This wasn't the first "new direction" for this book--it had apparently already become a joke a year prior--but I have to wonder if the others were as cringey as this one. From 2002, Superboy #94, "The Hunt" Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Dan Didio, pencils by John McCrea, inks by James Hodgkins.
Returning to Young Justice headquarters from a mission (against "alien dirt wrestlers from Apokolips) Wonder Girl wants nothing more than a bath, but is surprised to find Superboy sleeping in the bathtub. (She's also naked and Kon does a lot of leering, but it's played for laughs.) Cassie suggests maybe he should grow up and find his own place, so he peruses the Metropolis property guide for prospects. The first place, he seems legitimately surprised that he'd be expected to pay for it--he wasn't that popular, and I didn't think he was that dumb--and the second falls through when he explains his "father" Superman won't be co-signing. Cue the apartment hunting montage! It's full of 'jokes' like the slovenly comic book fan, bickering (and predatory) gay couple, goths, single cat lady, and inexplicably a Daredevil reference. None of it is especially funny, but is there a lot of comedy to be mined from apartment hunting? It sucks, best case...
Refusing to give up, partially to not prove Wonder Girl right, Superboy is clearing his head with a flight, and comes across three (lamely) armored goons shaking down a landlord in Suicide Slum. He easily stops but fails to capture them, and the landlord worries who will repair the damages and drive them off next time. If only there was somebody...Superboy works it out, then packs his stuff and thanks Wonder Girl for the "swift kick in the head I needed," as he moves into Calvin Gardens...as the new super! See, it's funny 'cause that's like his name...no, it really isn't.
I think Superboy was falling into the same trap Impulse did: it was tough for writers to bring them any growth or character development, without ruining the core of what worked for their books. Impulse worked best as a no-attention span doofus, and Superboy as an over-hormonal bro with a heart of gold he tries to hide. (In the same vein, I think it took a lot longer for their Young Justice teammate Robin to fall into that trap: Tim was defined by incremental improvement, and could and did continue that way for years.) Same day I found this one, I did get another from this "new direction," #98, which had a Steve Dillon cover, as Superboy and guest-star Jimmy Olsen are at the local greasy spoon when most of this run's wacky characters, lame villains, and dicey love interest all show up at once. Comedy once again fails to ensue; and the book would be cancelled with #100, after a final Young Justice crossover. The character would find his feet again eventually--I think? New 52, I have no idea.
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