Comic Title: Adventures of Superboy HC
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2010
On Sale Date: August 11, 2010 Direct Market Date August 11, 2010
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Direct Market Date July 28, 2010
Source: Previews, #258

Cover Price: $39.99
Page Count: 224

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: (The Origin of Superboy)
Pages: 5

Feature(s):
Superboy (of Earth-1)

Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Joe Shuster

Reprinted From:
More Fun Comics #101 (1945)

Feature Character(s)

• Superboy (first appearance; last appearance in Superboy #106; next appearance in Superman #144)

Supporting Character(s)

• Jor-El (first appearance; dies in this story; last appearance in Superboy #106; next appearance in Superboy #158)
• Lara (first appearance; dies in this story; last appearance in Superboy #106; next appearance in Superboy #158)
• Jonathan Kent (first appearance; not named in this story; last appearance in Superboy #106; next appearance in Adventure Comics #103)
• Martha Kent (first appearance; not named in this story; last appearance in Superman #141; next appearance in Adventure Comics #103)

Other Character(s)

• The Science Council (no further appearances)
• Two Smallville boys (no further appearances)
• Per-Ry (a Kryptonian; no further appearances)

Comments:
This is the first Earth-One story. As revealed in Flash #123, there exists a series of parallel Earths. Superman’s Golden Age adventures take place on Earth-Two, but he did not have a career as Superboy. Therefore, Superboy’s existance places this story on Earth-One where the Silver Age Superman’s adventures take place.

Kal-El is approximately two years old when sent to Earth. He begins his career as Superboy at age 8.

The lighter gravity of Earth compared to Krypton is given as the only reason for Superboy’s powers on Earth. In the first story of Superman #146, Earth’s yellow sun is revealed as another source of Superman’s powers.

This story details the origin of Superboy and is told with several scenes which take place over a period of eight years. Further detail concerning these events have been given in many stories and flashbacks in later issues. Following is a break down of the scenes and their chronological relationship to other stories.

Scene 1: (page 1-page 3, panel 2) Jor-El makes his speech to the science council about Krypton’s nearing doom. This scene has been reinterpreted in Superboy #158, the second story of Superman #257, Limited Collectors’ Edition #C-31, and Action Comics #500. As revealed in Action Comics #500, this is Jor-El’s fourth and final speech to the Science Council. This scene takes place chronologically between the flashback in the first story of Action Comics #329 and the flashback in Superman #205.

Scene 2: (page 3, panels 3-4) Jor-El places his son in a rocket and launches him into space. This scene takes place chronologically between the flashback in the first story of World’s Finest Comics #237 and the flashback in the third story of Showcase #10.

Scene 3: (page 3, panel 5) Krypton explodes chronologically between the flashback in the second story of Superman #257 and the flashback on page 29, panel 5 of Action Comics #500.

Scene 4: (page 3, panel 6-page 4, panel 2) Kal-El’s rocket lands on Earth is found by Jonathan Kent and taken to Smallville Orphanage chronologically between the flashback in Superman #266 and the flashback in the third story of Superman #130. The passing motorist is Jonathan Kent, though it does not appear so from this story.

Scene 5: (page 4, panel 3) Kal-El is adopted by the Kents. The first names of the Kents are not given in this story. Clark’s adoption is shown in flashback in the second story of Superboy #78 and the Kents learn about his powers in flashback in the first story of Superboy #8.

Scene 6: (page 4, panels 4-6) Young Clark Kent displays his powers. Clark is approximately five years old here placing this between Superman Family #216 and Limited Collectors’ Edition #C-31.

Scene 7: (page 4, panel 7-page 5, panel 4) Clark goes to school and lifts a truck off a man. This occurs chronologically between the flashback in the second story of Superman #173 and the flashback in the second story of Superboy #78.

Scene 8: (page 5, panels 5-6) Clark becomes Superboy. This occurs chronologically between the flashback in the second story of Superboy #78 and the flashback in the first story of Adventure Comics #173.

Synopsis:
When the scientifically advanced planet Krypton nears destruction, the planet’s greatest scientist Jor-El pleads with the Science Council to abandon their world. The Council refuses his suggestion, so Jor-El sends his infant son into space just before Krypton explodes.

The rocket takes the baby to Earth where he is found by a motorist and given to an orphanage. The baby is adopted by a childless couple named Kent. They name the baby Clark Kent.

Earth’s lesser gravity has given young Clark tremendous strength, speed, and leaping abilities. As Clark gets older he decides to use his powers as a source of good. He decides to keep his true identity a secret, so fashioning after fashioning a colorful costume, he becomes Superboy.