Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
    Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 2 But Why Tho 10

    Spider-Man Is Coming To Magic And It’s Just Like The Comics

    08/29/2025
    Star Wars Visions Volume 3 Black

    ‘Black’ Sets The Tone For A Bold New Mixtape In ‘Star Wars Visions: Volume 3’

    08/28/2025
    Olivia Colman in The Roses

    ‘The Roses’ Is A Reimagining, Not A Remake, And That’s Why It Works So Well

    08/27/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » DC Comics » REVIEW: ‘City Boy,’ Issue #1

REVIEW: ‘City Boy,’ Issue #1

William J. JacksonBy William J. Jackson05/23/20234 Mins Read
City Boy #1
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

City Boy #1

City Boy #1 brings a new Asian character to the DCU with a cool, yet tragic, backstory. This issue is written by Greg Pak, with art by Minkyu Jung, colors by Sunny Gho, and letters by Wes Abbott. If you followed any of the many one-shots that fell from Lazarus Planet or caught the issue DC put out during Free Comic Book Day, then you got a sneak peek at this nifty new character. Well, first off, kudos to DC and Pak. This is not a superhero story. Not right now, anyway, and I think the DCU could stand a lot more of this.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Let’s start at the beginning. A young Korean-American kid in Metropolis is abandoned, or so it seems, by his mother. The grandfather is there, but flashbacks throughout the issue suggest that didn’t last long. Add to this Pak’s writing via City Boy’s thoughts, and you make out mainly through show don’t tell that this is a person who was left to the mean streets. And it shows. What readers are given is a wanderer who’s had it bad, survives by cunning, and thrives on giving the world the cold shoulder. But there’s a kick. Our City Boy, named Cameron, can talk to cities. They show him where hidden things are and speak their secrets to him. But that’s just the start of things.

Now, I could just come here and say this book is great because it features a diverse character (of Korean descent) and a mainly Asian-American cast from varying ethnicities, made possible by a mostly Asian creative team (plus backed by an Asian editor). This alone would be wonderful. DC needs to tell different types of stories, not because the ones they had were slack, but because more of its base is diversifying. We need other voices to add to our inspiration, y’all. City Boy, though, goes beyond the diversity glam. Cameron is a rough kid: selfish, troubled, dark, and a tad heartless. He is not cut from DC’s usual cloth, and while that might alienate some DC stans in the short run, I remind you to recall great gray characters such as John Constantine and the Doom Patrol.

So, Cameron can read cities, but the Lazarus Rain made it into something so much more. You can find out his weirder powers in the issue. But it also comes with some of the origins as to how he got it, and it’s straight out of comic book strangeness. I loved it. I really love the way this issue jolts you at the end. This kid already had it bad, and it looks like a world of hurt is going to come down on him. Good news for us. We get to read all about it.

I can see this will be a story about two things: Cameron being used for his powers by less-than-savory types and whether or not our dude leans toward the higher calling of heroism. I wouldn’t mind if he stayed rogue-like, to be honest. I’m just glad this complicated person inhabits the DC Universe to wow us with another new perspective, a Korean voice in comics, and a set of odd powers to make him stand out from the crowd.

Jung’s art is minimal, with very slight sketching. Slim on details but firm in the foundations of dynamic art. Gho brings a more mellow set of tones to this book, a sharp contrast from the neon Day-Glo in other DC books, but I feel it makes this book more grayish and urban to fit Cameron’s ethos. A cool little point in the lettering from Abbott is words spoken in Korean get a blue tint, as opposed to being stuck in brackets. Nice touch.

I encourage you to try this title. Especially if you’re young and looking for someone closer to your age, are an Asian comic fan looking for relatable characters, a ‘regular Joe’ wanting to explore a new corner of the DCU, or maybe if you like Spider-Man style angsty teens with powers. If any of these fit, City Boy #1 is your ticket to it.

City Boy #1 is available wherever comic books are sold.

City Boy #1
5

TL;DR

I encourage you to try this title. Especially if you’re young and looking for someone closer to your age, are an Asian comic fan looking for relatable characters, a ‘regular Joe’ wanting to explore a new corner of the DCU, or maybe if you like Spider-Man style angsty teens with powers. If any of these fit, City Boy #1 is your ticket to it.

  • Read Now on ComiXology with Our Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Justice Society Of America,’ Issue #4
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Harley Quinn,’ Issue #30
William J. Jackson
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)

William J. Jackson is a small town laddie who self publishes books of punk genres, Victorian Age superheroes, rocket ships and human turmoil. He loves him some comic books, Nature, Star Trek and the fine art of the introvert.

Related Posts

Cover of Absolute Green Lantern Issue 6

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Green Lantern’ Issue 6

09/03/2025
Cover of Absolute Superman Issue 11 that features an image of Brainiac

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Superman’ Issue 11

09/03/2025
Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 11

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Wonder Woman’ Issue 11

08/27/2025
Justice League Unlimited Issue 10

REVIEW: ‘Justice League Unlimited’ Issue 10

08/27/2025
Superman Issue 29

REVIEW: ‘Superman’ Issue 29

08/27/2025
Absolute Martian Manhunter Issue 6

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Martian Manhunter’ Issue 6

08/27/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Cosmic Spider-Man card details Features

[EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

By Kate Sánchez09/02/2025Updated:09/02/2025

An exclusive look at a new 5-Color Spider entering Magic: The Gathering’s Spider-Man set, and Cosmic Spider-Man is going to be a tough one to take on.

Hololive EN at Radio City Music Hall Events

Hololive EN At Radio City Music Hall Was A Pure Expression Of Fandom

By Adrian Ruiz08/31/2025Updated:09/03/2025

Hololive EN turned Radio City in New York City into the pure expression of fandom: chants, penlights, and community in perfect sync.

Karl Anthony Towns in NBA 2k26 But Why Tho
8.5
PS5

REVIEW: ‘NBA 2K26’ Brings Basketball To Life

By Kyle Foley09/03/2025

NBA 2K26 combines improved visuals with some important tweaks to keep the series feeling fresh in the latest yearly release.

Cronos: The New Dawn Nest
8.0
PC

REVIEW: ‘Cronos: The New Dawn’ Does Post-Apocalyptic Psychological Horror Right

By Mick Abrahamson09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

While not particularly sacry, Cronos: The New Dawn is a lot of fun as a survival horror that puts you in the futuristic armor of the Traveler.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here