Back Issue Box: Guy Gardner Warrior #24

 Death Metal has happened and the DCU has been re-written. We are in a Future State. But as far as I can tell, Supergirl didn't have much to do with the victory over the Batman Who Laughs.

It got me thinking about Supergirl's place in other mega-events. Obviously, she played a huge part in Crisis on Infinite Earths. But otherwise? 

In 1994, DC rewrote the timeline again in Zero Hour. This time instead of Kara Zor-El heading into battle, it was Matrix Supergirl. And instead of a major role, this Supergirl was only seen in background shots of the main title. In fact the biggest role she had to play was in Guy Gardner #24, a Zero Hour crossover issue. And even in this, she is but one of many,

And remember, this is an odd time in Guy Gardner's history. He is a true warrior now, with Vulderian shape-shifting powers, making him a living weapon. The issue is written by Beau Smith, the main writer on the title. Art is by a smorgasbord of artists, many of whom are favorites of mine - layouts by Jackson Guice with pencils by Phil Jimenez, Howard Porter, and Mike Parobeck among those listed.

How does Matrix fare in a battle against time despot Extant? Well, let's take a quick good at the extent of her fight against Extant.

Review: Red Lanterns Annual #1

Red Lanterns Annual #1 came out this week, part three of the Atrocitus storyline. Sometimes comics gives you a surprising treat and this issue was one of those delights. Writer Charles Soule does something extraordinary here.

Sure, this is a high action annual with major brawls and violence. And yes he advances the plot nicely, setting up something of a showdown for next month's finale. But that is the ordinary. That is what should happen in this book.

But you know what makes the ordinary become extraordinary? It's that little extra.

Because there are two things that I enjoyed even more than the action and plot progression. One, he had Supergirl still act like she is part of the team even if she isn't wearing the ring anymore. And two, he includes really fantastic character moments. In fact, those moments were the highlights of the book for me, making these characters deeper and more relateable.

Miguel Sepulveda is on art here and does a fine job. I don't know why he needs to put Supergirl in heels. And I think I like his version of the prior Supergirl more than this New 52 one. But still, the art is solid here.

The plot involves a two front war.

On Earth, Atrocitus arrives with his handful of Red Lanterns, incuding the traitor Skallox, and decides to force Guy's hand by attacking. Atrocitus has his troops destroy the monuments and areas of Earth that Guy has bragged about to Skallox. So Baltimore, the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Canyon are all leveled.

To make matters more interesting, Atrocitus uses his own attacks to incite humanity into a rage. And then, somehow one of the Red is able to vomit up 1000 new Red Rings. Just like that, there are 1000 maddened and insane Reds flying around the planet.

I think it is an interesting commentary on humanity (and the New 52 Earth) that so many people are so easily recognized as being filled with fear.

The 'good' Reds decide to split up. Guy will take Bleez to Earth to defend his home. Zox will fly the Kalvaar to Styge Prime.

I love that Guy grabs command, tactically maneuvering the team according to his plan. So much for the 'team of equals' who each do what they want. I think it is a commentary of Guy and his leadership that he was make this group of rebels into something of a team. And I really love that Zox so easily recognizes it and accepts it.

I like this Guy.

And I like him even more here.

Arriving to Earth, he begins to corral the insane new Reds. Guy finds Batman and tell him to tell the rest of Earth's heroes to back off. The Reds have this under control. It shows how sure he is of himself.

But even better is this nod to the famous (or infamous) 'one punch' scene from Justice League way back in the day. Could Batman drop Guy with one punch? 'Not in this universe, pal.'

Excellent ... excellent.

Of course, heroes aren't going to let Reds run roughshod across the planet. That includes ex-Red Supergirl.

I love this scene. Love it.

One, I like how Kara says that she was able to lose the red ring by simply letting go. She has shed herself of the rage that plagued her. I love it.

But even better, that little extra scene, where Kara joins the fight. She calls Guy 'Kid', his nickname for her, and tells him she is in. This isn't the loner Kara. And she hasn't turned her back on this team. And she has some affection, some relationship with Guy, a sort of mentor. Just perfect.

In the meantime, Bleez has gone to some group of aliens that the Reds befriended before I started to read the book. These Kormoraki have some sort of calming ray. Using their fleet of starships, they bathe the planet with the ray, temporarily soothing the new terran Reds.

Any information about this is welcomed.

Atrocitus isn't going to let that happen for too long. He heads to space and attacks the ships

Meanwhile at Styge Prime, Rankorr suddenly becomes coherent. It turns out the animalistic rage he was showing was nothing but a ruse. He frees himself from his cage and confronts Zox on the bridge, mortally wounding Zillius.

I thought this was a great and brutal panel.

But Soule throws in one more wrinkle. Rankorr is actually possessed, his body under the control of some snake-like other Red Lantern. When Zox gets attacked, Rankorr is able to final resist, regurgitate, and rend this thing.

I have to say, I wasn't expecting that.

I talked about the character moments in the book as being my favorite parts of this issue.

And I have talked about how Bleez is my favorite character in this book, a tortured soul who both thrives on her rage but is plagued by it at the same time. I don't think she has always been portrayed so sympathetically or with such depth.

Here Atrocitus calls her out on it. The 'old' Bleez would have laughed a the blood shed and destruction. But this isn't that Bleez. This is a new Bleez ... but she still won't mourn Atrocitus' death.

I love the undercurrent of tragedy in her rage. Powerful moment here, recognizing who she was and now who she is.

And Zox? He knows he is dying. He tells Rankorr to abandon ship and goes on a suicide run, flying the Kalvaar into Atrocitus' new temple and lake of blood. It is a hero's death.

At the very least, he gets a nice moment to go out on, finally learning what a testicle is.

With his Reds and Guy's Reds (plus Kara) at a sort of standoff, Atrocitus' takes off to the other side of the planet. Both realize that it is the throng of Reds on Earth that will sway things. And so a mental battle ensues to see who can bring the troops into the fold - Atrocitus or Bleez.

Bleez is able to ensnare a handful. That means Atrocitus has an army. Nice cliffhanger.

So yes, a two-front war was waged with a series of action sequences. But it was the small moments in this book, adding depth to the characters and their relationships, that made this book a winner. Solid work by Charles Soule.

But with characters changing affiliation and dying as well as a crowd of new Reds, who knows what the Red Lanterns book will look like after this arc?

Overall grade: B+

Review: Red Lanterns #32

Red Lanterns #32 came out this week, the last issue (presumably) that Supergirl will be a member of the group. Writer Charles Soule and artist Jim Calafiore spin another great chapter in this book which continues to impress me.

How impressed?

I am probably going to continue reading even without Supergirl. I never thought I would say that.

My preconceived notion of this book was that the team was a bunch of snarling, vomiting thugs. That this was a poster child of the new 52, a gore-fest for people who like that sort of stuff. Instead, Soule has made this team a bunch of tortured souls, dealing with their power and trying to move forward rather than gleefully embracing their rage and regurgitating on the masses. These are surprisingly complex characters, especially Bleez. I assumed she was simply eye candy/cheesecake - especially given the Ed Benes panels posted everywhere. Instead she is someone trying to steel herself against the pain inside her.

Moreover, Soule really has shown us the best Kara since the reboot. She is passionate and impetuous, as someone of her age should be. But she is also caring and loyal. And her heart seems to be in the right place. Perhaps best of all, she has been accepted and loved by the Lanterns, people who recognize her for how great she is. Especially Guy.

I said it before, Calafiore is a great choice for this title, grimy and thick-lined, perfect for the rage and shadows and imperfections of this team. Just great stuff.

Last issue Bleez limped home, just surviving an attack by Atrocitus on her and Rankorr. Guy makes the decision to bring the attack to the ex-leader of the Lanterns and save Rankorr. There is this wonderful loyalty and familial feeling to this team as Guy unifies them. I especially love how he tells Supergirl not to rush in.

That is tactical (something Guy brings to the team as well) but also big brotherly. I loved this mentor relationship and hope it becomes something permanent in the DCU.

In that destroyed hut, Rankorr is chained and insane, back to the snarling frenzy of when he first donned the ring.

In the old switcheroo, Atrocitus has headed to Ysmault. He has his own acolytes, meaning there are 2 warring factions.

One thing I like about Atrocitus in this book is how much he is an evangelist of rage. His words sound like an old-school homily, bringing people into the faith. There is an evil charisma about him.

Meanwhile the Reds try to deal with the out of control Rankorr. And I find it interesting that Kara needs a primer on Red Lantern history.

Her words are powerful here. You can almost sense her fear, that somehow this could happen again to her. Remember how anguished she looked when first under the influence of the ring. I am sure she doesn't want to go back to that.

This is a great panel to show Calafiore's take. The thick lines. The shadows. The rough terrain. It all works.

Bleez releases Rankorr. She doesn't think one of them should be bound like a beast. But overcome by this rage, Rankorr can do nothing but attack. And the first victim is Kara, crushed between two red energy hammers.

Again, it might sound paternalistic, but I love how Guy leaps to Kara's defense.

Now there is a great scene coming up between Kara and Guy. And that scene is nearly perfection. But this exchange might be my favorite in the book.

As I said above, Bleez has become such a wonderfully nuanced character, in pain, trying to be better, trying to spare people the rage she feels. In the panel before this, she talks about how much self-loathing she has, how she acts strong hoping she will believe it herself. It is powerful, to see her open up.

And then she asks Rankorr to find himself.

For one second, she seems to reach him, as he pauses ... only to have the rage take over again.

Fantastic.

With little other choice, Bleez grabs hold of Rankorr, immobilizing him, allowing Zox to blast them both from the Lantern ship in orbit. The blast nearly kills them both, incapacitating them.

The crew scoop up the injured and head back to Ysmault to find it in ruins. The blood lake is tainted, the power battery destroyed. And then Guy decides to talk to Kara alone.

He tells her that it is time for her to find her way. This Red Lantern life ... this Red Lantern feud ... is nothing she should be part of. It is time for her to grow up. Yes, she has been accepted. Yes, she has felt rage. But it is time to grow up a bit and move on.

Remember, this is the first place, the first people, that Kara has really latched on to. Look at her body language. She doesn't want to go ... but she also doesn't seem to truly want to stay. This isn't a long term life for her.

And then Guy says something wonderful. He tells Kara that she is better than all of the Reds. She can make something of her life. She is strong.

How crazy is it, in this topsy-turvy New 52, that Guy Gardner is a better mentor, better judge of character, better father figure to Supergirl than Superman has been.

Wonderful.

And with that, the two hug. She tells him to not call her kid, but it isn't a yell. I think she liked that nickname. It was a sign of affection and inclusion.

Look at the pain Calafiore puts on their faces. Guy looks completely forlorn.

This is an unhealthy place for Kara. She needs to move on. Short term this has been great. Long term it would be a disaster. She heads to Mogo ...

Why hasn't there been this sort of moment with Kal in the 2 plus years of the New 52.

Just wonderful.

And so ends Supergirl's time as a Red Lantern. Well, almost, we know that after this tearful farewell, Tony Bedard has her head to Earth. I suppose we will see her throw of the ring on her own, without Mogo's help and that will be a powerful moment for her. But that 'about face' to Earth does diminish this moment a bit.

But there is business to attend to. Atrocitus must be found. And war must happen. We go from sad 'older brother' Guy in the last panel to this determined and enraged Guy here.

There will be a reckoning ... and I am intrigued enough to want to stick around.

So ... in the end ... I think I have to call this Red Daughter story a success. And that amazes me. I still don't think it needed to happen. The same sentiments that Supergirl showed here could have happened in the first issues of her book. The nurturing mentoring that Guy did here could have been done by Kal. Unfortunately, the first 2 years of Supergirl's own book brought her down the road of isolation and angst and anger (specifically at Superman) that this sort of drastic catharsis and redemption was the only option left. And this story did that. It brought out some of the optimism and heroism in Kara, showed her she can adapt and love.

The characterization of the Reds is also strong in this book, particularly the pain that Bleez is weighed by as well as Guy trying to bring some order to the Red chaos. And it is that characterization that will keep me coming back to this book.

Overall grade: A

Review: Red Lanterns #31

As I mentioned before, I am away from home this week for some higher learning. I thought that would mean a delay in this week's reviews. But I discovered that there was a comic book store within walking distance of the University. And needing a break from the intense educational experience, I hoofed it there to pick up two books to sate my need for a little escapism.

Red Lanterns #31, by Charles Soule and Alessandro Vitti, was one of the books I picked up and continued the impressive Red Daughter arc. I have said over and over that I don't like the fact that DC dragged Supergirl so far down into despair and rage that becoming a Red Lantern was a natural extension. And I still feel that way. But the truth is Soule (and Tony Bedard) talked how this arc was a transformative and redemption arc for Kara and so far that has been true. I don't think I have read a more consistently positive and heroic Supergirl in the New 52. Yes that rage ... that fire ... is still there but she is controlling it. And that metal tempered by fire, it is making her into a stronger girl of Steel. I am really enjoying this.

And that is high praise ... because I came into this ready to hate this arc.

I don't like that we came to this. But so far this story is a winner, especially for Kara.

I have sung the praises of Alessandro Vitti before. He is such a natural choice for this book. His art is the perfect mix of detail and grunge for this material.

As I am away from my usual tech, apologies for latter panels, pics rather than scans.

 Remember that the current arc has the Guy Gardner led Red Lanterns (including Supergirl) trying to rein in The Judge, the immensely powerful new Red laying waste to her home planet of Primeen. But Atrocitus is also looking to recruit the judge.

In Supergirl #31, I loved the scene where the Judge read Supergirl's mind and declared her innocent. It was powerful. And it was another brick in the redemption foundation, adding Alura as a role model of strength and perseverance.

I am trying to figure out if this scene with Atrocitus makes that scene more or less powerful. The Judge does the same trick to Atrocitus, finds his deeds terrible (even if he doesn't) but says she can't judge him because he isn't from Primeen.

So how/why did she judge Kara. Is she so innocent that she felt she could declare it? Or is it made less meaningful because the Judge didn't execute Atrocitus? Thoughts?

Unlike the sulking, brooding, angst-ridden we got in most of her solo title, since Red Daughter we have had a proactive, 'let me help', thinking Supergirl. With the 'good Reds' trying to figure out how to immerse the Judge in the Ysmault lake blood, Kara says she can handle it and flies off.

This is the sort of Supergirl I like. She is a young hero. She wants to help. And she acts quickly ... sometimes too quickly. She is still learning.

But it is clear from early on in this issue that Guy is a bit paralyzed. He is trying to figure out just what to do. I like that Supergirl decides to act rather than wait.

And I love her solution ... even if  is messy. She takes the tank of lake blood and rips it open over the city that Atrocitus and the Judge are in. The blood rains down.

I am new to the Red Lantern world. I was under the impression that you need to be immersed in the lake. Is a spring shower enough exposure? Have we seen this before.

This is a great panel by Vitti ... visceral and powerful.

 But this solution doesn't exactly work. While the Judge seems to collapse, Atrocitus is able to control the blood, gaining power from it, and making it into a maelstrom.

This might be my favorite panel of the whole book. Guy's Reds don't know what to do with this blood tornado. But Supergirl, maybe feeling a bit guilty because she gave Atrocitus this weapon, again leaps forward and says she can fix it. Once more, proactive, heroic, thinking of what is right.

But this line saying that Atrocitus needs to pay for creating the Reds. That's pure character gold. It shows Supergirl isn't embracing this. She doesn't like the existence of Reds. She wants the villain to pay.

It shows me that, given the opportunity, she would leave this life.

Or am I reading too much into this?

 This is the learning Supergirl. While I like her leaping to action, she is still young and learning. She is making mistakes. Her way to fix the blood storm is to ignite it with heat vision. The result conflagration sets the city on fire!

And the Reds give her some tough love. This is another great scene!

First Bleez tells her she needs to grow up. She can't give into the ring; she can't just fly off on an impulse. It is a lesson. And friend or no friend, Bleez needs to teach it.

And Guy adds more. It isn't enough to be angry. You need to be angry for the right reasons. The Supergirls I have loved have all been fierce, angry at injustice and anyone trying to hurt someone. Maybe this Supergirl needs to learn that too. She can't be a tempermental kid anymore. (Love how Guy calls her Kid.)

But I still wish it was Clark guiding and teaching as a family member.

 Luckily Guy's gang are able to use 'magic' to will the blood whirlwind away. A bit easy and odd, but I guess I'll roll with it.

With the fire out and the blood gone, all that is left is a showdown with Atrocitus and to see who the Judge will join. But Atrocitus has an ace in the hole. He has Rankorr. And he will return Rankorr if Guy allows the Judge to join Atrocitus.

I like what Soule does with the Judge. She doesn't have enough information about either side to judge who she should join. And she needs to judge herself on the harm she has done. She removes herself from the game, going off for self-reflection. We just met this character but somehow that feels completely appropriate for her. (It also removes a powerful Red from the board ... keeping the status quo.) Still, that is good characterization.

 But finally, after a whole issue where I think Guy either sat back or simply reacted (rather than acted), he finally shows some of that fire.

He reminds Atrocitus that despite everyone who has gunned for him, he is still around.

That is pure Guy. And I love him staring down his enemy. Perfect.

The two groups of Reds separate. Their fight will happen some other day.

Despite stopping the Judge, the resulting fallout is a devastated Primeen. Even some of the moves they made (like Supergirl igniting the blood) added to the mayhem. With the conflict over,  the Primeen citizens beg the Reds to leave.

Look at Supergirl frown when she realizes that despite her effort she isn't one of the good ones yet. But this is a frown. Not a scowl. No a glare. Not a sulk. This Kara wants to be a good one and is disappointed if she isn't. I don't think this will discourage her. I  think this will motivate her. And with Guy and Bleez there to sort of set some rules, it seems like she will grow.

I know I concentrated more on the Supergirl portions of this issue. But this was just another step on her journey to re-enter the super-hero world. And despite liking the camaraderie, I don't think she is too thrilled about this life as a Red. I don't think she imagined this would be her. She wants to act, help, be good. And while this life can get her there, it won't lead her there easily.

I have to applaud Charles Soule for giving us this Kara, dealing with her loss initially through rage but growing too, maybe moving away from it. And Bleez, the Judge, even Guy - all those characters feel well-rounded and real.

Add to that some very compelling art by Vitti (he really draws a fantastic Supergirl) and you have a winning issue.

Overall grade: B+/A

Review: Red Lanterns #30

I can admit when I made a mistake. I was pretty sure that the Red Daughter arc and Kara as a Red Lantern storyline was going to be awful. And I internally cursed about Charles Soule thinking up the idea to begin with. But ... so far so good.

I will say my usual caveats. I am unhappy that Kara was dragged so low that only a Red Lantern arc could purge her and rehabilitate. And, as always, it is the end of this arc, the redemption of Kara into a likable positive hero, that is the key for me. I reserve the right to denounce this if the intended goal of making Supergirl less bitter and more heroic doesn't come to pass.

All that said, Red Lanterns #30 came out this week and it had some great Kara moments. While I think Superman/Wonder Woman suffers in its characterization, Soule seems to have a great grasp not only of the Lantern squad but Supergirl as well. Last month we saw her question some of the methods of the Reds. This time she asks if she should remain an Red. But there is also depth of the other Reds. Whether it is Bleez' distress or Skallox' lack of conviction or Zox' strength of conviction, these are individuals, not a bunch of snarling lunatics.

The artwork remains perfect for the tone of the book too. Alessandro Vitti and Jim Calafiore both contribute to this issue. Their inky thick lines work wonderfully with the story.

We start in sector 775 on the planet Primeen where we are introduced to a young girl named Sheko who hasbecome the youngest judge on the planet. Flash forward decades and you can see that time has eroded her once lofty sense of her position. There isn't justice on this world. Justice can be bought or manipulated in the court. When she decides to finally stand up for her principles by finding the world's prince guilty of heinous violent crimes, she is gunned down by her own bodyguard.

I could see where this was going. It is clear that she will be a new Red Lantern, born of rage out of this affront to justice. But I thought it was great to hear this back story as it shows that rage can spring from many seeds. Sheko is a 'good' person. She has ethics and morals. And yet she can succumb to rage and become a Red Lantern. It is fascinating and again elevates this corps above the presumed rabid beasts they were sometimes portrayed as.

And this sort of deep look into the psyche of the Reds continues with Bleez.

Sure she is filled with rage. But there is also sadness here. And maybe a hint of self-loathing. Bleez is upset that Rankorr is presumably dead from their battle with Atrocitus, Dex-Star, and the new Red Lantern they were teamed with. She also questions the justice of the universe if she and Zox remain alive while Rankorr is dead.

I have to admit I loved this bit of pathos here. I didn't expect it. And this attitude mirrors Kara's nicely. Inside Supergirl is rage. But also grief over losing her planet. And maybe some of the self-hatred that comes with survivor's guilt. Bleez suddenly becomes a sounding board for Supergirl.

Bleez also is elevated to a sympathetic character. I though she existed only for cheesecake, as a 'bad girl'. Now she has much more depth. And there is even more in this issue.

Bleez thinks the Reds should go after Atrocitus and try to save/avenge Rankorr. Guy thinks the Reds need to hunt down the extra 7 red rings floating around the universe. It is a battle of will and leadership. And the Reds don't believe in leaders. They are true libertarians.

But when Bleez tries to head back on her own, Guy pulls out his trump card. He calls Kara in to block Bleez' path. I like how Guy is trying to keep the Reds on track. No anarchy. Maybe more like controlled chaos.

And I like this shot of Kara, strong and smiling. And somehow the color scheme of this outfit works better than the red panty-shield on the classic New 52 costume.

As for Sheko, she is filled with rage over the mockery of justice that exists on Primeen. She is a red and she is angry. And with no blood ocean to calm her, she is in pure judgment mode. No one passes muster.

She carves a bloody path of death and destruction across the planet.

Again, I like how Sheko went from good soul worn down by hypocrisy to crazed Red Lantern. And frankly, this is what I thought all the Reds were like. This is a far cry from the more nuanced rage we see in the Ysmault crew.

Back on Ysmault, while Guy and the others scan for the 7 other rings, Bleex and Kara have a heart to heart.

It is the best scene in the book.

Bleez talks of suffering as a Red. While you may thrive with the rage, you also are in pain, wondering what life have been like if you refused the ring.

She seems more sad than mad here. She wonders why Kara would have accepted the ring. And Calafiore shines here. There is clear anguish on Bleez' face.

It is blunt and powerful. If Bleez ... a 'successful' Red ... is in such pain, who would accept the offer to join the Corps.

Again, my fear was Kara would be a vomiting mindless feral beast. Here we see there is more to the Reds than just crazed anger.

Their talk continues.

I really love this line from Bleez. For her, the Reds exist to make sure no one else feels so much rage that they would accept a ring. They exist to make sure there are no more Red Lanterns. That is noble ... to want a universe free of that righteous fury. Wonderful stuff.

And even better is Kara just outright asking for Bleez to be her friend. There is an odd warmth and understanding here ... again unexpected. And greatly appreciated. These two are kindred spirits.

Still, if Kara can ask Bleez for friendship, someone she barely knows ... why couldn't she ever ask the same of Kal?

That friendship and mentorship pays immediate dividends.

When Zox' scanners pick up the Judge, Guy mobilizes his entire Corps to intercept. The planet's military fires on them. This isn't a surprise. They wear the same symbol as Sheko who is incinerating everything in her path.

Their attack enrages Supergirl. But before she can lash out at them, Bleez tells Kara to calm down. This isn't a 'vomit first, ask questions later' group. There is a time to fight. And there is a time not to fight. It is a great moment as Bleez teaches Kara to control her rage, to think before she acts. That is amazing ... unanticipated.

And the art is excellent. You feel Kara's rage in that first panel.

Unfortunately, it isn't just the Judge that Guy and his forces will face. Atrocitus and Dex-Starr are also there.

Now that is a nice cliffhanger.

I have to say, I was very impressed with this issue. There is very good characterization here. Writer Charles Soule makes everyone feel three-dimensional, in particular Bleez, Kara, and Sheko. These Reds are more than monsters. They are individuals; and they have way more going on than just rage.

And I have to say, the Supergirl stuff was inspired. More than even in her own book you got that sense of redemption and growth here. Really wonderful stuff.

And, as I have said before, the art here really suits the tone of the book. There is an inky griminess to this book which suits the Reds perfectly. And if Alessandro Vitti isn't available, Jim Calafiore is a great stand-in.

Overall grade: A

Review: Red Lanterns #29

They say that road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

I am starting to wonder if the Red Daughter storyline for Supergirl is a road to good intentions paved with Hell. I have said before that the overall tone of Supergirl since the inception of the New 52 has been pretty grim, a mix of anger and grief with the character being portrayed as petulant, angsty, gullible, and stupid. While there have been glimpses of hope, for the most part the characterization of Kara has been about as far away from classic Supergirl as you can get. And becoming a Red Lantern seems to be about as rock bottom as she can get.

When it was announced, I blasted this as one more effort by DC to shove a dark Supergirl down the throat of their fans, despite ample evidence it doesn't work. Then the writers Tony Bedard and Charles Soule hit the publicity trail and kept saying that this was a redemption story, a transformative story, a way for Supergirl to turn the corner. I have read enough flotsam in interviews to read those statements with a grain of salt.

But so far, and we are only a handful of issues in, I have to say that I am pretty pleased. There has been enough going on these books, enough subtle nods that Supergirl has some growing to do ... and seems this close to being ready to do it ... to make me think that Bedard and Soule meant it when they said they wanted Supergirl to be heroic again.

Enough preamble.

Red Lanterns #29 came out this week, written by Charles Soule with grungy beautiful art by Allesandro Vitti. In this issue, we finally get another interaction between Superman and Supergirl, this time around her acceptance of the ring. And Soule does a good job of showing how Superman has finally had it with Kara, calling her out on her decisions and telling her she needs to live with them.

In some ways, that interaction with Superman is refreshing. He has bent over backwards, almost foolishly so, to acquiesce to Supergirl's wishes, since she arrived, for personal space. There is a big part of me that says that makes no sense for either character. But that's that. At least here he shows her some tough love. It is tough ... but it is love too.

In other ways, this interaction is frustrating. Recently, in Krypton Returns and Batman/Superman and even Supergirl there has been a bit of warming between the two characters. So this also felt like a step back.

Lastly, I love Vitto's art. It is thick-lined and 'messy clean' which is just perfect for this title. I'll point out some great stuff throughout the review.

The issue starts with the now semi-rational Supergirl seeing what she can do with her new array of powers. Skallox decides to fire a salvo of 'neutron star tipped' missiles at her to see what she can do.

It looks like Supergirl has been practicing with the ring because she sets up shields, slings some red energy blasts, and for the most part handles herself quite well.

Of course, one sneaks through blasting her. While it doesn't harm her, it does bring out the rage, making her destroy the missile bank in anger.

I have to say, Vitti draws a great Kara, strong and thick, powerful. But I absolutely love the pointy sleeves, one of my favorite parts of the older costumes. And this is a nice panel tho show Vitti's style, powerful thick lines with flecks here and there. Beautiful.

As I said before, I don't think Supergirl is ready to fully embrace chaos and rage in her heart, even if she says so.

Here Guy shows up to stop Zilius and Skallox from giving Kara an alcholic drink, grabbing it from her. When Kara yells she can do what she wants, she shatters the glass in his hand, harming him.

Look at her response. She immediately feels remorse, apologizing, and wishing to help. My guess is 'true' Red Lantern would probably say 'serves you right' or something similar. It shows just how internally conflicted Kara is.

It is a nice touch, a nice moment, and in stark contrast of the Kara which ripped apart the missile launcher and eagerly grabbed the booze. I think this is the real Kara peeking through the layered on angst. I think it shows that her heart is in the right place and just needs to be shown the way.

Guy knows that Kara being with the team is a disaster waiting to happen. Eventually Superman is going to come looking for her. This isn't the right team to be leading a teenage girl. Their first act was to give her a stiff drink. And she hasn't exactly been able to keep things under control.

Knowing all this, Guy leads the team to Earth, sends Kara on a fake mission, and heads to Superman, hoping to rid him of this distraction.

I like how Guy is the voice of reason on all levels. He knows that Supergirl is too young to drink. He knows that his team really can't handle her. He is basically a good guy here, no pun intended.

Guy flies down and actually assists Superman in rescuing people from a tidal wave in Indonesia.

Now I have lamented the semi-reboot nature of the New 52. It is clear that all the recent Green Lantern major arcs, the Sinestro Corps War and Blackest Night, is in continuity. Meanwhile, lots of other stuff was wiped away. So to see Superman not recognize Guy threw me for a loop. It really took me out of the moment.

That said, despite hearing that Hal disparaged and warned Superman about the Reds, Kal is willing to judge Guy on his actions. I love this scene were Superman says outright that if people do the right thing, he is okay with them.

And, again, Vitti shines showing this thick muscle-bound lantern-jawed Superman. He just looks like the strongest guy on the planet.

All the niceties melt away when Kara shows up in her Red Lantern garb.

Family comes first and Superman roughly grabs Guy accusing him of doing this to Supergirl. I love that sneer on Superman, showing just how ticked off he is by this turn of events.

Of course, Guy explains that the ring finds the bearer.

But then the ugly truth about the ring is leaked. The ring replaces your heart. And you can't simply take it off.

Kara didn't know that fun fact. Look at the initial shock, a bit of dismay on her face. It shows that maybe she didn't think things through. It shows that maybe she wouldn't be happy being like this for the rest of her life. I think the first panel again shows the real Kara. Maybe she thought she would join this 'gang' for a little bit, working through things.

Of course, when she finds out the truth, she lashes out with rage, attacking everyone around her including Superman.

Nice transition by Vitti here, going to a very thick line and more darkness and shadows when the anger surges.

And then we see just how lost Supergirl is.

She isn't happy that she has to remain like this forever. She isn't happy that no one told her. And she claims that no one understands just what she is going through.

Nice art here, with Supergirl being small with the other Lanterns looming big. But more importantly, look at the sadness on her face as she says no one understands her. She isn't sneering. She isn't angry. She is crest-fallen. For a while I have said that grief is the main emotion for this Supergirl and she simply doesn't know how to process it. Wonderful art.

But this is the thing that bothers me ... immensely.

She could have talked to people! Helped them understand!! She could have talked to Superman!!!!

This is where we need a Gates/Igle Supergirl #34 moment, that realization she can't strike it out alone. What we get is a turn as a Red Lantern.

And here is my favorite scene. I think that Superman here is a proxy for many Supergirl fans. I would love to hear Soule talk more about this.

When Kara talks about how great the Lanterns are for being independent and kick-ass, about how maybe she deserves to be a Red Lantern, Superman chides her.

He has done everything she has asked of him. He has left her alone. He has let her wail about Krypton. And she has watched her not deal with it in any constructive and healthy way. He complains about how by clinging to anger she has simply become anger. And he turns her back on her, hoping she feels satisfied with who she becomes.

I have said all of those things to myself as I have read this Supergirl's stories. Why hasn't she reached out? Tried to move on? Embraced her family to help her?

I even thought about turning my back on the character with this Red Lantern arc. Me!

This is Superman metatextually talking for me to this character we both love.

And then he really lays it out in a stern but loving way. She has thrown any help he has offered in his face. She doesn't want a role model now. He can't help her if she doesn't want it.

But she is family. Guy better do what's right.

Wow.

That is a great great page with a great Superman. It actually humanizes him a bit. He has done what he can with Kara. He will still be watching. But it is up to Supergirl to find herself now.

And with that Superman leaves saying that Supergirl is family. He will be watching. He loves Supergirl and will be there for her, presumably when she is ready.

Once more, I love the art here with Superman almost faded out by the bright light behind him. He is the moral high ground here, dazzling. The massive cape makes him an even bigger figure. Fantastic.

The book ends with a nice cliffhanger, teasing the upcoming battle with Atrocitus.

I will say it again. I wish this Red Lantern story never happened. I would prefer Supergirl asking for help, accepting a coffee from Kal like in the last Supergirl #34.

But if we need to raze this Supergirl persona like a phoenix to have her emerge new and heroic, so far so good. This issue shows a Supergirl who isn't pure rage, who seems to be lost and lashing out but who wants to help. She doesn't want to be this thing forever. She needs to move on. And we have a Superman showing some tough love for his cousin. He affirms he will be there ... but when she is ready to accept his love. Wonderful.

Maybe, just maybe, I'll get the young, bright, fierce, passionate Supergirl I want. I just have to get through this.

I have had my complaints about Charles Soule's work in Superman/Wonder Woman. But here (and in She-Hulk) he seems more in his wheelhouse.

And, as sprinkled throughout this review, Allesandro Vitti is superb throughout this issue.

Overall grade: B+