More Cosmic Adventures Production Art !

Landry Walker must realize that fans of Supergirl:Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade are missing their regular dose of the book.

To help us with our withdrawal, Walker is posting production art for the series on his blog. The latest post ( http://xray-studios.livejournal.com/50394.html ) shows us the concept art for Streaky. Apparently Streaky is based on Walker's feisty cat Jojo.

The concept art seems to have been right on the money.


Here is an example of the finished product of Streaky.

Walker is even letting fans of the Cosmic Adventures series know about some 'what might have beens'.

On this blog, Walker told us about this list of concepts/characters he has planned for potential sequels:

Jerro.
Lesla Lar.
The Phantom Zone.
Satan Girl.
Starro.
Melinda Mee.

And now on his blog we see some other ideas that didn't make the cut.

First off Brainiac Five.



We hear him mentioned in the book by Supra-Girl who met him in the future. He sort of has a feel of the B5 we saw on the WB Legion cartoon. But here is what Walker says about Brainiac and Cosmic Adventures.


Brainy was never seen in the series. Originally he was planned to have a major role, but the only limitation given to us by DC was to not use Brainiac 5. At the time, he was a major player in the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st century book so I can understand why.

Too bad DC made him untouchable.

And then Metallo ??

This sketch is shown here: http://xray-studios.livejournal.com/50165.html And Walker's comment:

There was an entire story behind this that involved duplicity and betrayal. The heart was to be made of gold kryptonite (heart of gold) that only had a short term effect. We had already explored the effects of green, red and blue. So gold was the next logical choice.

I love the literal 'heart of gold' concept linked to betrayal. There were innumerable Silver Age stories about Linda falling for a guy who turns out to be a criminal in disguise. It would have been another nice homage.

Walker explains that issue constraints as well as the big role Reactron and his Gold K heart was having in the main book pushed this idea out.

It makes me wonder ... with all these great pre-conceived ideas ... why was this only 6 issues? And why haven't we heard about a sequel yet?

WHAT !!! More Bike Shorts Talk !!!

One of the things I am really really really surprised about is how polarizing the bike shorts under Supergirl's skirt are in the Supergirl fanbase. We already are a tough group to please but this seems to have taken root with people choosing sides.

This is definitely more polarizing than the 'for or against the secret identity of Linda Lang' argument ....

Maybe even more polarizing than the 'Loeb/Kelly or Gates' argument ...

The topic that seems to come up time and time again on message boards is the presence of those red shorts under the skirt. In fact, some Supergirl message board topics have started out talking about one thing only to derail into a 'panties vs bike shorts' discussion. And people can get quite angry and defensive about their position.

I confess I have been part of the problem. I have always been pro-bike shorts and I have talked about the 'panties vs bike shorts' topic here now and then. It's like picking a scab!

Now incredibly (!!) ... almost absurdly ... the topic has become so huge that it was the lead story on Newsarama late last week. A whole column devoted to Jamal Igle talking about the decision to put bike shorts under Supergirl's skirt ( http://www.newsarama.com/comics/060926-Supergirl.html )!


Since they were added, I haven't seen any lurid up-skirt shots in Supergirl. The last panty shot I recall was in Final Crisis #6. The bike shorts just makes sense to me. But the topic has continued to fester.

I already mentioned how it was a point of discussion at the DC Nation panel at Heroes Con.

As always, the whole Newsarama column is worth reading. In particular, Igle really sounds passionate about his concerns of the over-sexualization of the Supergirl character and that adding the shorts was just one thing he did to help curb that look.

Here are some blurbs:

“One of the reason why I went with the shorts rather than just draw the skirt in a way where it was either longer, or I never showed it flying up was that I wanted freedom of movement,” Igle said. “With the fight between her and Reactron on the rooftop in issue #40, she’s doing martial arts and moving around. It makes sense that if you’re doing martial arts, you’re going to have something that’s going to cover you a little, especially if you’re wearing a skirt.”

Yeah, the whole flying around and fighting in a skirt thing makes me think that bike shorts are simply more functional. No one seems to complain about Stargirl wearing bike shorts as her actual uniform.

So I don't know why it is such a big problem here. And then this tidbit ...

While the shorts have become an official addition to Supergirl’s costume, Igle said that there is a more changed version of Supergirl’s costume “floating around the DC offices” that he and Gates keep going back and forth on in terms of adopting.

Now that is interesting. I have heard murmurs of a 'new costume' being introduced in issue #50.

Could we be moving to something more in the vein of the Crisis-era Supergirl or the Matrix Supergirl ... a leotard with an overlying skirt? I have never hidden the fact that I prefer the full shirt/red skirt look.

What do you all think? For or against the bike shorts? Time for a new costume?

Review: Superman #689

Superman #689 was another interesting issue in this current run focusing on Metropolis without Superman. One thing that I have liked about the last couple of issues has that they have really focused on Mon-El. Despite setting up a huge supporting cast for the title, James Robinson really has been concentrating on the dying Mon-El, setting him up as a tragic hero.

Last issue, Mon-El realized that he needed to get as much out of whatever is left in his life. As a result, this issue reads more like a travelogue. He is travelling around the world to help international heroes stop major threats and, should time permit, to take in some sightseeing.

While he hops from country to country some ominous things are unfolding at home.


First off, we are re-introduced to WGBS owner Morgan Edge who looks and acts remarkably like old shock TV host Morton Downey Jr. In this instance, Edge decides to take an anti-Kryptonian stance voicing his concerns in a televised statement. Part of his concern is about Mon-El who he feels is an outlawed Kryptonian brazenly acting openly against the UN decree.

While I question Edge's underlying motivation, I can understand his confusion. Mon-El has a Kryptonian name, Kryptonian powers, and was given the city to protect by another Kryptonian. If you are a fear monger, you would be pointing your fingers right at Mon-El.

While Edge continues his statement, Tellus is released from S.T.A.R. labs. He tells the Guardian that he has to leave to protect the universe from some upcoming threat. Before leaving he does something to the Guardian to even up his upcoming fight against Agent Assassin. My guess is that some sort of psychic blocks have been placed in Harper's mind so that Assassin can't mentally attack him.

I would love to know why Robinson picked Tellus to be part of this story. Certainly there are many telepathic characters that could easily be plugged in here, even from the Legion. Tellus! Unbelievable!

But enough about Metropolis for now.

Mon-El starts his sightseeing in Russia, visiting Red Square where he helps some Red Rockets fight off some armored troops. After the battle he gets his first kiss from Rocket Red Ivana.

He then travels to England and Spain to fight along side those countries heroes: Beaumont and Sunny Jim in London and La Sangre in Barcelona. One thing I did like here was Robinson including some of these new heroes rather than retreading the old Global Guardians. He even gives them some quick backstory too.

Back home in Metropolis, Steel continues to hang out with his new BFF Atlas. Of course Steel thinks Atlas is just a guy named Tom who he met at the diner. But he has hit it off so well with Tom/Atlas that he gives him access to the nanobyte protected Iron Works.

This was the one part of the issue that just felt wrong. Would Steel really give this new friend total access to his top secret lab? After being attacked and beaten up for years as a hero, would he open up so quickly to a man he just met?

Here is one of those new heroes that Mon-El meets on his world tour. In Germany he fights along private detective Von Hammer, a man who sounds like that country's James Bond and Doc Savage rolled into one. Their mission sounds like it has been ripped from old pulp novels. I actually would consider reading more of this guy's adventures.

M0n doesn't stop there though. He fights alongside Freedom Beast and Congorilla in Africa. He fights along side Dr. Light and Rising Sun in Japan. Each time he visits some part of those places searching for peace whether it be communing with nature or meditating in shrines.

I have to say this world tour felt like a completely appropriate response to last issue's revelation about life and living. Plus it allowed Renato Guedes to work in some very sharp near-splash pages throughout the issue.

But while Mon-El searches for peace, Metropolis is starting to boil a bit.

First the Guardian feels he needs to publically defend Mon-El and actually goes on Morgan Edge's show revealing that Mon-El is not Kryptonian. The Guardian does talk up Mon's heroism leading Edge to welcome Mon-El to Earth.

I don't know about you but I don't trust Edge in the least.

General Lane also makes an appearance and shows that he is still watching Metropolis very closely. He has some plans for the big city. To enact that plan he has hired to Prankster to help set up the playing field. For one thing, the Prankster has arranged some events to lead Black Lightning out of the city.

Now Lane tells Prankster that he needs to manufacture a crime scene away from Metropolis to lure its other heroes away too. And not just any crime scene ... a murder scene .... a superhero's murder scene. Lane promises to provide the body ... Steel's body.

I do think it is interesting that Lane doesn't seem to have any problem working with super-criminals. I wonder if he simply plans to eliminate them once they have served their purpose.

Once inside Iron Works, Atlas wastes no time to drop his guise and promises to kill John Henry. Nice cliffhanger!

Overall this was a very nice issue. The part of this current arc that I like the best is the journey Mon-El is going on so I was happy that was the main thrust of the issue.

But the background events seem to move the overall story of a 'Metropolis without Superman' forward nicely.

I have said in the past that the cast of characters that Robinson has here seem unwieldy. We added the Prankster and Morgan Edge to that cast but seemed to have lost Black Lightning. We also haven't seen Zatara in a while. I was concerned that some space would be devoted to the individual SciPo officers in the Guardian's unit and so far that hasn't happened. This book really feels like it is Mon-El and the Guardian's title rather than some large team book. I like that.

Overall grade: B

More Justice League: Cry For Justice Previews ... No Matrix Costume!

I know it is coming out in a few days, but I can't help but post more preview pics from the James Robinson/Mauro Cascioli Justice League: Cry For Justice mini-series. Over at The Source, DC has posted a couple of new pages and the finished covers. Here is the link:
http://dcublog.dccomics.com/2009/06/25/are-you-ready-for-justice-league-cry-for-justice-1/

The art work is simply awesome. I love Supergirl flying right smack dab in the middle of the cover!

As we have seen before in the previews, Hal is addressing his concerns for a pro-active league to the current members of the JLA ... well sort of. How Superman can be there who knows. This will be one of those stories that gets sorted into my continuity timeline as 'the recent past' ... sandwiched somewhere between Final Crisis and New Krypton.

Cascioli really is spectacular! But what happened to the Matrix costume!

Here is the originally preview which I posted a bit ago. Notice the full shirt?

And now in the most recent preview, we are back to the half-shirt. I was so hoping to see the current Kara back in a Matrix-style costume. I guess I will have to wait.

I am also sort of upset that Supergirl joins Hal's JLA in the third issue. I was hoping she would be a presence throughout the series. I am looking forward to seeing just how Robinson portrays her here. What is her motivation to join this league ... Zor-El's murder? I also hope there is a scene with Supergirl and Superman where Kara defends her decision to join Hal.

I will definitely review this book here.

Supergirl Cover Art For Sale

Josh Middleton's website has been revamped and now includes a 'shop' section ( http://www.joshuamiddleton.com/shop.html ). That page includes sections for cover art, interiors, sketches, and prints.

In the cover art section ( http://www.joshuamiddleton.com/coverart.html ) you can drool over the line work for some Supergirl covers including the spectacular Supergirl #34. Sigh .... if only I had an extra $2200 lying around I would snap this up in a heartbeat.

Also listed is the line art for issues 36, 37, 38, 41, and 43. I really love the cover for Supergirl #38. This would be second on my wish list.

Anyways, here is hoping that the Supergirl cover art gets immortalized as prints to be purchased. Most if not all of Middleton's Supergirl covers are absolutely worthy of being made into a print or poster. I really think he is an important part of the title's creative team.

Cosmic Adventures Production Art

I really like any glimpse I can get into the creative process behind comic book production. Whether it is promo art or concept art or the travel from thumb nail to finished sketch, I like seeing it all. It gives me a better handle on what the writer or artist is thinking.

Anything I run across like that involving Supergirl I will always post here. So imagine how excited I was to see on Landry Walker's blog that he is going to start showing the production art behind Supergirl:Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade. Here is the link for the Lena Thorul page: http://xray-studios.livejournal.com/49567.html . As always, it is best to head to the source itself and read Walker's whole entry.

On the blog, Walker says that the general look of Lena was already cemented and that the big decision was her hair style ... hence the pics above. Looks like they knew what they wanted there too.

More interesting was the development of her battle armor. Here is one design that was shot down.

And Walker's own words on the subject:

Part of it was that these designs were way to busy. Part of it is that they removed to much of Lena's personality. But mainly, it was that we needed to strengthen the association between Lena and Lex. By having Lena in battle armor reminiscent of her brothers giant indestructible robot, we helped create a visual short-cut between the two characters. This is just as effective at establishing the relationship as the secret emails between brother and sister at the end of issue 2.

I agree that you sort of lose Lena in the proposed armors above. It looks a little too Gundam-y insect-y for me. The top one looks more like she would be the sister of The Great Machine in Ex Machina.

Here was the final armor which clearly shows a more Luthor family feel to it. It makes you instantly know where Lena's loyalties lie.

Walker has since posted production stills of the series' teachers including Mr. Mxyzptlk in his Principal Pycklemeyer guise.

And next he says he is going to post sketches of other students including one based on Dick Malverne! The student is named Ricky Wilson (of course Dick Malverne was Dick Wilson before he was adopted).

I hope some of these can be included in the back of the eventual trade.

Review: Action Comics Annual #12

Action Comic Annual #12 was released last week and provided the back story for the Nightwing and Flamebird duo, Chris Kent and Thara Ak-Var. The issue was written by Greg Rucka who tells it mostly in exposition with only a handful of dialogue balloons throughout the whole book. The art is solid by Pere Perez. I have already talked about the excellent cover by Renato Guedes.

One thing that really did stand out is the excellent coloring job by Mazi. There was a lot of nuance in the tints of flames and energy here. Really super stuff.

The issue starts with the Black Zero unit of the Kryptonian military flying to Kandor to fight Brainiac as he attempts to steal the city. Black Zero is led by Ursa and includes fighters Ak-Var and his wife Tes.

Of course, there is an emotional edge to this battle for the Ak-Vars. Thara is in the city.

Black Zero ends up getting routed by Brainiac. During the skirmish, Ursa actually collapses in fear. She then leaves her troops, running away as the Brainiac drones engage the force field bottle. While Ursa escapes, Thara's parents, previously wounded and lying in the path of the force field generators, are literally ripped in half by the bottle. In what has become a recurring theme, Thara witnesses her parents' death ... a horrifyingly gruesome event for a little girl to see.

I like that the Ak-Vars' deaths actually represent a moment of weakness for Ursa. Previously I thought it would turn out that Ursa assassinated them. Now that they died with Ursa cowering on the ground, the event takes on new meaning. I doubt Ursa wants to relive it any more than Thara does.

After some timein the bottle, the Kandorians realize that Brainiac is only interested in observing them. The Kryptonian culture is restarted with people falling into their familiar guilds and roles. The hope is that either the Kryptonian forces (they are unaware of Krypton's destruction) or their own meager Kandorian forces will strike back at Brainiac so freedom can be won.

Things change when the Argo City survivors are added to the mix. Suddenly the hope of returning to Krypton ends.

One thing I did like was the further description and deepening of Thara's relationship with Alura and Zor-El. She was Kara's best friend. Kara is gone. She has no parents. It is not surprising that they fall into each other's arms.

While no prior scene has actually shown a loving parental nuturing relationship between Alura and Thara, I always just assumed they were more than passing acquaintances in Kandor. I am glad to see it spelled out more here.

In the meantime, we see Chris as he returns to the Phantom Zone just after the Last Son story arc ends. Immediately upon returning, he has his first growth spurt, aging about 6 years.

While Rucka doesn't say exactly why this happened, he does throw out a couple of theories. Maybe it is Chris' unique physiology. Maybe it is his exposure to the yellow sun. Maybe it is both.

Not knowing where else to go, he returns to Fort Roz where he finds an unlikely ally - Non. Non keeps him hidden and safe within the fortress; not even Zod and Ursa know that Chris has returned. Non is becoming a more complex character rather than the lobotomized brute I mostly know him as. Even in World of New Krypton, he is following Kal's orders rather than being simply a Zod sycophant.

Thara is said to have been a rather devout Kryptonian before the Brainiac incident. Now, she finds herself haunted by visions in her dreams of the Flamebird being.

As she grows, she is given the title of Head of Security by Alura and Zor-El, despite the fact that others are more worthy. But work alone cannot ease Thara's troubled soul. Zor-El tells her to go back to the church she has abandoned.

I am very happy that Thara's position as head of security was explained. It made little sense to me that a teenage girl should head the surviving Kryptonian military. At least now I know it was more nepotism than true evaluation.

The religious guild welcomes her with open arms. In the cathedral she has a true vision of the Flamebird and is claimed by the guild as one of their own. Thara is initiated within the guild, feeling that she is somehow one with the Flamebird entity.

There was a ripple of 'Dark Phoenix' here but just a sniff.

And it was intriguing to finally see within the religious guild's workings, even if it was only a peek.

While all of this is happening, Chris continues to recover in Roz. At night he roams the fortress looking for a way back to Earth. One night he stumbles into a room where Zod has kept all the Brainiac tech that he has gathered.

Without clear reason, Chris puts a Brainiac headset on his head. The technology hums to life with Brainiac tendrils burrowing into his scalp. At that moment, Thara is in deep prayer. Somehow, this confluence of events has them mind-meld for a moment. Suddenly all their memories are shared - a moment of unity. Thara knows about Chris now ... and knows she must save him.

It is not without consequence however. Chris is discovered by Zod, the headset is removed, and he is placed in irons. Thara continues to wonder if she is truly meant to be the living Flamebird and feels she must save Chris. Realizing that she cannot reach that goal as an acolyte she leaves the religious guild.

In the prior issues of Action Comics, you could get the sense of some religious fervor within Thara. This was no simple mission to round up criminals. It was somehow more so it was good to see the mystical origins of her Flamebird identity. It makes her zeal, her willingness to risk the life she has on New Krypton, easier to understand.

Once away from the religious guild, Thara retakes her title as Head of Security. Within that capacity, she has access to all the current technology that Kandor has been working on. Included in that are 'phantom zone encounter suits' with limited phantom zone projectors ... at last a way to get to Chris.

This is one of my favorite small scenes in the book. Thara enters the phantom zone, an infinite dimension in hopes of freeing Chris. But how could she find him?

When she enters the dimension, a flaming path to Roz blazes before us, another religious vision.

At first I thought Thara might simply be insane. But now, maybe there is more to this ... maybe there is something more holy.

Thara flies into the fortress and is nearly overwhelmed by Ursa until Non again shows some initiative. He uses the limited projector on Thara and Chris, freeing them from the zone. Then he destroys the projector with his bare hands. Now that was unexpected! Thara and Chris will now become the embodiments of Flamebird and Nightwing.

I thought this was a good story to help flesh out the motivations of Thara and Chris as well as get more information of how she freed him. I also like all the discussion about life on Kandor and Krypton. The religious overlay of the Nightwing/Flamebird legend on top of Thara and Chris' story is a nice wrinkle to add. By making the story more expositional, it added a feeling of mythology to the story - one of retold legend rather than exactly living through it with dialogue. Slick touch.

Add to that the layers of backstory with Thara/Alura and Zor-El as well as Chris/Non and you have a very 3-dimensional cast of characters in New Krypton. This was a good annual.

Overall grade: B/B+

Heroes Convention 2009

It's the beginning part of convention season with 2 of the bigger cons happening simultaneously t his weekend. One was Wizard World Philadelphia. The other was Heroes Con in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Most comic book sites had live feeds from the conventions so news was easy to come by. As usual, I tried to pick and choose the best bits to talk about here.

First off, the DC Panel at Heroes Con was covered over on Newsarama. Here is the link:
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/090620-heroes-DC-universe.html . Supergirl's own Jamal Igle was one of the panel members. Here is some of what was reported.

Moving to Supergirl, Igle said that “Guiding Day” is the next Supergirl story coming up, in which Supergirl celebrates her birthday, and must choose a Guild on New Krypton. That story will lead to the Codename:Patriot crossover which will kick off with something that happens in World of New Krypton #5.

My guess is that this is a typo and the story should be 'Guilding Day'. Knowing what we have seen in her room, my hope is that Kara will join the Artists' guild. It also would be a nice tribute to Zor-El since we learned he was one the of scientists in the Artists' guild. I hope, for once, Alura supports Supergirl's decision instead of trying to force her into choosing something else.

I also wonder if the choosing of guilds will be explained. Who would ever choose the labor guild? Or are you only given the choices of your parents?

A fan thanked Igle for adding the shorts to Supergirl’s uniform, the artist thanked her for liking them, noting how a simple pair of short under a skirt was very divisive among Supergirl fans.

I wonder if Igle ever gets tired of talking about the shorts? I know I have.

The cool thing is that question was asked by a big Supergirl fan. One of the blogs I always read is 'Adventures of Comic Book Girl' ( http://nevermore999.livejournal.com/ ) and it looks like she was the one who prompted Igle to talk about it. Better yet, she did a nice review of her day at the con and further interactions with Igle.

From her blog:

I also took the oppurtunity to assure Jamal Igle that I adored Supergirl's shorts, and he shouldn't listen to what anyone says about them. I kind of wish I hadn't now, because it became a running joke at the panel. Igle had to explain to Sattler what the deal with the shorts was. He also said he "had never seen such a divided between fans over an article of clothing." He said he'd gotten angry emails on the shorts and they were all (predictably) from guys.

I am glad that she echoed support of the shorts to Igle. I have always preferred them.

Other juicy tidbits from the con.

Supergirl will be wearing Kryptonian clothes next issue...

I look forward to seeing what styles of clothes Igle has designed.

He was very pleased when I told him his and Sterling's work had made me like Supergirl, and when I complimented how normal-weight, strong and expressive her drew her, and how he made it possible for me to relate to her and be interested in her. He said that was the best thing I could have said to him.

I hope all fans of the current direction who are at this con (or any con that Igle and Gates are attending) let them know how much the title is appreciated. I hope I have the opportunity to do it at a con sometime soon.

Back Issue Box: Adventure Comics #389 - 'Happy Father's Day'

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. Hope everyone slept in and then had a big pancake breakfast. This was supposed to go out this morning. Boo hoo when scheduled posts don't go out on time.

Since it is Father's Day, I thought I would dip into the back issue box again for a sweet Silver Age tale involving both Supergirl's fathers - Zor-El and Fred Danvers.

The opening story in Adventure Comics #389 was 'The Mystery Magician'. The artwork is clearly the work of Win Mortimer. In some places, Robert Kanigher is listed as the writer.

The story opens in a way that captures the wonder and grace of that period's Supergirl. First she saves the lives of some astronauts whose Mercury rocket boosters don't fire. Then as she returns to the ground level, she sees some sad kids and uses her powers to fix their bicycles. Problems big and small were all worthy of her attention. And that all happens within the first 2 pages!

Back at Stanhope University, the professor tells the co-eds that their assignment is to celebrate Father's Day by writing about their fathers and making him a present. Seems more like an assignment for elementary school but the Silver Age was a simpler time.

The students all reminisce about their fathers.

Linda thinks about both her fathers. First there is a quick recap of her origin and the ultimate fate of Zor-El, rescued from the Survival Zone and living in the bottled city of Kandor.

Obviously Linda Danvers can't write about Zor-El so instead writes about her adopted father Fred Danvers.

A fellow student named Harriet says her father is the retired magician Malcolm The Mysterious. Unfortunately he has slipped into a deep depression and hasn't performed in 10 years since his wife and stage assistant, Harriet's mother, passed away. He even refuses to come to the campus on Father's Day.

Linda feels for Harriet and decides to help out.

In a move that is a bit over the top and maybe even a bit creepy, Kara uses super-ventriloquism to have a poster of Harriet's mother speak to her father, convincing him to go to Stanhope and perform for the Father's Day party.

Ahhh ... super-ventriloquism. It is one of my favorite silly super-powers.

At the Father's Day celebration, all the dads show up to receive their presents. Linda presents Fred with a hydroelectric dam made out of toothpicks. Awwww ....

Amazingly, Malcolm The Mysterious shows up and receives his gift ... a new magic wand. He gets on stage and begins his first performance. But he hasn't done the act in 10 years and is about to royally flop when Supergirl decides to step in as Linda Danvers. She helps with a few tricks by stealthily using her super-powers ... like this one where she levitates.

Alas, there are always mean-spirited people in the world. A student named Vera, who has been belittling Harriet throughout the story, runs to the stage and says Linda is floating because she is actually Supergirl.

Interestingly enough, Vera seems more interested in seeing Malcolm fail than she is in proving Linda is Supergirl. She decides that the best way to prove Malcolm was getting super-assistance from Linda is to lock her in a lead-lined room and have him proceed with his act. Fearing her secret identity will be revealed, Linda acquiesces.

Despite Linda remaining locked up, Malcolm is able to perform two of his more difficult tricks - escaping from chains and bouncing a hundred pound metal ball.

Vera runs back to the basement she has locked Linda in only to discover Linda hasn't budged.

Realizing that "Linda can't be Supergirl", the two return to the show to see the show's ending. Linda is thrilled to see Malcolm's confidence return. He will be able to do his shows without her assistance from now on.

Does that mean that Malcolm was able to escape the chains and bounce the ball by himself?

No, it doesn't.

When she was being locked in the basement she sent a message to Zor-El using her super-ventriloquism again! Who knew that was such a handy power. And like a good dad, he runs to help out his daughter.

Indeed, it was Zor-El who unlocked the chains padlock and helped bounce the ball.

Kara wishes Zor-El a happy Father's Day as he returns to Kandor.

It really was a great Father's Day for Supergirl! She saw her two dads and helped another dad along the way.

What a sweet story!

Well, I am off to spend the day with the supergirls here. Should be a great Father's Day for me too!

Landry Walker and Eric Jones on Batman:The Brave And The Bold

Fans of Supergirl:Cosmic Adventures In The Eighth Grade will be happy to hear that Landry Walker and Eric Jones have been given the reins of Batman:The Brave and the Bold DC kids book! Here is a link to Walker's blog discussing the assignment and its origin:
http://xray-studios.livejournal.com/48928.html

Here is a blurb from that post where Walker talks about the tone of the book.

Our intention with this series is to capture the feel of the cartoon rather than literally interpret the style of the animated series onto a comic book page. Comics and animation are two very distinct (even if related) mediums, and neither wholly translates into the other. We're a bit past our first issue now, and I'm very happy with the result of this approach.

To be honest, I have enjoyed the cartoon more than I thought I would. The 'Dick Sprang' style art is not as jarring as I thought it would be. And the show has included a lot of minor characters from the DCU (which is always welcomed) as well as a boatload of Easter Eggs for us old-timers. You may remember my post on the show's homage to Streaky. So I am interested in seeing what Walker/Jones come up with.

As for this book, I asked Walker about the chances of Supergirl being the guest star and here was his response.

Supergirl as a guest star: Hopefully in the near future. I certainly have a story in mind. In the meantime, some other elements of Cosmic Adventures will trickle in to the stories sooner rather than later. Minor elements, but elements nonetheless.

Well, I would be absolutely giddy to see a Supergirl/Batman team-up. I loved Cosmic Adventures and continue to hope that a sequel happens. In the meantime, throw us rabid fans a bone and have Kara as a guest star!

The first Walker/Jones Brave and Bold issue is solicited for September 30. Here is the DC site's description of the issue:

Batman teams up with a mysterious figure to stop the Penguin and The Riddler, but is this anti-hero a friend or a foe? Be here for all of the cataclysmic catastrophes in "The Tale of the Catman!"

The supergirls at home also loved Cosmic Adventures and watch the Brave and the Bold show so I will be sure to pick up these issues.

Review: Supergirl #42

I am feeling a bit verbose so bear with the long review.

Expectations are a hard thing to overcome and they can skew perceptions in ways both good and bad.

I went into Star Wars: The Phantom Menace with unbelievably high expectations. Those preconceived notions influenced the end result. Phantom Menace wasn't just awful ... it was horrendous and completely irredeemable. It plummeted even farther in my mind because it was so much worse than I expected.

Conversely, after being let down by the Wachowski brothers with the last 2 Matrix movies and V For Vendetta, I saw their Speed Racer with unbelievably low expectations. When that turned out to be enjoyable it leaped in my mind to spectacular because it so surpassed what I thought it would be. (I might be the only person on Earth who really liked the Speed Racer movie.)

So why talk about this here? Well, I have so enjoyed the Gates/Igle run on Supergirl that I simply expect every issue to be spectacular, the best comic I buy the week it comes out. And those expectations can be hard to reach. So when they put out an issue that is 'very good' but not phenomenal, it sort falls sort of flat.

Supergirl #42 was a good issue with a lot of emotional punch. More than any issue so far, I think this issue shows just how more mature Supergirl is now, how she has changed over the last year. But after last issue's climax, for some reason, I was expecting more ... more of Superwoman's back story, more understanding of what happened to her last issue, more closure. But this didn't feel like an epilogue to the Superwoman story. It felt like more of the same.

Now in rereading the above paragraphs, it sounds almost too harsh. Because there was a lot of really good stuff here. So maybe I should just start the review.

I already reviewed the preview pages from Newsarama last week. One thing there worth looking at again was the replaying of the 'I know who you are' panel this time with the knowledge that General Lane knew it was Lucy under the cowl all along. Changes the feel of that scene completely.

And this ultimate response from General Lane, reacting to the apparent death of Lucy. He vows to do worse than kill Kara.

I like that General Lane, a huge player in the Superman titles these days, has such an key role in Supergirl. It cements how important she is in the super-family.

Contrast his response to Lois' response.

I think it is great that Supergirl went straight to Lois to explain everything that happened. And I like how she brought Lana there for emotional support. I don't know if the Loeb/Kelly Supergirl would have done that or would have understood that this was the right thing to do. But this is a different Supergirl than we saw in those books.

After Lois asks all the questions we did as readers (was Superwoman a robot? Shapeshifter? White Martian?), she asks Kara to leave. It is clear that Kara was hoping for forgiveness from Lois or at least an understanding that there was nothing else she could do.

But I can understand Lois response in some ways. For one thing, regardless of the circumstances, she just found out that her only sibling has been killed. For another thing, let's face it ... Supergirl had been something of a screw-up until recently, both emotionally and physically. Gates/Igle have said all along that they are not ignoring the beginning of this title. Lois remembers Kara as the little girl who spurned Clark and went off on her own for so long. There is a kernel of truth in a lot of those Cat Grant stories. So of course Lois is going to wonder 'did Supergirl screw up again only this time with fatal consequences'. Lois needs some time to wrap her head around this, to investigate. With a mix of anger and grief swirling in her head, the best thing to do is to show Lana and Kara the door.

Unfortunately, this is not the response Kara was expecting. At first, she responds defensively.

As usual, Igle's art provides so much of the context here. His expressions show just how the characters are feeling throughout this scene. But look at Kara in the doorway. Can't you feel the tension in her, the anger at Lois for not grasping that there was nothing she could have done to prevent this tragedy, for Lois not seeing that Lucy was a murderer.

So I can understand Kara's feelings too. She was defending herself against someone who was an accomplice in her father's death and had killed (or tried to kill) several others. Plus, she didn't intentionally kill Lucy, she was trying to remove her power source when this accident happened. Why can't Lois see passed the fact that this was her sister and recognize the event for what it was.

But this is where the scene is its most powerful.

The old Kara would have stormed out of the building. She may have even flown out through the ceiling. That Kara may have even burned a curse word into the floor with her heat vision as she was flying off.

But this is a more mature Kara. She has grown so much in the last few months. She takes that deep breath we all need to take every so often and apologizes to Lois. She must see Lois' side just enough to know that arguing here is the wrong thing to do. And in those three words ... 'I'm sorry Lois' ... I put the angsty bitter Supergirl from the first 19 issues out of sight forever. I have said it before but it is always worth saying again ... thank you Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle for giving me back a caring and heroic Supergirl.

Kara hands Lois a scrap of the Superwoman suit and leaves.

But things continue to unravel in the periphery of Supergirl's life.

Reactron gets freed from Science Police custody by Agent Assassin. Re-armed with gold Kryptonite, Reactron is ready to re-enter the fray. And given General Lane's earlier comments, my guess is Reactron will be sent gunning for Supergirl.

In the meantime, Lois flies to Lucy's apartment only to find it deserted - mail piled up, dust accumulating on the furniture.

It strengthens Kara's accusations since Lois knows Superwoman was living on New Krypton.

It is hard to know exactly why Lois is crying here. It may be just that Lucy has died. But I think it is that Lois is mourning what Lucy had become. How could her loving kid sister have turned into a cold-blooded killer? And could Lois have been more a part of her life to stop that from happening.

I really like the composition of this panel: a shot from above with Lois taking up a central but small part of the panel. It is bigger in the comic and really gives a sense of how lost Lois feels right now, how insignificant she feels. That is just how it would be shot in a movie.

As I said above, I think one of the undercurrents of this issue was showing how much Kara has grown.

I like that she took the time to visit Inspector Henderson in the hospital and drop of some flowers.

Despite Reactron being loose, Supergirl realizes that there is more to be done about the Lucy/Superwoman mystery. Kara asks the questions we all have been asking: "how did Lucy have an apartment on New Krypton?" Supergirl plans to head off and investigate.

Lana has been a bigger presence in this issue than in recent ones. It is clear that she is someone Kara trusts and appreciates. I like how Lana reiterates to Kara that Alura shouldn't push her around any more. And I like the confident answer that Supergirl replies with. Supergirl isn't wallowing in misery over her inability to apprehend Reactron or in being on the receiving end of Lois' anger. Instead she carries on, fighting the never-ending battle. Again, more maturity bubbling to the surface.

As a way to show her love for Lana and in some way to acknowledge that Earth is home now, she asks to be called Linda from now on.

I have always been pro-'secret identity' so I am glad to see this.

As Supergirl flies off though, Lana gets an ominous phone call from the hospital.

My guess is that Lana has some sort of cancer. I worry that there may be a backlash since we are still just under a year from the 'Saving Thomas' arc. We have seen the Supergirl vs. cancer story once. Hopefully this will not be a rehashing of that plot.

The issue ends on a very strong and very appreciated note.

Kara flies home with the plan to confront her mother. Alura has been emotionally bullying Kara and playing on Zor-El's death as a way to get Supergirl to submit to her. It looks like that is going to end. Kara says outright she will not be controlled by Alura any longer. She also says that she realizes now that she has 2 homes: Earth and New Krypton.

Once more, I like the panel layout here. Maybe I am reading to much into these things but the flight home has the sun prominently displayed in the background. It gave the impression of enlightenment but also power via a 'baptism by fire'. Kara has been through a lot these last few issues and like iron tempered by fire she is stronger. If the background had been space and stars that implication of strength would not be there.

We are shown pretty emphatically here that this is a different Supergirl than the one who got soda dumped on her and cried back in issue #34 . This is even a different Kara than the one who wished her mother had died instead of her father. These recent events have changed her and despite the tragedy attached to them, I think they have changed her for the better.

This was a phenomenal character-driven issue as we really get to the meat of what everyone is thinking. In particular, the characterization of Supergirl was wonderful. She is still 'becoming' and that is what I like about her.

So ... after such a glowing review of the issue's contents ... can I still say that this issue let me down? I think I can if only because the buildup of the mystery of 'Who is Superwoman?' was soooo huge with Newsarama polls and interviews and everyone piecing together of clues. I think so much is left unsaid about Lucy/Superwoman that it feels like the mystery isn't over. I don't need to know Superwoman's whole story right now as a reader I deserve more than 'it was the suit'.

Still, the dialogue was spot on and the art was fantastic (it is great to see Igle back on the book). I prefer Jon Sibal's inks on Igle's pencils as I think they bring more depth to the work.

Overall grade: B (but probably would have been a high B+ without prior expectations)

Todd Nauck Commission

I went to a great little convention this last weekend in Northern Massachusetts sponsored by Larry's Wonderful World of Comics (http://larryscomics.net/).

The main guest was Todd Nauck of Young Justice and Spiderman fame. Above is the commission I got him to do for me. I knew his slightly manga-y style would make for a great commission and I was right.

Nauck was a great guy, easily approachable and easy going. I saw him taking the time to talk to some of the younger kids who were there and that is great.

As for the convention, there were also a lot of local artists present and a lot of dealers as well. Since I was only aiming for a commission from Nauck, I had time to really thumb through all the dealers there and found a few gems. It looks like this show might happen every couple of months so I will definitely put it on my radar.



One issue I could not find that I was hoping to see was Young Justice #13, a rare Peter David Linda Danvers cross-over issue I don't own. It would have been cool to find it and have it signed by Nauck. No such luck.

May Sales Review

It's that time of the month when ICv2.com reviews comic sales from the prior month. As usual, the whole set of links is worth reviewing, especially if you are keeping track of some of your favorite titles. Here is the main link: http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/15150.html

After something of a rebound month in April, the comics market again dipped in May. Once again there was no comic that sold more than 100,000 units. In comparison to May 2008, the market dipped 18%. That is hard to swallow but not hard to believe given the current economic situation.

All that said, I also have been reconsidering my pull list. Knowing the upcoming Blackest Night minis coming out, I have had to look long and hard at my current titles and wonder if I need to trim the fat.

For me, the best part of the ICv2 monthly review is the list of the top 300 books ( http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/15147.html ). The list gives the total number of issues sold and gives me some gut feeling about the 'health' of a title.

Supergirl #41 was the finale of the "Who is Superwoman?" story arc. With the big reveal last month, I was curious to see how the book would do here. Would some people leave with the Lucy reveal? Would the spoilers posted on the net bring some people to the title?

Looks like neither was true. The Gates/Igle Supergirl looks like it is good for 33-34K in sales monthly. That is a steady and respectable number. This issue sold 33,441 issues, down 2% from last month's sales of 34,080. It also represents the lowest sales since the team took over. It is hard to know what that means given the current economic climate and market. The fact that readers have for the most part stuck with the title despite the downturn in the market has to be seen as a good thing, right?

The same sense of stability can be seen in the sales of Supergirl:Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade.

The last issue sold 6,179 which is down 6% from last month's rebound sales of 6,576. That said, outside of the first issue which sold over 9K, this mini sold about 6200 issues each month. Is that good enough sales for a Johnny DC book to greenlight a sequel?

The question is 'does stability in sales in a volatile market signify a healthy title?' Or is DC looking for more? Or is there a certain number sales-wise that should have people preparing for cancellation.

For example, I have really enjoyed R.E.B.E.L.S. but issue #4 only sold 13,468. Despite getting good reviews and some publicity, sales for the title continue to drop monthly. How long does DC give a new title to catch on before the axe falls. 12 issues? 18? I can only hope this title goes long enough to see the end of this Starro run.

Wednesday Comics Supergirl

I am really starting to get excited about DC's next weekly Wednesday Comics. As I have said before, DC has really done a great job assembling tremendous talent to work on all the individual strips.

A lot of the strips have had some sneak peeks revealed. But we haven't seen any part of the Supergirl strip until now. Above we see our first look at the Palmiotti/Conner Supergirl. It seems we are going with a Matrix-style costume ... no belly shirt here.

And look at the exasperated look on her face! Awesome!



Over on The Source, we finally got a little window dressing for Wednesday Comics, a single little window into all the titles. Man, they all look soooooo good. I forgot about the Talent Caldwell Wonder Woman! And I am really really interested in the Gibbons/Sook Kamandi and Simonson/Stelfreeze Catwoman and Demon strip.

But we are here to talk Supergirl. We know that in the script, she seems to be dealing with an out of control Streaky and Krypto. It sounds like it will be a wonderfully fun and breezy strip. Supergirl's expression above says it all. And here is a great page posted on DC too ( http://dcublog.dccomics.com/2009/06/15/cool-wednesday-comics-news-huh/ ). Looks like this is going to be a blast! And the return of the red skirt too! I love this look best of all on Supergirl so I am thrilled to see it again.

Amanda Conner's art is just so perfect for a strip like this. I really have to get to a convention where she is a guest and beg for a Kara commission.

When Wednesday Comics and its format were announced, we all wondered if it would be marketed in atypical stores ... grocery stores, book stores, etc. Instead, the Superman title will be printed the first week in USA Today and subsequently put on the paper's web site(http://dcublog.dccomics.com/2009/06/15/wednesday-comics-superman-strip-to-be-serialized-in-usa-today/ ). It is a nice way to branch out and showcase the concept to mainstream America.

Review: R.E.B.E.L.S. #5

I continue to giddily enjoy R.E.B.E.L.S. and this storyline continues to steamroll forward in R.E.B.E.L.S. #5. Tony Bedard continues to move all the outer rim DC galactic powers around the chess board as Starro continues to absorb more and more forces. And Claude St. Aubin's art continues to be smooth and detailed.

Right now the plot is unfolding on 2 fronts. One, Dox and his R.E.B.E.L.S. over Maltus being attacked by both a Durlan mercenary crew and the Starros below. The other front is the Dominator home world where the 'Starro wave' is attempting to dominate the Dominators.

It all seems to be moving to some explosive ending. But the ride getting there has been a lot of fun.


It turns out that while Getorix and Amon Hakk are bounty hunters hoping to capture Dox for a buck, Captain Ciji is not. In fact, she hopes to capture Dox and get him to work for the Durlans. Whoever bested Dox has to be a serious threat and the Durlans are frightened. Add to that the wannabes - the Spider Guild and Citadelians - and Dox is needed for Durlan defense.

I love the character of Dox. He is someone that seems universally hated by people and yet utterly respected. The Durlans don't like outsiders much and yet here they are knocking on Brainiac's door looking for some help.

And they aren't the only ones. Turns out Starro also wants Dox to work for him. Everyone loves that 12th level intelligence I guess. It is a powerful weapon.

Astrild Storm-Daughter, the Czarian-like Starro woman from last issue, offers Dox the chance to work for the would-be conqueror.

In fact, she divulges that Dox would have some limited free will. Unlike the drones that most Starro captives become, some (like her) have some more leeway to their actions. Some spontaneity. He would be a vanguard.

I think this is a nice touch to the Starro threat. There is a class system even in Starro's slaves. Of course it makes sense. An order like 'defeat Silica' has to leave room for slight deviations ... initiative. My guess is only the most powerful but most controllable slaves get this perk.

Still, the bottom line is that both the Durlans and now Starro feel that Dox is such a presence that they want him working for them. Rather than kill him, they want him on the payroll. There can be no higher respect.

Ciji realizes that her prize is in danger both from Storm-daughter and Hakk (who has slipped away to try to cash in on Dox bounty). She asks Getorix to slow down the Starro acolyte while she boards Dox ship.

I thought this was a very good panel. Getorix blasts her point blank with starship cannons. Somehow she shrugs it off. I love how the Starro drone is nearly blasted off her but keeps a grip via a penetrating limb in the lower spine. It was both humorous and chilling.

The laser fire only enrages her as she tears through the ship, killing the Khundian force Ciji had with her.

In the meantime, Dox figures that a retreat is in order. He tells Wildstar to leave the ship and find Silica's remains and bring the computer back to the ship no matter where it has run off to.

Surprisingly, Wildstar's first instinct is to defend Dox in combat, to fight Storm-daughter. I am intrigued by this level of devotion from her in Dox; it has happened so quickly. Her life in Star Haven must have been particularly hellish if she has accepted her new lack of body and dedicated herself to protecting Brainiac this quickly. And, of course, Dox is that master manipulator.

She flies to the planet and scoops up Silica's remains.

I know it isn't crucial to the story but I love this panel. It was too good not to post.

It just smacks of the face-huggers in Alien. Since Wildstar has no face ... no organic interface ... with the starfish, it cannot effect her. She simply blasts it away.

In the meantime, Storm-daughter continues annihilating the Durlan ship. Alas poor Getorix, we barely knew you. This might be one of those times where the limited free will granted to his vanguards hampers Starro. Had Storm-daughter taken control of Getorix, she may have learned some valuable information. But she is too enraged and decides to vaporize him instead.

Stormdaughter looks formidable. She seems invulnerable; she has super strength, eyebeams, and a mean streak. I am telling you ... when she gets freed from Starro she will become the 'Lobo' for the new team.

Getorix's distraction has worked though. While Stormdaughter rips apart the ship and its crew, Dox hightails it out of there at light speed. The hope is that Wildstar can use her tracking skills and speed to catch up.

Dox isn't exactly safe though. Both Ciji and Amon Hakk are on the ship somewhere.

In the meantime, the Dominator army is holding their own against the Starro fleet until this 'Frazetta Death Dealer' warrior lands and leads the Starro troops.

Turns out that is *THE* Starro and he looks like one mean bastard.

The Psions inform the Omega Men that it will be their job to assassinate Starro.

I think the best thing I can say about this comic is that it is true pleasure to read. For one, as a Legion fan, I love how LSH lore is being re-written or re-imagined in current times. I also like how these other space races like the Psions, Spider Guilds, Citadelians are all being included in this grand scale story. These races that I know mostly from LSH and the 80s Teen Titans are all involved here but all with their own agenda. And then you add on top of that the great character of Vril Dox. It is just an absolute fun comic to read ... a guilty pleasure ... a giddy romp through DC's cosmic characters.

Overall grade: A

September Solicits So Far

I get the sense I am going to need to work a couple of moonlighting shifts to afford comics this summer. Between all the Blackest Night stuff (which I am really excited for), all the extra Super-family stuff, Wednesday Comics and the rest of my usual pull list, I am going to be spending a pretty penny.

Newsarama has posted the September super-title solicits on their site ( http://www.newsarama.com/comics/090612-dc-sept-09-superman.html )and here they are with my usual guesses and comments.

SUPERGIRL #45
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Jamal Igle & Jon Sibal
Cover by Joshua Middleton

Continuing from ACTION COMICS #881 – “The Hunt for Reactron” part 2! Can Supergirl rely on her seemingly unstable childhood friend to help her track down her father’s assassin? Or will she ultimately get burned by Flamebird?

So first off, what a great cover this is! Middleton has just been phenomenal on his run of covers. This one works so well. The look of surprise on Supergirl's face as she realizes that there is a threat outside of the immediate one (Thara) is astounding. I wonder if this means the 'Alas poor Yorick cover' inadvertantly posted by Josh Middleton on his site is the cover for #46?

As for the book description, I am not surprised that a Kara/Thara throwdown happens. First off, their interactions since New Krypton have been chilly at best. Second, Thara really has a religious fervor to her mission and sometimes that can lead to confrontation. Maybe the person behind rifle scope is the same shooter from Codename:Patriot?


SUPERGIRL ANNUAL #1
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Fernando Dagnino & Raúl Fernandez
Cover by Renato Guedes

In SUPERGIRL #34, Supergirl took the new secret identity of Linda Lang. But how long until someone finds out her secret? Now, for the first time ever, witness Supergirl's initial attempt to live her double life in “Linda Lang: Day One”! Plus! The secret origin of Superwoman revealed! What drove Lucy Lane to become the superpowered threat known as Superwoman? How did she transform from Lois Lane's little sister into Project 7734’s secret weapon? Find out here!

I talked about this annual last week, so I will keep it brief. I am clamoring for both stories. I have been awaiting more Linda Lang. And I really need to know more about Lucy/Superwoman. I don't think this is going to disappoint.



SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #7
Written by James Robinson & Greg Rucka
Art by Pete Woods
Cover by Gary Frank
Variant cover by Bryan Talbot


It’s never a dull moment on New Krypton – just when Superman was getting used to his place on his reborn homeworld, he’s thrust into a new position that makes his previous duties look like a cakewalk. And thanks to the fallout from the “Codename: Patriot” storyline, New Krypton’s ruler – and Superman’s aunt – Alura has her hands full keeping the people of Kandor from panicking. So of course it’s the perfect time for an alien threat to arrive and declare war...

Whoa.

My guess is that General Zod is the person shot in Codename:Patriot and that Kal gets given his job of leading the military on New Krypton. Even Non and Ursa look like they are ready to follow his lead.

Now that is a great plot twist. Will Kal be able to use his new political clout to bring his ideals into the Kryptonian culture? This series has really been a great read. With the sudden change in writers I was a little worried.



SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #1
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank & Jon Sibal
Covers by Gary Frank

Hot on the heels of their acclaimed run on ACTION COMICS, superstars Geoff Johns and Gary Frank reunite to present a 6-issue event that spells out the definitive origin of Superman for the 21st century – and it all starts with a gigantic 48-page issue! Chronicling Clark Kent’s journey from the cornfields of Smallville to the skyscrapers of Metropolis, you'll witness a whole new look at the beginnings of Lex Luthor, the Legion of Super-Heroes, Lois Lane, Metallo, Jimmy Olsen, the Parasite and more! It's a look at the mythic past of the Man of Steel with an eye toward the future!

I am old enough to remember eagerly reading John Byrne's recreation of the Superman mythos in Man of Steel. Now I am really looking forward to reading Geoff Johns and Gary Frank's definitive origin of Superman. Johns really seems to be able to take the broad strokes of the Silver Age and update them in a 21st century sensible way. I really think that this will revitalize the Man of Steel's origins in the same way that Green Lantern: Rebirth and Green Lantern:Secret Origin re-invigorated Hal Jordan. And I can't wait to see some Gary Frank art again!



ACTION COMICS #881
Written by Greg Rucka; co-feature written by James Robinson & Rucka
Art by Julian Lopez; co-feature art by CAFU
Cover by Pere Pérez

“The Hunt for Reactron” starts here! Spilling out of the stunning finale of “Codename: Patriot,” Supergirl and Flamebird find themselves at each other’s throats! What’s happened to these two childhood friends to put them at such odds, and can Nightwing calm them down before the situation escalates? And just what are they going to do about all of the guys who are surrounding them? You know, the guys in the tanks? Continued in SUPERGIRL #45! Plus! James Robinson and Greg Rucka’s Captain Atom co-feature continues! What is happening to Captain Atom, and more important, what’s happening to his mind? Team Breach is on hand to lend some answers, but Atom probably isn’t going to like them. Featuring the gorgeous art of CAFU!

So Reactron remains a thorn in Supergirl's side still. While I like Reactron as a rogue, especially given the personal vendetta Kara has with him, I hope his story wraps up soon and we can see some new villains square off against Supergirl.

Still, what situation could have set off Thara and Kara? My guess is that somehow Kara's mission unknowingly interferes with Thara's. And given the passion Thara is bringing to her holy mission, I don't think she will tolerate it well.

I am not really interested in the Captain Atom back-up feature. But I will go in with an open mind.


SUPERMAN #692
Written by James Robinson
Art by Renato Guedes & José Wilson Magalhães
Cover by CAFU

Tragedy strikes in the aftermath of “Codename: Patriot” as Metropolis buries one of its own! And with a man down, the Science Police are on their own to stop a cadre of Super-Villains from stealing a formerly common commodity that has suddenly become rarer than gold!

Hmmm ... someone gets buried and a dying Mon-El is not on the cover. Could he have died in the Codename:Patriot storyline? I doubt it. He needs to be around to eventually join the Legion. Plus, I don't know if I would enjoy a solely Guardian book.

So who gets buried? Any guesses? I am betting on Harper's niece.

And now some other books ....

JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE #3
Written by James Robinson
Art and cover by Mauro Cascioli

The team welcomes two new members as Supergirl and Shazam join the roster! And it’s just in time, too, because when Prometheus is finally caught and his evil machinations are revealed, the League finds out they may be unable to stop him.

Well, let me compliment Mauro Cascioli's art again. This is a dramatic and dynamic cover. And man, Supergirl looks strong and angry here.

I am a bit saddened to hear she joins in the third issue. She and Shazam are only in half the run? Maybe I would be more accepting if this was an ongoing. But now I feel a bit cheated. Does that mean the first three issues only star GL,GA, and the Atom? Three guys don't make a league!

Anyways, I am still looking forward to reading this.

ADVENTURE COMICS #2
Written by Geoff Johns; co-feature written by Geoff Johns and Michael Shoemaker
Art by Francis Manapul, co-feature art by Clayton Henry
Covers by Francis Manapul

Superboy is back and living out his teenage years in Smallville. But all is not as it seems in Superman’s hometown. And while Conner reunites with his former girlfriend, Wonder Girl, to see if they have a future together, Lex Luthor and Brainiac form a partnership that will cause havoc throughout the DC Universe. But what do their plans have to do with Conner and the other students at Smallville High? Plus, in the Legion of Super-Heroes co-feature, which takes place all the way in the 31st century, Lightning Lad travels to the prison planet of Takron-Galtos to confront his brother, Lighting Lord. There, Lightning Lord informs Lighting Lad of a shocking family secret that sets the pieces in motion for a war that will decide the future of the universe. Yeah, the universe. No big.

I love the cover here. A Conner/Cassie reunion should happen early in the series and deserves more than a mention. I am glad that story seems to be the bulk of this issue. I also really like that Krypto was invited on the date!

As for the Legion ... well I have lived through too many LSH reboots to know what to think. I hope that the series is accessible to potential new fans but rooted enough for old Legion buffs. We'll see.

I think there will be even more books that I will need to comment on once all the solicits are released. Start saving!

Review: Action Comics #878

Action Comics #878 felt like a little bit of a filler issue in the 'Sleepers' storyline. Sure there was a some movement of the plot forward and some interesting revelations. But it felt like maybe the events of this issue could have been shown in half the pages.

Greg Rucka continues to show that he has a handle on the characters here.

With Eddy Barrows off the title and Julian Lopez not starting until #880, we have a coulpe of spot starter artists. This issue is drawn by Diego Olmos. His thicker-lined style is definitely different from the Barrows style we have seen in the book so far. There is something slightly reminiscent of Dave Johnson's work here and that is pretty high praise from me. I really thought the art worked here.

The issue starts with a 5 page opening scene where Az-Rel and Nadira have taken over a house and have a rather energetic love making session. With the dead frozen house owner looking on, the two literally blow the roof off the house. This draws the attention of local law enforcement who are subsequently killed.

This felt a bit gratuitous to me ... or maybe just a bit too long . I think Rucka's intent was to show just how out of control passionate these sleepers are. They are driven by their impulses ... robbing banks, an afternoon quickie, outright murder. We already got that sense last issue where we see them slaughter police after they rob a bank; we had a sense that was their personalites.

As for this scene, I guess my biggest complaint is that it took 5 pages. Did this really need to take up almost 20% of the book? Or was it that long to tittilate a bit. Trust me, I am no prude and I am not against the nature of the scene. It's just that I hope to get my money's worth in comics and this felt like it went on too long.

I also think it is a little laughable that Az-Rel and Nadira are considered 'sleeper' agents when they seem pretty out in the open. How the heck have the flown under the radar since 'Last Son'?

We cut back to Lois' apartment where Thara has recovered. I like how Lois has her in one of Kal's shirts.

Thara doesn't recognize Lois and seems shocked when she drops the 'I'm Chris's mom' bomb. One thing I like here is that Olmos draws Thara looking young. Thara is supposed to be one of Kara's friends and she is not supposed to have aged that much in the bottled Kandor. As a result I have always thought she should look somewhere around 18-20 years old. Both Igle and Barrows have always made her seem a smidge older.

Project 7734 continues to try to figure out exactly what is going on with Flamebird and Nightwing too. A military crew actually flies to the Arctic and infiltrates the Fortress through the hole Ursa made in the roof.

Meanwhile our mystery woman is in Metropolis for a closer look at the events at Lois' building. We have seen the blue and green body art (?) on her. Now we see some power. She teleports up to Lois' balcony.

The military squad finds the body of Tor-An, identifying it as a Kryptonian. They are also able to find some of Chris's blood in the snow around the Fortress where the missiles hurt him last issue.

But more ominous is the mystery woman scopping up some of Thara's blood and putting it into some mystical looking sack. It looks as though her body art goes down to her hands and is now purple. I find this all intriguing. I wonder if there is some connection between the colors here and the colors of laser weapons fired from the orbiting Project 7734 satellites back in the Atlas storyline. Those were also felt to be magical in nature and had different colors. Hmmmm ....

General Lane is given all the intel gathered including by his crew. He learns not only Tov-Ar's Kryptonian origin but also Chris's identity. Now neither Flamebird nor Nightwing's secret identity is hidden.

Anyone else think that Olmos modeled General Lane like R. Lee Ermey, who played the Drill Seregant on Full Metal Jacket?

Lane sees conspiracy in everything. Despite the obvious signs of battle, he thinks all the Kryptonians - Ursa, Thara, Chris, and Tov-Ar - are in cahoots. He thinks they had a falling out and as a result Tov-Ar got offed. No honor among thieves as it were.

Luckily, one of his men can see through the carnage and realizes that Flamebird and Nightwing might actually be helping the cause. Unluckily, Lane can;t get by his biases to see that as a possibility.

I really find the character of General Lane fascinating. I hope we see some of his history to see why he has such hatred in his heart.

Chris finally returns home from his trip to the Arctic and has this tender if somewhat awkward reunion with Thara. It is clear that there are deeper feelings here than just the mission. Even Lois can see it. This restrained and unstated love is a nice contrast to the 'out in the open' passion of Az-Rel and Nadira.

Before more can come of this, the news breaks about Az-Rel and Nadira's trail of carnage. Suddenly romance takes a back seat and the mission becomes primary again.

They four meet in the Southwest skies. As usual, the sleepers are canoodling as they fly around. I love how Chris tells them to get a room. Funny ...

Perhaps the most impressive part of the book is just how quickly Flamebird and Nightwing. In 3 quick pages they dispatch Az-Rel and Nadira using some precise battle moves and tactics. In fact, they do it so quickly I felt a little cheated. I would have rather seen 2 more pages in this fight than the ones spent in the opening scene.

Nevertheless, Chris and Thara have them right where they want them. Thara aims the imprisonment gun at them.

Alas, before they can capture them, Agent Assasin shows up with a whole regiment of beasties. Looks like we will have another mash-up next issue.

I have enjoyed this run so far. It has been heavy on the action with enough background plots to keep the book moving. And I also liked Diego Olmos' art.

That said, this issue seemed to be a 'tread water' issue where things did progress but just a bit.

Overall grade: B

Supergirl #42 Preview On Newsarama

A tremendous 7 page preview of next week's Supergirl #42 is now up on Newsarama. Here is the link: http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album.php?aid=28620 As usual, I will hone in on some panels. Go to the link to see the pages in their entirety.

I have to say it is great to see Jamal Igle's art back on the book. Not that Talent Caldwell or Fernando Dagnino's art was bad. Igle just has the feel of the book.

And it is pretty clear from this preview that my 'possessed by a Kryptonian entity' theory is wrong making me officially '0 for everything' when it came to figuring out this mystery. As a rabid Supergirl fan and old-school comic reader that makes me sad.

Anyways, on to the preview.

General Lane and Agent Assassin are seen scanning the woods where Lucy met her demise for any remains. It is hinted on this first page that Lane may have served under Sgt. Rock. "visage as hard as a rock", "it ain't easy").

Hard to imagine Lane in Easy company but who knows. He is an excellent soldier so I can imagine him being trained by Rock.

But we finally see some fleshed out flashbacks from Superwoman's origin. It does appear that everything from her powers to her apparent Kryptonian DNA are derived from the suit. Already we here that the suit is 'tethered' to her ... an ominous term connoting a strong connection.

Hopefully we will here more about how the suit was created and designed.

And hopefully we also hear about the conditions that made removing the suit possible. When we first met her she was out of the suit.

And then a replay of the famous 'I know who you are' panel. We all guessed Superwoman's panicked face represented fear of Lane, that somehow he was blackmailing her. Now we know that it is fear of the mission that General Lane has given her, to infiltrate Kandor. He clearly loves his soldier daughter which is an interesting aspect of the 'hard as nails' Lane.

Here is the original panel which shows pretty consistent poses and facial expressions. The small font gives this panel the effect of a whisper which may have contributed to my feeling he was blackmailing her about her identity.

Unfortunately only 'tiny bits of flesh and hair' are found. Brrrrr ...

And that makes General Lane angry. Angry to the point that he says he wants to do 'more than kill Kara'. He has something far worse in mind.

Any guesses on a fate worse than death? Ruining her image in the world so she is hated? Banishing her to the Phantom Zone?

But first Kara has to tell Lois that she killed Lucy. Look at Lois' body language. I tell you that Igle's art really adds to the Gates' story here. It is a real marriage of words and images.

I don't know how Lois will feel about all this. Certainly Lucy killed off Agent Liberty and Reactron's girlfriend. And Kara didn't know she would kill Lucy. That said ... blood is thicker than water and Kara just atomized Lois' sister. I wonder how this will impact their relationship and if Kal is somehow stuck in the middle.

We are one week away from the epilogue and hopefully more answers are to come. I don't need every detail explained to me ... just most of them!

Renato Guedes Super-title Annual Covers

Over on the DC blog, Matt Idelson has revealed the covers for this summer's super-title annuals all done by Superman artist Renato Guedes. Here is the link: http://dcublog.dccomics.com/2009/06/08/renato-guedes-tackles-covers-for-action-superman-and-supergirl-annuals/

I love Guedes' work, especially on covers which usually have an 'old school' movie poster feel. The Supergirl Annual #1 cover, in particular, is fantastic. That is one intense and powerful Kara we are looking at there. Here is the description of the annual:

And on 9/2 we have the SUPERGIRL ANNUAL, by Sterling Gates, Fernando Dagnino and Raul Fernandez, gives readers a look into the lives of the two ladies of the Superman family — Supergirl and Superwoman. What’s a day like for Supergirl in her secret identity? Also, what drove Superwoman to become the threat she is now?

Dagnino did a serviceable job on last issue so I expect the inside art to be fine.

I am very happy to hear that we will finally see some more of Linda Lang. She has only been seen in one panel of the title and that was half a year ago! 'Linda Lang's first day' sounds like a fun story. And I love the classic 'opening up the shirt to reveal the S-shield' bit on the cover. That pose has been done ad infinitum with Clark/Superman so why not with Linda/Supergirl.

And, hopefully, more light will be shed on Superwoman's origins in the other story. It looks as though Lucy may have faced off against some Amazons in the Amazons Attack storyline. Maybe that caused her to side with Daddy against super-powered beings.

I really like Guedes' art and have always enjoyed his take on Supergirl. I thought I would post his Supergirl concept pics from when he was taking over the title during the Bedard issues. I posted these last August too.

These pictures caused the standard forest fire on the net with people complaining that his Supergirl looked fat, old, and ugly. That was the exact opposite of what I thought! I thought she looked young, healthy, and beautiful. And his line work is so spectacular.

Oh ... and let's not forget that Guedes was the first to put her in the bike shorts (see lower left). And yes, there was an inferno about them back then too. He suffered the same slings and arrows that Jamal Igle has.

I really think this his is an excellent take on Kara. I would definitely definitely try to get a commission from Guedes if he was at a convention I was attending.

The other covers are also striking.

Here is the cover for Action Comics Annual #12. I figure those are Thara's parents on the cover as we learn more about her back story. And he makes the Flamebird and Nightwing 'power suits' look formidable.

And this is the cover for Superman Annual #14 which covers some of Mon-El's past.

Looks like it will be a great summer over in the DCU!

More Cry For Justice Previews

Justice League: Cry For Justice is getting a lot of publicity from DC. Her is another page from the book posted on the DC Source blog and the link: http://dcublog.dccomics.com/2009/06/05/a-killer-page-from-justice-league-cry-for-justice-3-to-end-the-week/

The pages we have seen from this book have been beautiful and this one is no exception. And it includes one of my favorite super-villains Prometheus.

I really hope Supergirl gets to spar with the man who almost single-handedly took down the JLA. I can't wait to see Kara face off against some headlining DC villains (the cover shows Grodd and Sinestro for example).

But this quote was also in the Source piece.

If you miss any issue of the 7-part CRY FOR JUSTICE mini, you are so gonna hate yourself!

Looks like an issue has been added to the run.

Only a couple of weeks until the first issue is released!

Back Issue # 34: Dick Giordano Interview

I can't thank the host of the great 'Bottle City of Kanga' blog enough for pointing me to the current issue of Back Issue, specifically the Dick Giordano interview within. I appreciate the tips that you all post/send letting me know about new Supergirl stuff worth commenting on. Thanks again!

Here are links to that blog and a current thread about the interview on the DC Message boards.

http://bottlecityofkanga.blogspot.com/2009/06/supergirl-superman-with-boobs.html

http://dcboards.warnerbros.com/web/thread.jspa?threadID=2000190466&tstart=0


The interview was meant to be a look backwards at Crisis on Infinite Earths with Giordano who was the VP/Executive Editor of DC at the time. Giordano also inked the first 3 issues of COIE as well as the 'death of Supergirl' pages in COIE #7.



He also pencilled and inked the Kara Christmas story "Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot" starring Deadman in 1989's Christmas With The Super-Heroes. As a result, I always thought that Giordano was a Kara fan. Given the brief discussion of Supergirl in the interview, I guess I was wrong.

Here is the brief question from the interview that seems like a slap in the face to Supergirl fans.

Giordano apparently felt that Supergirl was little more than 'Superman with boobs', lobbied for her death in Crisis, and feels she never really added anything to the Superman mythos.

Sounds a bit harsh don't you think ... like a complete disregard for all of Supergirl's stories.

Now I don't think that Supergirl's role in the DCU was simply to add to Superman's mythos. Instead I think her responsibility was to build her own mythos. Sure as Kryptonians, their stories might overlap. But I have always thought Supergirl is a strong enough character to stand on her own.

As I have said before, the thing that I like most about Supergirl is that she is still becoming a hero. She is not already a polished and infallible figure like Superman. She is learning, striving, and in some ways struggling to be the best she can be. As a result, she is a more accessible to me as a reader. I can identify with her life a bit more than Superman.

Thinking back to that Supergirl, we had watched her grow and watched her stories become more mature as well. And she seemed to finally be stepping out from the shadow of her cousin and emerging as a hero in her own right. She went from teen orphan to grad student in front of our eyes and we grew with her. That was her legacy ... not adding tidbits to the Superman mythos.

The magazine also shows the notepad request by Giordano to then DC President Jenette Kahn for the green light to kill off Supergirl in Crisis.

Looks like a note passed in elementary school asking someone if they like you.




Outside of that one quote, the rest of the interview reads like a non-event. I was an adolescent when Crisis came out and I can remember eagerly awaiting each issue to come out. These were characters and worlds I had been reading about for years. Now, as an older reader, I was hoping this interview might give me some behind the scenes information. Unfortunately Giordano sort of gives denials or non-answers for a lot of questions. Here is me paraphrasing the Q&A:

Anyone you wish you kept alive? No.
Anyone you wish you killed? No.
Any problems with keeping things organized? Not that I recall.
Any problems keeping things on time? Not that I recall.
What was Crisis' greatest failure? It's greatest failure was its failings. (Huh? )
What was its greatest success? We sold more books.

Not that they cleaned up the DCU. No ... that they sold more books. And no problems, regrets, other things to comment on.

I show the question above because that would be a great thing to read about. How did the old guard of Superman feel about being shown the door? That would be something to read about! Instead, Giordano "doesn't remember" that meeting. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall in that meeting.

Anyways, it was a little sad to read that one of the higher executives at DC thought so little of my favorite character.

But a Supergirl came back shortly after and things are looking brighter day by day.

Supergirl #34 T-Shirt

Woo-hoo!

Looks like the fantastic Josh Middleton cover of Supergirl #34 is going to be immortalized on a T-shirt! I think we all recognized the dynamic nature of the cover when the book was released. Looks like it will be a great shirt too!

I have seen it advertised on a number of web sites as 'coming soon'! Here's one

http://www.graphittidesigns.com/shop/customer/product.php?productid=63655&cat=

With a birthday coming up next month, I think I'm going to need to get one.

This seems like good publicity for the character, the title, and the creators. The more talk about the book the better!

Review: Superman:World Of Krypton #4

Superman: World of New Krypton #4 maintained the title's high quality and breakneck pacing. This series has been a very good read.

There was a lot of plot advancement here as well as the beginnings of some new storylines. More than in the past, this issue clearly linked this series with what is happening in the other super titles. Greg Rucka and James Robinson are creating a tighter continuity here. And Pete Woods art really continues to shine.

Alura and Supergirl weren't in this issue at all. Instead we pick up right where last issue left us, with some of the Green Lantern Corps coming to New Krypton for some fact-finding.



The arrival of the Lanterns does not go unnoticed as General Zod quickly confronts them as well. Zod reminds Hal Jordan that they met before (during the Last Son arc). Both men state that they will fight when their worlds are threatened.

Hal seems to have a short fuse throughout this issue. His defensive body language and terse words are more Guy Gardner-ish than the usually polished exterior of Hal.

Zod has been politically savvy since his return to New Krypton. He has been saying and doing all the right things but always with just a hint of malevolence. He says he has nothing to hide and tells Kal to have Tyr-Van give the Corps a quick tour.



As an old timer, I have been happy to see the slow influx of Silver Age Kryptonian ideas re-envisioned in the current times.

Here we revisit the idea of the 'Island of Valtho'. In the Silver Age, Valtho was where the 'black Kryptonians' lived. Now it is simply another geographically distinct area of Krypton. While it may be the cultural origin of that section of the Kryptonian race, Krypton itself seems like a multi-culturally open society. Kal described it to Tyr as a 'melting pot' similar to Manhatten.

I am curious about this aspect of Kryptonian culture where race doesn't seem to matter at all but guild is of the utmost importance. It seems so open-minded in one area and closed in another.




One of the Lanterns on New Krypton is Ion. Here Sodam Yat talks of his loyalty to Daxam and that way of life. When Superman tells him that Mon-El isn't like that and is currently protecting Metropolis, Ion looks less than thrilled.

I like this acknowledgment of the events in the Superman title. This sets up an interesting conflict between Mon and Yat. We have seen in the 'Origins and Omens' piece in that title that the two will come to blows.

However, this seems to go slightly against the way Ion has been portrayed recently in Green Lantern Corps where he seemed to be rejecting the Daxamite xenophobic approach to life. I thought this was a slight misstep but nothing major.

The tour continues around the planet. It turns out that there is only atmosphere around the Kandor city. That is why the city is still domed. But 'atmosphere generators' are being dotted over the planet.

Despite the claims in other issues that the terra-forming is not going well, Tyr takes the group to a jungle-like area teeming with life. Maybe things are moving ahead slowly. I thought that the lack of terra-forming on the planet might be used as an excuse by Zod to invade other worlds. Suddenly that cannot be used as a rationalization for conquest.

The tour is cut short for Kal and Lieutenant Nar as they are called back to the military compound. General Zod has a mission for the military. It seems that when the Phantom Zone was destroyed that 13 of its most heinous captives escaped and have been running free since.

Hmmmm ... who could have freed them? We saw in Superman that Kal needed to help Mon-El escape otherwise he would have been destroyed along with the Zone. Unless these criminals found a bolt hole, someone must have released them. I don't see what Zod could have gained by freeing them only to then have his troops hunt them down. Unless, that is, he released them hoping they would follow him and when they refused, the criminals became a liability.

And here is another link to the current continuity. Kal notices that most of these criminals worked with Zod in the past when he tried to invade Earth.

That is, these are 'most' of them. I am assuming that the ones missing are Zod's sleeper agents being hunted down by Flamebird and Nightwing in Action Comics.

Unfortunately Zod does not have the Red Shard, Kal's unit, join in the hunt. Instead the Red Shard group is to set up a perimeter and maintain a support role. While Zod makes it seem that he is doing this because Kal's group needs discipline, I wonder if it is to deny Kal a chance to ask these criminals any questions like 'who freed you?'.

Kal and Nar rejoin the Lantern group only to have Hal drop this bombshell. The Green Lanterns have come across an armada of interstellar battleships being built. And Kal is just as surprised. He didn't know this was happening. I am sure that this makes the Corps uneasy even if Tyr says the ships are being made for 'defensive readiness'. It should make them uneasy. Why would a super-powered planet need war ships for defense? Why would god need a starship (hee hee)?

I think I have said it before but I think Tyr is the head of some labor guild underground. I think he led the Lanterns to the fleet to upset the current balance of power.

Luckily for Kal, before he needs to face the music about the spaceships, an explosion rocks the city.

One of the escaped convicts Val-Ty has suddenly shown up and tried to flee the planet. It turns out that the Oans have been after this murderer as well. The Red Shard group and the Corps members decide to flank Val-Ty.

Just before they corner Val-Ty, Lieutenant Nar is contacted by General Zod and told to kill Val rather than apprehend him.

I think this also feels like Zod trying to hide something. 'Dead men tell no tales', right? Kal tells Nar to ignore that order. It looks like a power struggle is occuring within the ranks.

Nar actually ignores Zod's orders! It is impressive that already her trust in Kal's way supercedes her loyalty to Zod.

Using the red sun rifles, they strip Val of his powers and arrest him. Already you can sense just what presence Kal has, the respect he has already earned. It might feel a little early to see some cracks in the blind loyalty the troops have for Zod but the truth is after all Kal has done in the prior issues (especially the peaceful resolution to the Labor Guild kidnapping), it felt like a natural progression. It was a very cool moment.

When the Lanterns try to bring Val-Ty to Oa to stand trial for his crimes, Zod intercedes saying the Guardians have no juristiction. Hal's temper again flares a bit. Jon Stewart steps in as the voice of reason saying that Zod is right. He reminds Hal that this was a fact finding mission and nothing more. Again, it seemed just a little bit odd for Hal to show his emotions so openly.

Zod tells the Corps that he will not harm Val-Ty and we see the criminal thrown into a jail cell.

But Kal's orders and Nar's disobedience are not forgotten by the General. The issue ends with Kal and Nar arrested for treason. This is another great cliff-hanger!

Of course, Kal could just fly back to Earth rather than stand before a military tribunal. But his whole reason to be on New Krypton is to watch Zod and try to change the attitude of the Kryptonian culture. I am intrigued to see how Kal will defend himself. I also want to see if there is public support for him within the city.

This is another fine issue in an overall excellent series.

From the beginning, I think we all knew that a Zod/Kal confrontation was going to happen in this title. What I have really enjoyed is seeing Kal slowly grow into a prominent role on New Krypton. That growth as an important figure has led to a slight erosion in the dominance of Zod's will. We have seen Kal act as a role model for Alura, labor guild members, and now military troops. Just as we have seen Kal be that model to strive for on Earth, we now see it here. This really is a wonderful story about Superman and the impact he has on people.

Overall grade: B+

Cry For Justice Preview

July 1 2009 is the official solicit date for James Robinson and Mauro Cascioli's Justice League:Cry For Justice mini-series.

On DC's blog site, there is a preview of the first five pages. Here is the link: http://dcublog.dccomics.com/2009/06/01/its-time-to-cry-for-justice/

Now it has been hinted at that the full painted style of Cascioli is what caused the delay of this title's release ... maybe even its change to a mini-series. That said, boy it is beautiful art. It is the age old question - do you wait for the right product? Or do you demand timeliness? Or is there some happy medium.


I usually don't post a whole page but this one is too great to crop. It is a powerful opening with Hal simply saying 'I don't think I can take this anymore.'

He is talking of course about how villains keep perpetrating evil and getting away with it.

Of course Superman is the role model for the heroes and he toes the party line. "We do the right thing", we remain good and true to the ideals they strive for.

Now why Kara is in her Matrix uniform and on the JLA satellite to hear this rant, I don't know. (Hooray on the costume though!) But this must be where she hears the idea of this league and opts to join it.

It will be interesting to see how much of her joining this league upsets Kal. I hope that plot line is explored in this title. In the super-titles they have never seemed closer. I hope this disagreement between the cousins is not simply glossed over.

And I don't think she can necessarily use Zor-El's death to justify her decision with Superman since he has so recently lost Pa Kent to Brainiac.

But Hal doesn't let up.

Listen to the anger in his voice as he talks about being more proactive.

His claims that the heroes' morals aren't scaring villains any more is a well travelled beat. It is an interesting way to reflect on the Silver Age but has been done a few times before such as in Identity Crisis.

Of course, this time it is the death of 2 of the 'big 7' that is prodding Hal to act.

And then this fantastic last page.

First off, Mascioli's art is just stunning.

Hal's words are unbelievably strong. First he questions the very name of the league. Where is the justice?

But then he talks about his being in the shadow of Kal, Diana, and Bruce ... how he sometimes forgets who he is because of their presence. Now that is interesting. I hope those feelings of quasi-intimidation are explored in this mini-series. If Hal feels that way, how the hell do Red Arrow and Vixen feel? That would be an intriguing thread to build on.

Anyways, we have waited a year for this title and it looks like it might have been worth the wait.

Supergirl Annual On the DCU Blog

I have really enjoyed the addition of The Source to the DC Comics web site. It is great to see DC do a better job with publicity for their titles, posting preview pages and promotional images.

This week we got a post reviewing a day in the life of Matt Idelson, editor of the super titles. Here is the link: http://dcublog.dccomics.com/2009/05/29/just-another-day-for-the-superman-group-editor/

It includes preview pages and some teasers about some of the upcoming super issues including a great page from Action Comics. I suggest going over and reading the whole thing.

One thing that obviously caught my eye were these 2 preview pages from the Supergirl Annual, scheduled for a September release.

In the Word Balloon interview with Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle, Gates said there would be several stories in the Annual. One would be "Linda Lang's First Day". Another was going to be "The Secret Origin of Superwoman". These pages are clearly from that story. The art isn't Jamal's. It looks like it could be Fernando Dagnino again.

Look at this page, the day Lucy is born. Big sister Lois is holding her cherubic little body.

And check out General Lane with a big old smile on his face. I guess life has drained him of the happiness.



And then this page which looks like a montage of Lucy's military career. Seems like she has been in some hot zones. I can't wait to read the annual.

For one, I hope it answers some of the questions about Lucy and her decision to become Superwoman. You know I have a lot of questions about Superwoman.

But more importantly, I am interested in seeing more of Linda Lang.

Review: Superman #688

I think that Superman #688, written by James Robinson and pencilled by Renato Guedes, was the strongest issue of the title's 'World Without Superman' arc.

This was the first issue where I didn't think I need a score card to keep track of all the characters that Robinson has been juggling. It felt like the first issue where scenes lasted longer than a couple of pages because we needed to check in on someone else. As a result it was the first issue that felt like it 'starred' Mon-El and The Guardian.

And since we concentrate so much on those characters here, their own storylines are advanced with some worrisome clues about the future revealed.


Last issue ended with a cliffhanger. This issue picks up right where we left off. Mon-El's powers are blinking on and off. Unfortunately he was flying over the Metropolis shoreline when that happened, plummeting him into the water where he nearly drowns.

Luckily one of the Science Police camera drones filmed what happened and the Guardian is able to swoop in and rescue Mon-El from drowning.

Once on dry land, Mon-El's powers seem to kick in again and he is quickly back to full strength.

And it's a good thing too! Squad K, yet another government wetworks group whose sole purpose is to fight Superman arrives, thinking Mon is an 'illegal alien' (sorry couldn't help myself).

Seriously though, is Superman paranoid about the number of anti-Kryptonian groups our government is funding? Squad K seems hot-headed and quick to pull the trigger, even if they goaded into a beating by The Guardian. They also seem completely outgunned.

Sure enough, Squad K's anti-Kryptonian weapons are inadequate against a Daxamite. Mon-El dispatches the whole crew in 98 seconds.

But The Guardian is concerned about Mon-El's power lapses and so brings him to a metahuman expert.

Dr. Light is suddenly a big time player in the DCU. She has appeared in Action Comics, now Superman, and is an active member of the JLA. Who'd of ever thought she would move up the ranks like this.

She is able to deduce what is going on in Mon-El's body. There is a physiologic tug-of-war happening inside him. His super-immune system is trying to destroy the formula he has ingested, recognizing it as a foreign presence. The formula is trying to short out his powers so that it won't be attacked and can continue to keep his lead poisoning at bay. I have to say this is an interesting twist on his powers and poisoning. This was the most original and best plot point of the book.

This also somehow explains the slight difference in his and Superman's powers. He can shave and get a haircut, for instance.

The power shorts will continue randomly. The bottom line is that eventually he will die from his lead poisoning, killed by his own super-powers, most likely in about 18 months.

One thing I didn't like about this scene was Guedes' version of Dr. Light. She does not look at all Asian.

The Guardian assumes that Mon-El will quit the Science Police to enjoy what little time he has left. But Mon-El says he will live out his time honoring his promise to Superman. After all, he shouldn't be alive now anyways. Superman has saved him before; the least Mon-El can do is to continue to protect Superman's city. It is a nice scene showing what a hero Mon-El is, how dedicated he is to the fight for right.

Besides, the two of them have a black ops mission that night to prepare for.

Before leaving for the mission, Jon Kent meets Mitch, the owner of the restaurant on the bottom floor of his apartment building. They become fast friends talking about life and life experiences in general. Mitch is well traveled and feels that Jon needs to live life more fully.

But the secret mission comes first. The elite of the Science Police break into Project 7734. Mon-El and The Guardian stumble across the monitor room where a number of superheroes are being spied on including Static Shock, the Shadow Cabinet, and the new Red Circle crew.

Project 7734 must have a *lot* of spy drones if they are watching even down to this level of super-beings.

The purpose of this mission? To rescue the Legionnaire Tellus who we first saw back in the Guardian special. Back then Tellus told The Guardian that the Science Police would save him. Looks like he was right.

As Mon-El hauls the tank out of there, the heroes run into Agent Assassin.

The Guardian is about to engage but Tellus tells him that the time isn't right. Using his telepathy, the Legionnaire immobilizes Agent Assassin.

Tellus does tell The Guardian that he will have a showdown with the Agent; moreover Tellus has made The Guardian 'ready'.

My guess is this throwdown happens at the end of 'Codename:Patriot'.

Agent Assassin reports what has happened to General Lane who seems to take it in stride. There is no anger here; he is casually practicing golf putts.One thing I like is that Lane comments on the other stories happening in the super titles, mentioning Mon-El, Thara, and New Krypton. I also find it interesting that Lane says he isn't ready for Agent Assassin to cause mayhem yet. There is no doubt in my mind that Assassin pulls the trigger in the shooting that starts 'Codename:Patriot'.

Lastly, there is the ominous end note of this conversation. Lane tells Assassin that The Guardian has a daughter. Why do I think The Guardian is going to understand tragedy soon?

His mission a success, Mon-El decides to take Mitch's advice and see Paris.

Suddenly Mon-El shakes off his fatalism and realizes he wants to live.

Overall this was a good issue for this arc. We understand more of Mon-El's condition. have a foreshadowing of The Guardian's fight with Agent Assassin.

I still think this title is limping a bit behind Supergirl, Action, and World of New Krypton. But this issue was a good read and moved the main characters' stories along.

Overall Grade: B, nearing B+