Terrificon!

When you read this I will have got through Friday 8/8 at Terrificon ... the 'heavy lifting' day of con attendance.

Now it is day 2 where I much more leisurely stroll through and enjoy the ambience.

I'll be in a Supergirl T-shirt and a Red Sox hat if you're looking for me!

Review: Justice League Vs Godzilla Vs Kong 2 #3

Justice League Vs Godzilla Vs Kong 2 #3 came out this week and continues to be a fun mashup of the Monarch Universe and the DCU. The first series was a hoot and this one is just as fun, a high action adventure with heroes, villains, and monsters.

Writer Brian Buccellato continues to weave a good story of a villainous Suicide Squad trying to obtain power and technology from the Monarch Earth. Setting the series on that Earth has led to some fun wrinkles, like our Kryptonian heroes not utilizing this yellow sun to peak efficiency and powering down. But it is the dual villainous leads of Lex Luthor and Colonel Shaw that I find most interesting. Who will backstab who first? As always, Supergirl continues to play a decent role in the book which makes me happy. Seeing her team up with Wonder Woman is always a treat and it is here as well.

Christian Duce remains on solo art and continues to give us a gorgeous book. This issue is more human machinations than kaiju mayhem. But there are a couple of panels that I will point out where you see just how great his art is.

And we end on a cliffhanger which I am going to guess how it turns out within the review. This time I'm right!

On to the book. 

Review: Kal-El-Fornia Love Special

It truly is the Summer of Superman!

With a 'fifth week' in July, DC decided to not let the Superman express train slow down and released a fun little seasonal issue, DC's Kal-El-fornia Love #1. Much like other seasonal books, usually based around a holiday, this is an anthology book but this time it is focused on the Superman Family. And like many of these anthologies, I only recognize a couple of the creators. These feel like a sort of try-out sort of platform for new writers and artists. 

At first I thought given the title that this was going to be a romance sort of book. But instead, I think it is more a summer or beach book than anything else. The Kal-El-Fornia bit being more important than the love. 

There are eight stories in this book which means we see a lot of the Superman team. But I'll be concentrating on the Supergirl story for a full review. I'll touch on a couple of the other stories. And I loved this variant cover by Marcio Takara with a ponytail and sunglasses Supergirl ready to hit the beach.

Most of the stories were fun making the $9.99 price tag a little bit easier to take. 

On to the book.

DC Comics Solicits October 2025

The October 2025 DC Comics solicits came out a while back and there is a lot to mull over. If you want to peruse them all, you can head here:
https://aiptcomics.com/2025/07/18/october-2025-dc-comics-solicitations/

The big news is the latest big event - DC K.O - a hero versus hero tournament to find out who can handle the Omega Energy and fight Darkseid. I thought Darkseid was dead? I don't know how a beatdown of a friend can determine who is best to hold the energy? And who decides who fights who? I thought I heard somewhere it is a true bracket style tournament. 

But there is plenty of Supergirl fun this month!

On to the books.

DC K.O. #1
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and acetate cover by JAVI FERNÁNDEZ
Variant covers by JIM LEE, DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON,FRANK CHO, SCOTT KOBLISH, JAE LEE, and MIKE DEL MUNDO
Face-off variant cover by BEN OLIVER
1:25 variant cover by NOOBOVICH
Bracket variant cover by DAN MORA
Darkseid variant cover by MARK SPEARS
Foil variant cover by JAVI FERNÁNDEZ
AEW Cameo variant cover by DAN MORA

The Heart of Apokolips has transformed Earth into a hellscape in preparation for the return of Darkseid! The end of the DC Universe is here!
The Justice League’s only chance to defeat Darkseid is to enter a deadly tournament, an epic and over-the-top battle royale that will surprise you! The World’s Greatest Heroes fight to become the champion to enter the ring against Darkseid, but there’s a catch…the closer you get to the Heart of Apokolips, the more it corrupts you, changes you into something dangerous.
Which DC character has what it takes to make it to the end?
Who is willing to do what it takes to win it all, even if it means taking down their friends and family?
You want to get nuts? Let’s get nuts!

This sort of explains it all. 

Any early guesses who hits the top of the pile? I'm not particularly excited about all this.

But now onto the fun stuff.

Bullet Review: New History Of The DC Universe #2

When The New History of the DC Universe was announced, I figured I would be covering some bits of it. When I read the solicits for The New History of the DC Universe #2 and saw it would cover the Crisis, I figured there would be some pieces in it worth a spot here.

So far writer Mark Waid has been rolling out the timeline in a rather straightforward way. This isn't a story after all, There isn't a plot that needs to be resolved. These are events which have happened. Waid is just trying to make sense of it all.

And frankly I am trying to make sense of it all. Because it is hard to put it all together in my mind.

Some of it reads like there has always been just one universe. At times it reads like there is a multiverse that became a universe. Sometimes the timeline feels condensed as the arrival of characters and major events unfolding seem a bit strange.

But if we are creating one timeline out of the many MANY DC universes and reboots, I shouldn't have been surprised. So, for example, Cyborg was part of an early JLA that fought Darkseid (that's new 52 JLA) but then was put into some stasis for years until he re-arrives to be part of the New Teen Titans? Strange. And that early fight with Darkseid? That is just an early manifestation of the JLA. The Appelax meteor story is still considered the first JLA adventure. 

Got it? Maybe?

Anyways, let's see how Supergirl fares.

Review: Superman #28

Last month I talked about how Joshua Williamson seemed to be wrapping up a bunch of plots that have been running through the Superman title since its launch. No more Lex. No more Supercorp. No more Superwoman. No more Red K poisoning. 

Williamson doesn't waste any time in getting on to the next thing. Superman #28 came out last week, the first part of Legion of Darkseid, and was a fast-paced, engaging, and very entertaining opening chapter. We are heading to some Darkseid-centric event and this sets the stage. 

Now I am a huge Legion of Super-Heroes fan so seeing only a dark version of them recently has been a bit of a let-down. I can only hope we are heading to a relaunch. But if you want to see how brutal and powerful the original trio of Legionnaires could be, this issue will open your eyes. This isn't your dad's Legion. 

I have already said how somehow Williamson has made both The Time Trapper and Doomsday be interesting to me. No small feat (perhaps smushing them together has been multiplicative not additive). But perhaps the most incredulous thing Williamson has done is made me intrigued about a character that appears on the last page ... a character I have wished I would never see again. That is truly an epic accomplishment.

Add to all this Dan Mora's standard impeccable art and you have a complete winner. No Supergirl here but a lot of pizzazz nonetheless.

Everyone should dive in right here. On to the book. 

Review: Justice League Unlimited #9

I was unsure if I was going to review Justice League Unlimited #9, an epilogue to the We Are Tomorrow arc. But it is clear that DC is building on something here. There is a lot happening here, weaving nicely with this week's Superman #28 and pulling the eventual clash with the Absolute Universe and Darkseid that much closer. Throw in a killer Supergirl moment and it was a no-brainer.

Writer Mark Waid brings this arc to a high-energy close by bringing in some old villains, peppering in time-tossed (and reality-tossed) DC characters, and giving us a subtle cliffhanger that left me wondering what is next. I wonder if Waid is taking advantage of his writing the New History of the DC Universe to remind him of character variations to try to showcase here. And he and Joshua Williamson are making me like this Time Trapper Doomsday, no small feat. 

Dan Mora is on art here as well as Superman #28 which makes these two issues read like a mini-event or double sized Annual. And Mora gets to have fun as he is also allowed to pepper in these character variants. He draws everybody so well so whenever he spotlights a favorite of mine, I smile. 

I will say it was luck that I read this before Superman #28 because it sort of reads better that way. Interesting they came out on the same week with this being a 5 Wednesday month.

On to the book.

Review: Batman/Superman World’s Finest #41

I am still catching up on reviews as the 'Summer of Superman' is really in full effect with books coming out each week!

Batman/Superman World's Finest #41 came out two Wednesdays ago, starting a new arc putting our heroes on the Bizarro World and dealing with the ensuing insanity. There is a lot of fun in this issue as Mark Waid seems to have a firm grasp on the opposite speak and opposite thoughts of the Bizarro mind. And seeing our heroes, usually firmly in control of situations, seem like true fish out of water. Add to that some fun sight gags and this was both hilarious and scary. 

Adrian Gutierrez remains on art and ramps up the insanity. Again, the story content leads to the odd mix of humor and horror that allows Gutierrez to stretch his artistic muscles. 

Will Waid be able to keep up that mix in a satisfactory way for the whole arc?

On to the book.

Review: Superman Unlimited #3

Superman Unlimited #3 came out last week and felt like a bit of a pause on the ongoing plot of El Caldero rising in the world power rankings because of their access to massive amounts of Green Kryptonite. Instead, this seems like an issue designed to bring Krypto into the present day and take advantage of all the pro-Krypto buzz of James Gunn's Superman. 

The issue fills in some of the history of Superboy and how hard it would be to have Krypto around. It nudges some of the subplots forward. It does add another interesting wrinkle to the Green K problem. And we get the S:TAS Toyman with that creepy big toy head.

Perhaps the biggest thing that happens in the issue is the apparent soft reboot de-aging of Jon Kent. He looks much more like an early high schooler than a college kid. He is even dressed like he did in Super-Sons. This comic is firmly set in current day so this is either error or DC correcting a mistake after a long time, giving us a young Jon, or at least younger. I can be hopeful. 

But overall this seemed more a silly issue than a solid one. 

Rafael Albuquerque's rougher art doesn't help matters. Most people look like they have gone a few rounds with a professional boxer. Krypto looks more shaggy dog than usual. 

The issue starts with the early days of Clark as Superboy, getting used to his powers and generally being clumsy until things get smoother. 

But then he has Krypto around to help him. A good friend with similar powers who he can romp around with.

I have to say this reminded me a little of the sentimental discussion about Krypto that Superman had in Action Comics #500. And I am definitely glad that we have Superboy back in a big way!

It isn't always easy. This isn't a super-intelligent Krypto. This is a dog with super-powers. So we see Krypto breaking things and chasing/shooting heat vision at critters. 

It is up to Clark to train Krypto to care about the little guys, protect the weak, and generally be a good boy! How great that Clark already has that ingrained into his system.

But there are more dog hijinks - super-howling at the moon and even stopping some robbers who are embarrassed to have been stopped by a dog.

Fun sequences perhaps leaning into the out-of-control Krypto we got in the movie. 

And then this revelation!

Clark is being sent to a science expo where El Caldero is showing some of their new Green K tech. Even though it is potentially deadly, Lois gives the assignment if only to stave off 'Clark is Superman' thoughts if suddenly he never is near Kryptonite. 

If Clark is busy at work, someone needs to walk the dog. 

Look at that Jon! Wearing the hoodie! And looking more like a 15 year old than a grown man. And what parent would talk to their college-aged adult child in such a way.

Is this a 'behind the scene' soft reboot of Jon, returning him to a more tween age???? I can only hope so.

We see Tee-Nah again, the Gorilla City Daily Planet correspondent who is heading to Metropolis but first stopping at Gotham City.

I had to laugh at her parents' response. Gotham isn't safe!

And the things they mention - big heads, obesity, cavemen - all are classic, famous Silver Age Flash covers and stories. Funny. 

After a run around the world, Jon and Krypto stop into Smallville. 

Jon looks and acts young here. Ma says Lois has a 'plan' for Jon in Smallville so Jon decides to stick around sending Krypto back on his own.

What is the plan? To become a new Superboy for Smallville?? Also, what mother would dictate 'plans' for their college-aged grown man?? 

I mean it. This could be the sort of soft continuity, unexplained reboot that used to happen all the time in the Bronze Age. Remember when Kara was suddenly and softly de-aged to be a grad student again? Maybe this time I'm right?

On the way back, Krypto suddenly gets a snoot full of a familiar scent ... the Toyman. In fact we get a few faded panels, showing snippets of past adventures where our super-dog fought the villain. 

I would read this story. Supergirl and the Super-Pets fighting the Toyman and Red Kryptonite kites? That sounds like fun.

I have liked Albuquerque's Supergirl in the past. But that Streaky looks rough. 

Sure enough, one of the Expo attendees has hired a 'Schott' and the Toyman shows up in a massive K-powered Giant Robo. 

Krypton engages and Superman joins in and the whole thing is a giant battle. 

In the end, the robot is smashed but Krypto get a pretty bad slug of K-energy.

Decent splash page here with Krypto as the focus but also shot from behind ... interesting set-up.

I have always wondered where this doll-head Toyman fit into the continuity of Toymen.

Well, we finally have an answer. This is an AI robot built by Schott but with good intentions. A Pinocchio.

So what do we think of this? We already have the younger, Otaku Toyman. And Schott. Do we need another Toyman? Does this being a robot make it more special? Or less?

Still mulling that over.

And then the Toyman uses an inertron goop gun to douse the Green K, shielding Krypto from its rays. Of course, Superman could have scooped him up and raced away from the K. Or rushed him to the Fortress or the sun. 

But this Toyman brought the giant robo to show how Kryptonite can be used as a safe energy source. Can Superman deny the world this? Nice new wrinkle. 

But we heard earlier Steelworks is working on a way for Kryptonians to resist Green K energy. Now we have this inertron gun. And there's always good old lead. I worry that there is going to be too much Kryptonite and too many defenses to Kryptonite that wiping all this stuff away when this arc ends will be too tough. 

I mean if Steelworks creates a K-defense, will Superman use it all the time forever? Or will it be forgotten? If Toyman has gun that creates synthetic Inertron, why won't everyone use it?

Look at the art in that second panel. That is rough Superman. 

This seemed more like a diversion albeit a sort-of fun one with a focus on Krypto.

And seriously, is that a de-aged Jon???

Overall grade: B-

Superman Treasury 2025: A Hero For All

I am running around this week with so much material I want to cover so I am behind the times. Two weeks ago, DC released Superman Treasury 2025: A Hero For All written by Dan Jurgens with art by Bruno Redondo and Jurgens as well. 

This was a fun story for a number of reasons. 

This is set some years in the past prior to Jon being aged up in the Bendis run. Seeing that young Jon, still learning and wanting to help, was almost worth the cost of the book. I miss that kid. 

This is a sort of primer on Superman, showcasing his leadership, his mentorship, his ethics and goals. But it also includes a sort of quick history of his. In the midst of the story are a number of pages drawn by Jurgens reviewing Superman's life and timeline. 

We get the return of two of the more recent villains in Superman's long history, villains who have stuck around and stood the test of time. 

The art was very slick. I like Redondo's sort of minimalist approach, somehow bringing so much visual information with the art he provides. And, of course, seeing Jurgens on art even for a few pages is always great.

But the real fun of the book is the format. A new DC treasury is on the shelves! Seeing such big art in my hands reminded me of my youth. It has some publicity pages for the movie in the back matter. It is too much fun. 

On to the book.

That Cameo In James Gunn's Superman

Well, it's been a week and the news has spread around the internet, so I figure it is okay to comment about that Supergirl cameo in James Gunn's Superman.

First, to level set, I very much liked the movie. Yes, at times it felt a little overstuffed with lots of moving parts and plots. But to be honest, it felt very much like a 'comic book movie', a sort of six issue arc in a title. This chapter is fighting the kaiju while Lex invades the Fortress. Next issue, Superman imprisoned, the breakout from the pocket universe! So I was very pleased with it and plan on seeing it again. 

As for Supergirl, I'll start out by saying Milly Alcock in the Supergirl uniform looks great. I cannot tell you how amazing it was to see my favorite hero in a comic accurate costume on the IMAX screen.

Very cool.

Review: Absolute Superman #9

Absolute Superman #9 came out last week and again showed that this Absolute World is a dystopia where there aren't many heroes and both sides are so extreme that our hero isn't sure he even wants to remain on Earth.

This issue shows us the 'Omega Men' political group, the freedom fighters battling The Lazarus Corporation, up close. And it isn't pretty. We start with them saving Superman. The next mission is heading out to save political prisoners. It ends with the leaders of Omega being as violent as Lazarus.  Jason Aaron continues to peel the onion back, building this world. More Ra's. More Lois. More Jimmy. But also Talia and Father Boxes. All of this leads to some despair in our hero.

We knew that this was a different Earth and a different Superman. But I always hoped this Superman would be the shining light in the darkness. This issue he sounds like a beaten man.

The art is split between Rafa Sandoval and Fico Ossio. Ossio seems to do the bulk of the issue and is doing his best to channel Sandoval's work to keep the feel of the book consistent. And Arreola's darker hues contribute to the consistency. 

Nine issues in and this remains a slow burn. But I still don't know exactly who this Superman is. So much of the world is being defined that our hero remains blurry.

On to the book.

Review: Action Comics #1088

Action Comics #1088 came out last week and continued the look at Clark's earliest adventures as Superboy. I don't think I realized how much I wanted this story until I started reading it. It is the oldest writing tip - don't give the audience what they want; give them what they need.

Writer Mark Waid is truly giving us the first adventures of Superboy. Last issue, we saw Clark have to reveal himself to the world, earlier than the Kents were hoping. This issue we see some of the fallout of that reveal. How was he named? Where do the glasses come from? How powerful is he right now? How does this impact how he acts as Clark? Does he get training in his powers? All of these pieces of Superman's legend have been told in bits and pieces over different continuities. But here, reading them all in one place, has been so refreshing and fun.

In particular, I am going to be interested in seeing how Waid integrates Lana and Pete Ross into the mix. Both make appearances here, hinting at more to come.

The story is perfectly complemented by Skylar Patridge's art which just feels 'young' and 'nostalgic' but also modern and gorgeous. You'll see a page in the review with Lana which is so beautiful and perfect that I lingered on it for a while before turning the page. When the art is so wonderful that I pause the read, you have a win.

I have heard Waid talk that he has at least a year planned for this Superboy run in Action Comics. I am here for it.

On to the details.

Review: Supergirl #3 (v8)

Supergirl #3 came out this week and was another entertaining and frankly refreshing look at the character by writer/artist Sophie Campbell. Over the course of this blog's history, there have been plenty of times that creators have been put on the character and it is clear they don't know the character or don't like the character. There have been runs where I have said things like 'remove Supergirl and put in Starfire and this story would proceed without a problem' or 'this doesn't seem like the Supergirl we know'. 

That isn't true here.

This is firmly a Supergirl book. This is a creator who seems to like and respect the character, weaving in history and characterization that fit. And this thrills me.

We can start with the obvious homages and nods as a way to refer and acknowledge the past. From Midvale to Lesla Lar to Lena Luthor to Streaky, Satan Girl, and even Black Kryponite, this series is mining the best of Supergirl's 66 year history and bringing it into modern time. Heck, there are even artistic homages!

But that stuff if done alone can simply feel like nostalgia. What is needed is story. And we get that too. Because in this issue we get a look into Supergirl's psyche. How she is heroic and kind and compassionate. How she probably struggles being in the shadow of her big cousin and his influence. How maybe she struggles with a dark side ... but it isn't that dark. And how most of all she wants to help. She can throw down when she needs to. She can be fierce in fighting injustice. But maybe that is the last resort. Some might find the 'sort of' conclusion of the Lesla Lar story underwhelming but for me it fit the character well. Campbell just seems to get it. 

Add to that the sumptuous, breezy, engaging art by Campbell and colorist Tamra Bonvillain and you have a big win. From old costumes to new, from mutations and birthday cake shenanigans, it all sings.

My only quibble might be that the arc might be wrapping up too soon for my taste. But in a world of endless arcs and decompression, this might be a compliment.

On to the book.

Terrificon 2025 Prep

Summer is convention season and my convention is of course, Terrificon.

I have been going to the con since 2017 and have always been impressed with the event. 

It is run at a great site, Mohegan Sun Casino. Free parking. Restaurants from fast food to fine dining.

It is run by a great show runner, Mitch Hallock. Hallock is clearly a fan of comics, a 'one of us' kind of kindred spirit, and is present at the show.

And it always has the best comic guest list. From legends to new talent, it is always a long list of guests.

The bottom line is if there is one show I am going to go to in 'con season' it's this one. And this year is no different. You can click here ( https://www.terrificon.com/ ) to get the run down of the show, including the great comic guest list and pretty impressive celebrity guest list too. 

For me, we are four weeks away and so that means it is prep time. Who am I going to try and commissions from? Who am I running to in hopes of getting some books signed? And what books am I going to try and get signed for friends who can't attend?

Let's start with the guest I am most excited to meet and hopefully get a sketch from.

I have always wanted to meet Kerry Gammill having been a fan since he drew the cover for Power Girl #1. I love his style. Gammill drew the covers for that Power Girl mini-series, the covers of the Supergirl mini-series in the 90s, and other Super-related stuff. For me, based on that, he has a solid Matrix Supergirl connection. He hasn't been at any convention I have been to so I was thrilled when I saw him on the list!

I really hope that I can get a commission from him and get books signed. 

Review: Justice League Vs Godzilla Vs Kong 2 #2

I am reviewing two books this week. One is a Milk Bone promotion for Krypto. The other is DC heroes and villains fighting giant kaiju from classic monster movies. Let us all sit back and realize that at least for now all is well. 

Justice League Vs Godzilla Vs Kong 2 #2 came out last week and continued to keep the foot down on velocity. The heroes are on Godzilla's home world dealing with a new environment and ornery monsters. The villains have teamed up with Colonel Shaw, trying to utilize science to fight or gain control of the monsters. And, of course, the villains and heroes fight. But outside of these enormous action sequences, we have a number of subplots and character moments that I find very entertaining. 

Writer Brian Buccellato continues to spin the story well. Yes, we get kaiju fights and superheroes against kaiju fights. But we get fun character moments. From lex's scheming to Captain Cold's idiocy to Batman's strategy to Supergirl's pro-active stance and heroics, we are get fun interactions with the action. Buccellato has to be a Supergirl fan. She was a big part of the last series and she remains very visible here.

Christian Duce does the entirety of the art. I love his smooth, detailed, fine lined work. He really gets to spread his wings this issue. Giant monsters fighting giant monsters. Or giant monsters fighting human heroes. Or villains fighting heroes. It's all there.

This remains a complete romp, a perfect summer popcorn mini-series.

On to the book.

Review: Superman A Friendship Unleashed

We are one week away from the Superman movie. Look for me at the 7:15 show in the IMAX theater. I am pretty excited to see it.

In what has to be one of the most brilliant cross-promotions ever, Milk Bone has thrown Krypto the Super-Dog on their boxes. And even better, if you order the limited edition Krypto box from their website, you get a Krypto comic book with the treats.

So it is with sheer delight I get to give you some of the highlights of the short but very sweet 8 page comic Superman A Friendship Unleashed.

Commission Gallery

I have posted my commissions on this site as I obtain them. But if you look at the commission tag, you also get other posts - like convention preparation posts. So it isn't like you can just scroll.

A few months ago, I did a great sit-down with Derek WC on the Fanholes podcast to talk about my commissions and my thoughts around obtaining them. You can listen to it here:   https://fanholespodcast.blogspot.com/2025/01/fanholes-episode-247-commissions-and.html

On that show, Derek talked to me about Comic Art Fans, a website where people can post the artwork they own in 'galleries' and track views and likes. It seemed pretty cool.

So here it is! Dr. Anj's Supergirl Commissions Gallery:

https://www.comicartfans.com/galleryroom.asp?gsub=247418

It is a better way to just sort of glide through the sketches I have got over the years. And there are still a few I need to upload. Plus conventions season is right around the corner so I hope to have a few new ones.

So click the like button on any you fancy!

Back Issue Box: Action Comics #297 (sort of) - The End Of Lesla Lar (sort of)

With her return in the current Supergirl book by Sophie Campbell, I have been doing a deep dive into Lesla Lar's first storyline, a multi-part classic with a million twists and turns. I'd advise you go back and read those reviews before this one.  But the last part ended with Lesla being discovered by Kandorian police and hauled off to jail.

But what ultimately happened to her? Well we find out in 1962's Action Comics #297, a whole 15 months after her last appearance! And when I say 'ultimately', I mean until she is brought back decades later. 

One thing I have to say about this era of Supergirl stories, which appeared as back-ups in Action Comics, is that they really told a running narrative, more akin to current comics than the time. There were subplots and multi-part stories that ran through several issues, unlike the Superman stories which were mostly 'done-in-one' adventures.

Nothing shows that more than Super DC Giant #S-24 from 1971 which sports a great Curt Swan cover (with Mike Sekowsky throwing in the bottom costume bit), a cover which Sophie Campbell homaged with Supergirl #2 . 

My review of the story comes from this reprint which covers four consecutive back-up stories which comprise one long narrative. And what a story. We get the introduction of Lena Thorul, who doesn't know she is Lex's sister Lena Luthor. We learn about Lena's ESP powers. And we get the return of Lesla and Supergirl defeating both Lex and Phantom Zone villains. Kudos to DC for recognizing this is a banger of a story and worth collecting.

Lesla appears in chapter 3. So buckle up!

'The Forbidden Weapons of Krypton' was written by Leo Dorfman with art by Jim Mooney.  As you see, there is the 'from Action #297' box from my reprint issue. 

We get this mini-splash to open the proceedings and tease the story. Supergirl stands alone against Phantom Zone villains in a battle of survival. With Superman in the past and a barrier blocking time travel, she stands alone!

But we start with more mundane proceedings.

Lena (who at this time doesn't know she is a Luthor) has entered Linda's life. Through the usual shenanigans, Dick Malverne thinks Lena is Supergirl. Even stranger, Lena admits she IS Supergirl to Dick. 

Supergirl can't understand why Lena would lie. But I love the miffed face she is sporting in that first panel. She can't quite get over it, even complaining to her step parents that night. Perhaps there is a little jealousy since Dick is involved?

But in a flashback we see why Lena lied.

Lesla has broken out of prison and is up to her old tricks. Holed up in a secret lab, she begins to hatch a plot. She uses her mind control ray to make Lena say she is Supergirl, knowing the real one is eavesdropping. 

Lesla is just delicious in her schemes.

But she feels a bit like a one-trick pony here.

Instead of switching places with Supergirl, this time she'll switch with Lena. So now Lena is in the mind-control helmet being convinced she is Lesla while Lesla goes up to Earth and takes Lena's place.

Even better, she sets off an 'anti-monitor' bomb, blocking all video transmissions out of Kandor and even plugs the cork. The Kandorians have no idea what is happening on Earth and they cannot warn the cousins.

A bit to unpack. 

The switch identities trick is such a complicated plot but I guess if Lesla doesn't want to appear to be missing from Kandor she has to do it. Also, isn't it strange that Lesla/Lena/Linda all look so much alike that they can swap in and out for each other? Crazy.

But lastly, we could have used an Anti-Monitor bomb in the Crisis. Just sayin'.

When Supergirl goes to visit Lena and confront her about the lie, she is actually visiting Lesla. 

Lesla shows off that she has super-powers (she is Kryptonian after all) but then spins a tale to explain things. She says, as Lena, she discovered she was a Luthor and drank a serum Lex was making that gave her powers. Moreover, 'Lena' wants to become a super-hero fighting evil.

I just have to say it again. Lesla looked enough like Supergirl to replace her. And she looks enough like Lena to replace her? Three exact duplicates!

And crazy artistic choice in the second panel. I suppose with that many words, to construct a panel with people might be too hard. So Mooney pulls back to show the house! Incredible.

Instead of doing some low-level scheming and living a bit as Lena hoping to slowly destroy Supergirl, Lesla kicks her plan into high gear with 'Operation Breakthrough'!

She creates a 'trans-dimensional lens' out of a simple television!!! Her tech is insane! Imagine if Lesla was a force for good! 

By the way, check out that costume and now look at the last page of Supergirl #2. Bless Sophie Campbell for the deep cuts.

The plan is relatively simple. Use the lens to open up the Phantom Zone and bring out some of the worst of the worse - Zod, Kru-El, and Jax-Ur. I love that Dorfman gives us little bios about the criminals so we know their bona fides.

And even better, I like that he realizes that Mon-El would also try to get out to fight the bad guys. How crazy that Lesla was prepared with a 'lead gun' to drive him back into the Zone.

This was before the internet and Who's Who. Those history lessons, like with the villains, was essential back then and even when I was first reading.

You would think that 4 Kryptonians on Earth would be enough of a threat to the world. But they want to beef up even that threat level. They head to the bottom of the ocean to find Kru-El's cache of weapons. Could this be the same trunk seen in Adventure Comics #283? No editor's note but given Kru-El's dialog I am saying that it is the same.

And what a cache! First off, a force beam that blocks the Earth from outside forces including temporally! Superman is in the past on a mission. The Legion is in the future. Neither can come to help fight these villains.

Now that is some weapon!

Also inside is a disintegrator pistol. Will it work against a super-powered Kryptonian? There is only one way for the villainous group to find out ... fire it on one of their own members. 

Alas, Lesla loses the draw. So despite freeing these guys they kill her. 

Goodbye Lesla Lar (sort of). 

The gun shorts out so it cannot be used again. I don't know why the writer felt they needed to kill of Lesla in this way. They didn't even need to bring the gun into the story (which, of course, couldn't stick around because it could kill our heroes). 

Poor Lesla.

Left alone, Supergirl seems to be able to stymie the villains. But then Kru-El hits her with another weapon. Struck by a 'plague beam' from his belt, Supergirl radiates an aura that turns any living being into a plant!

That is some crazy cache of weapons!!

Now you think Supergirl would go to the Justice League and recruit Wonder Woman and Green Lantern. But instead she thinks the best person to team up with is Lex. He initially laughs her off but she then tells him that Lena is stuck in Kandor. With his sister in peril, Lex joins the fight! TO BE CONTINUED!

I still feel Lesla's death was too quick and so needless. Supergirl needed a rogue's gallery. Lesla was a perfect Lex-like foil. But as I said she only sort of died.

Lesla Lar comes back in another multi-part story by Jack C. Harris in Superman Family in the early 80s. As a disembodied sentience, we see her manipulate events in her quest for revenge! 

And now we have her back in the current book!

I loved this long story as much as the first Lesla one, especially since this had big stakes and Supergirl forced to use her wits to defeat everyone. The weapons cache is crazy but certainly pushed the threat level up. Perhaps one day I'll own the actual issue!

Overall grade: B+

Review: Superman #27

Superman #27 came out this week and it felt a little bit like a whirlwind as a lot of plots and subplots were wrapped up in the span of this one issue's pages. Perhaps some upcoming mega-event required writer Josh Williamson to clear the decks. But consider them cleared. I will say up front I was happy to see some of these subplots wrapped up. Others? Not so much.

From the beginning of this title, Joshua Williamson has been firing on all cylinders. The whole book was built on the Lex/Superman relationship as we try to figure out if Lex is evil and doing a long con or actually turned a new leaf. He introduced Pharm and Graft as villains with a long history in Metropolis. He introduced Marilyn Moonlight, a hero that has always been in Metropolis (but somehow has never been seen before). Add in Perry being Mayor, Lois being editor/Superwoman, Jimmy dating Siobhan, Red K rage, and other stuff and these two years have really been fun and entertaining.

After this issue, it looks much of these are either wrapped up, put on ice, or entering a new phase. But this really felt like an ending of sorts. So much of an ending that I immediately went to see if Williamson is still on the book next month.

The art is by the trio of Eddy Barrows, Sean Izaaske, and Eber Ferreira. There is some decent action in the book and Barrows is always a treat. 

On to the book.

DC Comics Solicits September 2025

DC's September solicits were released last week and it again is a pretty full month with a lot of super-books to ponder and collect. Here is a link to all of them:
https://aiptcomics.com/2025/06/20/full-september-2025-dc-comics-solicitations/

I am pretty impressed with the DC Finest digests they are rolling out including Crisis on Infinite Earths on the 40th anniversary. But I have a lot of optimism with what DC is putting out these days. So let's jump right into the books.

SUPERGIRL #5
Written by SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Art by ROSI KÄMPE and PAULINA GANUCHEAU
Cover by SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Variant covers by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU and CHRISSIE ZULLO
1:25 variant cover by ADRIANA MELO
Pumpkin Spicy variant cover by CHUMA HILL

When Kara is called away to solve some super-problems in Metropolis, Lena Luthor and the Super-Pets are left to defend Midvale. Can Streaky and Krypto finally put aside their differences for the greater good? Or will they end up fighting like cats and dogs? You won’t want to miss this fun-filled flipbook adventure featuring the newest additions to the Super-Pet family, Titano and Kandy!

Seems like this might be a rest issue after the first 4 issue 'Lesla Lar' arc. It feels a little early for that but it follows the Mark Waid World's Finest format. Plus this one sounds fun. I like Titano in the cape.

If this is the format, arc followed by done-in-one fun, I don't mind Campbell taking that month off from art. But I hope she can continue to be the artist on the 'main' stories.

The 'Spicy Pumpkin' cover has Kara in a green/orange S-Shield sweater, probably to represent fall colors but it reminds me of the re-colored magic Supergirl in reprints of Superman #123.

Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest #40

Batman/Superman World's Finest #40 came out last week and followed the pattern that Mark Waid has established since the beginning of the title. When an arc gets filled, we get a done-in-one story to sort of cleanse the palate. 

Waid has been pretty vocal with his politics and this issue he decides to poke fun at the alt-right or toxically masculine podcasters out there. I don't pay much attention to those people in real life, so I feel that the look of the podcaster in this issue is based on someone real. And the story is pretty simple, to grab some clicks the streamer drums up a confrontation and gets a comeuppance. It is pretty simple stuff. 

Honestly, I could take or leave the plot driving the issue. But, as usual, Waid has a complete command of the characters and inserts wonderful moments highlighting each one in a memorable way. It is those scenes that kept me invested.

Adrian Gutierrez is back on art and does a great job with a kaiju vs mecha fight in the city as well as those up close moments. He is a great fit for the book and glad he is back.

On to the book.

Review: Superman Unlimited #2

Superman Unlimited #2 came out this week, the next chapter of a new Kryptonite Everywhere storyline by Dan Slott and Rafael Alburquerque. For a second issue, this pushed the plot of the arc forward a fair bit, showing us the implications of Green K being a lot easier to get as well as Superman's new power, a riff on an old 'new' power.

I have said before that I like Dan Slott's She-Hulk and Silver Surfer books. The She-Hulk book for sure was a humor book first. The Silver Surfer book was a sort of Dr. Who-esque tour of the Marvel U, filled with romance and sentimentality but also with a healthy dollop of humor. So I wasn't surprised to see Slott insert some fun into this book. What I didn't know, and what tickled me, was that the humor would come in the form of the Creeper. I think it is well known that I love the Creeper so Jack Ryder being in Metropolis makes me happy.

Despite the humor, Slott plays the superheroics and Superman pretty standard. What is it like to be Superman when your average punk, Marty from Hob's Bay, has a Kryptonite knife. And what do you do to defend yourself? Add to that a look into El Caldero, the nation that benefited from the massive green K meteor, and you have a solid issue.

Rafael Alburquerque brings some dynamism to the action, with speed lines and stylized bodies. I think his Creeper is a little scrawny, the red shag shoulder rug a bit small. I still miss his smoother earlier style than this looser, rougher style. 

On to the book.

Review: Action Comics #282

We are two issues into the new Supergirl comic run and Lesla Lar has been a big part of this opening arc. I have been reviewing the Lar's initial storyline which was in a long arc, especially for the Silver Age, leading up to Supergirl's being revealed to the world in Action Comics #285. 

Action Comics #282 brings Lar's initial story arc to a close in a rather abrupt fashion. Like every chapter in this storyline, this was one is crazy with a futuristic adventure, a villain's plot foiled by insomnia, and the inclusion of a certain 5th dimensional magic imp. But there is definitely this feeling that DC wanted Supergirl to sort of turn the corner in her stories. She has a new hair cut. She meets an old friend again. And, of course, she is introduced to the world changing everything in her life in a few months.

Writer Jerry Siegel brings some wild action to the proceedings. What I really love is how Siegel inserts a quick snippet of a story of a fascist group being overthrown by a rebel group which embraces knowledge. Given Superman's early political leanings by Siegel as well as his upbringing, seeing Supergirl bring down a fascist regime was great. (Of course, it's the Silver Age and therefore is done in 2 plus pages.) And when this issue ends, Supergirl is stronger than Superman as well!

I can continue to talk about how Jim Mooney is the perfect artist for the Supergirl of this time. A legend. But I have to say, I think he is putting in some extra energy whenever he draws Lesla Lar who is just dripping with pettiness and anger.

On to the book!

Review: Action Comics #1087

Action Comics #1087 came out last week, the first issue in this look back to Clark's earliest adventures as Superboy. If there ever was a story that needed to be told ... or is it retold ... it is this. With all the soft reboots, hard reboots, and reimaginations of recent years, I frankly don't know whether Superboy existed or not. It is time for DC to put their foot down. There was a Superboy, the adventures of Superman as a boy, who was part of the Legion. Classic.

Who better to write this tale than Mark Waid who also has been handed the difficult task of writing the upcoming History of the DCU. What started the universe? The hand Krona saw? Perpetua? Did Argo City survive Krypton's explosion? What about the Legion? 

I have the sense that Waid will do the right thing. I certainly saw it here. We get a Legion reference. We get a loving Ma and Pa. We get some Pa Kent wisdom. And we get to see a very green Clark whisking into action for the first time. We see him realize these fights are real; he gets a bit battered. We see him get an understanding how powerful he is. It really feels fresh.

Skylar Patridge is on art and brings a very appropriate feel of youth and vitality to the book. I especially love her 'cobbled together' costume with beach shorts and red high tops instead of trunks and boots. Patridge seems perfect for young characters (she was the one bright point on the recent Mariko Tamaki Supergirl stories) so is a great fit.

On to the book.

Review: Supergirl #2 (v8)

Supergirl #2 came out last week and just built on the good will that I felt from the last issue.

I find Supergirl such a complex character. It is why I love her. 

Who is Supergirl to me? She is a young hero, learning her way. She can be fallible. She's still figuring things out. She has the unenviable position of having Superman as her cousin. She is expected to live up to his standards, she is wearing his symbol ... but she isn't Superman and isn't as experienced. It is a double edged familial sword - a tremendous role model but someone you might always be found lacking against. She has had tragedy but has overcome it. She should be bright and feisty and fierce in fighting injustice. But she also should be smart and more polished than even younger heroes, filling this middle road. She is also a young girl in this real world with all those issues.

How the heck do you put all that together? 

I think it might be why so many fall short in my mind. She isn't saccharine sweet. She isn't angsty and angry. She isn't sad.

Somehow, in two issues, Sophie Campbell has threaded the needle. This is the Supergirl I want to read. I am really charmed by her. She is sweet. She is friendly. She is a hero, diving in to save people. She is bored with some idle prattle by her teenage friends. She has a supporting cast! She has a history! (As with last issue there a ton of references to her Bronze Age adventures.) It is nigh perfect.

Most impressively, Campbell has given us a villain just as complex. Lesla Lar is clearly misguided and addled. She is thinking only of herself, putting others in peril. She is a brilliant evil scientist. But we get a hint at a troubled past, an aching loneliness in her that probably led to her malevolence. I don't always need a sympathetic villain but it sort of works here.

The art is just stellar throughout. Campbell gives us this charming Linda, fighting giant apes and trying on clothes. It is glorious.

Now as a lifelong Supergirl fan, I am eating up the nostalgia bombs with a spoon. I hope the general population is loving it as much as me. I don't think they pull the novice out of the story. They clearly enhance it for a mega-fan like me. (Heck, even the cover is an homage to Super DC Giant #S-24!

On to the book.

Review: Absolute Superman #8

Absolute Superman #8 came out last week and the trade dress touts it with 'a new story starts here!'

This book has been an interesting one so far, using the first 7 issues to slowly world build, giving us a taste of the Absolute world while filling in the Krypton history and showing us this new Superman. In comparison to the 'Batman AF' pace of the Absolute Batman book, Absolute Superman has been a much slower burn. It has felt like half the issues haven't even had Superman in them. 

Writer Jason Aaron does kick things into a little higher gear here. We finally see the main villain, Ra's Al Ghul .. and I have a theory. We get our first super-villain fight with Peacemaker/Metallo (or what I will be calling Metallo, he isn't given a code name here). We get to see some weakness in this Superman character which we haven't seen yet. And we get to see some Lois/Jimmy/Superman interactions which seems to be building up to a true relationship. There is a lot of action here but also some little dollops of new information that continues to make this place feel three-dimensional.

Rafa Sandoval is back on the book on art and his stuff continues to floor me. From the crazy battle scenes to his use of sound effects within the art to the quiet emotional moments, his stuff is on fire. 

If you have felt the book has been a bit meandering or even a bit plodding, which I must admit at times I have, I hope you have stuck around. This issue turns that on its head, giving us a brutal, physical action comic while still pushing on the plot.

On to the book.

Review: Justice League Vs Godzilla Vs Kong 2 #1

Justice League Vs. Godzilla Vs. Kong 2 #1 came out last week, the first part of the sequel to last year's JL v G v K first series. Now I loved the first series, an Elseworlds book smushing kaiju with Super Friends with Supergirl all together. It was fun to see an old school Toyman just want to have fun with giant toys leading to a brawl.

DC made the right decision bringing the band back together. Writer Brian Buccellato and artist Christian Duce are back on the scene. This time instead of bringing the Legendary Monsters to the DC world, our heroes and villains are heading to the monster's Earth. That new wrinkle, a different world and a different yellow sun, might mean something.

Our heroes have a classic feel to them, almost Bronze Age in personality. Instead of bringing in the Legion of Doom again, Buccellato brings in the Suicide Squad as 'the bad guys'. Now I, for one, am pretty sick of Amanda Waller who is seems omnipresent. But Buccellato throws a nice curve ball into the proceedings. One has to do with Waller. The other is putting Lex on the Squad which surely will lead to some laughs.

Most importantly for me, Supergirl is back and is portrayed in the same positive manner she was last series. I better see more of her and Kong. Match made in heaven.

Duce brings such a sweet slick style to the book. From an opening wedding scene to a giant monster fight to our heroes using their powers, the book is a joy to behold. In particular, the King Shark vs. Godzilla fight has the potency a kaiju fight should. Plus his Kara is stunning.

On to the book, the perfect 'Summer movie' book as the summer opens.

Review: Superman #26

Superman #26 came out last week and was another solid issue for writer Joshua Williamson as he weaves a very classic-feeling Superman run. 

Last issue, Williamson had Mercy Graves turn on Superman, releasing X-El and leading to a mega-battle ending with the loss of Superwoman's powers. This issue, we are still marinating in that storyline. In particular, we get more great Superman/Lex interaction, the backbone of this book. We still have a couple of lingering plotlines out there that he catches us up on. But most importantly, he sprinkles in some new subplots, whetting my appetite for more. He even puts in a nice hook for the new Supergirl book too. 

I definitely like the Superman/Lex stuff as this still seems to be the 'good' Lex, the amnestic good guy reeling from his past.

The art is split between Eddy Barrows, bringing his usual feathery, pencil-stroke art and Sean Izaaske who has a rougher more visceral take. Barrows has always been a favorite. DC should just give him mini-series to write and finish in their entirety. Izaaske works well for his pages but his style breaks from Barrows in a startling way.

To repeat, Williamson continues to bring us a great Superman book, highlighting the main character but giving us great supporting cast moments and plot threads. On to the issue.