The new direction begins in Action Comics #1087. The story opens in the present day, at the Metropolis Expo of Tomorrow, where Superman has provided actual future technology (flight rings) for the exhibit. (Did you know that Perry White is now mayor of Metropolis? I didn't.) The story soon flashes back to Clark Kent's 15th birthday, when Ma and Pa Kent tokk him to Metropolis for the Expo of Tomorrow for that year. His powers have begun to develop, but he has not yet made a public appearance. He doesn't even have a public persona yet (the Kents are still working that out), but he does have a costume, which he is secretly wearing to the Expo under his street clothes.
The exhibition is soon attacked by a costumed villain/terrorist, and Ma & Pa give him permission to deal with the situation in costume. (His costume, BTW, includes red shorts and red tennis shoes.) This action bring him to the attention of General Lane (who reports to some mysterious cabal) as well as a shadowy figure who can fly.
ISSUE #1088:
At the Daily Planet, the name "Superboy" is provided by Charlie Lane's niece, who was in the office for "Bring Your Daughter to Work Day." Back in Smallville, the Kents begin workiing through the ramifications of "Superboy's" public appearance ahead of when they woud have liked. They agree to allow Clark to operate as superboy three afternoons a week (if his chores are done, at normal speed),, but they don't want him associated with Smallville, so he takes his show "on the road" to Gotham, Los Angeles, Central City, etc. His powers are still developing, and he needs a roadmap to follow the interstate highway system.
This issue also introduces Pete Ross and Lana Lang. Lana has been away all summer, and has, uh... "blossemed." This is the first year at the brand new high school building. A fire breaks out on the first day, forcing Clark to use his powers in costume to prevent the loss of life. He later confronts the contractor who installed the faulty sprinkler system, and learns a lesson about the difference between apprehending criminals and punishing them. Later, a knock comes to the door of the Kent home. It is Mr. Blake, one of Clark's teachers, who wants to talk to Superboy.
This series starts at the very beginning of Superboy's career. I can hardly wait until he meets the Legion of Super-Heroes.
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ISSUE #1093:
Morgan Stone, president of Smallville Bank & Trust, retired after 40 years. Will Parmenter from the head office took charge and immediately found the mortgages of eight local farms in arrears, including the Kents. Clark finds evidence that Parmenter is involved in a shady real estate deal, but he can't legally present that evidence to the authorities. This dilemma foreshadows the moral quandry he will soon face when General Sam Lane recruits him as a "super soldier" to fight in Modera.
Loved the attitude of Pa Kent at the end. "To learn the kind of dilemmas a Superboy has to deal with" is just right.
I finally caught up on this, and don't have a lot to add to Jeff's and Luis' observations. I will say that I found the Captain Comet subplot a bit tedious -- "in town to cause Superboy trouble" is an accurate summary, since his actual reasoning is somewhat threadbare. I also have Gen. Lane fatigue and could happily go the rest of my life without hearing those two words again.
"Superboy" is at its best when its dealing with it central premise: coming of age, with the extra burden of secret super-powers. Ma and Pa Kent's gentle but firm guidance, Clark's crush on Lana, the sudden onset of inexplicable bodily changes, etc., are my favorite parts.
ISSUE #1094:
Superboy undertakes his first mission for General Sam Lane and learns one thing: he doesn't want to be a soldier, ever. The Modorans are using an ultrasonic weapon that Superboy is not yet experienced enough to guard against. It cause him to experience vertigo, plus he loses his hearing while in range. The second major development of the issue is that Clark decides to confide in Pete Ross about his secret. He ultimately decides not to burden Pete with the knowledge, but in a scene mirroring the Silver Age revelation, it is clear (to readers) that Pete inadvertantly learns the secret anyway. Also, Lana Lang's father is introduced in this issue. He is an archaeologist and anthropologist as in the SA comics, but his personality is closer to the adult Lana Lang's husband on the Superman & Lois TV show. He seems to be spying on Clark/Superboy, but whether of General Lane or some other party has not yet been revealed.
ISSUE #1095:
Following up on a development from the previous issue, Pete Ross has learned Clark Kent's secret, but it is negatively impacting their relationship because Pete doesn't understand why Clark hasn't confided in him. It is Lana (and a gay student named Curtis) who helps him come to terms with it. It's a different twist on the Clark/Pete dynamic.
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