The Freshest Superhero: Superboy

What can I tell you about Superboy? He's one of these characters you don't really hear about. Everyone knows Batman and Robin, Superman, Wonder Woman, heck! Even a lot of people know about Super Girl. But what about Superboy? What can be said about him, and how does one go about getting into one of the freshest Superheros out there?

 "Name?" "Superboy." "Real name?" "Really Superboy."

Well let me start by telling you a little about Superboy himself. Superboy is a clone of Superman and in his original incarnation has all of Superman's powers (although not quite as developed as Superman's) and the ability of Tactile Telekinesis (TTK) which becomes somewhat of a catchphrase of his. When he first emerges from his cloning pod, he actually thinks he is Superman for a while until he sees the real Superman and realises that he's very much a clone. This leads him to grow and, with no other identity, become Superboy.

Now if you're looking into getting into Superboy here is what I recommend not doing:

1. Do not read the New 52 Superboy.

2. Do not watch the Young Justice.

Not unless you're ready to get someone a lot different from the original, fun and funky incarnation that came about in the 90s.

If you watch/read those you're going to find an angsting teenager, who is referred to literally as an abomination, has a terrible relationship with Superman and does not have his famous TTK skill, or half of the abilities he originally has. His relationship with other characters is all be destroyed, in Young Justice he isn't even with the right cast of characters!

Sorry Young Justice, you're just not cutting it with this brooding version!

However what I do recommend is going on Comixology and finding the original 90s series. Not only does it give you the story for the beginning, but you see the Superboy that has wormed his way into mine and many other readers hearts. He's a fun, loving, surfing, teenager, who becomes Hawaii's saviour.  While the earlier issues are more or less individual stories, as the comics go on you do get some more development. Issues that arise that show more of Superboy's personality, that he's not all just fun and games and does think about the consequences of his actions. As well as proper story arcs. You'll also get to see even the writers getting to poke fun at his famous catch phrase "Have you ever heard of Tactile Telekinesis?" 

Superboy is a great lighthearted character that does not get enough love. He's a great counterpart to Tim Drake's Robin (and later his Red Robin) just as much as Clark Kent is a great counterpart to Bruce Wayne. I cannot recommend his stories enough, and if you don't want to read something quite as serious as Batman, or Marvel: Civil War, I urge you to pick up Superboy. I promise you wont regret it.

Comics for Adults

Most people assume that comic books are for children and those of a more immature inclination. Those who know better will try and vehemently argue this, but what proof do we have? Costumed superheroes, and books of more pictures than words do at first glance sound like something we give to children as they are learning, but after being into comic books for a couple of years now I can guarantee you, the comic books I have on my shelf you would not want to give to a young child.

While there are comic books aimed at children, the majority of comic books produced are of a more adult nature. From torture to child death to sex, it has it all in variations of amounts, and even when it's not all dark and brooding, the jokes are adult jokes and the language, although not always, is generally more sophisticated.

New52 Catwoman, issue 2#

Thankfully, the increase in comic book based movies has meant people are more open to it than they ever have been in my 23 years of life. I went out with a large group of friends just last night and managed to have a group conversation about comics. Although mine and my girlfriends knowledge was a bit more than everyone else's at the table, people were actually interested in what we were saying. Friends are listening to my ramblings about what comic story lines I think the movie companies are going to use next because it's now relevant to their interests too. It is now in fashion to be into comics, it is now in fashion to be a geek, to be a nerd.

When people call me a geek or a nerd now they do so with fondness, I got high fived in the bathroom because I was wearing a Superman shirt, and stopped for a compliment on one of my batman shirts. It is the THING now. You can't go into a Primark without seeing a superhero shirt. I saw a little boy the other day wearing a Green Lantern shirt, and then five minutes later an adult man with his girlfriend wearing the same shirt.

Comfortable and stylish Captain America shirt from Primark.

Like everything it'll go in and out of fashion, but if there was ever a time to get into comic books it'd be now, while it's cool to do so and people are more open about nerd and geek culture.

One of the beautiful things about comics is there is literally so many there is something for everyone of every age group. My mum even borrowed one of my Batman comics ('The Long Halloween' in case you were wondering) and enjoyed it. More proof that you don't have to be under the age of 12 to enjoy them.

They're also more accessible than ever with websites/apps like Comixology, where you can buy and read your comics digitally. Although I personally love the experiences and fun to be had with going to my local comic shop, I do use Comixology a lot for new series to save me buying individual issues.

I never feel more accomplished than when one of my friends say 'yeah I'd like to try reading some'. Yes! Do it! Here borrow some of mine! I'm sure I'll have something you like.

Unless you're 10 years old, I'm afraid I don't have anything appropriate for 10 year olds.