alike, while Delpeche’s more rough hewn style and minimal use of color gives the flashbacks their own unique flair.
The comic ends on a surprising status quo shift, through for how long this will last remains to be seen. With the upcoming Action Comics #1100 set to bring present day Superman back from wherever he went after DC K.O., and the book transitioning into the recently announced “Kingdom of Zod” crossover event, I don’t know how Waid and Patridge will manage to tackle all of this in one or two issues. Here’s hoping that they can find a way while still keeping the character work that’s made this Action Comics run a standout.
Action Comics #1098 takes a bit of a breather to hone in on what makes Superman Superman, delivering some strong character work and a pair of complementary art styles in the process. Big things might be happening in the Man of Steel’s future, but every so often, you need a story that’s down to Earth.
You must be logged in to post a comment.