Warning! Spoilers ahead for Action Comics #1087!A new look atSuperman’spast firmly establishes some key parts of the iconic hero’s lore. ThoughClark Kent’s history as Superboyhas been reworked and tweaked numerous times over the years, DC Comics is re-establishing that pivotal time in the Man of Steel’s history and answering some burning questions fans have about some of Superman’s firsts.
A new era has begun forAction Comics, one that’s taking a look back at Clark’s earliest days as a hero. Rather than waiting until adulthood to be a hero,Clark debuted as Superboyto take on the strange new threat known as Raze, establishing his first villain and first major injury,switching up everything fans know about Superman’s past.
Superman’s New Canon Has Him Become Superboy to Stop Raze
A Fight That Revealed Clark to the Public and Earned Him a Bloody Nose
InAction Comics #1087by Mark Waid and Skylar Patridge, a visit to the recently-revived Expo of Tomorrow gets Superman thinking about his first time coming to the expo. When Clark was 15, his parents took him to Metropolis for his birthday. But as excited as Clark is about the expo, he’s even more excited to use his powers.
The Knets remind Clark that they need to be mindful about how Clark introduces himself to the world and encourage him to just enjoy the trip. The family has a nice time, at least, before the expo is crashed by the villainous Raze, who starts destroying the expo. After getting permission,Clark suits up as Superboy for the first time.
…as soon as the fight begins, Superboy gets a bloody nose.
Unfortunately for Superboy, Raze is stronger than Clark thinks, and as soon as the fight begins, Superboy gets a bloody nose. However, Superboy manages to defeat the villain and leaves before the public can see too much of him. But the genie is out of the bottle and the government is already looking into the Superboy situation.
Superboy’s Previous Debut Was a Lot More Subdued
The Superboy era of Superman’s pasthas been a confusing one. While there were decades of stories involving a young Clark Kent, that period was erased afterCrisis on Infinite Earthsretconned that period out of Superman’s life. However, elements of it survived, and thanks toSuperman: Secret Origin, fans got a better look at some of Superman’s firsts.
This miniseries established that Superman had his powers as early as his teenage years and that his parents helped him figure out what kind of hero he would be (Martha even designed his costume). However,Superboy doesn’t make a big debut like he does inAction Comics. Instead, he performs good deeds around Metropolis while rumors of his existence spread.
Superman: Secret Origin #2shows Superboy’s first few public displays of heroism!
Superman: Secret Originalso establishes Clark’s first injury was actually caused by fellow Smallville resident and Superman’s future nemesis Lex Luthor. However, it was completely by accident as Lex showed Clark kryptonite, with neither of them aware of what it could do to Kryptonians. However, the experience was brief and Clark got away without exposing his alien nature to Lex.
DC Sets the Record Straight on Superman’s Past
Things About Superman’s Past are Finally Clear
The Superboy chapter of Superman’s life has been reworked and revisited so many times in DC canon, it’s hard to keep straight of some of the biggest moments in Clark’s life, like who he fought first or what his first injury was. But this story clears things up and finally gives fans some key moments in Superman’s life.
Fans know a lot about Superman, but with his incredibly long history, it’s easy to overlook some things. Now, thanks to thisAction Comicsstory, fans have a solid understanding for what it took to getSupermanto reveal himself to the world, who he fought, and what happened during it, all important pieces of lore.
