Warning: SPOILERS for Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow #1Though all Kryptonians usually have a similar power set under Earth's yellow sun, ability that sets him apart: tactile telekinesis. Now, after a few reboots and a new miniseries, Conner Kent's "TTK" is back and better than ever with a massive upgrade.
Superboy makes explosive use of his tactile telekinesis in the first issue of his new miniseries, Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow #1 by Kenny Porter, Jahnoy Lindsay, and Lucas Gattoni. Conner runs into trouble out in space when he goes after a Dominator using superpowered clones to terrorize another planet. When he realizes that his usual Kryptonian powers won't be enough to beat these beefed-up clones, Conner breaks out the TTK, which here appears as blazing pink energy.
When the last of the victims evacuate, Superboy declares "I get to go all out!" The pink glow of his TTK explodes around him in rings, pushing his enemies back in one explosive blow.
What Is Superboy's Tactile Telekinesis?
Superboy's tactile telekinesis, which allows him extremely fine mental control over anything he can touch, is unique to his character. It's been part of his power set since his earliest days in the DC Universe. Before Conner knew he was a clone of Lex Luthor and Superman, and before he began manifesting his true Kryptonian powers like superstrength, flight, super hearing, and more, Superboy relied solely on his TTK (and his cool-kid attitude) in his adventures as a young superhero. Once his Kyrptonian powers began kicking in, TTK became a less essential part of his arsenal. But now that Conner Kent has fully returned from reboot limbo and is playing a significant role in the Dawn of DC era (in both his minseries and Action Comics), it looks as though his original powers are back in action, and stronger than ever before.
Superboy's Power Redesign Is a Smart Change
Previously, Superboy's TTK was often invisible - fans saw it in how it influenced the world around him. Now, however, DC uses the excuse of him finally going all out to change how the power is depicted, turning it into a more powerful, more thrilling ability. The wholehearted return of Superboy's TTK and its massive upgrade in this issue should thrill fans of the character, especially those who love his early stories in the 1990s and early 2000s. This power is essential to Superboy, and not only because he's clearly mastered it on a brand-new level in this issue. TTK sets Superboy apart from the other Kryptonians, including both versions of Superman - Clark and Jon Kent - and Supergirl. In an ever-expanding Super-Family, these power distinctions are more important than ever, giving each member of the team a unique role and even look on the page. Stylized as this glowing pink, readers will never mistake Superboy's TTK for another Kryptonian ability.
Superboy's TTK Sets Him Apart (In a Good Way)
In a story where Conner Kent is clearly trying to find his own place in a crowded universe, revamping his unique tactile telekinesis is both a nod to his earliest stories and an important storytelling tool. Superboy's TTK has never looked cooler, and now it's just as strong as his other Kryptonian abilities. Hopefully readers will see even more of this power in future issues of this new miniseries. What else can Superboy's upgraded TTK do?
Check out Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow #1, available now from DC Comics!
