Action Comics #1089 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: August 13, 2025

Action Comics #1089, by DC Comics on 8/13/25, sees a young Clark Kent dealing with a mysterious visitor who already knows his secret.

First Impressions

Action Comics #1089 starts with a bang, dropping us into a tense, compelling scenario for young Clark: The first time he encounters someone who claims to know his secret identity. The art is immediately striking, with a kinetic energy that makes the pages feel alive. The dialogue, however, is a bit heavy on exposition, bogging down what should be a fast-paced issue.

Recap

In Action Comics #1088, a public debut as Superboy left Clark Kent reeling and the city of Metropolis abuzz. Government agents descended on Smallville, and a tense confrontation at a local diner put Clark's resolve to the test. The issue ended with a cliffhanger, as a shadowy antagonist targeted Clark, setting the stage for a showdown.

Plot Analysis

The story opens in Smallville "years ago," as Clark Kent's parents, Pa and Ma Kent, are approached by a stranger who introduces himself as Mr. Blake. Mr. Blake reveals that he knows Clark is Superboy. Mr. Blake then shares his own superhero origin as Captain Comet, a mutant with telekinesis and limited clairvoyance, and explains that he has been secretly watching Clark. He warns the Kents that the world deserves proof that their son is responsible, and he shares cautionary tales of three other heroes from other planets who failed in their duties. The scene ends as he leaves the Kent home, promising to return.

The next day, Clark goes to school and attends a class on ancient Egyptian history, where Mr. Blake is revealed to be the new substitute teacher. During class, Clark is distracted by his crush, Lana Lang, who is sitting near him. Class is dismissed, and a bully named Braverman bumps into Clark, causing his schoolwork to fly everywhere. Clark struggles to control his emotions as Braverman taunts him. Clark finally shoves Braverman back, harder than he should, and then runs away from the scene.

As Clark flies off to blow off some superpowered steam, Captain Comet catches up to him and directs him to use his powers to save the day without creating a mess. The challenge? Redirect a swarm of locusts headed for Smallville's crops. Clark eventually succeeds in his task without Captain Comet's help. The issue ends when we learn who Captain Comet is secretly working with.

Detailed Review

Writing

The writing here is a classic mixed bag. On one hand, Mark Waid successfully crafts a lived-in version of Smallville, making the Kent farm and Clark's school feel authentic. The family dynamic between Clark, Ma, and Pa is particularly strong, with their concern for their son feeling genuine. However, the overall pacing is slow. The long sequence of Captain Comet telling stories to the Kents grinds the narrative to a halt and fails to build any real tension. The issue also suffers from a lack of stakes. We know that Clark will grow up to be Superman, so his struggles with a schoolyard bully feel low-stakes, and Captain Comet's grim warnings lack the weight to make us truly worry for Clark's future.

Art

The art by Skylar Patridge and color by Ivan Plascencia is the undisputed star of the show. The character expressions are fantastic, especially Clark's inner turmoil, which is palpable on the page. Patridge's use of body language conveys emotions more effectively than the dialogue sometimes can. The colors are vibrant and eye-catching, making the Smallville landscape pop with a warm, nostalgic glow that perfectly suits the setting. The visual storytelling is dynamic and clean, making the book a smooth and easy read.

Characters

Young Clark Kent is portrayed as a good kid with a lot on his plate. His internal monologue is a little repetitive, but it effectively conveys his adolescent anxieties. Captain Comet is intriguing and mysterious, though his monologue is more of a storytelling device than a real character moment. The bully Braverman is a textbook bad guy with little depth, serving only as an obstacle for Clark's powers.

Positives

The comic's greatest strength is its world-building. Smallville feels real and lived in, and the dialogue between the Kents grounds the superheroics in a relatable family drama. The art is another major plus; the visuals are consistently strong and give the book a unique identity that separates it from other comics on the shelves. The character moments are well-handled, giving us a deep dive into Clark's psyche as he navigates his first few weeks as a hero.

Negatives

This issue suffers from a severe case of slow pacing. The long, drawn-out dialogue from Captain Comet is a major offender, killing any momentum the story might have. This is paired with a distinct lack of stakes. We know that none of the dire warnings will come to pass, and the conflict with the school bully feels like a minor annoyance rather than a true challenge. The lack of drama makes the issue feel less like a chapter in a comic and more like a simple vignette.

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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 #1089 is a beautifully illustrated comic that builds a charming and believable world. However, the story itself is an exercise in wheel-spinning. The slow pacing and absence of any real drama make this a forgettable read. The issue has all the components for a great story—a mysterious new character, a hero in training, and a conflict at school—but it fails to tie them together in a compelling way.

6/10

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