Review: Supergirl #35

Today I conclude my look at Supergirl fighting the Parasite by taking a deep dive into Supergirl #35, an interesting issue in this title. Last week, I covered the first part.

As I have said in the past, this volume of Supergirl's first fifty issues is basically one longform story of Supergirl/Linda Danvers learning who she is, learning her ties to angelic powers, suffering a lesson in humility, and finally becoming a hero, saving the universe. Fifty issues!

Now that doesn't mean we don't have smaller episodes, like these two issues. But the momentum of the story of Supergirl's confrontation with the evil Carnivean is relentless in this epic.

I love this story but it isn't without it's critics. After all, having Matrix with a very flawed Linda Danvers and ultimately become an angel on Earth isn't going to be for everyone. But I was completely taken in. The problem with such a long and innovative is if you drop into it, let's say at issue #34, you will probably be lost.

And so, writer Peter David gives us this 35th issue which wraps up the Parasite story but really gives us a primer on the issue. David introduces us to the supporting cast individually. He also reviews the angelic arc, rehashing key moments from the beginning of the series. But he also rewards the longtime readers by giving us new information as well as an amazing cliffhanger. So if this issue is new to you, settle in. It is very heavy on the exposition side.

As usual, Leonard Kirk and Robin Riggs brings a wonderful panache to the art. A lot of this issue is two people talking. But the action is solid. And the revelations are wonderfully rendered.

On to the book. And, I mean it, settle in. 

The issue starts with two people observing the Supergirl/Parasite battle on a giant monitor. One is named Carl, the name we have associated with the 'big bad', unseen but present in the book trying to break Supergirl down. The other is unknown. We will see them both in the end. 

But Carl clearly has inside knowledge on Supergirl and what she is becoming. So here we learn about her current status as an Earth Born Angel, the angel of fire. We also learn about her flame wings, judgement wings which punish people if they, themselves, feel they deserve to be punished.

Again, Kirk and Riggs show us Supergirl flexing her Angelic muscles, those wings enormous and fiery.

The two continue to talk.

Now and then David brings us into the action directly so we can actually hear what Supergirl is saying. When Parasite tries to level the Eiffel Tower, Supergirl blasts him away and calls him uncouth. 

As Supergirl has become more confident, she has become more quippy.

The two continue to talk.

We learn how this angel was created. An angel is made when someone worthy sacrifices themselves for someone beyond hope. Here the demon Buzz corrupted Linda Danvers, made her evil and unworthy. But the Matrix Supergirl sacrificed herself to save Linda. This is rehash.

But then we get new information. There have been prior Earth-born angels. The prior Angel of Fire clearly their death somehow, given the skull nature of Carl's smoke. (That angel's story is revealed in issues #40 and #41.)

Much like there were prior Earth Elementals in Swamp Thing, we know there is a legacy of these angels.

Carl also knows that since the rescue of Linda, changes have happened. Linda has been a much better person. Supergirl has manifested her angelic powers. Perhaps Supergirl/Linda is the merge.

Part of the recap is to remind us that Wally is a character here. You remember Wally, the boy who claims he is God?

Most importantly though, it is clear that Carl knows who Wally is. 

So who is Carl?

The recap and review by the two men is again paused.

Last issue, we saw that Linda's art debut was wrecked by the Parasite.

Turns out it was a blessing in disguise. The destruction has made her art more valuable. Linda is a hit.

Meanwhile, the battle rages on. Except now the Parasite has got close enough to absorb even more from Supergirl, including her more Holy aspects. He manifests the fire wings and feels the rush of power.

As I said, this issue is a lot of exposition but it also catches any new readers up on what is going on. 

First, I like that Carl differentiates this Supergirl's powers from the Matrix ones. Yes, she still has TK blasts. But turning invisible and shape-changing? Supergirl doesn't do that anymore. 

Next, we learn that the Angel Of Fire is one of judgment. 

This idea of judging someone is a key theme to the book. Judge not lest ye be judged is a lesson Supergirl learns the hard way in about a year. But the Parasite, a sinner, absorbing powers which judges sinners?

Let's just say it doesn't end well.

Supergirl opens up the spigot, flooding her power into him, causing him great pain. 

But check out the art. Supergirl emaciated and angry. Parasite bloated like a tick but in agony. Wonderful. 

Eventually, he burns himself out, reverting to his original, scrawnier form.

And then we see a little bit of the judgmental Supergirl. 

She unloads on Parasite physically, battering him to a pulp.

But there is something about that last panel, the enraged and crazed eyes that told me that she is perhaps going one step too far. Even that spurt of blood in the lower left shows she is really laying into him. 

Judge not Supergirl ... trust me.

And then we get the last two revelations. 

The unseen person talking to Carl is none other than Lex Luthor.

And Carl ... well he looks like a grown-up Wally. When I read this, I thought it might be Wally!!

Anyways, that is a major mystery and a wonderful cliffhanger for folks like me who were along for the ride and trying to puzzle the whole thing out.

When I was reading this, I was just so impressed with this take. I thought about it like Vertigo Lite. This was an in-depth look at religion in a universe with super-beings and everyday resurrections. We were tackling topics like judgment and faith, set in the DCU. But somehow Peter David pulled it off. 

This isn't Kara Zor-El. But this is a Supergirl I loved just as much.

Overall grade: A