Big Bad Big Barda Blog

I was really really hoping to post this tomorrow but since I was unable to get comics this week, I had a hole to fill. I strive to maintain a sense of routine here at the site and so you are getting this post one day early.

And you may have noticed some changes here.

It has been almost 9 years covering Supergirl and so I thought maybe it was time to focus somewhere else. I have really been diving into Jack Kirby a lot lately and I have always been a fan of the Fourth World stuff and so I thought maybe running a Big Barda site would be a way to re-energize. There is a sort of murmur bubbling in comic fandom that DC needs to bring back the Fourth World characters, reinvent or reinvigorate them in the post-'New 52' continuity.

I feel like Barda is in a place where Supergirl was around 2005. We are starting to see an uptick in interest in her. She is in the 'out of continuity' but highly popular series Justice League Action, DC Bombshells, and DC Superhero Girls.

And what better place to champion a strong female character who needs the mainstream spotlight thrown back on her. After all, it isn't like Barda hasn't been a star before. She has always been an integral part of Mister Miracle stories, sure. But she has been in the Justice League and Birds of Prey too

Heck, back in the day, was going to get her own title, Big Barda and her Female Furies, had the DC Implosion not occurred.

And it isn't as if I am coming on board late. I have been a fan of Barda's since 1977. In fact, I thought a good opening post would be bullet reviewing 1977's Mister Miracle #19, a book I bought off the rack. (I know, I am aging myself.) I'll concentrate on the Barda parts of the book. I know that this was my first experience with any of the Fourth World characters. And I bought it off the spinner because it said it was the 'long awaited return' of Mister Miracle, which made me feel I was about to read something special. Back then cover blurbs like 'bold new direction' or 'the most bizarre story in years' could lure me!

Sales Review: February 2017

The month is over and the sales numbers are in. And I have to say, despite having covered sales here for years, I still have a hard time interpreting these numbers. What is considered 'healthy' sales these days? What degree of sales erosion is allowed from month to month before alarms start to go off?

And if I don't know what to make of these numbers, why do I keep covering them. I suppose trends are a good thing.

Regardless, the plump sales numbers at the beginning of the #Rebirth are receding a bit.

February sales were reported over on ICv2. Here is the link:
http://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/36913/top-300-comics-actual-february-2017

Supergirl #6 last month, the last chapter in the first arc.

This was a very good issue, showcasing the Supergirl character very nicely. She overcame her father's plot. She defeated him but also saved him. She declared Earth her home.

It took a while to get here, moving past the Argo storyline and the Cyborg. But this laid the foundation. Now the title can move forward.

So how did it sell?

Supergirl Ep 217: Distant Sun

Supergirl Season two, episode 17, titled 'Distant Sun', aired this week and was a very entertaining episode which really pushed the overall season plot forward. It's hard to believe, but there are only 5 more episodes to the season and there is a fair amount of plotlines that need to be wrapped up. There really hasn't been one big bad this season (unlike Non last year). And surprisingly, we added a new villain this episode in a most dramatic way.

Not that this whole episode is only about pushing forward the major plots. We get a nice look at the romantic relationships which are so important to the backbone of this show. So we see just how committed Mon-El and Kara are these days.

We also get an important Maggie and Alex subplot in which Alex has to confront Maggie for hiding an important truth from her. I can't help but wonder if this plot was added as a reaction to all the Kara/Mon-El hate I have seen on the internet. In some ways, Maggie has been lying just like Mon-El had. Or maybe it was just to show how forgiving and nurturing the Danvers girls are.

Lastly, I can't help but comment that Kevin Smith directed this episode and kept it snappy. There are some dialogue flourishes which have to be things he added. But overall, things moved briskly and perfectly here.

Overall, not a bad episode leading us into the back end of the season.

June 2017 Solicits

The solicits for June came out a while back so it is time to review what is happening in the super-books. There's some great stuff coming out that made me smile. And luckily, it doesn't look like I'll break the bank!

If you want to see all the solicits, head over to Newsarama:

http://www.newsarama.com/33652-dc-comics-june-2017-solicitations.html

And now on to the individual issues.

SUPERGIRL #10
Written by STEVE ORLANDO • Art by BRIAN CHING • Cover by ROBSON ROCHA and DANIEL HENRIQUES • Variant cover by BENGAL
“ESCAPE FROM THE PHANTOM ZONE” part two! The Phantom King holds all the cards, and he’s forcing Supergirl and Batgirl to turn to the alien antagonist in order to save themselves and the humans trapped inside the Phantom Zone.

I am definitely pumped for this storyline for many reasons. Batgirl and Supergirl together again for the first time!

I totally love this cover by Rocha and Henriques. Love that determined Supergirl.

Interesting that this story seems to start next week in the Batgirl Annual.

SUPERGIRL: BEING SUPER #4
Written by MARIKO TAMAKI
Art and cover by JOELLE JONES
Having her life torn to shreds and burned to ash has forced Supergirl to choose between the world she was born on and the world that adopted her. Can Kara Danvers find a way to be super—or will she crash and burn?

I have enjoyed this Elseworlds take on Supergirl more than I expected I would. It is a nice coming of age story with gorgeous art. Of course, one of the running themes with Supergirl is her accepting Earth as her home. So seeing this was, I suppose, not surprising. 

One minor quibble is the cover. This is the ending issue. Shouldn't we get something more heroic. Maybe it is the blurred effect that is striking me as odd. Usually we get something more dramatically iconic for a conclusion. 

DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #28
Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT • Art by LAURA BRAGA and ANEKE • Cover by ANT LUCIA
How can Supergirl convince Power Girl that she is not fighting an enemy—but a sister? Plus, Lois Lane and the Reaper make their way to Hugo Strange’s lab to stop his “superweapon,” unaware that it’s Power Girl herself!

DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #29
Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT • Art by MIRKA ANDOLFO, RICHARD ORTIZ and CARMEN CARNERO • Cover by MARGUERITE SAUVAGE
Lois Lane and the Reaper join Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy’s travelling circus of mythical Russian creatures, where Poison Ivy uses her powers to alleviate the situation in Leningrad. Plus, Supergirl is forced to fight Power Girl!

Great to see Supergirl prominently on the cover. I was wondering how they were going to place Power Girl into the book. What is their connection? I hope it isn't them being sisters. Perhaps a clone? Given we get a hint about Hugo Strange and the history of the JLU famous Galatea episodes, that would make sense.

And, of course, they need to fight. Because comics.

Lots of Supergirl monthly stuff for this month!

ACTION COMICS #981
Written by DAN JURGENS • Art by JACK HERBERT • Cover by PATCH ZIRCHER
Variant cover by GARY FRANK
“REVENGE” part three! Superman races to save the Suicide Squad from General Zod, Cyborg Superman and Eradicator. Can the Man of Steel escape the Black Vault and stop the carnage before Harley, Deadshot and the rest of Task Force X are forced to make a final stand?
ACTION COMICS #982
Written by DAN JURGENS • Art by VIKTOR BOGDANOVIC • Cover by PATCH ZIRCHER
Variant cover by GARY FRANK
“REVENGE” part four! General Zod takes command as he leads Cyborg Superman, Eradicator, Mongul, Blanque and Metallo against Superman—but his real motives are yet to be revealed and may have far graver consequences for Superman than anyone imagines.

A new Revenge Squad with all these heavy hitters? Fascinating. I don't know I like the look of the new Metallo (if that is who that is) but otherwise bring it.

I am really hoping that Zod comes off well. He was so prevalent a few years ago I felt he was overplayed.

SUPERMAN #24

Written by PETER J. TOMASI and PATRICK GLEASON • Art by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA • Cover by RYAN SOOK • Variant cover by JORGE JIMENEZ
“BLACK DAWN” part five! The Man of Steel faces the one foe he refuses to fight—his son. An emerging new ability for Superboy proves deadly to Superman as the promise of power appears to lead Jon Kent to betray his father.
SUPERMAN #25
Written by PETER J. TOMASI and PATRICK GLEASON • Art by PATRICK GLEASON, DOUG MAHNKE and others • Cover by RYAN SOOK • Variant cover by JORGE JIMENEZ
“BLACK DAWN” part six! The extra-sized finale to “Black Dawn” reveals the villain tearing the Super-Family apart and destroying everything the Man of Steel holds dear!

Remember when we had a new superpower for Superman? The solar flare? I wonder if we will get that in the Rebirth universe. I wonder if Supergirl can still do it? Maybe her illness and repowering removed that?

Interesting that this cover makes it seem like Jon has a flare power but with Green K power? Now that is a mystery.

SUPER SONS #5
Written by PETER J. TOMASI • Art and cover by JORGE JIMENEZ • Variant cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
“Battle in the Batcave”! The battle with Kid Amazo leaves Jon and Damian’s friendship in ruins as the boys decide their partnership isn’t working out! It’s a rumble between Superboy and Robin like you’ve never seen as the boys rage through the house Batman built!

I have to assume the story arc is 6 issues. So having the two split in the penultimate issue makes story sense. It will make their coming together next issue more powerful. The idea of the kids trashing the Batcave makes me very very happy.

NEW SUPER-MAN #12
Written by GENE LUEN YANG • Art by BILLY TAN • Cover by PHILIP TAN • Variant cover by BERNARD CHANG
“THE ZERO ULTIMATUM” part two! New Super-Man and the Justice League of China must take back Shanghai from the current emperor—the original super-powered creation of Dr. Omen! While the battle may be winnable, a devastating secret comes to light and shakes the young Super-Man to his core.

I'm glad to see Billy Tan back on art. I liked his prior work.
Is the villain on the cover the original Omen experiment? It has a Superman vibe.
And I wonder what secret comes to life? My guess? Omen is Kenan's actual mom.

SUPERWOMAN #11
Written by K. PERKINS • Art by STEPHEN SEGOVIA and ART THIBERT • Cover by KEN LASHLEY • Variant cover by RENATO GUEDES
“Rediscovery” part three! Former friends duke it out as Superwoman squares off against…Natasha Irons?! In the battle to contain the freed Stryker’s inmates, Lana and Natasha are split over what to do about Natasha’s criminal father, Crash.

Jimenez certainly pumped up Natasha during his run. Maybe too much? It seemed so over the top it felt forced.

And while the solicit is about Lana fighting Natasha, the cover is Lana fighting Steel.

Of course, how does Lana have powers in this post Superman Reborn world? I guess we'll find out.

THE DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL VOL. 2 TP
Written by PAUL KUPPERBERG
Art by CARMINE INFANTINO, BOB OKSNER and EDUARDO BARRETO
Cover by ED HANNIGAN and DICK GIORDANO
In these 1980s tales from The Daring NEW Adventures of Supergirl #13 and Supergirl #14-23, the Maid of Might faces neo-Nazis, meets the new threat of Blackstarr, explores the depths of Lake Michigan to find a mysterious monster and is baffled by the Ambush Bug! This collection features appearances by the Justice League of America and the Teen Titans!

I am thrilled that the remainder of the 80s Supergirl title is being collected. Unbelievable. There is a lot to like in this back end of the book including the Ambush Bug as well as the debut of the new costume. We also get a nice anniversary celebration for Supergirl.

Kudos to DC for doing this! 

SUPERGIRL: THE SILVER AGE VOL. 1 TP
Written by OTTO BINDER and JERRY SIEGEL
Art by AL PLASTINO and JIM MOONEY
Cover by MICHAEL CHO
In these stories from ACTION COMICS #252-284, Supergirl adjusts to life on Earth with her adoptive parents. The stories alternate between small-town slice-of-life tales, tales of Supergirl’s efforts to master her new powers, and time-traveling jaunts into the far future and past. Plus, don't miss an early appearance of the Legion of Super-Heroes!

I am also thrilled that this omnibus will now be in softcover for folks who couldn't drop the $75 for the hardcover. And I love the Michael Cho cover. Very classic! A lot of goodness in here!

Good month to get us into the summer months! 

1978 Supergirl And Superboy Pin-up

I am always thrilled when something I have never seen before crosses my path. And when that something 'new' is also something 'classic', I like it even more. When it is something Supergirl, it becomes that much cooler.

So hat tip to my friend Mart Gray for sending me this image of Supergirl and Superboy. Looking around, this seems to have been an 11x15 pinup from 1978.

I love the whole look of this. The slightly tilted aspect, Supergirl leading the way flying with Superboy running, and the classic early 70s outfit on Kara is just wonderful. Maybe some more could have been put in the background. But the solid purple backdrop does make you focus more on the characters.

While the piece isn't signed, it looks to me most like Neal Adams. There is a sort of Dick Giordano flair to it so I wonder if Adams did pencils and Giordano did the inks.

I have seen it credited to Dave Cockrum but it doesn't look like Cockrum to me. Could Giordano have inked Cockrum and overwhelmed the style?

If anyone knows for sure who should be credited please let me know!

Just gorgeous!

The older I get, the more I love that version of the Supergirl costume.

Review: Action Comics #976

What do you do in comics when character mistakes have been made?
Well, you can reboot an entire universe if the mistakes are continuity wide.
Or you can simply ignore the mistakes and have a new creative team just start writing the character a different way.
Or you can 'soft reboot' things, change a couple of key events here and there to smooth out some of the rough edges.

Action Comics #976, the last part of Superman Reborn, does the latter. And I loved it.

There was much of the New 52 Superman that I didn't care for. Outside of Morrison and Pak, the tone just seemed way off. The usage of the supporting cast, especially Lois, was terrible. And we went from an 'I'm here to help' character to someone who mercilessly beat his helpless opponents. It was wrong.

Then Convergence and Rebirth came along and a new/old Superman and Lois were brought into the fold. Building on pre-Flashpoint continuity, the two were in love, married, and brought a more classic feel to the book. Everything seemed to be clicking.

Unfortunately, it meant you were stuck with two of each of the characters. The New 52 Superman and Lois were killed off to make things easier to follow. But how could the older Lois simply step into the younger Lois' life. How could Clark White live on a farm while no Clark Kent worked at the Planet? How did other people handle a 'new' Superman being in the ranks?

It was getting a bit confusing. Even my reviews had to say things like 'pre-FC Superman' and 'N52 Superman' and 'older Lois', etc. Things needed to be smoothed out.

That's just what Reborn has done. It might seem a bit fast. It probable will leave a lot of continuity reshuffling to the readers. And it didn't really answer the how's of all this. We still don't know who Mr. Oz is or who the mysterious 'he' who is doing all this is. But we have one Superman now, disguised as a mild-mannered reporter working for a great Metropolitan newspaper, in love with Lois, and acting as a hero. And for that, I'm happy.

I'll add that Doug Mahnke is on art on the issue and brings a nice insanity to the proceedings. Energy beings, 5th dimensional imps, decaying fantasylands ... Mahnke brings a vibrancy to it all.

Enough dawdling, onto the book.

Flash Ep 217: Duets

I have been watching the Flash show since the first season's premiere and overall have loved the show. The characters, their interactions, the deep dives into the DCU, and the personal plot lines have all made the show a winner.

You knew there was going to be a but, right.

But this season has been a bit more morose than I am used to with this show. Yes, there has been a lot of drama and depression in the first two seasons, revolving around the death of Barry's mom, the multiple supporting characters dying, the betrayal of Zoom, etc. This season has really wallowed in the depression and sadness. Everyone seems a little more sullen. Everyone is carrying some emotional burden. Barry hasn't been acting the hero.

In other words, the charm of the earlier seasons hasn't been there this season. And it was that charm that made this show such a winner.

This week, the Flash aired 'Duets', the much anticipated musical crossover with Supergirl. (It is Kara's presence that has me reviewing the show here.) And thankfully, this was a rollicking good time. The charm was back. Characters were smiling. Everyone seemed to be having a grand old time. That fun and charm just oozed off the screen.

I love that we learn how much Kara loves The Wizard of Oz, a perfect musical for her, with a female hero trying to recapture her home after being sent to someplace strange.

And perhaps most amazingly, even though this was a 'side mission', the episode moved both shows plots forward.

Suffice it to say, the family and I basically grinned for an hour. Now it doesn't hurt that the Anj household likes musicals. Maybe we were the perfect target audience.