REVIEW: Action Comics #1098

Action Comics #1098: “Future Shock, Part 2” continues the exciting, fun and heart-warming story of Martian Manhunter, Mary Marvel and Booster Gold’s search for Superman following the King Omega Tournament. This delightful issue, written by Mark Waid, with art by Skylar Patridge, colors by Ivan Plascencia, lettering by Steve Wands, and additional art and colors by Patricio Delpeche, delivers a super ninth chapter in the ongoing Reign of the Superboys storyline.

Last issue saw a teenage Clark, operating as Superboy in the past, getting acquainted with the superheroes from his future. Mary Marvel appeared to be cozying up to Clark, while Martian Manhunter tried to get Booster Gold to open up about being manipulated and used by Darkseid during DC K.O. Even Jonathan and Martha Kent were given lots of great scenes and interactions with their son’s future super friends. The issue ended with Epoch stealing Clark’s Kryptonian ship. A lot happened last issue that perfectly set up this issue’s beautiful moments and crazy action. But first, let’s look at this issue’s beautiful covers.

Ryan Sook’s standard cover is beautiful and really captures this story arc, with Martian Manhunter, Mary Marvel and Booster Gold on their mission to find Superman in the past, when Clark was operating as Superboy. Superboy looks genuinely in awe of his future friends and teammates.

Sweeney Boo’s variant cover is cute and fun, and as we all know, everyone loves Krypto. The cover features Superboy eating a burger in the sky as he suddenly becomes aware of a salivating Krypto, who either smells the burger or sees it. Krypto definitely wants some, if not all, of that burger Clark was enjoying.

Haining’s cover is a beautiful reverse transformation of Superboy into Clark Kent. We are so used to seeing Clark go into hero mode by ripping open his shirt to reveal that famous “S” insignia that seeing the reverse, as Clark puts the shirt on, messes up his hair and puts on his glasses, is just cool. As he does on this cover, he also gives us the classic wink to the readers that was once prevalent in the pages of Superman comics and famously seen in the George Reeves television series.

When a writer truly understands, cares about and loves the characters they write about, it shows through their writing. Week after week, as I return to this series, I am amused and entertained by every second of each issue, and the dialogue and story are two of the main reasons. Waid gets these characters, and someone just getting familiar with Superman, Superboy and his super friends could jump into this series, understand their personalities and feel like they have been reading about them their entire lives.

There are several standout moments in this entertaining and informative issue: Jonathan and Martha recounting how they found Clark and his spaceship; baby Clark’s reaction to the images the Kryptonian crystal from his ship projected; Martian Manhunter’s words of comfort to the Kents; “Mary from Philly” meeting Lana for the first time; Booster’s moment with the Kents; round three against Epoch; and the final moments of the issue. All of those great moments are brought to vibrant life by the art team of Patridge, Delpeche and Plascencia, along with lettering by Steve Wands. Every effect, expression and emotion can be felt on each panel and page. Whereas Waid has a way with words and story, the art team has the same gift with the artwork, character designs, locations and scenes.

(10/10) Action Comics #1098 is another top-notch issue. I know Superman is missing, and while I hope and know he will eventually be found, I hope it is not anytime soon because I love this time-travel arc and the heroes selected to be a part of it.