In this review of Superman #37, Superboy Prime struggles to prove that he’s a good guy now. Is he the real deal, though?
SUPERMAN #37
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art and Main Cover: DAN MORA
Variant Covers: CARY NORD, RACHTA LIN, NICK ROBLES, EDDY BARROWS, TOKITOKORO
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 4/22/26
This review contains spoilers
Superman #37 starts out with Superboy Prime visiting the Kents in Smallville. He’s eating their food and telling them about his rough week, all while members of the Justice League are right outside to make sure he doesn’t do anything to Ma and Pa Kent.
Prime’s boss at the comic shop was questioning him about being late all the time and taking long lunch breaks. CK’s told that he’s a great employee other than that and is being considered for employee of the month…if he’s not late the next day.
Excited that he’ll be able to win the award and prove to Lois and Mr. Terrific that he’s changed, Prime flies over to Crime Alley in Gotham City to visit the site where Bruce Wayne’s parents were killed. Shortly after arriving, he’s attacked by Robin. When that proves ineffective, Damian tells him to leave the city. Not taking the hint, CK follows Robin down into the sewers, offering to help with a case.
While down below the streets of Gotham, Prime fights off Clayface and helps Robin locate a chemical bomb. At the last second, Prime flies the bomb high above the city and incinerates it to avoid any damage to the citizens. On his way back down, Prime has another dark vision and blacks out. Robin stands watch over him during the night and by the time CK wakes, he’s late for work and loses out on his employee of the month award.
Back at the farm, the Kents listen to the story and realize how stressed CK is. Martha goes outside to talk to Power Girl, letting Kara know that they need to trust in CK and let him show that he’s changed without being watched. Trusting Martha’s judgment, the Justice League crew head out. CK then goes on to talk about the red head girl he met at the shop.
The issue wraps up with that girl returning home and talking to some hooded figures, saying that CK will be the perfect sacrifice.
Analysis
This was another good entry in the “Reign of the Superboys” storyline. I like what Williamson is doing with Prime. Here’s this basically invulnerable character struggling with some very vulnerable feelings because nobody trusts him. More than anything, he wants to prove to Lois, the Kents, and the Justice League that he can be trusted now. This is what makes Prime such an interesting replacement for Clark.
Yes, there’s still plenty of good Easter eggs and references that are entertaining, but the fight that CK is having within himself drives the story. The continued dark visions where he’s still evil only add more twists and turns for an already complicated situation.
At the end of Superman #36, we got a glimpse of Manchester Black, but he doesn’t show up in Superman #37. However, Williamson does give us an introduction to a character who seems to be Rebecca Carstairs, since the “Next Issue” teaser box says, “Witchfire vs Superboy Prime?!” She doesn’t realize that CK is Prime, so trying to use him as a sacrifice for whatever purpose might be tough. Many readers might not be familiar with her (I had to look her up), but I do like when less used characters are pulled in for new stories.
I’m not sure how long Clark will be gone for, but I’m not in the biggest hurry for him to return, at least when it comes to this title, which is something I wasn’t expecting to say when he disappeared at the end of the KO tournament. I’m hoping that even after Clark returns, Williamson will find a way to keep CK around.
The consistently excellent team of artist Dan Mora and colorist Alejandro Sanchez have this book looking as good as usual. Superman #37 is full of great pages and panels including a surprise return of Superman (Clayface in disguise), the evil Prime vision, and the final-page reveal of (presumably) Witchfire.
Final Thoughts
Superman #37 is an entertaining mix of superhero struggle, comedy, and mystery. Superboy Prime’s story as a Superman replacement is worth checking out. Have fun, comic lovers!
