Review: Adventures Of Superman: Book Of El #4

Adventures of Superman: Book of El #4 came out last week meaning the first third of this epic sequel to Warworld is done. As a reader, I feel like I am still learning about this future and these characters as writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson continues his world-building. So I do feel not lost. Maybe grasping at the plot threads to pull them together.

It was just announced that Phillip Kennedy Johnson signed an exclusive contract with Marvel meaning this is his last bite at the DC apple, at least for a while. So I am not surprised to see him playing with all his toys. So not only Kryl-Ux and Phaelosians from Warworld Saga, not only Rowan and Ronan Kent from Future State, but we also get Ellie Stewart from Green Lantern War Journal. I don't blame Johnson for using all the great things he has brought to the DCU. But I don't know if I completely understand what is happening in the Kent family or what the power structure of the universe writ large is. I am seeing all the parts and I trust Johnson to bring it all together. 

Scotty Godlewski really gets to stretch his legs in this issue on art. This universe feels mythic and Godlewski embraces it with haunted castles and knights in armor in sprawling fanciful lands. His art brings you into the world and it made me pause on some pages to just drink in the art. 

Still no Osul or Otho! Hope we see them soon!

On to the book.

Review: DC KO: Superman Vs. Captain Atom #1

D.C. K.O. : Superman Vs. Captain Atom #1 came out this week, a tie-in to the latest big company-wide crossover D.C. K.O.  

This event is one of those 'don't think about it too hard' sort of stories for me. If you try to actually understand what is happening - a Heart of Apokolips chaos engine pitting characters against each other in a tournament to create the King Omege to fight Darkseid - you'll probably get a headache. Or say 'comic book science'. 

A bigger problem I have with this event is it was built as a bracket style tournament but the first round was a battle royale. So why put out a bracket for fans to fill out? Why not do two promos? First pick the 16 Battle Royale winners and then set up the bracket for fans to fill. It sort of let some air out of the fun.

Still, everyone likes a good brawl and certainly Superman vs. Captain Atom is a great brawl. Writer Joshua Williamson does his best to inject some characterization into the proceedings. The point of this book is 'who will go the farthest' to get this power. No one thinks Superman can take that step. And Captain Atom, who has flirted with being a despot, just might. There are some good bests here. 

Sean Izaaske is on art here and has a lot to contend with. Multiple rounds. Multiple versions of the characters. Multiple settings. And an ending that veers into a Grant Morrison-esque fourth wall busting. The work is pretty impressive.

But in the end, this seems like a wrestling match with a good pre-bout speeches.

On to the book.

Review: Justice League Vs Godzilla Vs Kong 2 #5

Justice League vs Godzilla vs Kong 2 #5 came out last week and was another 'pedal to the metal', nonstop insane action issue that felt like a summer blockbuster movie in the cold of New England November. I mean when you have a battle royale between kaiju it is always a winner. But throw in a giant-sized Superman and other normal sized heroes and it is time to grab your popcorn.

Writer Brian Buccellato knows you need more than just the action to keep the book moving so while I have come for the fights, I stay for the interesting storylines. Remember, this story has been taking place on the Monster-Earth, meaning that some multiversal insanity can happen. And with this being an Elseworld, all sorts of stuff can happen. Characters can die. Villains can turn.

More importantly for here, Supergirl remains a vital part of the heroes, wading into the fray and often leading.

Christian Duce is on art here and continues to shine. I really love the precise, fine-lined art that he brings to the insanity. His character work is great. Love his Harley. Love his Kara. Love his gargantuan Superman.

I am having a blast with this book, enjoying the ride.

Review: Superman #32

Superman #32 came out last week, a true tie-in to DC KO with some replayed scenes and added moments to that storyline. But the main thrust of this issue is two-fold. One, Luthor entering the fray. Two, Lois dealing with the Absolute Legion while she tries to help her husband.

Writer Joshua Williamson has been focusing on the Luthor/Superman relationship this entire series with Lex going from duplicitous and villainous to inspired to amnestic to philosophical to now back to being villainous. Seeing Luthor say he is the better person to wield to Heart of Apokolips and win the tournament is a nice new addition to their dealings in this book. Is this a quick heel turn for Lex who went to Nanda Parbat to hide and meditate? Maybe. But the world is at stake. 

As for Lois, I have been enjoying her dealing with Superboy Prime who is at his most likeable in this story. How did she get her powers back? Who knows. It had been hinted at that they had been stolen from General Zod. Did he regain them only to lose them again? Will we ever find out the hows and whys of these.

Eddy Barrows is on art again and brings a nice aesthetic to the whole thing, a mix of a fine lined pencil work to excellent shadowing. I like how DC is using Barrows, having come in for a few issues and not saddling him with the idea of a monthly book. His art is great and I always like seeing it.

One thing about this issue is that it does spend some pages retelling things I have read in this title and in the DC KO #1 issue. I suppose there are readers who haven't read the other and these recaps help.

On to details.

Bullet Review: DC's I Saw Ma Hunker Kissing Santa Claus - Supergirl Story

DC Comics released their Christmas special, I Saw Ma Hunkle Kissing Santa Claus' this week. These anthologies have been coming fast and furious these days and cost a pretty penny. They also seem to be more of a New Talent Showcase featuring fresh names of creators I don't really know. So there needs to be a draw for me to be lured.

Let's just say DC had me with the Ryan Sook Supergirl/Brainiac Five variant cover. There is sort of a futuristic Norman Rockwell feel to it. And I am a 'KaraDox' kind of guy. So this was a win. It is gorgeous. 

Of course, a cover alone can't get me to buy. Luckily there is a Supergirl story on the inside as well, written by Ash Padilla with art by Anthony Marques, both new to me. 

There are some other fun stories in the book. I mean, where else can I get Animal Man, the 'new' Dr. Light, and Martian Manhunter holiday stories. So I plunked my money down.

What I got was a very sweet Supergirl story, set in a sort of elsewhen past but with a great ending. The hints were planted throughout the story so I can't say it was a surprise ending but it was still wonderful. So let's just dive in.

DC Comics Solicits - February 2026

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate.

For lots of reasons, I think Supergirl fans have a lot to be thankful for in 2025 and these February solicits certainly add to the cornucopia. In fact, I think 2025 has been one of the better more recent years for my comic passion as Superman and Supergirl were front and center and solid comics all around.

Here is a link to the February 2026 solicits:
https://aiptcomics.com/2025/11/21/full-february-2026-dc-comics/

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that the Vertigo imprint is coming back. I was there at the beginning of the first go-around and those books were so incredible. They came out at the perfect time in my comic reading life. So I might have to sample these new Vertigo books to see if the come near those halcyon days of Shade the Changing Man, Doom Patrol, Hellblazer, Enigma, Kill Your Boyfriend, etc.

But we're here for the Super-books so let's dive in!

SUPERGIRL #10
Writer(s): SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Artist(s): JOE QUINONES
Cover Artist(s): SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Variant covers by AMY REEDER, JOE QUINONES, and ELIZABETH TORQUE
Valentine's Day variant by CHRISSIE ZULLO

It's Valentine's Day in Midvale, and Kara has finally worked up the courage to ask her crush out for the holiday. Little does he know he'll be on a date with Supergirl! Meanwhile, Lena Luthor struggles with their friendship fallout. Can the daughter of Lex Luthor and cousin of Superman ever see eye-to-eye again?

The goth guy from Supergirl #4 returns and you might remember there was some debate about who he is! So is it H'El? Comet? Dick Malverne? Power Boy? Or someone new?

Joe Quinones is the perfect fill-in artist on this title so I will be glad to see his take on the characters. And his variant showing all the crazy love interests in Kara's past is pretty fantastic.

Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest #45

Batman/Superman World's Finest #45 came out last week and it is hard for me to think this book is almost 4 years old. The format of intermittent adventures from some elsewhen in the past has worked perfectly in giving us fun, entertaining stories reaching into the deep recesses of the DCU with a both a classic feel and a modern sensibility. Time flies!

This issue starts a new arc bringing us a Joker/Luthor team-up, the perfect contrast to our heroes. Throw in a guest star and some nods to some Silver/Bronze age goodness and you have another win. Writer Mark Waid has been walking that tightrope of classic and new for a while and definitely continues to shine. For me, the best part of this set-up issue is that a Lex/Joker team-up would not be an easy alliance. These two would not get along even if they have similar difficulties with heroes.

Adrian Gutierrez remains on art and his scratchy, energized style works very well with this story. An intangible Lex falling through a building? A violent Hawkman lashing out against the villains? A mash-up of Lex/Joker? All those things leans into his strengths and he hits it out of the park.

This is an opening chapter to an arc so we are just starting out here but there is a zaniness to this story already which was refreshing. 

On to the book.