Action Comics is inching closer to a major milestone with its 1100th issue, but before that, it’s putting a young Clark Kent through some trials and tribulations. Thanks to the manipulations of the time-traveling tyrant Epoch, Clark’s cells have been flooded with red solar radiation, rendering him powerless. That means for the entirety of Action Comics #1099, Clark is, for all intents and purposes, a normal teenager. Matters aren’t helped by the fact that Epoch’s screwing around with time is affecting the Justice League members who traveled back to stop him.
From the opening pages, Mark Waid, Skylar Patridge, and Patricio Delpeche showcase just how different life is for Clark without his powers. Doing his chores takes a turn for the worse when a cow kicks him in the face, and he experiences pain for the first time in his life. No invulnerability means he feels a scalding hot shower, and no super speed means he struggles to keep up in gym class – or to even get to class in the first place. While previous Superman comics have shown the Man of Steel losing his powers, Waid takes the time to truly show how those powers affect Clark’s life, for better or worse.
I say “better” because there are some moments where Clark learns that being human isn’t all that horrible. One of those moments involves a tender interaction with Lana Lang, where she briefly touches his arm. Patridge takes extra care to show the massive smile spreading across Clark’s face when this happens, as well as the warmth spreading through his cheeks; this continues onto the next page, where he’s metaphorically floating as he returns home. It might feel crazy to see something as simple as a touch matter, but it’s the best example of how life has changed for Clark, and a reminder that he is still a teenager. Puberty is his biggest Kryptonite, apart from actual Kryptonite.
DC
Delpeche illustrates the back half of the book, which sees the plot coming back into focus with a vengeance as time itself starts to affect Martian Manhunter and Booster Gold. It also features an emotionally-charged moment between Clark and Bruce Gordon, the brilliant scientist who is doomed to be possessed by the malevolent spirit of Eclipso. Clark explains that he needs Gordon’s help because, in his own small way, he wants to save the world. Delpeche makes great use of colors and shadows here, showcasing the doubt and eventual resolve that crosses Clark’s face. He also draws a truly intense fight scene between Epoch and the other heroes, leading to a final page that made me immediately want next month’s issue.
If there’s one issue with Action Comics #1099, it’s that it once again brings up the seemingly terrible secret that Lana’s father has published in his new book. What’s the issue? While Waid has been teasing that this is a seismic event in previous issues, it pales in comparison to time and space unraveling, not to mention Clark losing his powers. Here’s hoping that Action Comics #1100 or future issues actually show what this is, and make it worth the buildup. When all’s said and done, Action Comics #1099 shows the ups and downs of Clark Kent losing his powers, as it hurtles toward a major milestone in Superman’s history.
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