We will be a half year into the DCnU at that point and every time I think I should get more optimistic about the direction of Supergirl, I get confronted with something that makes me temper my expectations. Unfortunately, this month's solicits dragged me back a bit.
It is also interesting to note some minor changes in creative teams on a number of the books only 6 months in. Here are the pertinent solicits and my usual comments.
SUPERGIRL #6
Written by MICHAEL GREEN and MIKE JOHNSON
Art and cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
A powerful new alien foe bent on the conquest of mankind is crushing New York City beneath her boot heel. But where is Supergirl, who led her to Earth in the first place? Why, she’s trapped on a meteorite that’s plummeting straight into a blue sun. And she’s lost her powers! So, good luck, NYC!
That's a very nice cover by Mahmud Asrar with a great kinetic feel. And this solicit sounds interesting. We don't know much of the preceding events to explain why Supergirl is on a meteor in a different solar system. So there is some attraction here. And this new Maxima looks tough.
At the very least, this solicit sounded good. Hopefully Supergirl will want to save NYC.
ACTION COMICS #6
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Backup story written by SHOLLY FISCH
Art by ANDY KUBERT and JESSE DELPERDANG
Backup story art by CHRISCROSS
Cover by ANDY KUBERT
Variant cover by RAGS MORALES
1:200 B and W Variant cover by ANDY KUBERT
The breakneck pace of Grant Morrison’s run on Action Comics continues as the Superman of the present day must team up with suspiciously different versions of the Legion of Super-Heroes to save the jeans-wearing Superman of five years ago! Whose hand is that on the cover? Why, the leader of the Anti-Superman Army, of course! Plus, a backup by Sholly Fisch and ChrisCross that spins directly out of the lead story!
Certainly the first 3 issues of Action have moved along briskly with a lot of story and, well, action. And it sounds like that is going to be the feel Morrison is going after in the book. And this shortly into the series we have a time paradox story - the current Superman saving the young Superman with a 'different' version of the Legion. And new ideas keep spilling into the book. Will the Anti-Superman Army similar to the Superman Revenge Squad? Add to that the Steel back-up series we have seen some sneak peeks of and you have a good solicit. Action has really been the stand-out book of the new universe for me so far. And I look forward to seeing Kubert's art on the book.
SUPERMAN #6
Written by GEORGE PEREZ
Art by NICOLA SCOTT and TREVOR SCOTT
Cover by GEORGE PEREZ
1:25 Variant cover by GEORGE PEREZ
Recently, an onslaught of creatures has targeted Superman, nearly destroying Metropolis in the process. And now…Superman is helping them finish the job?! Guest-starring Supergirl!
This is were things seemed a but wrong to me however. So we already have a cover of Supergirl attacking Superman in Supergirl #2. And the next cover with the cousins? Superman standing over a pummeled Supergirl. Six months in and already 2 covers of Supergirl fighting Superman. It just seems a bit early to be playing this card ... and to do it twice. I mean part of the zest of the cousins fighting in the old DCU was that they were friends and loving family members so having them fight meant something. Here, it seems like they hardly know each other. So there isn't that backstory to make this mean something. Besides, do I really need to see heroes fighting each other, especially Superman? I suppose it will turn out he doesn't know he is fighting Kara. But still ...
At least we'll get to see Nicola Scott's interpretation of Supergirl.
SUPERBOY #6
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN
Cover by SHANE DAVIS and JONATHAN GLAPION
Superboy wants answers about his Kryptonian heritage, and he intends to track down Superman to get them – unfortunately, Supergirl’s going to find him first, and she’s horrified by what she sees! Their encounter will leave her even more troubled by life on Earth, and leave him wondering why even his own people think he’s a monster!
And to make matters worse, we already have the third cover of the DCnU featuring Supergirl fighting another hero, in this case Superboy. Now Superboy is struggling with who he is so maybe he isn't a 'hero' yet. And Supergirl maybe isn't a 'hero' yet either. But I don't want Supergirl to be the plot device to forward characters through fighting. I don't want Supergirl to be the default 'hero who will fight a hero' either. And this makes her 'more troubled' about Earth, further alienating her. I was hoping by the half year mark that we would be moving forward in the hero's journey not backwards.
Now I know all too well that solicits don't tell the whole story and I hope that the issues expand just why this is happening. And I think it is great that Supergirl is appearing in 3 of the 4 Super-titles. That is great news for Supergirl fans. I'd just love for there to be issues soon with her teaming up with Superman and Superboy rather than battling them.
6 comments:
I remember Johnson and Green saying the "fans" of Supergirl will see and learn about the DCnU through Supergirl's eyes. It looks like they are going to have Kara "guest starring" in almost ever single DCnU title? Perhaps have her fight every main Hero and thus she is further "alienated" from the super-heroes and the people of Earth?
I hope not.
Maybe it's me but I have noticed six issues into the Supergirl series and they haven't shown a single member of her supporting cast. Perhaps she will meet her first one in issue six?
For Supergirl #6: Is that NYC or Paris in the backdrop behind them?
For Superman #6: I had a different first reaction to the cover. I actually thought it was Superman protecting SG from an unknown foe that had knocked her out. He appears to be (even if aggressively) lifting her up off the ground and taking a defensive pose. Now - I'm not a huge fan of that either - but it's better than the two fighting.
For Superboy #6: "Sigh" and "Mehh" - However: the positioning and blur lines make me thing Supergirl is not the aggressor here.
As you imply, Anj, solicits have a truth of their own. I'm just pleased Supergirl is getting exposure other than that brought by her horrible outfit. Maybe these issues will do right by Kara.
Aha, new interview with our writers over at Newsarama. There are tidbits aplenty, including interesting comments regarding Silver Banshee and Maxima.
Or rather, 'Maxima'.
The fact they are fighting doesn't bother me if Supergirl gets a good showing which doesn't look good. What bothers me is the art where Superman is meant to look badass having just beaten his teenage cousing unconscious.
Thanks for all the comments.
I'll obviously wait and see what the comics show. Covers and solicits don't always match up.
And I suppose it is good to see Supergirl playing such a big role in the comics that month.
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