Action Comics #1097 is written by Mark Waid and published by DC Comics. Artwork is by Skylar Patridge, colours by Ivan Plascencia and letters by Steve Wands. Main cover art (left) is by Ryan Sook
Action Comics #1097 is available from today, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
The heroes of tomorrow have arrived in the past, and they need Superboy’s help! But what can a young Clark Kent do that they can’t? Find out as Smallville is turned upside down and the Reign of the Superboys continues!
Review
In my previous review, I moaned about how jarring the transition from K.O. into Reign felt in Action Comics. The shift left readers just as confused as Superboy himself. So, I couldn’t help but smile when, in the opening pages of this issue, Superboy openly admits he has no clue what’s going on. Whether intentional or not, it feels like a knowing wink to readers.
Thankfully, “Future Shock” stabilises that transition.
A Familiar But Effective Story
The sudden arrival of future versions of J’onn J’onzz, Mary Marvel, and Booster Gold immediately puts a target on Superboy’s back. As they attempt to escape the Lord of Time, Epoch, the trio crash into the past—where Epoch decides the simplest solution is to kill Superboy outright. To protect both Clark and the future timeline, they choose to stay in the past.
It’s a classic sci-fi premise: time travellers must tread carefully and avoid disrupting the timeline. Mark Waid takes this familiar setup and uses it well, building both an engaging threat and a deeper exploration of Clark Kent as a character.
For me, action always comes second. The real strength of any Superman (or Superboy) story lies in its focus on Clark’s internal struggles. The opening battle with Epoch delivers some fantastic moments, as does a later scene with Pa Kent and a shotgun. But the real standout comes in a quiet, heartfelt conversation between Clark and Mary Marvel, where they discuss Clark’s disguise.
Clark opens up in an emotionally vulnerable moment, reflecting on the burden of hiding who he truly is and questioning whether that burden will ever end.
This is the kind of storytelling I love and crave in a Superman (or Superboy) story. We can watch Superman punch planets any day, but these human moments—the doubts, the fears, the longing—make the character truly relatable. Waid absolutely nails the human side of Superman.
This issue works because it stays focused. The narrative gives the characters room to breathe without piling on subplots or teasing too many future threads. In recent issues, subplots—particularly those involving Lana and her father—felt more intrusive than essential. This issue steps away from that clutter, and the story feels tighter and more cohesive as a result.
Quibbles
That said, I do have a couple of minor criticisms.
First, the artwork. The front half of the issue looks strong and dynamic, but the back half feels slightly rushed. It’s not bad by any means—it just lacks the same kick seen earlier in the issue and in previous instalments.
Second, there’s the bigger question of how Action Comics fits into the wider Reign of the Superboys storyline. Superboy has been front and centre since issue #1087, and I can’t help but wonder if the overall concept might have landed better had he taken over the title after Superman went missing in K.O.
That said, I wouldn’t change what we’ve gotten. Waid’s run over the past ten issues has made Action Comics feel like appointment reading again for me—something I haven’t felt in years.
And to be fair, K.O. and Superboy’s rise in Action Comics launched around the same time. I have no doubt that DC likely wanted to avoid stretching Superman too thin or overcomplicating the event.
Verdict
Action Comics #1097 has all the ingredients for a great Superboy story. Action, mystery, and deep character moments; not just for Superboy but for his friends from the future. Waid’s use of a very familiar narrative setup never feels like a rehash. He makes it feel fresh and uses it to show readers a vulnerable, insightful side of Clark Kent, demonstrating his mastery as a great storyteller.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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