REVIEW: Action Comics #1095
Action Comics #1095 asks if you were Clark’s friend in school growing up and he never told you he was Superman, or Superboy, how would you feel when you inevitably found out? It’s an interesting essay put into the form of a comic book, for better or worse. This is also the most utilized the character of Pete Ross is since Lex Luthor was President.
Ryan Sook’s cover looks like it sets the stage for a new Superboy villain who finally figured out who he was. However, there’s no big bad at play here. It’s just a very clever classmate. Which is where our story begins. As dramatic as it is, Sooks’ cover is another great entry in this contemporary Superboy series we have going.
Chris Sprouse’s variant is the timeless combination of Superboy and the Kent farm. We’ve seen it on pages, on screen, and just about everywhere. My personal favorite aspect of what makes them so timeless is that as alien as the S or even his suit may seem, he’s right at home.
The Boy Wonder writer and artist Juni Bai modernizes the childhood of Lana and Clark. It’s hard to believe that heroes nowadays are retroactively aged to be in our generation based on the concert ticket dates. Superman is officially a 90s kid. Floo Fighters, wonder who that could be? You could just hear the rock music with this cover.
Our story this issue is from the point of view of Pete Ross, who found out that Clark is Superboy in the last issue. He’s not so sure how to face Clark after this, fearing that things will change and is even wondering if Clark even trusts him at all. Because of this, he’s much more distant towards Clark. At the same time, there’s a love triangle between them and Lana. Keep in mind that Pete was canonically Lana’s first husband. Throughout the day, Superboy goes about saving people as usual while Pete keeps to himself while dealing with bullies. It’s finally when Lana talks to him, he tells her how he’s been feeling lately. Ma, having encountered Pete earlier that day, also tells Clark to speak to him.
Mark Waid gives teen drama a shot for this one-shot story, though I’m sure Pete knowing this may come up again. This implies that even when he was Vice President to Lex Luthor, he knew who Superman was the whole time. Maybe this was his way of being a friend at that time, keeping silent about it. It’s actually a welcome retcon for a character who hasn’t been seen in decades. Perhaps this was Waid’s intention. But would this issue hold on its own if that wasn’t the case? This may hit a good note for Smallville fans. Letters are by Steve Wands. This issue, we have Patricio Delpeche on both art and colors. The art style, the shading, and the flat colors are that of an Archie comic, which actually helps the genre of story that this is. This simplified art style truly works for this simple story. At least there are some good Superboy panels.
(6/10) With the most dramatic thing about Action Comics #1095 being the cover, readers have no choice but settle down and listen to Pete Ross for better or worse. At least this character gets a cool retcon, that if true, makes him one of Clark’s truly best friends.
