Warning! Contains spoilers for Action Comics #1056!The hero Superboy has just found an amazing new application to one of his classic abilities. While fighting a swarm of robots, Conner Kent discovers a powerful move could make him the Superman Family’s secret weapon.
In Action Comics #1056’s story “Ex Machina” by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Rafa Sandoval, and Max Raynor, the Superman Family is fighting against a dramatically upgraded Cyborg Superman. Though Hank Henshaw’s mind is locked away in the Phantom Zone, he’s got a powerful new body and is controlling an army of Unmade soldiers, horrific monstrosities fused with Warworld technology. Superman and his allies fight back, but Henshaw’s forces are wearing them down.
Superboy consults the Eradicator, asking him for help. Eradicator informs Conner that taking Cyborg Superman’s constructs down one-by-one is ineffective, but Superboy could use his tactile telekinesis to interrupt Henshaw’s electric signals, shutting his forces down en masse. Shocked he can even do that, Conner follows Eradicator’s suggestion. To everyone’s surprise, Superboy manages to put a dent in Cyborg Superman’s forces, giving his allies enough time to go on the offensive before Metallo shuts down Henshaw by ripping his new body to shreds.
Superboy’s Greatest Power Can Neutralize Electric Signals
Superboy is the half-Kryptonian, half-human clone of Superman and Lex Luthor. Though half of his DNA comes from one of the most nefarious villains alive, Conner has the same kind nature as Clark Kent. He’s also got the Man of Steel’s full gamut of powers, including one ability that’s unique to him. Conner has tactile TK, which allows him to easily manipulate anything he touches. While Superboy has the same impressive powers as Superman or Supergirl, it’s Conner’s telekinetic abilities that help him stand out from the crowd.
Since he first came around, Superboy has pushed what his tactile TK is capable of and found new ways of utilizing it. But being able to shut down electric signals is a serious upgrade to the ability. Tactile TK was good for fighting threats one by one, but being able to interrupt signals is of much greater use. It can take out multiple drones, robots, or anything else that operates via commands. Conner might not be able to use this new power for long. But if he keeps at it, Superboy could become the most useful hero in the entire Superman Family.
Superboy Could Take Out Armies of Robots at Once
While not every single villain Superman or his family fights uses tech that relies on electric signals, there are plenty that do. Obviously, Cyborg Superman is a recurring threat thanks to his ability to take over any kind of tech. And Brainiac has swarms of drones he uses when he goes raiding planets. Even Lex Luthor has been known to bring in powerful machines to help him fight Superman. All of these threats and more could be dispatched quickly by Superboy if he really trains this new ability of his. It might not apply to every situation or villain, but it’s certain to help the team when they need it. Fans can see Superboy’s new power in Action Comics #1056, on sale now.