Action Comics Just Gave Us the Most Superman Moment Ever

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The buzz around town revolves heavily around Superman, as the film version of him is soaring high in box offices and receiving critical acclaim. DC has been putting extra effort into emphasizing Superman’s presence, hoping that the movie will inspire fans to visit their local comic book stores. The latest issues of the Superman comic have been captivating readers with modern-day escapades of the superhero, while Action Comics takes us back to the early days of Superman’s career as a superhero. In Action Comics #1087, we see him don his suit for the first time in Metropolis during a trip there with his father Pa Kent to visit a space museum. The next issue, Action Comics #1088, finds Superman taking on the role of Superboy once more, this time in Smallville – a promise he made to his parents that he wouldn’t keep. However, these events lead to a moment that not only embodies the essence of Superman but also connects to scenes from the film, Superman.

At Smallville High School, I find myself right in the thick of an unfortunate science experiment gone awry, sparking a blaze that only my unique abilities can quell. Swiftly utilizing the town’s water tower to extinguish the flames, I employ my X-ray vision to uncover why this fire spread so rapidly without the school’s sprinklers activating. This revelation guides me to the office of the company responsible for installing the system, ultimately teaching me an invaluable lesson about navigating our world.

Superboy’s Anger Almost Gets the Best of Him

Following the fire incident, Superboy discerns that the installed sprinkler system was flawed. Utilizing his super speed, he scours through blueprints of the school to identify the party responsible for the installation. He then dashes towards the company’s office, where the owner is engaged in a phone conversation with his spouse about the school fire and how no one will suspect his company’s substandard work as the culprit. However, he is proven wrong when Superman bursts in. The owner attempts to deceive Superboy by denying any involvement in the situation, suggesting legal representation if such accusations persist. This infuriates Superboy, causing him to destroy the owner’s desk. He shouts at the man about one of his friends narrowly escaping death, preparing to vent his anger on the man who pleads for mercy and begs not to be hit. Superboy relents and swiftly departs, flying away from the scene.

Although he initially confronted the man, Superboy later apologized. Despite the criminal nature of this individual, it wasn’t Superboy’s role to mete out punishment. Instead, he informed him that evidence had been provided to the fire department and the police were on their way. This act reflects the compassionate character Superman possessed even as a teenager. In a moment of anger, Superboy chose to confront the owner himself, but it was an ill-advised decision. He should have reported the matter promptly to the authorities instead of handling it in a juvenile manner, thereby learning about the complexities of the world. Superboy had the opportunity to physically harm the man, but such action would only lead to trouble without bringing justice. This encounter with the subcontractor served as an important lesson for Superboy – revenge may seem satisfying, but it doesn’t solve problems; instead, it creates more complications. The events in ‘Superman’, where we discover how he dealt with the President of Boravia during his interview with Lois Lane, further illustrate this point, as his anger led to consequences in that situation as well.

Action Comics #1088 and Superman Echo Each Other

Superboy’s outburst of anger demonstrates his humanity, as anyone in a similar predicament might react similarly. The potential loss of lives at Smallville High due to someone’s avarice was a provocation that could enrage anyone. However, it was particularly challenging for Superboy because Pete Ross, one of his closest friends, would have perished in the fire had he not been close enough to extinguish it. His anger overpowered him, but he soon understood that such actions wouldn’t resolve the issue or bring justice. Therefore, he extended an apology.

The resonance with the character of Superman is intriguing, as portrayed in the film, he succumbed to anger and threatened the President of Boravia. This resulted in a decline of public opinion towards him, perhaps it wouldn’t have been so severe if he had learned the same lesson as Superboy. The tales of Superman can take many forms, but it’s these human-like moments that reveal his true character and the types of situations he might encounter.

Action Comics #1088 is on sale now.

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2025-07-19 18:40