Superman and Superboy are reuniting in Action Comics #1022, by Brian Michael Bendis, John Romita Jr., and Klaus Johnson. The reunion couldn't have come at a better time, as the pair must come to terms with the dangers posed with Superman's recently revealed secret identity. The issue also features a special appearance by the heroes of Young Justice.
The modern Superboy first appeared in The Adventures of Superman #500 back in 1993. A teenaged clone created from the DNA of Superman by Cadmus Labs, Superboy would appear among several other Superman-like figures in an attempt to replace the Man of Steel after The Death of Superman. After the original Superman returned, Superboy joined Young Justice and later the Teen Titans. Conner would die fighting his unhinged alternate reality counterpart Superboy-Prime, though he would later be revived.
After The New 52 reboot, Superboy was given a somewhat different origin, this time cloned by the sinister N.O.W.H.E.R.E. agency. To make things even more complicated, Conner Kent apparently doesn't exist after the soft reboot in DC Rebirth, with the role of Superboy now filled by Jon Kent, the direct son of Superman and Lois Lane. Despite several clear references of his existence, Conner Kent wouldn't appear until Wonder Comics' relaunch of Young Justice, which finds Conner Kent living on Gemworld before being discovered by his former teammate Impulse.
Despite Superboy's complicated origins post-Rebirth, the character remains a popular fixture of fandom. Superboy has appeared in a number of properties outside of the comic books, including Smallville, Young Justice, and most recently, Titans. With Jon Kent rumored to take over the role of Superman during a purported 5G reboot, it seems like Conner Kent will still have a major role, in one fashion or another.
Action Comics #1022 looks like an ideal moment to give Conner Kent a major role in the Superman mythos going forward. Conner's reappearance certainly could have come at a better time, given how much Superman's life has been upheaved recently. Unfortunately, the continuity shenanigans surrounding Conner Kent's history mean this reunion might be a short one, and it's tough to say just how long this reunion will last going forward. Still, Conner Kent's re-emergence does offer several interesting dynamics, including that of sibling role with Jon Kent, who has thus far been an only child. Hopefully, Conner's stay in Metropolis will be a constructive one, with the character taking a larger role in the DC Universe from here on out.
Action Comics #1022 hits stores on April 22nd.