Review: Supergirl #16

Supergirl #16 came out this last week and was a very fast moving issue focusing on Supergirl's continued problems with the DEO. I was impressed with the pace of this chapter giving us both superhero action as well as continued deepening of Kara's civilian life.

For me, the human scenes and the supporting cast are crucial elements in all comics, not just Supergirl. I need to see more than the earth-shattering punches (although I do love those). And I need to see the character interacting with those around them. So the scenes that writers Steve Orlando and Jody Houser give us of Kara with her parents and Kara and her school friends are so important to me. It gives us the chance to learn about who Kara is in noncombat situations. We get to see the viewpoints of those around her and how they effect Supergirl. So I am tickled that we have been getting more of that these last few months and definitely in this issue.

Add to that the bigger action sequences of Kara fighting Strange Visitor in this issue, the introduction of villain Deceilia, seeing how vindictive Mr. Bones is, the influence of Mokkari, and you get a very satisfying superhero story.

But writing is only half of this medium. And Robson Rocha, Daniel Henriques, and Michael Atiyeh really shine here. First off, the action scenes with the lightning effects of Strange Visitor are gorgeous and flow beautifully. Visitor is drawn with a lot of cheekiness. But it is again those personal scenes where I think we see their efforts sparkle. There is a lot of expressive work here which completely sell the scenes.

Enough preamble. Onto the issue!

The issue opens with an enraged and unhinged Strange Visitor just lashing out with electricity and calling out Supergirl. For some reason, Strange Visitor has an image of Supergirl reviving her, bringing her back from heaven. Strange Visitor had sacrificed herself to save the universe and achieved nirvana afterwards. You can understand why she would be unhappy.

For me, the big thing here is that means that Our Worlds At War, a deep cut, a pre-Flashpoint mega-event from the early 2000's, is back in continuity. That story had Linda Danvers. It had President Lex. It had older incarnations of other characters. So how much has snuck back in?

And yes, they do reference Superman #173 directly!

Strange Visitor is endangering citizens. The DEO is on the scene to try to stop her. And Kara is sitting at home with Jeremiah and Eliza, debating what she should do.

I'm not a big fan of Eliza and Jeremiah telling Kara to not help. I understand their feelings for her, their instinct to protect her. But at what cost? They didn't mind having her endanger herself with the DEO? Why not alone?

Once again, we hear a new Supergirl mantra. She chooses Earth, every dsy, so people can save each other's lives. I think this might be a new credo although I still like 'hope, help, and compassion for all.'

Now here is where things take a bit of a left turn. Mr. Mastrocola, the cyber-thief from issue #1, the man that Supergirl imprisons but then visits in hopes of inspiring, suddenly arrives in battle armor to try to stave off Strange Visitor.

He calls himself Insight. And I like that name because I assume it means that his interaction with Kara has given him new insight on life, that is, to become a better person.

But wasn't this guy in prison? Did I miss him being paroled? And did he make this armor? I have to go back. Or hope for some back story.

I also got a little Alpha Centurion vibe from him. Anyone else see that?

 He is only a guy in an electronic suit. Strange Visitor is an electric being based on a cosmic-level entity Kismet. He is no match for her.

Luckily Supergirl shows up and ends things. Maybe a bit too early to be honest. She scoops up Strange Visitor and roughly body slams her into the ground. And then the DEO arrives and goes all Ghostbuster, sucking her up into a containment unit and carting her off.

And they would've tried to grab Supergirl if it weren't for Insight and a flash grenade. Insight does say he knows everything the DEO is doing and what Mr. Bones motivations are. I suppose he is a cyberthief. So I like that he is an ally for Kara, even though captured.

The art is so beautiful here. There is something rather Benoist-y of the top panel. And you can read her sympathy. And that image of the screaming Visitor, stretched in the tube, is well done.

 You can see the machinations of the DEO in their headquarters. After all, they released Strange Visitor to attack Supergirl so that they could also send troops to capture her. They really have a vendetta against Supergirl ... maybe too much of one. Is it really her helping Zor-El that has vexed Bones so much?

At least we learn that it was 'conditioning' that made Strange Visitor think Supergirl hurt her.

 And that builds a bit when Bones talks to his latest agent, Deceilia.

She is some alien who tore apart her own world before being banished. And now on earth, Mr. Mokkari has made her a sort of brainwashed weapon for the DEO. I have never heard of her before. I don't know if I recognize the tech or wardrobe to place what planet she is from. Any ideas?

Bones ethics are interesting. He wants Deceilia to cause havoc to lure out Supergirl. But he forbids her to kill anyone. It is really all to trap Supergirl. Fascinating. I guess his thoughts of protecting the world is noble. But his means to that end, and his understanding of that end, are warped.

And then we have those quiet scenes that I love so much.

First we get a scene with the Danvers as they share a meal. I like the little quirk that the Danvers' are foodies, or at least willing to try anything, even chicken-fried steak at a mall food court. Again, Kara has to remind them that doing nothing is as bad as doing the wrong thing.

And then, officially, we meet Belinda Zee! Belinda Zee!!!

My instinct is that Zee will be a villain, all from her history in Cosmic Adventures. But Orlando and Houser really play up that she is a good kid. She chastises Ben and Kara for writing the anti-Supergirl pieces for CatCo. She wants Supergirl to do good. She volunteers in her spare time. Kara outright says that Belinda is 'nice'.

It's a trap!!!

But for now, Kara and Belinda are friends.

It becomes clear that during her fight with Strange Visitor, Kara suffered burns. Belinda notices them forcing Kara to come up with a lame excuse. (I do like the off the cuff 'Clark is clumsier' comment.) Maybe Belinda is going to put it all together and realize Kara is Supergirl? Maybe she'll turn Kara in, becoming a slight villain?

The idea that the DEO has agents in the school is a little crazy to me. Do they have agents in all schools? I know Supergirl calls National City home but she's Supergirl! Her base of operations could be 20 miles down the road in the suburbs.

Anyways, from their creepily asking for birth certificates to investigating Kara's burns (she gives a different excuse ... raising the specter of abuse), it is off putting. I suppose it is a comment on the times and the politics of illegal immigration.

I don't know how much money the DEO is paying Mr. Mokkari but it is too much.

Deceilia burns her way through her conditioning and just goes nuts. She heads to the seaport and just starts indiscriminately killing people. It forces Supergirl into action. But it looks like it might be a tougher fight than the prior.

Whew! That's a ton of story stuffed into 20 pages! We get two fights. We get some ethical discussion on the nature of heroism. We get Belinda Zee! And we get Insight!

I have to say, this comic is clicking right now. I think we have a new focus and a new direction. And the art is beautiful. The Artgerm variant covers are just spectacular.

Overall grade: A