Action Comics #1102: Kingdom Of Zod Part 6 Preview

 

Not all that long ago, young Clark Kent knew little about his heritage. Then, Mary Marvel, Martian Manhunter, and Booster Gold brought Epoch into his life. Clark prevented the Lord of Time from killing him before he could grow up to be Superman. Now, Clark stands upon his homeworld. He's gotten separated from Kara, the cousin who vowed to protect him. And Clark fears that anything he does on Krypton will make Epoch's attempt to disrupt the timeline insignificant by comparison.

Can Clark and Kara prevent Ursa from saving the world of their birth from destruction? And can Superman and Kara's Super Force prevent General Zod's weaponized Kryptonite from destroying their adoptive homeworld?

Here's all the info from DC Connect: 

Action Comics #1102: Kingdom Of Zod Part 6 Preview

Writer: Mark Waid

Artist: Montos

Cover Artist: Lucas Meyer

Variant Cover Artists: Pete Woods & Salvador Larroca

Foil Variant Cover Artist: Mark Spears

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Price: $4.99 US/Variant $5.99 US (Card Stock)

Release Date: September 9, 2026

 

 

Lost in Krypton’s Past!

Kingdom Of Zod: Part Six!

 

 

Young Clark Kent is trapped in Krypton’s past, forced to witness a world he never knew for the first time. His only hope of getting home is to break Supergirl out of Zod’s prison! But the present day is not safe either! Can Steel find a cure for the spread of the K-Zone before all of Earth is covered in Kryptonite?!

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

For more in the Kingdom Of Zod storyline:

For General Zod's rise to power, see Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign Review. 

For the mission to El Caldero, see Supergirl #16: Kingdom Of Zod Part 1 Review. 

For the battle in El Caldero, see Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2 Review. 

For how Superman takes the fight to Zod, see Superman Unlimited #16 Review.

For Zod's revival of Ursa see Superman #41: Kingdom Of Zod Part Four Review 

For Ursa, Kara, and young Clark's arrival on Krypton, see Supergirl #17: Kingdom Of Zod Part 5 Preview 

 

For Superboy's battle to regain his superpowers, see my review of Action Comics #1100: Mission Failure. 

For Booster Gold's search for his friend, see my review of Action Comics #1100: Superman Meets Superboy. 

 

 

 

Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2 Review

 

Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2 Review

Writers: Mark Waid & Joe Casey

Artists: Montos & Dan McDaid

Colorists: Ivan Plascencia & David Baron

Letterers: Steve Wands & Troy Peteri

Cover Artist: Guillem March

Variant Cover Artists: Mark Spears, Ariel Olivetti & Mike Choi

Editors: Jillian Grant & Brittany Holzherr

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $4.99 US/$5.99 US Card Stock/$7.99 US Foil

Release Date: August 12, 2026

 

Years ago, while trying to kill Superboy, Epoch unleashed a paradox that threatened to erase Martian Manhunter, Mary Marvel, and Booster Gold from time. Young Clark Kent survived the attack, helping his friends from the future return from oblivion. Then, despite Martian Manhunter and Mary Marvel's better judgment, Booster Gold showed Superboy glimpses of the future that could destroy it all over again. And when they achieved their fondest dream and rescued Clark, even Superman shrugged off concerns about unleashing another paradox on his world.

 

Now, Clark, his younger self, Booster Gold, Mary Marvel, and Martian Manhunter travel back toward the present. An old villain has returned to menace Superman's world again. How will General Zod seek to destroy everything Clark loves? And how might Clark's decision to bring his younger self to the present change his future? Let's grab our K-Shields, leap into Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2, and see what happens!

 

Story

In his desire to strengthen El Caldero and protect it against aggressors, Presidente Eduardo Castilho distributed pieces of the Kryptonite meteor around the world. Now, the same thing that happened at John Henry Irons’ Steelworks campus in Smallville is occurring around the world. And where the alien crystals grow, sickness, injury, and death follow.

 

Superboy, Booster Gold, Mary Marvel, and Martian Manhunter have rescued Superman from the timestream. As Mary plays backseat driver, young Clark marvels at the wonders Booster Gold steers them around. Not wanting to worry the others, Superman engages in psychic communication with Martian Manhunter. Both heroes wonder if more paradoxes await them in Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2.

 

After events from Joe Casey’s Kneel Before Zod series introduce the story, Mark Waid interweaves Booster Gold's timestream journey with the battle in El Caldero. Supergirl brought her Super Force to reclaim the Sun Crystal and any other Kryptonian artifacts that might endanger Earth. But Zod anticipated their arrival, and the airborne attack he unleashed hampers them in unexpected ways. Another aspect of Kara’s planning may yield more positive results. Yet as Zod drains Lois Lane of the superpowers she never wanted, the journalist keeps a cool head. Her line of inquiry could prove the key to Earth’s survival in Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2.

 

Art

Crystals defile monuments to history in exotic locales. Instead of impaling researchers at Steelworks in Smallville, they burst from patients in hospital beds. And in Metropolis, massive Kryptonite crystals sprout from the ground and buildings, hurling vehicles into the air and cultural artifacts to the ground as a photographer watches. As luminous currents swirl, arc, and stream past Booster Gold’s bubble-shaped craft, young Clark helps Superman stand. But when Mary Marvel alerts Booster to obstructions in the timestream, Montos shows young Clark’s awe of his surroundings.

 

As Dan McDaid provides a glimpse of the past, David Baron portrays Zod’s dead wife in white. Yellow flames from a brazier illuminate nearby indigo instruments and equipment. While yellow adorns Eraditrix’s present form, her violet gloves and cape turn indigo in shadow. Ivan Plascencia uses her violet to link her with the Krypto-Knights and Lois Lane. Yet while one character retains a recent costume change, John Henry Irons’ coloring evokes Ursa upon a crystalline pyre in Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2.

 

After Troy Peteri’s white uppercase letters in black boxes bring readers up to speed, Steve Wands' yellow boxes introduce current events, characters, and locales. Cloudy balloons and bubbles convey Superman and Martian Manhunter's cause for concern, while Eradicatrix addresses Supergirl via white letters in black boxes and balloons. Black uppercase letters in white dialogue balloons grow bold with intonation and swell for raised voices as heroes defy overwhelming pain. Sound effects enhance clashing weapons, bursts of heat vision, and a breath (or two) of fresh air as characters set their differences aside to focus on the battle at hand. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

Dru-Zod may have his reasons for harming Kal-El's new home. But whether the former Kryptonian General understands why he is unleashing a Green-K attack on Earth, or if anger and grief are driving his actions, remains in doubt in Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2.

 

For Kara, Lois, and the Super Force's arrival in El Caldero, see Supergirl #16: Kingdom Of Zod Part 1 Review. 

 

 

For Superboy's battle to regain his superpowers, see my review of Action Comics #1100: Mission Failure. 

For Booster Gold's search for his friend, see my review of Action Comics #1100: Superman Meets Superboy. 

For the Kryptonite eruption at Steelworks in Smallville, see Superman Unlimited #15 Review. 

 

For Kara's rough start at team-building, see Action Comics #1100: Game Night Review.

For what happened to Presidente Eduardo Castilho, see Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign Review. 

For Kara & Lesla's battle in Kandor, and the forging of her Super Force, see Supergirl #15 Review. 

 

Action Comics #1101 Preview

 

Years ago, young Clark Kent survived the paradox Epoch created that nearly destroy his future. Then, despite Martian Manhunter and Mary Marvel's better judgment, Booster Gold launched Superboy on a course that could destroy it all over again. And when they achieved their fondest dream, and rescued Clark, even he shrugged off concerns about unleashing another paradox on his world. 

Now, Clark, his younger self, Booster Gold, Mary Marvel, and Martian Manhunter return to a dangerous present. An old villain has returned to menace his world again. How will General Zod seek to destroy everything Clark loves? And how might Clark's decision to bring his younger self to the present change his future?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:  

 

Action Comics #1101 Preview

Writer: Mark Waid

Artist: Montos

Cover Artist: Guillem March

Variant Covers Artists: Ariel Olivetti & Mike Choi

Foil Variant Cover Artist: Mark Spears

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Price: $4.99 US/Variant $5.99 US (Card Stock)

Release Date: August 12, 2026

 

 

Superman Is Back!

Kingdom Of Zod: Part Two!

 

 

Superman returned in last month’s landmark #1100 issue! Now the Man of Steel crashes into the present day and finds himself thrown into the war with Zod! With a few stowaways along for the ride including…young Clark Kent?! The battle for Zod’s Kryptonite Kingdom has already begun! Is Superman’s return too late?

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

For Superboy's battle to regain his superpowers, see my review of Action Comics #1100: Mission Failure. 

For Booster Gold's search for his friend, see my review of Action Comics #1100: Superman Meets Superboy. 

For Kara Zor-El's preparations to retake the Sun Crystal, see Action Comics #1100: Game Night Review. 

For General Zod's return, and how it threatens the world, see Action Comics #1100: End of Reign Review.

    

For what happened before last month's landmark issue, see my review of Action Comics #1099. 

For how Clark lost his powers, see my preview of Action Comics #1098. 

 

For Clark's battle at the Metropolis Expo of Tomorrow, see my review of Action Comics #1097. 

 

For how Superboy met Martian Manhunter, Mary Marvel, Booster Gold, and Epoch, see my review of Action Comics #1096.

 

Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign Review

 

Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign Review

Writer: Dan Slott

Artist: Lucas Meyer

Colorist: Giuliano Peratelli

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

Cover Artist: Ryan Sook

Variant Cover Artists: Mark Spears; David Talaski; Jim Cheung & Jay David Ramos; Rahzzah; Daniel Sampere & Tomeu Morey

Editors: Jillian Grant & Brittany Holzherr

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $5.99 US/$6.99 US Card Stock/$7.99 US Foil

Release Date: July 22, 2026

 

As a meteor headed toward Earth, Superman fought to alter its trajectory. Then he discovered that, beneath the surface, the tiny planetoid was composed entirely of Kryptonite. Although he couldn’t stop it from striking the Earth, Superman prevented a mass extinction event.

 

When Eduardo Castilho pulled Superman from the impact crater, he realized that his hero had unwittingly helped his country thrive. How has Kryptonite transformed El Caldero? And what are the ramifications of relying on this heaven-sent element? Let’s leap into Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign and see what happens!

 

Story

He hailed Superman as his nation’s hero. But when they unearthed the Sun Crystal, Eduardo sent Superman packing and forbade his return. The Sun Crystal has gifted his country a castle filled with alien technology. But as Presidente Eduardo Castilho inspects his new source for El Caldero’s exports, ghosts of a dead planet tell him that he is the one who doesn’t belong.

 

Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign demonstrates Castilho’s love for his country. As he rose to power, he helped transform El Caldero into an economic powerhouse. Castilho may be an opportunist who wants everything his way. Still, his Kryptonite supply has benefitted the entire world.

 

Just as Lois Lane cannot operate the Daily Planet's global news agency without an army of supporters, Presidente Eduardo Castilho could not have harnessed the vast power of Kryptonite without help. Dan Slott’s story reveals who has helped him build his kingdom. Yet, it also highlights a new aspect of El Calderan Green-K.

 

Despite Castilho's optimism, Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign is a tragedy. Dan Slott’s story evokes Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne discussing alternative careers on the eve of DC K.O. Yet, it also recalls a historical mystery that has stirred writers' imaginations throughout the ages.

 

Art

Giant green crystals form an enormous lattice structure. A statue outside the building portrays Superman slowing the meteor's descent. Inside Castilho's castle, holograms of Kryptonian leaders dwarf El Presidente. When a Krypto-Knight lifts a crystal from a control panel, the speakers bend and vanish like ghosts. Yet after Castilho’s friend summons a holographic monitor, Lucas Meyer retracts the camera, portraying an act of violence via silhouettes.

 

Giuliano Peratelli adorns Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign with a vibrant palette. Amid the luminous green surroundings, Castilho shines in red and gold. A Green-and-Black Krypto-Knight nods to a cluster of soldiers arrayed in violet armor before responding to Castilho's call. A yellow sun behind Castilho's profile shines as he recalls the events that shaped his country. The sun projects light rays edged with orange, dividing his memories into wedges.

 

Black uppercase letters fill white dialogue balloons, while the alien technology summons green symbols, and the unwanted ghosts speak with green letters. As Castilho’s eloquent off-camera dialogue appears in green narrative boxes, letters grow bold for intonation and swell when voices rise. Sound effects accompany technical difficulties, and a change in direction for El Caldero. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

So far, Presidente Eduardo Castilho has had everything his way. But times are changing. After the events at the Steelworks facility in Smallville, the honeymoon between El Caldero and the mountain of Kryptonite that transformed it seems destined for a troubled marriage. As Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign builds on events in Superman Unlimited, it also paves the way for the upcoming Kingdom Of Zod crossover event.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

For Kara Zor-El's preparations to retake the Sun Crystal, see Action Comics #1100: Game Night Review. 

 

For Booster Gold's search for his friend, see my review of Action Comics #1100: Superman Meets Superboy. 

 

For Superboy's battle to regain his superpowers, see my review of Action Comics #1100: Mission Failure. 

 

For Kara and Lesla's battle to free Kandor, see my review of Supergirl #15. 

 

For events at the Steelworks facility in Smallville, see my review of Superman Unlimited #15. 

 

 

 

Action Comics #1100: Game Night Review

 

Action Comics #1100: Game Night Review

Writer: Sophie Campbell

Artist: Dan Mora

Colorist: Tamra Bonvillain

Letterer: Becca Carey

Cover Artist: Ryan Sook

Variant Cover Artists: Mark Spears; David Talaski; Jim Cheung & Jay David Ramos; Rahzzah; Daniel Sampere & Tomeu Morey

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $5.99 US/$6.99 US Card Stock/$7.99 US Foil

Release Date: July 22, 2026

 

Kara Zor-El has mentored a fellow Kryptonian. She has built a circle of friends in Midvale. Yet Kara has struggled to cope with what she has lost. And she has found it difficult to forgive her friends and move on when they disappointed her.

 

Recently, Kara formed a team of friends with unique abilities to help her carry out a new mission. But is she ready to be a team leader? And after sharing her life with Clark Kent, what does Lois Lane think of Kara's leadership style? Let's leap into Action Comics #1100: Game Night, and see!

 

Story

With the help of Lesla-Lar, Lena Luthor, Conner Kent, and Thundergirl, Supergirl has freed Kandor from Black Flame’s reign of terror. But since Lesla-Lar told her about the Sun Crystal in Caldero, Supergirl has felt obliged to step up in Superman’s absence and represent the House of El on Earth. Still, before they travel to the Kryptonite Kingdom, Kara Zor-El and her friends take a moment to relax and recharge with Jon Kent.

 

Sophie Campbell’s story begins through Lois Lane’s eyes. While overseeing the Daily Planet’s global activity, she urged Jon to follow in his parents’ footsteps. When a younger version of her son appeared, Lois struggled to cope with raising a young superpowered boy without Clark's help. Now, Lois has her teenage son back, and she wants to let him find his own path. Yet just having Jon, Kara, Conner, and Thundergirl over for a relaxing evening stresses Lois out.

 

Game Night shows how much Lois has struggled in Clark's absence. She is strong and resilient. Lois endured a bout with superpowers she didn't want and fought to prevent the destruction of her planet. Yet Kara Zor-El and Lois Lane find that coping with family, even when they are getting along, can be stressful in this third story in Action Comics #1100.

 

Art

When Lois Lane returns after a long day at the Daily Planet, clothing, sporting goods, toys, books, and food litter the floor. Beverages clutter the bar in the kitchen. She kneels in her suit to sponge up the spill, observing the mess around her. Then, Lois finds Jon and his friends in his bedroom, clustered around the flatscreen TV. As her son and his guests play or watch the game, one of the posters on the crowded walls suggests inspiration for Jon’s recent secret identity.

 

As Dan Mora portrays Lois amid her family, Tamra Bonvillain adorns Action Comics #1100: Game Night with vibrant colors. Despite Clark's absence, Lois Lane's green suit hints at her determination to carry on. Her attire also links her with Thundergirl, who could prove more amenable to her guidance than Jon. Orange and yellow herald confrontations, while red signals rage amid another Game Night that could end in a deadly contest.

 

As black uppercase letters fill dialogue balloons, Becca Carey's dots and clouds reveal Lois' thoughts. The letters grow bold for intonation and change color amid tense situations. A besieged combatant speaks into cloudy dialogue balloons amid angry cries as the action heats up in Action Comics #1100: Game Night. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

As Master Txyz told Jon Kent recently, Superman shines so brightly that he puts the other members of the Super-family in the shade. The Justice League recognizes his importance, and Booster Gold is determined to find his friend. While Superman is absent, Kara Zor-El has a chance to shine. But to demonstrate her ability to lead the House of El, Supergirl must earn her teammates' respect and achieve a significant accomplishment before her cousin returns to reclaim the spotlight in Action Comics #1100: Game Night.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

For Booster Gold's search for his friend, see my review of Action Comics #1100: Superman Meets Superboy. 

 

For Superboy's battle with Epoch, see my review of Action Comics #1100: Mission Failure. 

 

For Kara and Lesla's battle to free Kandor, see my review of Supergirl #15. 

 

For Lois Lane's struggles in Clark's absence, see my review of Superman Unlimited #15. 

Action Comics #1100: Superman Meets Superboy Review

 

Action Comics #1100: Superman Meets Superboy Review

Writer: Joshua Williamson

Artist: Daniel Sampere

Colorist: Alejandro Sánchez

Letterer: Steve Wands

Cover Artist: Ryan Sook

Variant Cover Artists: Mark Spears; David Talaski; Jim Cheung & Jay David Ramos; Rahzzah; Daniel Sampere & Tomeu Morey

Editors: Jillian Grant & Brittany Holzherr

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $5.99 US/$6.99 US Card Stock/$7.99 US Foil

Release Date: July 22, 2026

 

Young Clark Kent didn't ask Martian Manhunter, Booster Gold, and Mary Marvel to bring their battle to his time. He didn’t ask to lose his superpowers. Nor did he ask Epoch to try to kill him. Still, Clark gradually realized that, whether he wanted to or not, he had to reclaim his powers. Earth needed a Superman. And the threats facing his planet would only grow over time.

 

Now, Clark has regained his powers. Once more, Clark Kent is Superboy. But after defeating Epoch, Martian Manhunter, Booster Gold, and Mary Marvel believe he should accompany them on their mission. What will Superboy discover as he travels the time stream with his new friends? And how might it affect his future? Let’s leap into Action Comics #1100 and see!

 

Superman Meets Superboy: Story

After the events in Mission Failure, Clark accompanies Booster Gold, Mary Marvel, and Martian Manhunter on their search for Superman. While they fly through the timestream, Mary Marvel expresses her concerns that their flight could alter Clark’s future. Martian Manhunter also warns Booster Gold to curb his enthusiasm.

 

Still, Booster is in the driver’s seat in Action Comics #1100. He argues that Superman has vanished. Despite everyone's superpowers, no one has found their friend. Young Clark, with his super vision, represents their best hope of finding Superman. Amid his love for his friend and his desire to share that love with Clark, Booster shrugs off his friends’ concerns about revealing too much about Clark’s future.

 

Joshua Williamson’s story tackles the role of spoilers in our lives. Some people don’t want to know anything about their future. Others read the last chapter of a book to learn how it ends before deciding to read the book through. Booster's arguments suggest that knowing his future will give Clark a target to strive for. 

 

Superman Meets Superboy links with previous events in Action Comics with DC K.O. and Justice League Unlimited. And after Mary Marvel, Booster Gold, and Martian Manhunter asserted Clark’s importance to the future, Superboy gets to play a vital role in finding his future self. Mary Marvel and Martian Manhunter tried playing it carefully. Trying to shield knowledge of future events from Clark led to the trio being erased from time. So, they let Booster Gold call the shots in Action Comics #1100.

 

Superman Meets Superboy: Art

Booster sits before the controls of their time ship, while Clark, Mary Marvel, and J’onn stand. Booster's face reveals his exuberance as he thumps Clark on the chest. Clark's eyes glow, and his jaw drops, as he sees what lies ahead of him. When Mary moves forward, gesturing with her arms, Clark shrugs and points at the eye-catching visions beyond the canopy.

 

Their ship may look futuristic. Still, the keyboards and black-and-white monitors reveal its cobbled-together nature. Daniel Sampere tilts panels 45 degrees when separately showing Mary Marvel and J’onn frowning at Booster Gold’s decisions. But in a cinematic wide shot, the camera rights itself as Mary Marvel throws up her hands in Action Comics #1100.

 

Their ship travels along a stream of light as it ventures into the future. The white, light-red, and light-yellow bands of light contrast with the vibrantly colored occupants and the glimpses of the future. People in the timestream radiate colors like an aura, or multiply in slow motion. Then, their view outside grows opalescent until Alejandro Sánchez portrays their surroundings as individual bands of color amid a white void.

 

Steve Wands fills white dialogue balloons with uppercase black lettering that grows bold with intonation. Offscreen dialogue appears in white boxes with colored borders, while Superboy’s appears as white words in blue boxes. Sound effects reveal how the ship reacts to changes in the flow of the timestream. As alarms wail inside the transparent canopy, the dialogue swells, and balloons change shape in Superboy Meets Superman. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

Mary Marvel and J’onn argue that learning secrets will heap more responsibility on Clark’s young shoulders. Yet Booster Gold insists on sharing the secrets he knows Clark will enjoy hearing. As the trio argues over two sides of the same coin, they embody different aspects of friendship while searching for their greatest friend in Action Comics #1100.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

To look inside the previous story, Mission Failure, see my preview of Action Comics #1100. 

 

For what happened last time, see my review of Action Comics #1099. 

For how Clark lost his powers, see my preview of Action Comics #1098. 

 

For Clark's battle at the Metropolis Expo of Tomorrow, see my review of Action Comics #1097. 

 

For how Superboy met Martian Manhunter, Mary Marvel, Booster Gold, and Epoch, see my review of Action Comics #1096.  

 

 

Action Comics #1100: Mission Failure Review

 

Action Comics #1100: Mission Failure Review

Writer: Mark Waid

Artist: Skylar Patridge & Ryan Sook

Colorist: Ivan Pascencia & Patricio Delpeche

Letterer: Steve Wands

Cover Artist: Ryan Sook

Variant Cover Artists: Mark Spears; David Talaski; Jim Cheung & Jay David Ramos; Rahzzah; Daniel Sampere & Tomeu Morey

Editors: Jillian Grant & Brittany Holzherr

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $5.99 US/$6.99 US Card Stock/$7.99 US Foil

Release Date: July 22, 2026

 

Young Clark Kent didn't ask Martian Manhunter, Booster Gold, and Mary Marvel to bring their battle to his time. He didn’t ask to lose his superpowers. Nor did he ask Epoch to try to kill him. Still, he had his new friends to defend him. But then, they weren’t around. Despite their promise to protect him, when Epoch returns, Clark Kent must defend himself against the time traveler who laughs at paradoxes.

 

Can scientist Bruce Gordon help the high schooler reclaim his superpowers? And how will Clark defend himself against his armored adversary? Let’s leap into Action Comics #1100 and see!

 

Mission Failure: Story

A cow's kick might hurt him. Clark might struggle to keep up in PE class. He might even need people to speak up when they talk to him. Still, there were compensations. Clark toyed with the idea of enjoying his teen years without the responsibility of protecting the planet weighing him down. Then, Mary Marvel disappeared.

 

Now, Clark's in Solar City. Booster Gold and Martian Manhunter have been erased from existence. But Clark has repurposed the spaceship that brought him to Earth into armor. And although he's not accustomed to fighting with a sword and shield, Clark needs to buy time until Dr Bruce Gordon can repair his solar recharger.

 

In Mark Waid's story, Clark Kent wants all the things his friends and neighbors do. He knows he's fighting for the planet and to help his friends from the future return to life. Clark Kent may only be a teenager. He may not be as experienced as his former teacher, Captain Comet. Still, Clark must draw on any advantage he can to regain his powers before Epoch kills him in Action Comics #1110.

 

Mission Failure: Art

Clark carries a sword and wears an armored version of his Superboy costume. As he withstands the energy rays from Epoch’s shoulder cannons, angled panels enhance the desperate struggle. When Epoch pounds him into the laboratory floor, the crumpled concrete gives way to fractured panels in the ground.

 

Ivan Pascencia and Patricio Delpeche enhance Skylar Patridge and Ryan Sook's art with bold colors in Action Comics #1100. The strong blues, reds, and golds shine, casting Dr Gordon's lab into darkness. Amid the speed and brutality of the fight, softer tones color Clark's memories. Yet as the battle ascends toward its zenith, darkness threatens to envelop the combatants.

 

Steve Wands places lowercase black words in a typewriter font inside yellow boxes as Clark sets the scene. Orange letters in yellow boxes locate readers in time and space. Uppercase black letters in white dialogue balloons turn bold with intonation and swell for raised voices. Large, colorful dialogue accompanies pain, while wiggly balloon arrows convey weakness. Bright, colorful sound effects enhance the armored combat and Epoch’s unrelenting firepower. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing Mission Failure and the three other stories in Action Comics #1100 with us.

 

Final Thoughts

Clark’s struggle with time began when cause and effect went out of whack. Then, at the Expo of Tomorrow, Clark rescued Mary Marvel, Martian Manhunter, and Booster Gold from Epoch’s attack. While he fights to preserve his own future, Clark also fights to reinstate his new friend's tomorrows. Clark's future wife will worry about her son's ability to follow in his parents' footsteps. Yet, Mission Failure demonstrates that Jon Kent will take his father's formative experiences to heart in Action Comics #1100.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Action Comics #1100.

 

For what happened last time, see my review of Action Comics #1099. 

For how Clark lost his powers, see my preview of Action Comics #1098. 

 

For Clark's battle at the Metropolis Expo of Tomorrow, see my review of Action Comics #1097. 

 

For how Superboy met Martian Manhunter, Mary Marvel, Booster Gold, and Epoch, see my review of Action Comics #1096.

 

Action Comics #1100 Preview

 

Young Clark Kent didn't ask Martian Manhunter, Booster Gold, and Mary Marvel to bring their battle to his time period. Nor did he ask to lose his superpowers. He definitely didn't ask Epoch to try and kill him. And despite their promise to protect him, when Epoch returns, Clark Kent must defend himself against the time traveler who laughs at paradoxes.

Can scientist Bruce Gordon help the high schooler reclaim his superpowers? Why is Lana Lang so worried about her father's new book? And where will the other stories in this extra-long take us?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

Action Comics #1100 Preview

Writers: Mark Waid, Joshua Williamson, Sophie Campbell & Dan Slott

Artists: Skylar Patridge, Ryan Sook, Daniel Sampere, Dan Mora & Lucas Meyer

Cover Artist: Ryan Sook

Variant Cover Artists: David Talaski, Mark Spears, Daniel Sampere, Jim Cheung & Rahzzah

Foil Variant Cover Artist: Jim Cheung

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 56 Pages

Price: $5.99 US/Variant $6.99 US (Card stock)/Foil $7.99 US

Release Date: July 22, 2026

 

Superman Returns 

In This Landmark Issue!

 

Celebrate 1,100 issues of Action Comics with DC’s top talent and architects of the world of Superman! In April 1938, a man faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound graced the pages of Action Comics #1, and the rest was superhero history. Now, together with the talents of writers Mark Waid, Joshua Williamson, Sophie Campbell, and Dan Slott, we honor Superman’s storied career and turn toward his thrilling future. Brought to life by the all-star artistic talent of Skylar Patridge, Ryan Sook, Dan Mora, and Lucas Meyer, the Man of Steel has never looked better.

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

For what happened last time, see my review of Action Comics #1099. 

For how Clark lost his powers, see my preview of Action Comics #1098. 

 

For Clark's battle at the Metropolis Expo of Tomorrow, see my review of Action Comics #1097. 

 

For how Superboy met Martian Manhunter, Mary Marvel, Booster Gold, and Epoch, see my review of Action Comics #1096.