Writer/Artist: Geoff Johns, Francis Manapul, Clayton Henry, Michael Shoemaker
Publisher: DC, $3.99ea
Why You Should Know It: DC’s current relaunch of the Adventure Comics title stars the current Superboy (Conner Kent), the clone progeny of Superman and Lex Luthor. After his resurrection in Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds, Connor decides to set up roots back in Smallville with Ma Kent and Krypto. Paranoid of his origins and connection with Lex Luthor (not to mention his death at the hands of Superboy Prime, an evil alternate reality version of Superman), Connor is keeping a list of the things Superman and Luthor are both famous for doing in the hopes of preventing his own fall to the dark side.
Fans of Johns shouldn’t be surprised by the time he’s spending in fleshing out the personal aspects of Conner’s life. Considering his own affection for the character, we’ve been given some pretty emotional and character driven stories in a short amount of time. I’ve read a few reviews that have complained about the lack of action and there being too much teen drama. I can partially understand those complaints since this is a super-hero comic and more time has been given to the overall scripting but I have trouble complaining over something that values character development. It doesn’t come off as chatty to me, and while it does reward the knowledge of continuity it doesn’t require it. Also, I’m pretty happy with anything that features Krypto but that just might be me.
The real treat in the series so far is seeing Manapul’s art with Brian Buccellato’s coloring. This team has been producing Grade A flagship title quality art and have made every issue fantastic so far. Throw in fun back-up stories starring the Legion of Super-Heroes and you have a great package. The $3.99 price tag isn't fantastic, but these are a bit longer than normal comics and I feel the content is well worth it.
If you like this then try: Green Lantern, Infinite Crisis, Teen Titans (specifically the Johns run)
Related Links: DC Comics
Francis Manapul's website
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