Thursday, September 10, 2009

Lee Bermejo's Supergirl in Wednesday Comics


Monday's Labor Day holiday pushed back 'new comic book day' from Wednesday to today. That means Wednesday Comics for this week should really be named Thursday Comics.

But I really look forward to my Wednesday fix and so I went to the USA today website yesterday to at least read the Arcudi/Bermejo Superman strip from Wednesday Comics on Wednesday.

Imagine my joy when I was greeted in the opening panel with a glorious image of Supergirl in her Matrix uniform. In this panel, Superman is flooding the mind of his enemies with his memories. The montage is nice with shots of Luthor, Bizarro, Superman hoisting up a car like the image on Action Comics #1, even his cape as a marker of his death like the cover of Superman #75.



But front and center in his thoughts is Supergirl! Here is a closer look at that image. That is just a great picture of Kara. Man, I miss that costume.

Anyways, I knew that if given the opportunity that Bermejo would draw an amazing Supergirl because this is not the first time I have seen him draw her. She played a small part in the Superman Gen 13 miniseries released in 2000. Written (!?) by Adam Hughes and drawn by Bermejo, the 3 issue mini is a fun story where Fairchild suffers from amnesia and believes she is Supergirl! There are a lot of funny scenes as she tries to explain to people that she must have lost her memories and her ability to fly because if red Kryptonite.

Still, since she is convinced she is Supergirl, she goes out and tries to do good. However, her rescues as 'Supergirl' usually end up in disaster. Her name besmirched, the real Supergirl (at this point in time Linda/Matrix) decides to hunt down her imposter.

The undercurrent of the story is how the Gen 13ers are first bored then amazed by Superman. The theme is actually that Superman is such a truly great man that he can inspire even slackers to do greater good.



Here is the cover to Superman Gen13 #3 which features a great cover of Fairchild in a Supergirl costume facing off against the real Girl of Steel, seen as a reflection in the storefront glass. Look that the classic heroic pose by Supergirl, hands on hips, stern expression on her face.

And here are a few more shots of Bermejo's Supergirl from the series.



Here is the last panel from Superman Gen13 #2. After Supergirl sees a headline 'Supergirl Busts Out', she demolishes the newspaper machine and says 'Ohhhhhh ... I don't think so!'

I love the angry expression on her face as she storms away.


And then this great scene where, at the end of the last issue, Supergirl finally catches up with the still confused Fairchild. What a powerful shot of Supergirl landing a devastating right cross.

But that isn't all! She is irate! Look at how she needs to be held back by Superman as she talks smack! I love the line 'Ruin my name will you! I'll ruin your face!' She finally needs to be shouted down by Superman. In fact, as punishment for losing her cool, Superman even makes Supergirl escort Gen13 out of town!

There is no denying that this is fantastic art, something I have become accustomed to with anything Bermejo does. He really does a great version of Supergirl. And I really do miss that version of the Supergirl costume.

I don't know much about and never really collected Gen13 but this is actually a pretty entertaining and humorous mini-series with beautiful art. I found all three issues in a $1 box at a recent convention and so it might be worth searching for.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

I agree, the Supergirl/Gen13 mini-series is indeed very entertaining.

It was collected in a TPB in 2001 -- I found a copy at my local comic store a few summers ago.

TalOs said...

I'm so privileged to have bought the actual trade upon it's original specific formats release of which you speak of here, Ignacio and I agree that it is just a real gem of a read and a true feast for the eyes come the artwork at that. Weren't you shocked to learn that Gen13's Morgan Fairchild member is apparently a HUGE fan of the Superman family too? :)

Oh and Anj, with all due respect man that's actually not the Byrne Matrix/Supergirl era costume in Wed Comics Superman strip being featured for if you look REALLY closely you'll see the red skirt loops are absent on the belt entirely so it must be the '84 inspired version that we have ourselves here instead. ;)

DC PLEASE GIVE SUPERGIRL RIGHTFULLY BACK HER ICONIC '84 WORLD FAMOUS MOVIE COSTUME!!!

Saranga said...

I've never heard of this gen 13 mini. now I think i should seek it out. thanks for the heads up!

Gene said...

Anj said "Look that the classic heroic pose by Supergirl, hands on hips, stern expression on her face."

Just like that part at the end of the movie when all the pieces of mirror reassembled. Jerry Goldsmith's score for that particular scene was awesome.

Anj said...

I agree, the Supergirl/Gen13 mini-series is indeed very entertaining.

It was collected in a TPB in 2001 -- I found a copy at my local comic store a few summers ago.


It is a lot of fun on many levels. I didn't know it was collected as a trade. Does it include any bonus material? Cover gallery?

Anj said...

DC PLEASE GIVE SUPERGIRL RIGHTFULLY BACK HER ICONIC '84 WORLD FAMOUS MOVIE COSTUME!!!

I have to admit ... and don't kill me ... I always forget about the movie version of the costume. So thanks for reminding me!

I really have to see the movie again.

Unknown said...

It is a lot of fun on many levels. I didn't know it was collected as a trade. Does it include any bonus material? Cover gallery?

Anj, the TPB's cover gallery is fairly minimal; it's shows the three covers on a single page. There are no other bonus bits, unfortunately.

However, I think Bermejo's nice cover art for the TPB itself is original; you can see it here.

Anj said...

Anj, the TPB's cover gallery is fairly minimal; it's shows the three covers on a single page. There are no other bonus bits, unfortunately.

However, I think Bermejo's nice cover art for the TPB itself is original; you can see it here.


Thanks so much for the post.

I love the cover for the trade. That 'Saturday Evening Post' feel to the cover lends itself nicely to the theme of Superman being either behind the times or timeless.

The mini-series also came with J. Scott Campbell variant covers.

While I am not always a fan of his work, I thought his variant of the second issue was great.

You can see it at: http://www.comicbookdb.com/graphics/comic_graphics/1/135/68507_20061028133831_large.jpg

Thanks again!

Yota said...

A great mini-series on all fronts; who knew Adam Hughes could write so well? :D

I love all of the little scenes like Fairchild sitting on the bus and glaring at some old lady saying, "Red Kryptonite, okay?" And then Supergirl being heckled by all of the people in the traffic jam caused by Fairchild's fumbling.

Highly entertaining, in fact, to the point where I've got it on my iPhone and re-read it all of the time. <3

--Yota

Yota said...

Oh! And let's not forget Fairchild's boot covers over her ratty sneakers! Great touch!

--Yota.

TalOs said...

LOL heh, yeah! ;)

Rick said...

DC PLEASE GIVE SUPERGIRL RIGHTFULLY BACK HER ICONIC '84 WORLD FAMOUS MOVIE COSTUME!!!


Nah to me Matrix owns that costume fair and square.