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).
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