Review: Supergirl #44

Multi-title crossovers must be tricky for the creative teams. The writers and artists are trying to satisfy two groups with possibly competing interests. One group cares about the lead character but might not have any interest in the crossover story. The other group are new readers to the title there only because it is a chapter in the larger arc.

Supergirl #44 was the second chapter in Codename:Patriot and happily I think that Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle put together a strong issue to satisfy both groups.

It is clear that this wasn't an issue of Superman Family. This was an issue of Supergirl with much of the plot revolving around her. That said, it clearly moved the plot of Codename:Patriot ahead.

One thing for sure, General Lane is a cunning foe using misdirection and deceit as a way to move his plans along. And while I was pretty certain that the 'big bad' here was going to be General Zod, it seems clear that Lane is the one pulling all the strings.

Last chapter ended with Ral-Dar safe in Project 7734 headquarters, his alliance with General Lane revealed.

While in a holding room, Ral-Dar overhears General Lane discussing how Ral-Dar is simply a tool and that the Kryptonian can be eliminated once the US President signs a landmark treaty with the Markovian government.

Ral-Dar doesn't like the fact that he was being used by Lane. His mind must be reeling right now. He will go down as a villain amongst his own people and now his goal of Terran/Kryptonian peace looks like it was a smokescreen put up by Lane.

Enraged, he breaks free of the headquarters knocking out Atlas in the process. He takes off for Markovia most likely to tell the President of Lane's plans.

How interesting it is to see that General Lane is pleased by this turn of events. It is clear that he said the thing she said expecting Ral-Dar to react the way he did. Lane gleefully says 'Codename:Patriot is back in play' marking the beginning of phase 3 of his plan.

Since Lane wants Ral-Dar loose and flying to Markovia, I am going to guess that Atlas took a dive. After all, Atlas stood toe to toe with Superman for the better part of 2 issues without dropping.

As for Ral-Dar, while his intentions for heading to Markovia are most likely noble he is probably going to be recognized as a threat. He is an illegal Kryptonian on Earth flying at top speed to an international summit. He is the patsy in all this.

With the more global story event of Ral-Dar's event taken care of, the issue can focus a bit more on Supergirl.

It certainly looks like Lois has not forgiven Kara in the least. When Supergirl asks for a few words in private with Lois, Lois returns an icy stare that made me shiver. It looks like Lois still feels Kara is wholly to blame for Lucy's death.

I have talked about Jamal Igle's excellent work with character expressions before. This panel is a great example of that. With no words, we know exactly what Lois is thinking.

Ral-Dar's location is discovered and the heroes are notified of his path to Markovia. That is outside the Science Police's jurisdiction meaning it is up to the super family to stop him.

Superman has no idea about Ral-Dar's motivations or his temporary partnership with Project 7734. To Kal, Ral-Dar is an assassin - first of Zod and now of the US President. Already we see how Lane's plans are going to play out. The Earth will have no choice but to react to an assassination attempt on their world leaders (even if Ral-Dar isn't heading their with murder in his mind).

But another problem suddenly appears which also requires some attention.

News footage shows Flamebird shouting Kryptonian jingoist slogans and ripping apart Hollywood. Supergirl reveals her relationship to Thara as well as how she just might be insane. Thara does thinks she is the living embodiment of a Kryptonian god; it certainly sounds crazy.

Of course we fans know that Thara was captured by Mirabai and the Metallo/Reactron duo last week. We also know that Thara isn't exactly a Kryptonian nationalist. Something isn't right here.

Regardless, Flamebird can't be allowed to simply run amok. The heroes are going to need to split up.

When Superman suggests Supergirl take on Thara alone while he and Mon-El face off with Ral-Dar, he is interrupted by Lois. Lois feels Supergirl isn't careful enough to handle this alone given the Superwoman results. Wow! Lois just can't see Kara's side on this at all. You would think the reporter in her would try to analyze the Superwoman story from all angles. She must be letting her grief affect her more than I would expect.

I feel for Superman who is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Does he back his wife or his cousin? Last issue, he intimated to Kara that he thought she did nothing wrong. Still, it would be hard to completely blow off his wife.

Again we see the power of Igle's pencils. No words here but the panel speaks volumes. Superman is clearly conflicted as he looks at Kara. Supergirl is clearly hopeful but also a little scared that she will be disappointed.

In the end, Superman sides with his wife. He sends Supergirl and Mon-El to Hollywood while he will take on Ral-Dar on his own.

Once in Hollywood, Supergirl is forced to chase 'Flamebird'.

As expected, Flamebird isn't Flamebird but is instead Reactron cloaked by Mirabai. While Mon-El is distracted by Nightwing (who I assume is Metallo), Supergirl is isolated against Mirabai and succumbs to her spells.

So we have Ral-Dar heading towards to Markovia with unclear intentions. Now we have a Kryptonian like Flamebird ripping apart Hollywood. Using misdirection, General Lane is building up a public case against New Krypton.

When Mon-El is about to leave Nightwing and see what is happening with Supergirl, Flamebird reappears and the two fly off at top speed, their destination apparently Markovia. Just as suddenly, 'Supergirl' reappears telling Mon-El that they need to follow Thara and Chris and stop their plans.

General Lane even has the court of public opinion lined up.

Throughout the story we have seen snippets of Morgan Edge's talk show and how he is anti-Kryptonian. Cat Grant, craving a new Supergirl story to keep her on top, gets a mysterious phone call to appear on the show the next day. Why would they plan on having Cat on unless 'Supergirl' is going to do something to further Lane's plans to stir the political pot against Krypton.

All the pieces are in place and they all are flying towards Markovia.

The deceived Ral-Dar.
The 'Nightwing' and 'Flamebird' Kryptonian heroes - clearly Metallo and Reactron.
Superman - the only recognized Kryptonian.

And Mon-El and 'Supergirl.

Or should I say Mon-El and Mirabai as Supergirl.

So three people in the guise of Kryptonians are heading to Markovia with nothing good on their minds. And whatever Mirabai does is going to be blamed on Supergirl who still isn't a public darling. Even Ral-Dar, who I think has nothing evil on his mind, has to be looked upon as a threat. He did just try to kill General Zod. Nobody on Earth can think that this is a good thing. It has to look like an act of aggression if not war.

Lois is right, this isn't going to end well. And all General Lane needed to achieve this was some simple misdirection.

I thought this was a very good issue both from a Codename:Patriot viewpoint as well as for Supergirl individually. I especially like the fact that Kara hopes to help Thara first,resorting to violence only if necessary.

The next chapter should be great.

Overall grade: A