Let’s face it, the occasions we’re residing in could be a bit loopy. I don’t essentially wish to return to the ’90s (I wouldn’t have DC UNIVERSE INFINITE anymore), however it could be good to go to for one thing like a weekend escape.
Say, isn’t that the identify of our weekly column, spotlighting studying suggestions for the weekend? In that case, let’s proceed DC’s month-long celebration of the 20th century’s most colourful decade by spotlighting a enjoyable ’90s storyline. And it doesn’t get extra ’90s than Superboy, so this week, we’re spotlighting “Losin’ It,” a pivotal storyline that ran in 1996’s Superboy #25-30.
The Premise:
Years earlier than he took the identify Kon-El or Conner, Superboy operated out of Hawaii. At the time this story was revealed, the Boy of Steel was a bit extra brash, inexperienced and impulsive. In different phrases, he was a teenage boy with phenomenal powers, however he was in over his head. This results in Superboy hooking up with Knockout, an Apokolips refugee who was as soon as a member of Granny’s Female Furies.
Knockout is each teenage boy’s dream, and Superboy is smitten, however his pals have issues. They suppose Knockout is a dangerous affect on the Boy of Steel, however Superboy ignores them. Things escalate when a cop is murdered and Knockout is the prime suspect. Against his higher judgement, Superboy sides with Knockout, believing that she’s harmless. Choosing hormones over heroism, our younger hero finds himself on the run from the legislation and his fellow superheroes. Can he overcome his super-crush earlier than Knockout takes him down the trail of no return?
Let’s Talk Talent:
“Losin’ It” is written by Karl Kesel and Steve Mattsson. The pair have a good voice for Superboy, giving him the correct amount of teenage conceitedness, whereas nonetheless making him a loveable and sympathetic character. The readers know Superboy is making a mistake, however Kesel and Mattsson nonetheless make us root for his redemption. The story is paced properly, with fantastic emotional beats, which culminates into an thrilling climax that can fulfill Superboy followers.
The storyline was penciled by Tom Grummett, alongside with an all-star solid of DC artists like Chris Gardner, Jason Armstrong and Staz Johnson. Plus, we get some cool bonus pages penciled by Jeffrey Moy, Dean Zachary and Jim Calafiore. Each of them provides one thing cool to the storyline. Grummett (who co-created Superboy alongside with Kesel) was firing on all cylinders within the ’90s. Gardner and Armstrong, then again, contribute an electrifying battle between Supergirl and Knockout.
Staz Johnson is one of essentially the most underrated artists of the Nineteen Nineties, and his pages completely seize the overall temper of Generation X. Every artist captures Knockout’s sexual enchantment, making it straightforward to see why a teenage boy like Superboy may very well be manipulated by her. If they hadn’t been in a position to pull off Knockout’s attract, the story would have fallen aside. There’s a lot to like with this artwork, which takes this story to the subsequent stage.
A Few Reasons to Read:
- This story is a enjoyable take a look at Superboy’s early days earlier than he joined Young Justice or the Teen Titans, when he was nonetheless an inexperienced hero. The Boy of Steel hadn’t but skilled the trauma and tragedy that might mature him into the hero we all know in the present day. If you’re a fan of Superboy, you then’ll love studying this story and seeing how far he’s come.
- “Losin’ It” is a nice ’90s coming of age story about a teenage boy who falls for the flawed woman. Like most youngsters, Superboy is listening to his hormones as a substitute of his head. Maybe we will’t relate to having super-strength and flight, however everybody has skilled temptation, making this a quintessential ’90s teen story.
- This comedian is set in Hawaii, which is the proper backdrop for a ’90s teen coming of age story. Gorgeous seashores, massive waves and volcanoes.
- If you’re a fan of Matrix Supergirl, I’m blissful to report that she exhibits as much as give the Boy of Steel a piece of her thoughts. This results in a nice struggle with Knockout, which is chaotic, harmful and enjoyable.
Why It’s Worth Your Time
“Losin’ It” is a nice snapshot of ’90s comedian books. If you had been a reader again then, or somebody who’s learn sufficient of the comics that got here out over that decade, you recognize what I’m speaking about. The tales had been paced otherwise, and the artwork had a sure sense of over-the-top enjoyable to it. For me personally, studying this guide took me again to my center college days, giving me that feeling I used to have studying DC Comics.
But even if you take away the ’90s nostalgia, this is a phenomenal story that stands by itself. At its core, it’s a story of rising up, accepting accountability and overcoming temptation. This is additionally a story that might solely be informed with this model of Superboy, demonstrating what units him aside from Superman. Superman is the hero all of us aspire to be, whereas Superboy is a child who is nonetheless studying and rising. “Losin’ It” was an vital step in that development, and it helped make him into the fascinating character he is in the present day.
Superboy: Losin’ It by Karl Kesel, Steve Mattsson, Tom Grummett and extra is accessible to learn in full on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE.
Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, films and comics for DC.com, is a common contributor to the Couch Club and writes our month-to-month Batman column, “Gotham Gazette.” Follow him on Twitter at @TBUJosh.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed on this function are solely these of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and don’t essentially replicate these of DC Entertainment or Warner Bros.
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