Review: Supergirl #14 (v8)

Supergirl #14 came out this week, the next chapter in Supergirl's battle with the Black Flame in Kandor during the Reign of the Superboys mini-event. For folks like me who wanted more action in the earlier in this title, writer/artist Sophie Campbell is answering the bell giving us another heavy action issue with more brutal fighting between Supergirl and Black Flame.

The violence is tempered with solid characterization here. We see Supergirl as an inspiration for others because of her heroism and tenacity. And yet, at the same time, we see Kara questioning herself, wondering her role in the El family. She is a good friend and ally hoping to help people by talking them through their problems. But she also has no time for injustice and is ready to throw down when ready.

It is this wonderful contradiction that makes me love Supergirl as a character. She is young and learning and caring and maybe a bit unsure of herself. She is also accomplished and capable and inspirational and maybe a bit fierce when necessary. Campbell, perhaps because she seems to be a fan of Supergirl's history, has been able to grasp that conundrum and showcase it.

That love by Campbell of all things Supergirl has been evident from the beginning of the book with her packing the title with nods and references to Supergirl's Silver and Bronze age history.

I didn't think she would be able to lean into the Matrix Supergirl history in this book. It starts with the cover, an homage to a Tom Grummett Matrix Supergirl pin-up in the Supergirl and Team Luthor special from way back when. 

But there is even more inside. Let's get to the book.

Last issue ended with Lesla bringing Supergirl into the ruins of Argo City within the bowels of Kandor. Even I needed to be reminded by Lesla that Argo was brought to Earth by the Cyborg Superman (Zor-El at the time in Supergirl #6 during the Rebirth Era.

Within the city is a Sunstone marked with the symbol of the house of El. It is resonating with Kara. With Superman missing, Kara is the heiress to all of the El family knowledge. But as the Kryptonian scholar of the El family, it makes sense for this crystal to want to be with her.

I wonder if we will get a Fortress for Supergirl from this.

But Supergirl is unsure if she deserves it. She was the hero of Kandor and the city is in ruins. Her body is dismantled. 

It is Lesla who tells her she is a hero.

Panel placement is great here too. When Kara says she is unsure of herself, we see the monstrous, scarred robotic face. When Lesla says she sees a hero, it is Kara's true face. The words and art complement perfectly.

Now I have to admit, Lesla is not only complicit in the situation in Kandor, she is a true accomplice with Black Flame. I get that Lesla has been traumatized by Zora into kowtowing. But I hope there are consequences here. Kara just seems to be giving her a complete pass.

Lena Luthor is also in Kandor and was saved from death by Lesla's super-stuff sentient helpers.

They bring Lena to Supergirl. Lena immediately apologizes for not being a good friend in recent times. 

I like how Supergirl forgives her, saying she needs all the friends she can get. 

I know, I just asked for consequences with Lesla but those ills are worse than Lena's.

I do worry that Lena is going to become a sort of Deus Ex Machina. Here she has a new suit, an S-Matrix suit, that can use Lesla's super-stuff to jump start Kara's physiology to heal Supergirl.

An S-Matrix suit!

But it feels a little easy. 

Still, as someone who grew to love the Matrix Supergirl, there is no denying this purple protoplasm Supergirl is ripped right out of the 90s Superman books. 

Matrix Supergirl homages in a current Supergirl book. Incredible. Very cool.

But here comes Zora, carrying an unconscious Conner and ready to utilize the Science Councils 'solar cells' to make herself even more power.

Zora punches Supergirl into the rubble and then flash-freezes Lena. 

This Black Flame is scary. She first says she thought of beheading Lena but given Lena's Brainiac connection maybe Kandor could be enlarged. I never thought of that connection but it makes sense. 

Again, all these connections shows that Campbell knows the lore and is using it!

The S-Matrix suit works and suddenly Kara is completely healed. No more cybernetics. She is back to being whole.

And then we get another round in this no-holds barred fight. We get more fantastic, electric art from Campbell.

I mean look at that palpable straight left by Kara onto Zora's face. Brutal. Every fight between these two has been gory and blood-soaked. No one can say this series only has Kara 'hugging it out' any more. 

Turns out the S-matrix suit also has some super-stuff properties, allowing Kara to think of shapes and forms that it will manifest.

I don't know if I want my Supergirl to form long blades and stab her opponents through the shoulders all the time. But desperate time ... 

 I can't help but feel all these spikes and prongs are another nod to the Matrix Supergirl when that character was furious. 

With the tide perhaps turning against her for the first time, Zora tries to convince Lesla to join in the fray. And initially, Lesla sort of stammers.

The Zora breaks Lesla's arm. Another brutal scene.

At the very least, it seems to finally shake Lesla free from her cousin's control. 

So between the right hooks and left crosses we did get Lena apologizing, Kara inspiring, an interesting Argo City sun crystal subplot, and glorious homages/references to the Matrix Supergirl.

A solid issue that made me want more. 

Overall grade: B+