Review: Superboy (2010) 1-5

Issues Reviewed: Superboy (2010) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Writer: Jeff Lemire

Artist: Pier Gallo

How did I read these? Single Issues

Where collected?
Superboy Vol. 1: Smallville Attacks



This Superboy series, starting in 2010, is a continuation of the arc from Geoff Johns in Adventure Comics 1-6.  Johns is one of my favorite writers, so I knew what to expect from the structure and tone of that Adventure Comics story.  I was not that familiar with Jeff Lemire.  I had not read any of his previous work and knew of him by reputation only. While the initial John's arc had a fairly easy mission (Re-introduce Superboy after having been gone for a few years), this new series had a much more difficult assgnment; it needed to find a way to make Smallville, KS an interesting place for a superhero comic.

Had Geoff Johns written this book, I would have expected a decompressed 6 issue arc focusing on the nuances of life in Smallville.  I was surprised to find that Jeff Lemire has chosen to do the opposite.  He has written fast paced, self contained stories filled with action, mystery, and spoon-full of silver age kookiness.  One top of that, he is playing a long game by dropping clues that should lead to the different stories all tying together.  Pier Gallo's art is a perfect compliment to the story.  Not so cartoonish that it prevents the reader from suspending disbielf, but not too rendered to take itself too seriously.

The only major status quo change since the Adventure Comics issues is that Superboy and Wondergirl have broken up over in Teen Titans.  Conner has been living in Smallville for a while now, semi-retired from the superhero game.  The first story (issues 1 and 2) kicks off right away with the Phantom Stranger showing up out of nowhere to warn Superboy that things in Smallville are about to get weird.  The Parasite attacks, followed by killer vines entrapping all of Smallville, and Poison Ivy showing up seemingly to help.  The vines are caused by a strange machine hooked up to a local farmer.  The machine explodes in a flash of light and disolves, seemingly with no ill effects.  The real purpetrators behind the madness are a pair of "creepy evil farmer" figures.  The whole senerio was intended to use the machine to take a scan of Superboy.  That data will somehow be used to take over Smallville (cue evil laugh).

The supporting cast gets good screentime, with boy genius Simon Valentine getting the spotlight  in the first few issues.  Simon proves his worth by taking Ivy out with... wait for it... remote control parasite frogs (as I said earlier, silver age kookiness).  Things are still weird with Lori Luther.  Superboy is torn between his romantic feelings for her and the fact that she is Lex Luther's niece.  As in the Johns' arc, Krypto is still happily front and center.  One point that I found funny was that Superboy is TERRIBLE at keeping his secret identity.  He doesn't take much care when swapping to Superboy mode, and both Simon and Lori figure his dual identity within the first 3 issues!
 
Issues 3 and 4 involve the arrival of a new character from the future, Psionic Lad, who is dressed like a Legion reject.  He brings stories of a distopian future that is ruled from the walled city of Smallville.  This clue seems to point back to the evil farmers from the first story.  Another interesting clue is that the soldiers from the future chasing Psionic Lad fearfully break off there attack and retreat with a "Code 1 Extraction" when they see Simon.  Psionic Lad's explaination for coming back in time was to be trained by Superboy so he could return to the future to free the world. This explaination is accepted by the group and Psionic Lad is allowed to move into the Kent farmhouse.

Issue 5 has a great hook, "The first Kid Flash vs Superboy Race".  Superboy feels guilty about the town's crops being destroyed by the killer vines, so he sets up the race as a fund raiser.  Superboy and Kid Flash have a heart-to-heart about Wondergirl, fight a few crimes, and circle the earth several times during there race.  All this had to be done so the race would "last longer than 2 seconds".  The end of the issue sees the return of the Phantom Stranger, revealing that somehow Lori's house is important to stop all the weirdness that has been going on.

These issues were fast paced, imaginative fun.  Lots of the clues and mysteries were revealed that will most likely be resolved by the end of the series (the series was 11 total issues, interupted by the new 52 reboot).  I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the series and seeing how things wrap up.

Review: Adventure Comics 0 - 6

Issues Reviewed: Adventure Comics (2009) 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist: Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato

How did I read these? Single Issues

Where collected?
- Superboy: The Boy of Steel
- DC Comics Presents: Legion of Superheroes 2


These first few issues of the 2009 Adventure Comics relaunch focused on the returned Conner Kent Superboy.  Conner has just returned in Legion of 3 Worlds after being "dead" for several years.  I very much looked forward to these issues because Geoff Johns' Teen Titans run was one of the first DC titles I read regularly. The revelation in those issues that Superboy was a clone of not only Superman's DNA, but Lex Luther's also had me hooked.

Johns does a fantastic job re-introducing Superboy and setting up his new status quo as a resident of Smallville.  The characterization of Conner as a someone with a fresh start in a new home, trying to find their place in the world is pitch perfect.  Superboy's internal struggle to figure out just how much influence his Lex Luther side has over him is well done, and is best shown by the journal he keeps comparing things that Superman does to things the Luther does.

The first issue quickly introduces the setting.  It opens with Superboy moving into the Kent farm in Smallville with Ma.  The rapport between Conner and Ma is terrific and you can really tell the two need each other.  Ma is glad to have someone to share the house with, and Conner needs mother figure to help guide him in his new life.  Several new cast members are introduced, a classmate that Superboy saves, Lori, and Simon Valentine, who is seen out performing science experiments.  Best of all, Krypto is front and center in a supporting role!

Issues 2 and 3 deal with Superboy reconnecting with his Titan friends.  The reunion with his girlfriend Wondergirl is handled perfectly.  For Superboy, he has only been gone a few weeks, but Cassie has been grieving for over a year.  He also recruits Time Drake (Red Robin) to help search for Lex Luther.  In both cases, his Titan friends are afraid Conner will be angry wth them over action while he was gone, but Conner is very level headed and is just happy to be back.

Issues 4 and 5 pause this story for a Blackest Night story with Superboy Prime.  Conner's story picks back up in the co-feature of issue 5.  He catches Lori vandalizing a building, stops her, and drops her back home.  As he is leaving, none other than Lex Luther arrives at the front door, introduced as Lori's uncle!  In the previous issues, as Superboy was looking for Lex, Lex had escaped with Brainiac from prison and had been looking for Superboy to "reclaim his property". 

Issue 6 is the finale to Johns and Manupal's story arc.  Lex has returned to his hometown of Smallville to reclaim Superboy, little did we know that estranged sister and niece were still there.  Superboy convinces Lex to PROVE he has good in him by curing his sick sister.  Johns' Luther is in driven evil genius mode here.  He knows he could be helping the world, but intentionally refuses until Superman is defeated.  After a Luther double-cross, Superboy finally feels comfortable that he will NEVER be like Lex Luther.


Overall, this was a very effective story and successfully re-introduced Superboy to the DCU.  The writing and art were great, with a focus on personal moments, with only a few action scenes.  This was the only arc for Johns/Manapul.  Superboy's story continues in his own title written by Jeff Lemire (which will be reviewed next).