Mark Waid and Skylar Patridge take Action Comics back to Superboy
Action Comics #1087 begins Mark Waid and Skylar Patridge's run, sending the series back to Clark Kent's days as Superboy in Smallville.
In June 2025, DC’s longest-running title took a trip back in time. Starting with Action Comics #1087, writer Mark Waid and artist Skylar Patridge turned the spotlight on Clark Kent’s teenage years as Superboy, and DC marked the launch on 13 June 2025.
What we know
The new team set its stories on the Kent family farm in Smallville, recapturing the wholesome, adventurous spirit of the classic Superboy comics while giving young Clark fresh challenges. Ivan Plascencia joined on colours, and it was Patridge’s debut on an ongoing DC series.
DC had announced the creative change to retailers at ComicsPro in February 2025, as part of its plans for the summer of the Superman film. Waid was no stranger to the character: he wrote the much-loved origin retelling Superman: Birthright and was also writing Batman/Superman: World’s Finest.
Why it matters
The Superboy era proved a hit, and it later led into “Reign of the Superboys” and Waid’s “Lex Luthor: Year One”, which was still running in November 2026. For where to start with the Man of Steel’s comics, try our Superman comics reading order, and for the history of Superboy and beyond, Superman history.
From the archive: written in November 2026 from the original reporting linked below.
Questions
Who writes Action Comics in 2025?
Mark Waid, with artist Skylar Patridge, from issue #1087 onwards.
Is Superboy in Action Comics?
Yes. Waid's run tells stories of Clark Kent's teenage years as Superboy in Smallville.
Original reporting
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