Action Comics #1088 Review

• Written by: Mark Waid

• Art by: Skylar Patridge

• Colors by: Ivan Plascencia

• Letters by: Steve Wands

• Cover art by: Ryan Sook (cover A)

• Cover price: $4.99

• Release date: July 9, 2025

Action Comics #1088, by DC Comics on 7/9/25, continues the saga of Superman’s formative years with a fresh coat of nostalgia and a few dents in the armor.

First Impressions

Cracking open this issue feels like biting into a sandwich that’s mostly bread: familiar, a bit dry, and not quite as filling as you’d hoped. There’s promise in the setup, but the execution leaves you wishing for a little more flavor and a lot more punch.

Recap

In Action Comics #1087, the previous chapter whisked us back to Clark Kent’s early days, showing his awkward first steps as Superboy at the Metropolis Expo of Tomorrow. With a blend of Silver Age whimsy and modern retcon, Clark fumbled through his public debut, faced a mysterious armored villain, and got a crash course in heroics courtesy of Pa Kent’s homespun wisdom. The world was introduced to a new hero, and Clark was introduced to the fact that being super is a lot harder than it looks.

Plot Analysis

The issue opens with Clark Kent still reeling from his first public outing as Superboy. The fallout from the Expo incident is immediate—Metropolis is abuzz, the military is on high alert, and Clark’s parents are worried that their son’s secret won’t stay secret for long. Meanwhile, a shadowy figure watches the news coverage with clear intent, hinting that Clark’s troubles are only beginning.

Back at the Kent farm, Clark grapples with the emotional weight of his actions. He’s haunted by doubts about his place in the world and the consequences of revealing his powers. Pa Kent offers more sage advice, reminding Clark that true strength isn’t just about muscles—it’s about making the right choices, even when nobody’s watching. This father-son dynamic is the emotional core of the issue, grounding the story in relatable family tension.

The plot thickens as government agents descend on Smallville, sniffing around for clues about the mysterious Superboy. Clark must navigate the minefield of suspicion while trying to maintain his normal life. A tense confrontation at the local diner puts Clark’s resolve to the test, forcing him to use his powers in secret to prevent disaster without blowing his cover.

The issue wraps with a cliffhanger: the shadowy antagonist makes their move, targeting Clark directly and setting the stage for a showdown that promises to upend everything the Kents have tried to protect. As the sun sets over Smallville, Clark stands at a crossroads, torn between embracing his destiny and clinging to the last shreds of his anonymity.

Writing

The script tries to juggle nostalgia, teen angst, and superhero spectacle, but the balls keep hitting the floor. Dialogue is serviceable but rarely memorable, with Pa Kent’s wisdom bordering on cliché and Clark’s internal monologue feeling repetitive. The pacing drags in the middle, stretching out emotional beats that could have landed in half the time. There’s a sense that the writer is playing it safe, recycling familiar Superman tropes instead of taking real risks.

Art

Visually, the comic is a mixed bag. The linework is clean and the layouts are easy to follow, but the action scenes lack dynamism. Characters sometimes look stiff, especially in quieter moments, and the backgrounds often fade into generic farmland or cityscapes. The color palette is bright but uninspired, failing to give the story any real visual identity. There are flashes of style—an expressive face here, a dramatic pose there—but they’re too few and far between to elevate the book as a whole.

Characters

Clark Kent is earnest and likable, but his journey feels stuck in first gear. The supporting cast—Ma and Pa Kent, the government agents, the mysterious villain—are painted in broad strokes, serving the plot without ever surprising the reader. There’s potential for depth, especially in the Kent family dynamic, but the script doesn’t dig deep enough to make these relationships truly resonate.

Positives

If there’s a saving grace, it’s the heart at the center of the story. The Kent family’s love for each other feels genuine, and the moments where Clark wrestles with his responsibilities are relatable, even if they’re not groundbreaking. The comic does a decent job of capturing the uncertainty of being young and different, and there’s a certain charm in seeing Clark try (and fail) to be a normal kid. The setup for the next issue hints at more excitement to come, which might be enough to keep die-hard fans on the hook.

Negatives

Unfortunately, the issue is weighed down by predictability and a lack of ambition. The plot beats are telegraphed from a mile away, and the emotional moments lack the subtlety or surprise needed to make them memorable. The art, while competent, never wows, and the supporting characters feel like cardboard cutouts. Worst of all, the story never justifies why this chapter needed to be told—there’s no new insight, no bold twist, just a retread of familiar ground.

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About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

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Final Thoughts

Action Comics #1088 is a serviceable but forgettable entry in the Superman mythos. The writing is safe, the art is passable, and the stakes feel artificially inflated. There’s a kernel of heart at the story’s center, but it’s buried under layers of mediocrity. For longtime fans, it’s just another day in Smallville; for newcomers, it’s hardly a compelling invitation to stick around.

5.5/10

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