Issues Reviewed: Superboy (2010) 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Written by: Jeff Lemire
Art By: Pier Gallo, Marco Rudy (issues 5, 6)
Where Collected: Superboy Vol. 1: Smallville Attacks
These issues complete the story Jeff Lemire started in the first half of this Superboy run (issues 1-5). He continues his streak of entertaining, wierd, and self contained stories that all tie together in the end. The series of strange events from issues 1-5 morphs into a time spanning tale of an ancient wizard trying (again) to raise a super army for world domination. Overall, Lemire suceeds in this series' mission to "make Smallville an interesting setting for a superhero book".
Unfortunately, The series ends with issue 11, making way for the DC New 52 reboot. Lemire is able to get most of his plot points resolved (evil farmers, Phantom Stranger, Parasite, Superboy trying to have a "normal" life), though one major thread is left hanging (Psion's mission in the past). The art by Pier Gallo is once again a perfect complement to the story's tone. The fill-in art by Marco Rudy for issue 6 and 7 was a bit jarring as the art styles did not match, but no harm done, as these were mostly disconnected from the main story threads.
The first story, issue 6, is part of a Doomsday crossover. Lemire manages to get in a few good character moments (Superboy/Robin, Simon/Ray Palmer) before the main Superboy/Doomsday fisticuffs.
The second story, issue 7, occurs in space, and is an homage to the classic Alan Moore Superman story "For the Man Who Has Everything". The twist here is that instead of a halucinating a perfect future, Superboy sees his nightmare future via a Red Mercy plant. After reading the first 10 pages, I was frustrated with the time shifting and jarring art style changes. Once the Mercy was revealed though, everything made sense.
Issues 8 - 11 wrap up the series. All the plot elements surrounding the evil farmers and the Phantom Stranger are wrapped up nicely. We are treated to history lessons for the main villains, the first taking place in 1871 Smallville, the second spanning thousands of years. The main villian, a wizard named Tannarak, has attempted to build a clone army to take over the world several times over the past 45,000 years, only to be thwarted by the Phantom Stranger each time. I think it's great that the Stranger was sporting 1960's fasion in 45,000 BC. In the end, good prevails, with more than a little help from Krypto.
As a whole, this Superboy run stands well on its own. A new reader could pick this up and enjoy it as much as a seasoned Superboy fan. Its a shame we'll never get to finish the lingering stories: Why were the red mercies being sent Smallville, what is going to happen to Psion and his dystopian future, will the Lori/Superboy relationship blossom or will Wondergirl come back into the picture. At least we got 11 issues to enjoy before it ended though.
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