Warning: Spoilers for Action Comics #1076
Supermanmay be the top dog in the Super-Family, butSuperboyhas just received a major promotion that grants him a prominent new role in DC lore. Conner Kent’s travels through space with Kong Kenan culminate in his unexpected rise to power, setting Superboy apart from Superman as he undergoes an epic design change to complement his upgrade.
Action Comics#1076 by Mark Waid, Clayton Henry, Michael Shelfer, Matt Herms, and Dave Sharpe followsSuperboy and the Super-Man of Chinaas they embark on a wild adventure in Superman’s absence. A burglary in the Fortress of Solitude leads them to the Royal Museum of Space, where they face a Khundian armada that seeks to destroy the museum - which would also destroy the Fortress' artifacts.
To stop the Khunds, Superboy decides to fight the admiral in order to claim the high-ranking position for himself, thus becoming their new leader in a shocking turn of events.
Superboy’s “Super-Overadmiral” Title Redefines His Role in DC Lore
Superboy Takes on a Leadership Position, Complete With His Own Army
When Superboy proposes his challenge to battle the Overadmiral for his position, Super-Man is quick to shoot this idea down. The Khunds are ruthless warriors, after all, and Conner may not have what it takes to defeat them on his own in combat. However, much to Kenans' surprise,Superboy emerges victorious and appears before the Khunds as “Super-Overadmiral Conner Kent”. His modification of the admiral title is a play on hisSuperboy name, integrating it into his elevated role. Kenan asks how Conner beat the former admiral, and Superboy reveals that he used histactile telekinesis, which proves he earned this role through strategic fighting.
Superboy’s Ultimate Form Unlocked the Full Potential of His Most Unique Superpower
Conner Kent’s ultimate form as Superboy proves that the Young Justice hero has just as much, if not more, potential as the Man of Steel.
As the Super-Overadmiral of the Khunds, Superboy obtains quite a few upgrades. For starters, he dons a modified costume that features a regal cloak befitting his newfound status. While theSuperman family currently wears costumesthat resemble each other, this single change gives Conner his own individualized look. The admiral promotion isn’t merely cosmetic, of course, asSuperboy he also has full command over the Khundian army. When he orders them to stand down as they try to detain Kenan, they obey him without question.Superboy now has more powerthan ever before, differentiating him from Superman in a big way.
Superboy Forges His Own Path Outside of Superman’s Shadow
Conner Kent Finally Stands Out Among the Superman Family’s Heroes
Superboy has long been a consistent presence in theSuperman family, but his membership in this clan of heroes can sometimes be to his detriment. He’s surrounded by other Kryptonian superheroes with powers reminiscent of his, and as a result, it can be difficult for him to stand out. Moreover, his title having been shared by both Supermen -Clark Kent and his son Jon- causes him to feel even less unique. Conner’s commanding status as Super-Overadmiral showcases how unlikeSupermanhe is, and though it’s unclear how long he’ll retain this position of power,Superboywill definitely make the most of it while it lasts.
