Action Comics #1099: The Simple Life

Mark Waid continues his triumphant return to Action Comics! Take a step back in time as Waid recounts the early days of Superboy in Smallville. Superboy is figuring out his powers and learning how to balance being a teenager and being a superhero. Action Comics #1099 is the next installment of a new arc by superstar writer Mark Waid with returning artist Skylar Patridge. Clark’s trip to Metropolis is ruined by the sudden appearance of three superheroes from the future: Marvel Girl, Booster Gold, and Martian Manhunter. The future heroes are members of the Justice League, on the search for their present-day Superman, who has disappeared after the DC K.O. tournament. Now these heroes are set on protecting this young version of Superman, before Epoch, the Lord of Time, can take out his biggest threat. Clark has lost his powers after being injected with red sun, and now the present as we know it is being rewritten. Can Clark get his powers back before Marvel Girl, Booster Gold, and Martian Manhunter disappear from the timestream? Find out in this month’s issue of Action Comics, filled with lessons, humanity, and teenage hope.

This weekly arc has been fantastic, and this issue perfectly demonstrates why Waid chose to do an arc on Superboy. Seeing an early year’s version of Clark has been exciting, but it has felt disconnected from all the other stories currently out from DC. This issue perfectly ties in with the current Reign of the Superboys event, and it seems to shine a big spotlight on all versions of Superboy.  An exciting start, and it’s nothing less than I expect from a Mark Waid comic. I think this version of Superman is a perfect parallel to the adult Superman that Waid writes. I’m a big proponent that Waid loves a queer analogy in Superman stories. This story explores those themes as we see how Clark might feel if he were “normal”. In the story, he even said he felt like “one of the guys”. You can tell how much love Waid has for these characters. Waid has a great way of capturing Clark Kent’s unwavering moral compass and his unshakable belief in the goodness of humanity. It’s fun to see this incorporated in Superman’s new present. My only complaint about this issue is that it felt very information-heavy. While it’s a nice tie-in to the current big DC event, it stifles the progression of the overall story. The setup is needed, but it makes the issue feel inconsequential. However, this issue still shines.

This issue brings back the amazing art by Skylar Patridge and Patricio Delpeche. The art in this issue is fantastic and it offers a more mature look that fits the Boy of Steel perfectly. Patridge’s art is clean, dynamic, and full of energy. The panels flow smoothly, with expressive character work and a vibrant color palette that highlights both the grandeur of Superman’s powers and the intimacy of his personal life. Action sequences are fluid and visually satisfying, while quieter moments are given space to breathe. Patridge manages to capture the whimsy and joy in a Superman comic well. I also appreciate the slight difference in style between the past and present. Overall, this is a solid, heartfelt new chapter in the ongoing saga of a true icon.