Superman: Action Comics #1095 – Mark Waid, Writer; Patricio Delpeche, Artist
Ray – 9.5/10
Ray: Mark Waid has done an incredible job of fleshing out Clark Kent’s world as he embarks on the first stage of his journey to becoming Superman, but now he turns the focus on one of the less-explored characters in the mythos – Pete Ross. This childhood best friend of Superman gets written out of many adaptations, and he hasn’t had too many storylines in the main comics since his political era in the 1990s. But he’s often the first secret-keeper for Clark. And here, we see how he found out – and how it sent him spiraling. The issue is from his perspective, as he struggles with his best friend being Superboy – and choosing not to tell him. As he puzzles it over, he distances himself from Clark and becomes increasingly withdrawn, and even his close friend Lana can’t pull him out of it. Some of his more conspiratorial thoughts, like about the Kents’ role in this, are surprisingly funny.
But this issue also goes a little deeper into Pete’s characterization than any other title has. It shows him as a laid-back guy, but also one who’s deeply dedicated to doing the right thing. Waid introduces a new character – a gay, black student who’s a frequent target of bullies. Pete is one of the students who stands up for him, and is also the one who best understands how to talk to the bullies and convince them it’s in their best interest to back off. But when Superboy’s activities put both Pete and Lana in danger inadvertently, it’s one of the most tense segments of this series so far, and Superboy’s rescue shows a slightly darker side of the hero – and also gives Pete some much-needed context into why Superboy keeps this secret. The ending is a perfect little touch on their friendship, one that makes so much sense in terms of how Smallville operates. This is quickly becoming the defining Superboy origin.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes
