Superman: Action Comics #1097 – Mark Waid, Writer; Skylar Partridge, Artist; Ivan Plascencia, Colorist
Ray – 9.5/10
Ray: For the first year of this run, Superboy has largely been left alone in Smallville, figuring out heroics without any large-scale threats coming his way. But now, not only is Smallville no longer safe, but the present-day DCU is butting into his past. Last issue, he encountered a trio of heroes from our time – Martian Manhunter, Booster Gold, and Mary Marvel. But they were soon joined by Epock, a massively powerful armored gold villain from the future who is pursuing his own agenda – but now sees an opportunity to assassinate Superman before he ever becomes Superman. After an intense battle – and many different attempts to figure out exactly what Clark knows in the present and what’s a future spoiler – the four heroes escape Epoch and head to the only safe place Clark knows. That’s the Kent Farm, where Jonathan and Martha are shocked by the new arrivals but are used to just vibing with weird things.
There’s a fascinating dynamic at the heart of this issue, as these three heroes who were all in some way inspired by Superman are now around him before he becomes the hero they know. Booster is obviously still traumatized by his close encounter with Darkseid, and is having the hardest time keeping it together. J’onn has some really interesting conversations with Jonathan and Martha, who still haven’t even realized Clark’s true origins. And Mary, being only a few years older than Clark is here, is able to bond with him more and give him what he needs to keep on going. But it’s not long before Epoch makes his way to Smallville, and the mystery of this villain and what he truly wants only deepens. There’s some great art here, as well as excellent character moments, but it wouldn’t wokr nearly as well without how Waid has built this world surrounding Clark for a year, long before it collides with the future.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes
