Action Comics has reached its 1100th issue, which is crazy to think about when you take a step back. That’s over 80 years’ worth of history, dozens of iconic storylines, and above all else, solid proof that Superman will endure the test of time. That last part is a little ironic, given that Action Comics #1100 is literally centered on the concept of time travel. The Lord of Time, Epoch, has come to the past to murder a young Clark Kent before he can become the Man of Tomorrow. Not helping matters is the fact that the Justice League squadron that’s come to help Clark has been wiped from existence, and Epoch has rigged time itself so that Clark’s powers are gone. With nothing but a suit of armor forged from the rocket that brought him from Krypton to Earth, Clark takes on Epoch in one last battle.
What follows is a tale that literally spreads across time and space, as Clark is pushed to his breaking point. While previous issues of Mark Waid’s Action Comics have done a great job delving into Clark’s state of mind as a teenager, this issue pushes it to the max as Clark is facing death. If he doesn’t win, he’ll never see his parents, his friends, or anyone ever again. This is also reflected in Skylar Patridge’s artwork; instead of his signature red-and-blue suit, Clark is sporting bulky armor that feels hastily welded together. In sharp contrast, Epoch’s armor is sleek and packed full of deadly weapons.
Waid and Patridge are also joined by Ryan Sook, who gets to draw the best part of the issue – a trip that takes young Clark through time, allowing him to witness some of the biggest moments he’ll experience as Superman. It’s a clever way for the creators to reflect on Superman’s history, but it also lets them work with time travel in a way that doesn’t feel confusing and builds on the current story. Sook also gets to draw some key moments involving Superman, from meeting the crew at the Daily Planet to fighting alongside Batman and even the iconic moment where he dies in Lois Lane’s arms (thankfully, young Clark doesn’t see this.)
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The main story also dovetails beautifully into a series of backup stories by the rest of the creators on Superman books. First up is “Superman Meets Superboy” by Joshua Williamson and Daniel Sampere, which finally reveals where the adult Superman’s been since the end of DC K.O.. Williamson pens an emotional meeting between Superman and Booster Gold, and has a great time showcasing Clark’s reaction to meeting his younger self. It’s nothing compared to Sampere’s design for the present-day Man of Steel, who’s sporting a beard, shredded costume, and apparently tore his cape into straps to create makeshift fighting wraps. The ending also hints that we haven’t seen the last of Young Clark.
“Game Night” by Sophie Campbell and Dan Mora finds Supergirl, Jon Kent, and Superboy (Conner Kent/Kon-El) relaxing and playing video games while making a mess of Lois Lane’s apartment. Trouble rears its head in the form of Superboy-Prime, who some fans might remember beat Conner to death in Infinite Crisis. Fans – most notably, Conner’s fans – have been waiting for these two to cross paths, and Campbell doesn’t hold back on how emotionally charged it is (or Prime’s fourth wall breaks) Mora continues to turn out some amazing artwork, particularly when it comes to the fiery werewolf Cadezos facing a giant Streaky the Supercat.
Finally, “End of Reign” by Dan Slott and Lucas Meyer closes out the issue while also tackling a shift of power in El Caldero, better known as the “Kryptonite Kingdom.” Given that all of the Superman titles are about to crossover in the “Kingdom of Zod” storyline, it’s no surprise that General Zod makes an appearance. However, Slott and Meyer set the stage with a story that catches folks up on what’s been going on in the pages of Superman Unlimited and hints at the future, which is no easy feat. Action Comics #1100 serves as both a celebration of Superman’s history and a look at his next steps, thanks to some of the best creators in comics.
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