Action Comics #1094 is written by Mark Waid and published by DC Comics. Artwork is by Patricio Delpeche, colours by Delpeche and letters by Steve Wands. Main cover art (left) is by Ryan Sook.
Action Comics #1094 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
As Superboy is called for his first mission for General Lane, Clark wonders if he made the right decision. As the tension builds, the U.S. government prepares a contingency plan that could put our hero down for good. Plus, Pete Ross has a secret—one he’s reluctant to share with his best friend.
Review
It’s a great time to be a Superman fan. From Absolute to Unlimited, there are exciting things cooking with the Man of Steel, and it’s never been easier for readers to jump on board. Action Comics is no exception. If you’re like me, jumping into a nearly ninety year run, with over a thousand issues, can feel daunting. One of the most appealing aspects of Mark Waid’s current run, however, is its focus on the early years of Superboy, creating an accessible jumping-on point for new or lapsed readers eager to re‑engage with the character. Each issue is largely self-contained, with ongoing arcs clearly signposted, leaving little room for confusion. And for Smallville fans, a return to teenage Clark and his journey toward becoming the Man of Tomorrow hits just right.
Issue #1094, aptly titled Our Superboy at War, sees Clark sent on his first mission for General Sam Lane. While the issue contains its share of action and spectacle, these elements are secondary to the story’s true focus: Clark’s internal conflict. As he grapples with his uneasy arrangement with the U.S. government, Clark begins to feel his world closing in on him, and the cost of becoming Superboy becomes increasingly clear.
There’s a sense in this issue that childhood is slipping away. More so than in previous issues, Waid’s script adopts a more sombre, downbeat, and mature tone. Teenage Clark is not only being used by the military, but is also growing isolated from those around him as the weight of his dual identity begins to strain his relationships.
This is where Clark Kent truly shines as a character—when his humanity is at odds with his immeasurable, almost godlike abilities. Waid explores this tension with depth and emotional honesty. The most powerful being on Earth is, at the same time, an everyday teenager who has been more or less forced into military service, and no amount of power can shield him from the emotional toll that takes. The issue culminates in a striking panel of Clark sitting alone atop a silo, his face buried in his arm—a quiet image that says more than any speech could.
That brings me to the art. Patricio Delpeche’s work is rich and dynamic, delivering fun action sequences, but it is at its most effective in the quieter, more introspective moments. These pensive scenes—both on the battlefield and in reflection—are where the story truly peaks, and I found myself wishing we had even more of them, particularly in an issue as self-contained and reflective as this.
That said, the issue isn’t without minor criticisms. As strong as the thematic exploration is, a few fun but ultimately superfluous moments and future set-ups slightly interrupt the momentum, which may have been seeded more subtly. Still, these qualms are small and do little to detract from what is otherwise an excellent issue.
Verdict
Action Comics #1094 continues Waid’s captivating exploration of Superboy as he juggles teenage-life, superpowers, and being at the beck and call of General Sam Lane. It is a thoughtful examination of what makes Clark Kent the hero many admire, and why Action Comics is a must-read right now.
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