ACTION COMICS #1093 (DC COMICS)
Even with super powers, there are some battles Clark Kent can’t win being the Boy of Steel.
After being outted to the world after saving people in Metropolis, Kent has had to re-adjust to life back in Smallville. With the government watching hm, every move has to be carefully done as Superboy.
There is one situation that he can’t punch his way through. His parents farm is being threatened to be taken away by the bank. What will the young hero do?
ACTION COMICS #1093 by Mark Waid, Skylar Patridge, Ivan Plascencia, & Steve Wands (DC Comics) continues its’ look at the early years of Superman with an all new chapter.
Let’s take a closer look at this very grounded story.
ACTION COMICS #1093 by Mark Waid, Skylar Patridge, Ivan Plascencia, & Steve Wands (DC Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Waid finds a true challenge for the young hero in this matter. The usual teenage drama takes a back seat for this matter. Once Kent arrives at the bank, the scene is chaotic. The writing hits home with the personal worry of losing everything. Tempers flare and in some cases, extreme measures are teased. This leads into a question of ethics for the young hero. The answer is anything but easy.
Even as Kent finds resources to pay, the conversation with Pa Kent plants the notion firmly about doing thing the right way. The dialogue is strong but effective in execution. This plays into handling another irate farmer. Readers watch as Superboy handles events in an unconventional way. The result elevates the pressure at hand. It also lays the foundation of being “the ultimate boy scout.” The closing teases a more serious tone for the next go-around. For now, this was a classic tale that found its’ voice.
Patridge & Plascencia focus more on the emotions in this chapter than anything else. The quick moments with Lana, Pete and Clark have a happier innocence behind them. This gives way to the frustration and anger of the Smallville residents. A full page image of a potential robbery is prime example of this mood. It gives way to more friction between the Kents and Clark. The scenes challenge the notion of powers and what to do with them.
It results in a very timeless sequence of Clark investigating what he can do. Readers watch as events lead to a flying shot of Superboy looking down on a guilty suspect. While very simple in design, readers can still sense the feeling of Superman putting pressure on wrong doers. This moves to the closing pages and striking final one. What is shown can only spell trouble for a boy of tomorrow, who’s growing up way too fast.
FINAL GRADE: 8.4
Sometimes, having super powers isn’t enough to say the day. Waid’s writing throws a very human problem in front of Superboy with a lesson behind it. Patridge & Plascencia construct vintage era panels to compliment a very grounded story. The throwback era of Superboy remains as vital to readers as it did decades ago.
Let me know your thoughts on ACTION COMICS #1093 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
