ACTION COMICS #1098 (DC COMICS)

In the future, Clark Kent is missing after the events of DC K.O. What does this mean for the past? Everything.

Martian Manhunter, Mary Marvel and Booster Gold have travelled back in time to find the missing hero. They stumbled upon his early days as Superboy. When the Weapons Master attacks, the fight leads to a dangerous theft. Clark’s spaceship from Kyrpton is gone!

ACTION COMICS #1098 by Mark Waid, Skylar Patridge, Patricio Delpeche, Ivan Plascencia & Steve Wands (DC Comics) continues “Future Shock”

Let’s take a deeper dive into the early years of the Man of Tomorrow.

ACTION COMICS #1098 by Mark Waid, Skylar Patridge, Patricio Delpeche, Ivan Plascencia & Steve Wands (DC Comics)

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

Waid gives readers a heartwarming but direct tale of heroics and hope. Since the trio form the future arrived in Smallville, the mood has been very awkward. The theft of the rocket has only amplified matters. Manhunter’s plan of attack leads into one of the more emotionally intense sequences of this current run. Probing the Kents to explain all they know about the rocket and their struggles to keep Clark hit hard. It’s a rare glimpse inside the heartache and hope they have for the young Kryptonian.

Readers can’t help but being caught up in their struggles and happy ending. It is a breath of fresh air to the overall drama. Once events play out there, the writing locks in on the outer space aspect of the child. It gives more perspective on his importance and protecting him at all costs. Manhunter’s time bending line is a perfect close to this portion. This allows for more of the high school themes to take hold while setting up the finish. This build up for a great confrontation with even heavier consequences. It’s a great cliffhanger for a future in jeopardy.

READ LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW HERE!

Patridge & Plascencia open with a more grounded look at the time-lost heroes. Knowing what has been taken, it prompts fast action. Once the Kents gather to disclose secrets, their looks of worry steal scenes. Delpeche’s flashback pages take the spotlight and never let go. Readers see the painful heartache of the Kent’s attempts to become parents. The near full shot of Clark’s ship crashing instills a destiny of hope. This spins into more reactions covering the spectrum of emotions. It is a strong look at events before the truth comes out. The full page of Krypton unlocks more secrets before lowering the audience to a level plateau.

The high school pages are as classic as one expects. Patridge plays the jealousy of Lana Lang extremely well. This is balanced with Booster Gold’s clumsiness with the Kents. All roads leas the active challenge waiting in the close. Reads watch as the heroes go to work on the Weapon Master’s plan. This also showcases Superboy unleashing his building anger onto the villain. Enemts lead to a bright near full shot of Superboy causing a finish. This goes into a quieter close with a surprising final panel. Timeless in presentation and delivery.

FINAL GRADE: 9

Superboy’s run-in with the JLU continues with a more personal tale than expected. Waid magnificently unveils a hidden side of the Kents to add into the conflict at hand. The art constructs the powerful images to compliment this while establishing the fast moving issues at hand. A vintage look at a hero’s legacy growing before our eyes!

Let me know your thoughts on ACTION COMICS #1097 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!