Superboy # 0 1994 NM-

Superboy #0 is a prominent comic book published by DC Comics with a cover date of October 1994. This issue was a tie-in to the line-wide "Zero Hour: Crisis in Time" crossover event, where every major DC series released a "#0" issue to delve into previously unrevealed elements of their main characters' backstories. It features the modern, cloned version of Superboy (Conner Kent/Kon-El) during his popular era based in Hawaii.

Issue Overview

• Main Story Title: "Sidearm, One - Superboy, Zero!"
• Creative Team: Written by Karl Kesel, with pencils and cover art by Tom Grummett, and inks by Dennis Janke and Doug Hazlewood.

Plot Synopsis

The story bridges the narrative gaps between Superboy #8 and #9, weaving flashbacks of Superboy's early days at Project Cadmus into a present-day tropical battle: [1]

• The Airport Ambush: Metropolis scientist Professor Emil Hamilton arrives at the Honolulu airport looking forward to a peaceful, superhero-free Hawaiian vacation. His luck runs out immediately when a cybernetic villain named Sidearm hijacks a plane, forcing Superboy to fly in and intercept.
• The Battle: During a brutal brawl across the airport, Sidearm manages to tear off Professor Hamilton's prosthetic robotic arm to attach to his own "Techno-Vest" weapon system. However, the weapon backfires when Sidearm discovers Hamilton's replacement arm was actually just a specialized holiday gadget designed to dispense suntan lotion. Superboy uses his trademark tactile telekinesis to easily defeat the villain.
• The Reflection & Backstory: Following the fight, Professor Hamilton performs a psychological memory check on the young hero. This frames several critical flashback sequences where Superboy reflects on his original escape from Project Cadmus immediately following the Death of Superman storyline, adding crucial perspective to his post-clone identity crisis.
• The Upgrade: To wrap up the issue, Superboy receives a slight, iconic addition to his regular superhero wardrobe.

Major Collector Key Facts

This issue is highly valued by modern collectors for introducing a breakout villain to the DC Universe:

• First Cameo Appearance of King Shark: This issue features the historic, very first cameo appearance of Nanaue, better known as King Shark. He appears briefly at the end of the book to set up his first full, legendary appearance in the following month's Superboy #9