Recently just read this and it was pretty good if a bit cheesy lol. The ages didn’t seem very defined in the beginning to me as to how old Lex and Clark were but I liked the dynamic of giving Lex’s role to Pete Ross and letting Lex be good as well as his interactions in the store with the Kents. 

There’s a few things I just also found really funny though. One was that immediately after Clark leaves to protect Pa/Ma Lex just goes to the store all, “You guys could really use someone to replace Clark!” And Jonathan’s just like, “Okay! ^_^”. Excuse me sir your son ran away not a day ago and you’re fine with letting this random kid take his job/after just a few days Clark’s place in your family? That was hilarious to me. Also the fact that after he’s there for a few days Martha is like, “Let’s adopt him!” Without knowing if he even has parents already or not and again Jonathan is just like, “Okay! ^_^” like guys come on at least see if this random kid you just met already has a family I cannot with these old comics. Pure gold X D. 

Then there’s the part where Clark builds the fortress of solitude then comes back homesick and Lex explains that it was all a plot to find out Superboy’s identity but he likes the Kents and wants to stay and again Clark is just, “Gee, that’s swell! ^•^ it’s cool that you lied bestie and trapped my friends in energy spheres let’s be brothers!” Again to me all just very funny for some reason but like I love it guys never change ❤️. 

Anyway there’s also really sweet moments like Lex and Clark happy about both getting jobs in Metropolis and Martha/Jonathan buying a house to be closer to them both and selling the store. Martha and Lana (I believe, but could’ve been Lois), go to look at houses and they choose one where Clark can easily switch identities due to it being quiet/more isolated and Lex can have a lab in the basement. It’s just really cute they consider both of them. Plus Martha being nice to/nagging Lex like, “You’re a genius!” Or “Be careful with your inventions!”. 

On one hand, a bit weird they’re moving in with their parents in the city cause it’s like 1940, shouldn’t houses cost like less than 5 cents? Why would you want to move in with your parents being a young adult male? On the other hand, I loved how Clark seemed so happy about it and thought it was a great idea. Like those four are so cute together in that comic I can’t. 

But in contrast with other Supes media it was news to me that originally the Kents owned a store. I really thought it was a farm from the start due to how iconic that’s been in recent Supes media. I also feel this is the sorta thing I wanted from Smallville which the show sorta tries to do/does well but not in a satisfying conclusion/ending like this comic does. Like in Smallville the friendship ends terribly but in this one (prolly bc it’s shorter and non canon), there’s a satisfying and happy ending which I enjoyed. I wish they’d do some kinda continuation or a one shot comic on an idea like this. The Kents also looked a far bit older and honestly at least the Superboy Kents definitely remind me of their looks in the 2025 movie. Also that Jimmy was a far bit younger than Clark was a surprise though I’m pretty sure I’ve seen that in other media too. 


Of course I still stan the 2025 movie I just thought this was a cute thing to point out as someone who loved the movie/is reading some of the old stuff. If there’s anything else like this comic def recommend it to me (or I’m always open to talking about the movie with anyone!) or if anyone just wants to give their opinions on this comic in general. 

What do you guys think of vol 1 #175 (1939) in contrast with the 2025 movie/other Supes Media?