Girls' Night Out

World's Finest #3 is going to be released today and is the first official team-up of *this* Supergirl and *this* Batgirl. I have been looking forward to this issue since I first heard about it.

I figured that reviewing some other team-ups of the two heroes would be fun. Last week I reviewed a Silver Age issue of Superman Family.

This week, I thought I would review the 'Girls Night Out' episode of 'The New Adventures of Batman and Robin'. My thanks to blog-friend Gene for the idea.

For those who haven't seen the episode, it is available on YouTube. Here are the links:

Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMV3L8jJahQ

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJKJb0XkXJY&feature=related

It's a fun episode, the first meeting between these incarnations of the characters.

With Batman and Superman both otherwise engaged, Supergirl and Batgirl have to team up to stop a trio of villains: Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and Livewire.

Initially you see how Supergirl and Batgirl want to be part of the legacies of their respective families. Unfortunately, their first run-in with Livewire ends with her escaping.



One little moment I like in the show is Supergirl's response when Harvey Bullock says he actually misses Batman. Supergirl sticks her tongue out at him as he turns away.

I know ... sophomoric. But it was a small character quirk we saw Supergirl do a couple of other times in her DCAU appearances. I remember her doing the same thing to Captain Atom in the first JLU episode. Consistent character personality flourishes like this showed how dedicated Warner Brothers and Bruce Timm were in putting out a great product.


Livewire ends up running into and teaming up with Poison Ivy and Harley. The three try some petty larceny at a mall only to have Supergirl and Batgirl show up again.

While the Kara and Babs end up stopping the three from completely looting the place, they can't stop them from escaping. Babs gets a face full of severe allergenic pollen. The two heroes have to break off the attack in regroup.

While they recover in Barbara's apartment, the two commiserate a bit about how hard their lives are. It is a cute Town Mouse/Country Mouse moment although I can't imagine Batgirl ever saying she wished she has chores.



They decide to take the fight to the villains, this time with a plan. Unfortunately their sneak attack is hardly a secret. Here is Harley's response to Supergirl x-ray scan. Harley always had the best moments in this show.


Batgirl and Supergirl end up skirmishing with the three in Ivy's hideout in an abandoned fairground or animal park. Between Ivy's giant plant constructs and Livewire's lightning blasts, they are barely able to hold their own. They do work together nicely as a team.

Luckily, the villains end up doing more damage to themselves as Livewire's blasts ignite Ivy's plants. In the meantime, the destruction leads to water spilling all over Livewire shorting her out. They are able to capture the villains and turn them over to the police.

Don't get me wrong, Supergirl and Batgirl have nice moments throughout the show escaping the various traps and laying the smack down on the villains.

The episode ends with the two new friends relaxing after the battle. They are giddy when Bullock praises them on television.

It had been a while since I saw this episode so it was great to watch it again. It was nice to see the easy friendship between the two young heroes. Plus, they worked so well together on the battle field, covering each other's backs and pulling no punches.

I hope that Kara and Stephanie have the same sort of camaraderie.

And thanks again to Gene for the idea. I always like showcasing the multimedia renditions of Supergirl.

Superman:Last Stand Of New Krypton

Remember a while back when Superman:World of New Krypton was expanded from a 12 issue mini-series to a 15 issue mini-series. And then shortly after that announcement, the series was scaled back to 12 issues again and a stealth 'new mini-series' was discussed although never named.

Well, probably last week, DC finally announced the what that 3 issue mini-series is going to be ... Superman:Last Stand of New Krypton. Here is the official link over on the DCU Source blog; as always it is worth reading the whole link.

http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2009/12/17/prepare-for-the-last-stand-of-new-krypton/

Here are a few blurbs from that announcement as well as some guesses.

What is the LAST STAND OF NEW KRYPTON? Well, it’s basically New Krypton’s worst nightmare come to life, as Brainiac attacks the planet, determined to recapture the city of Kandor.

Certainly, the threat Brainiac poses on New Krypton, both physically as a threat as well as psychologically in terms of their responses to him, has been an undercurrent in the super-books since Kandor was first freed. Why just a month ago we saw Alura saying she hoped Superman would kill him.

So Brainiac makes a perfect villain. And we know he has the stuff to be a legitimate threat.

But General Zod has prepared for this moment since Brainiac first attacked the original Krypton. Only problem? Zod’s plan to save New Krypton will mean the destruction of the future.
So it’s up to Superman, Supergirl, Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes to save the people of New Krypton and ensure the Legion won’t be wiped from the future’s existence. Good luck!

So I am not surprised to see that Zod has been planning for Brainiac forever.

But what plan could threaten the future of the universe? The outright destruction of the Earth?

It will be good to see Superman and Supergirl and the Legion all teaming up again. That might be the first time since The Great Darkness Saga. And it always warms the heart to see Superboy and the Legion of Superheroes listed together. That's DC history.

LAST STAND is a three-issue miniseries, weighing in at 30 story pages each, from writers James Robinson and Sterling Gates and artist Pete Woods. The first issue sports an amazing Andy Kubert cover and kicks off the latest chapter in the New Krypton saga, “Brainiac & The Legion of Super-Heroes,” which we teased right here not long ago. “Brainiac & the LOSH” is an eight-part story (plus an epilogue and a prologue) that will run in LAST STAND, SUPERGIRL, SUPERMAN, and because you demanded it, ADVENTURE COMICS. Secrets will be revealed, loyalties tested and would-be lovers will be reunited—for the first time? And, knowing that all signs are pointing to an epic WAR OF THE SUPERMEN, why not hop aboard now?

So Last Stand is sort of rolled into the whole 'Brainiac and the LOSH' storyline. My guess is we will start a new set of shield numbering on the covers to help new readers coming on board.

As a series it sounds great. The issues are a plus-sized 30 pages long. Co-written by James Robinson and Sterling Gates (so we know Supergirl will get a fair shake) and drawn by WONK artist Pete Woods, it has the talent to back up a big series. The outcome of this will obviously set up what is the starting point of 'War of the Supermen'.

And, what I am looking forward to the most, we have Supergirl and Brainiac 5 interacting.

Last Stand comes out in March.

Best Of 2010?

Some long time friends might recall my '2008 in Review and Top 10 Supergirl comic moments' post last January. For those who want to take a peek, here is the link:
http://comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com/2009/01/2008-year-in-review-and-top-10.html

Anyways, I am starting to cobble together my 'Top 10 moments for 2009' list for this year and there is a lot to cover. There is no doubt that this moment from Cosmic Adventures ... 'Supergirl as the hand Krona saw' ... is definitely going to be on the list and probably near the top.
Happily there is a lot of material to review! There is the main title Supergirl but also all of her interaction in Superman and Action Comics, Cosmic Adventures, Final Crisis, Cry For Justice, Blackest Night Superman, Superman/Batman, Tiny Titans, R.E.B.E.L.S., Wednesday Comics, Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds, the end of Superman/Supergirl:Maelstrom, and World of New Krypton!

It has been a good year for Supergirl fans!

Picking just 1o is going to be tough!

Her fight with Reactron when powerless? Her fight with Mary Marvel in Final Crisis? Reading stories to kids in Final Crisis? Stopping an assasin's bullet in WONK? Thrashing some Batman baddies in Superman/Batman? Facing the zombie Zor-El in BN Superman? And those are some contenders just off the top of my head!

I figured I would ask what you guys thought. I don't think it's a poll ... I'm not counting votes ... but I don't want to miss a key moment either! And I can be swayed. The Year in Review will be posted in January and I better start finding the appropriate panels.

So what say you?

Taylor Swift As Supergirl?

Well, there has been a lot of buzz on the Internet about Supergirl being resurrected as wither a movie or a television series and one name keeps cropping to the top of potential Kara's ... Taylor Swift.

Here is a link to MTV.com .. although the news is everywhere.

http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/taylor-swift/news/170870-taylor-swift-to-play-supergirl

Taylor Swift is being lined up to play Supergirl in a new film- according to reports.
The star is apparently film bosses fist choice for the big role, despite having only acted in one film so far.

A source told Bang Showbiz: “A number of young stars are being mentioned for the title role in a Supergirl movie and possible TV spinoff, and Taylor is top of that list. She has all the right elements to be a positive role model to young girls.”

So what does everyone think?

First off, who would ever imagine that another Supergirl movie would even be on the table! I am shocked and thrilled.

I don't listen to Swift's music but from what I have seen on a variety of television shows, she looks like she would have a decent mix of strength, adventurousness, and wholesomeness to, on first pass, be an okay Supergirl. I know nothing of her acting skills.

This would also be one of those cross-cultural bonanzas where suddenly Supergirl would be a hot commodity and her comics would sell like ... well, like Taylor Swift albums. Supergirl stuff would be everywhere!

This could all be rumors. I would rather see Vandervoort on the big screen. Swift is no Helen Slater. And the script could be horrible. But I think another Supergirl movie would be pretty cool.

What do you all think?

Review: Supergirl #48

Supergirl #48 was released this week and was fantastic.

After a year of stories tightly connected to the other super-titles, I have been craving a pure Supergirl story and that's just what this was.

As much as I have enjoyed the Superwoman/Reactron/Alura/Thara/New Krypton issues, I have missed what we first saw way back in Supergirl #34, the first Gates/Igle issue. I have missed reading about Kara and her world without someone else's story butting in a bit. Don't misunderstand me ... those are great issues that I loved.

But this was like a breath of fresh air. It was great to see Lana and Inspector Henderson and a non-New Krypton based villain.

The book opens up with Inspector Henderson investigating a crime in Suicide Slum on the corner of Austen and Byrne (a nice little 'shout out' to some comic professionals).

It is an eerie scene as Henderson and his men arrive seconds too late. After surviving an explosion of magical fire, the police find the dead body of a woman, her body covered in runes.

It is a good opening scene ... short, dense, powerful, creepy. In particular, this last panel with the victim's body awkwardly lying on the floor, bent like a rag doll, her face twisted in terror, her skin covered in magical text ... that's just eerie.

But we leave that supernatural horror for one all too based in the real world. Lana is sick and getting sicker. And now that Kara knows about it, she wants some answers.

The smashing of the fruit bowl is a little strong ... I mean its Supergirl's fruit bowl too.

That said, I can understand Supergirl's anger. Despite Lana's claim that she didn't want to burden Kara more, Kara feels she should have been told. I like how Lana brings up that she didn't want to bring back the feelings Kara had when she tried and failed in the 'Saving Thomas' arc. It was a nice little nod to continuity.

I also think Kara's anger may stem from feeling guilty that she didn't notice Lana's condition. Supergirl has been so busy with everything else in her life that she hasn't been there for her friend.

At least we finally get some answers as to what is ailing Lana. Well ... more like what it isn't. It isn't a typical cancer or infectious disease. It is something new, something effecting Lana's immune system, something even the best doctors in Metropolis can't figure out. Anyone with any new ideas as to what this is?

Before Kara can process all this, she is called to the Metropolis Police headquarters.

It seems that Inspector Henderson needs some super-help with the case he is working on. I really like that he trusts and feels like he can count on Supergirl for help. It is just another tangible way that you see how much Supergirl has grown over this year. The police see her as a hero and an ally.

I am also glad that Henderson addresses the "Metropolis Three' incident. Mon-El and The Guardian have backed up Supergirl's claims of innocence. Of course, Kryptonians are still illegal on Earth as per the UN edict.

Henderson fears the Silver Banshee is behind the killing he was investigating and he fears she is on the hunt.

As always, it is the small things in comics that often make me the happiest. I love how Henderson's board includes the cover of and a panel from PAD's Supergirl #11, a panel from Supergirl #34, and even a still from the recent Superman/Batman Public Enemies movie.

Supergirl provides some exposition, retelling the Banshee's origin albeit with (what I think is) a new wrinkle.

The Banshee is looking to rid herself of the curse placed on her by her ancestors. She can rid herself of it by finding 7 family heirlooms.

In the past, Hendeson was involved in a case where an odd coin was found in the murder victim's hand. The police officer who was in charge of the case, Captain Tanner, was a friend of Henderson's. Tanner was scarred by the case and ended up commiting suicide. Henderson vowed to find out the significance of the coin and solve the case.


Unfortunately, he found out the significance the hard way. It is indeed one of Banshee's heirlooms. And she hasn't been able to find it because the coin hides within the people who have them.

Henderson removes a glove and shows the coin embedded in his palm, the rest of his hand covered in the same glyphs the earlier victim had on her body. The Banshee was able to recover the coin from that murder victim and now she wants the Inspector's.

The Banshee arrives and attempts to cast a spell on Henderson but Supergirl intercepts and the two fight.

The Banshee screams and deafens Kara. In a nice twist, Gates has the last scene unfold just with Supergirl's inner monologue. She cannot hear Henderson or the Silver Banshee. And as readers, we only see empty word balloons. Is he telling her to do something? Warning her about something? It definitely builds the suspense of the scene.

Kara sees a box on Henderson's desk she thinks must hold another heirloom and grabs it.

And then something incredible happens ...

Supergirl hears the voices of what I presume are the Banshee's ancestors and we suddenly have a super-banshee.

Whew ... wow ...

What a phenomenal issue.

First off, this was clearly a Supergirl issue. She was in every scene but the first. The story revolved around her. No one else's story superceded or interrupted hers.

Second, it was great to catch up with the parts of the book that Gates initiated but have been put off for a while .. the Lana/Linda relationship, the burgeoning friendship with Inspector Henderson.

Third, the Silver Banshee is a great villain for Supergirl's rogues gallery. I like the new wrinkle to the Banshee back story. And that cliffhanger was unexpected and intriguing!

Add to that the best art I have seen by Fernando Dagnino and you had the recipe for a great issue. Dagnino's work here seemed softer, more fluid, more polished.

And next issue we have the end of Lana's story and the double sized fiftieth issue after that!

Overall grade: A+/A

Review: Adventure Comics #5

Well, it took just over one week for me to get the energy up to review Adventure Comics #5. I don't know what to say. I just don't find Superboy Prime to be an interesting character. What's more, as I said with last issue, I'm unsure exactly how I am supposed to be interpreting this current story.

Is it supposed to be comedy? Is it supposed to be drama? Is it supposed to be dramedy?

What's more, it just feels a little out of place in comparison to the rest of the Blackest Night crossovers. I have never had to ask if any of them are supposed to be read as comedy.

The story is written by Geoff Johns and Sterling Gates. Art is done by Jerry Ordway. I have nothing but great respect for all three of these creators.

You may recall that in the last issue Alexander Luthor brought all of Superboy Prime's murder victims to Earth Prime to fight him.


With the battle raging, Superboy Prime decides that he will bring the fight to those he holds responsible for his current ordeals. He actually goes to the DC Comics headquarters.

What follows is several pages of Prime ripping apart DC's offices. While I recognized Dan Didio, I unfortunately was unable to identify anyone else ... people I assume are actual members of the DC staff. Throughout this chaos, Prime rants about the quality of the stories that are being produced and how they affect people like him.

So Prime shatters the fourth wall. And it is amusing that he is complaining about the stories in DC comics to the very comic creators that produced the books I consume. Is this supposed to be funny? An amusing way for the creators to insert themselves into the story? Or is it supposed to be taken seriously? Is it supposed to be some sort of commentary on the obsessed fan?

I just don't seem to have a sense of what the underlying theme here is supposed to be ... what I should be thinking as a reader. I suppose I can put my own theme here but the scenes seem disjointed as though they were written for drama but are a little comedic or vice versa.


Luthor decides that he doesn't like the DC offices as an arena and teleports everyone back to Prime's basement.

There, Luthor calls Prime's comic book collection his Kryptonite. Luthor states that Prime does not belong to the community of comic book fans.

Unclear of how to defeat these enemies, Prime grabs one of the Black Lantern rings and puts it on his hand.


What happened next in the book is actually the most interesting piece.

Despite being a black ring, Prime systematically adopts the other colors of the emotional spectrum.

He eventually seems to settle on one color that serves him best ... red for rage.

I don't know exactly why the Black Lantern ring responded this way to Prime but it is clear that he is a seething emotional cauldron.


In fact, he swirls through the spectrum so quickly and thoroughly that the resulting combination of lights shatters his Black Lantern ring and seems to destroy all of the Black Lanterns surrounding him.

Now that is pretty nifty writing. That is the first time that we have seen that particular use of the emotional spectrum used to destroy the Black Lantern threat. Maybe it is some depth to Prime after all.


Unfortunately for Prime, the story ends with a tragic twist. His girlfriend Laurie returns from the dead telling Prime that she has returned to give him a happy ending. She says that "they" have given her back to him ... the they apparently being the DC is staff.

In fact, while she may have been returned to him by the writers she is not so innocent. She is a Black Lantern.

For once, I actually felt bad for him. I suppose making me care even a little bit for a character that I don't like is the mark of a decent story.


The second feature of the book was a Conner Superboy story. It was good to see Johns and Manapul working with the character again.

In it, Conner discovers that his classmate Lori has been vandalizing a local doctor's office. She has done this because the physician has refused to care for her chronically ill mother since their medical insurance has run out.

While such a minor incident speaks of the little-town feel of this book, it just seemed off that Conner would actually put on his Superman list that the Man of steel 'stopped vandals'. Somehow this felt too small to be put on the list.


One thing this interaction to cement is that Superboy considers Wonder Girl to be his girlfriend. Despite some romantic efforts on her part, Lori cannot sway Conner from Cassie.

Another thing it does show is that Superboy is wise enough to know that he cannot solve everyone's problems. He doesn't specifically attempt to help Lori's mother. Instead he tells Lori that she should look to the town for help. That sounds like something Clark would say.


Unfortunately this warm scene is broken up by the sudden arrival of Lori's uncle ... none other than Lex Luthor. And he comes bearing gifts: a big chunk of Kryptonite.

I'm going to miss this creative team working on this character.

So I was a bit underwhelmed by this issue. I shouldn't be surprised given that I don't necessarily like prime as a character and he was the star of the book. Still there were some nice twists to his story and the Conner story was pretty good as well.

Overall grade: C

Jamal Igle Interview

There is a really great 2 part interview with Jamal Igle over on www.ustownhall.com.

I highly recommend listening to both parts but you should know that each port is just under half an hour long period so brew a cup and settle in. Here are the Links:

http://www.ustownhall.com/USTH-RealStories-Igle01.html

http://www.ustownhall.com/USTH-RealStories-Igle02.html

The first part revolves mostly around Igle's early career and artistic influences.

A lot of his favorite artists also fall on my list of favorite artists. In particular, I am a huge fan of Steve Rude and Brian Bolland.

The second part of the interview is almost exclusively about Supergirl and the Superman families. It really touches on a lot of topics and is actually quite meaty.

He talks about coming on to the title, first working with Sterling Gates, rehabilitating the character, and touching on the bike short controversy again.

But then he also drops a lot of hints about the upcoming year. Those hints include:

1) the origin of Lana's illness being found in Kurt Busiek's run on Superman

2) the importance of Nightwing and Flamebird to the overall story of War of the Supermen

3) Kara's interaction with Brainiac 5 in the upcoming crossover. Querl might recognize Supergirl from her prior incarnation?? Ooohh ... juicy!

4) Supergirl crossing over in R.E.B.E.L.S. again (most likely in the Brainiac crossover again).

So lots of tidbits to mull over. It feels like 2010 will be a strong Superman and Supergirl year.