Review: Supergirl #18 (v8)

From the beginning of this volume of Supergirl, I have been completely impressed with writer/artist Sophie Campbell and how much she has acknowledged and respected the history of the character. There are little nods and homages to famous stories and panels. But more importantly, there is a deep understanding of the character being one of hope and kindness. But one willing to throw down if it is required. 

In Supergirl #18, we see that Campbell brings the same sense of honor to the 'other' Supergirl, the Matrix Supergirl. Matrix was Supergirl for a while. So seeing Campbell bring her back to continuity and really doing so well just makes this old Supergirl fan smile. Matrix Supergirl grew as a character and grew into a character I truly loved. I am thrilled to see her back. And I think a subplot introduced here probably hinges on her too. 

Now we had learned in New History of the DCU #3 that Matrix was in continuity. And now I wonder all her history is in continuity. Blog friend Mart Gray thought there was a side door reference to Superman killing the Pocket Universe Kryptonians in the Kingdom Of Zod Special. I think he is right!

This issue is the first Supergirl one since that end of the Kingdom of Zod event so we are sort of laying out a new playing field. We are getting back to the plots that have been simmering in this book. And we also launch the next big arc here. The book is chock full of characters. Super Force is a true Legion. But in this issue, it is clear that Kara is the straw that stirs the drink. I read this book for her. Seeing her inspire all the others is great.

Campbell is on art this issue as well and that makes the book just feel whole. I love Campbell's style. It is perfect for this title and its feel. From the new Reactron to the diagram of the Fortress to the brawl to Matrix in all her purple goo glory, the book is gorgeous.

This might be my favorite single issue of this title to date. No small feat. On to details.

Comics Feature July/August 1984

I have been reading comics for over 5 decades (I am old) and I have been blogging about Supergirl for 18 years (this site is old!). So when I discover something new and novel and fun about my favorite character, I get completely thrilled.

One of the things that I have started to look to are the comic magazines from the 80s and 90s to crack open the time capsule and learn what people were thinking and doing back then. 

At this year's Terrificon, there was a dealer who had a whole section of old magazines - Starlog, Comic Scene, Amazing Heroes, and Comics Feature. I'd never heard of this periodical but what an issue for me to stumble on.

From July/August 1984, this issue covers the Supergirl movie and gave me some new interesting info about it. But moreover, there is a Julie Schwartz interview! There is a Thor article which talks about Simonson's run which was in its infancy. There's all sorts of background info on editorial teams and creative changes. Plus, an article by Steve Bissette who was less than a year into his run with Alan Moore on Swamp Thing!

You want a cool time capsule, this is it! Come for the Supergirl movie info. Stay for everything else!

On to some details.

Review: Superman The Stranger #2

Superman:The Stranger #2 came out this week and was one of the best reads of the week for me. This is a Golden Age sort of Superman operating in the 30's. He is a populist hero. He doesn't have the wisdom of the Kents in his background. And he simply wants to help. 

Wes Craig is the writer and artist on the book and he has a clear direction he is going at here. This is a Superman trying the help the ordinary people being crushed by the system that exists around him. That makes him progressive to some and a danger to others. In this issue we see how he is trying to right wrongs that he sees around him with his physical presence. He is almost Batman-like in his approach.

Unlike last issue, the politics here aren't nearly as 'in your face' or preachy. That was one of my quibbles with the first issue. But here, the tone is tempered a bit. We are shown the issue. It isn't ham-fisted. We aren't told the issue. It is embedded in the story. 

I read comics for the story. So seeing this naive Clark trying to live a life and do what's right is a fun ride. Seeing elements ripped from Fleischer studio cartoons or the earliest of early Superman stories props up the sentiment of the story for old time fans like me. 

But it is the visuals that really struck me here. From those nods to early stories, to the inkiness of the dimly lit jazz clubs, to the very innovative page constructs of the Luthor epilogue that adds to the story, the art here is one to linger over, savor. In particular, the Luthor pages were mesmerizing as the complemented the words and feel of that scene so well.

I liked this issue a lot and look forward to seeing where this goes from here.

Review: Absolute Superman #24

Absolute Superman #24 came out this week and was another interesting, world-building issue. As I have said many times before, this book has, for the most part, been a bit of a potboiler, slowly building who Superman is over the initial skirmish with Ra's Al Ghul. But now we know who he is. 

While this is the middle of the 'Find Brainiac' arc, this really would be a perfect jumping on point for this title. If you want to know this world and this Superman, you could pick this up and get a great idea of both those things. And what I like about this issue is that it is told through the view of John Henry Irons. Steel is witnessing Superman up close and he comes out impressed and inspired. There could have been a 'Great Jumping On Point' cover dress here.

Writer Jason Aaron is showing us an interesting take on this Darkseid-fueled world. Yes, it is a darker world. But Superman is able to inspire and change this world. He is still Superman. Moreover, we see it in this issue three times over. This is the first appearance of Absolute Chemo, Atomic Skull, and Bloodsport. All of them are turned by Superman and Steel towards kindness. 

Superman is also shown to be the shy kid who is overworked and too busy thinking about others to think about himself. I wonder if we will eventually see him get to a point where he feels he can take a night off.

Juan Ferreyra is on art and his art here is less color pencil-y than I am used to but it is still gorgeous. I love the designs of the villains. And his Superman is a specimen.

On to the issue.

Granite State Comic Con 2026 recap

While Terrificon is my main showto attend, Granite State Comicon is always a on my convention season docket. One hour north into New Hampshire, the show has grown over the years of my attendance. It first was in the ballroom of the Hilton, then the expo center in the hotel, then both the ballroom and the expo center, and now the ballroom, expo center, and the arena across the street!

Every year they have a nice list of local artists in attendance with a smattering of bigger names. And each year there is someone I haven't met before. Interestingly enough, there aren't many comic dealers there. Instead, toys, shirts, posters, and other memorabelia dominate. 

Still, if Terrificon is the main course, Granite State is the dessert of the season. 

This year I was most excited to meet Steve Lieber. Lieber drew the fantastic Jimmy Olsen book that Matt Fraction wrote back in the Event Leviathan days. I loved that book. I hadn't seen Lieber at a show before so he was first on my list. Anything else I got at the show would almost gravy.

I got to his table right as the place opened on Saturday and was first on his commission list. 

Love this sketch of my favorite hero, flying in the clouds and looking up to the sun. Nice use of copic markers to add some shade and depth to things as well. 

So cool to add to the collection.

Review: Adventures Of Superman Book Of El #12

Adventures of Superman Book of El #12 came out last week marking the end of this book and, more importantly, the end of Phillip Kennedy Johnson writing Superman for the foreseeable future. 

Johnson understood Superman incredibly well. The hero he is. The inspiration he is. The power of his symbols.

Johnson understood the assignment and leaned into his strengths. He loves world-building and mythology. From Warworld to Metallo and Earth Al Ghul, he built his own worlds and mythology. And he placed Superman in the middle, forcing change and inspiring.

And now we have Book Of El where Superman was pulled forward in time to stop Kryl-Ux from uniting the aspects of Olgrun and re-write reality. Superman has to save the universe. But he also has to unite his family to become the force of good needed in the universe.

The defeat of Kryl-Ux is quick but requires the whole squad (including Supergirl!). And the upshot of that is the ascension of the House of El even in the far-flung future. 

Scotty Godlewski is on art and brings it. This is a big cast fighting a promethean giant and he does a great job. Every El has a unique look and costume. Kryl-Ux is enormous and scary. And the quiet moments at the end are charming. 

I don't know if I understood the minutiae of the mythology. But I got the broad strokes. And this book again shows how well PKJ knows how to write Superman. Heroic. Kind. Inspiring.

On to the book.

Review: Superman Kingdom Of Zod Special #1

Superman: Kingdom of Zod Special #1 came out this week, finishing the crossover event and setting up the next arcs for all the super-titles. The writers for the main super-titles are all present to do their character specific segments while Joshua Williamson pens the main story.

In the end, I don't know if Kingdom of Zod lived up to what I expect from a crossover. I have pointed out my issues with the overall plot in every review. But it was this lack of scaffolding of a story. I didn't understand much of why Zod was doing what he was doing from the beginning. The way an overabundance of Green K only 'sort of' hurt Kryptonians, and only when the story needed it to bugged me. The use of Lena Luthor as a deus ex machina, her creating anything that was needed also concerns me.

That isn't to say there aren't good moments in this event. The side-plot back in time to Krypton was quite entertaning. 

This issue basically needs to put everything essentially back to where it was before the arc and it does it succinctly. And rather easily. 

For me, the best part of this special was getting a sneak peek into where the titles are going now. Some interesting stuff for sure.

On to the details.