Bullet Review: Crime Syndicate #6

Crime Syndicate #6 came out last week, the end of a very interesting and new take on Earth 3. I came to this mini-series on the recommendations of friends. I leave this mini-series greatly saddened.

Why?

Because it seems that Supergirl fans can't really catch a break.

You might remember that last issue, Ultragirl was introduced. I was thrilled because this was a heroic Supergirl analogue, fierce and almost overly exuberant in her pursuit of goodness. In fact, I found it odd that she would be so good on a world where the heroes were evil. Did that mean something? (Writer Andy Schmidt said it didn't.)

In a world where the main Supergirl became a pawn of the Batman Who Laughs, then disappeared, and now is sullen, drunk, and sleepy as the supporting character in her own book, I was delighted to see a heroic Supergirl somewhere, even if it was Earth 3.

But Supergirl aren't supposed to be happy it seems. Because all that comes to an end rather abruptly.

I really liked this mini-series. I did. Schmidt created a world that wasn't as simple as 'evil is good and good is evil'. This was a place where the entire world seems gray, most people being closer to the evil side of the midline. And Kieran McKeown definitely put a great artistic feel to the place. Heck, even the overall story is great ...

Except for the Ultragirl part.

Read on...

We start with a pretty cool image.

Atomica is surfing Jonny Quick's coffin down to Earth.

She talks about how she might be the tiniest super-being in the mix but she ultimately is the most important.

Great eye-grabbing opening splash.

Atomica knows that the real exciting thing to watch is the Ultraman and Ultragirl battle. 

And it is a brawl.

Okay, maybe this Ultragirl is a paragon of goodness. She talks openly about killing Ultraman, putting him down. 

As interesting is Ultraman who is thrilled to see another survivor. So much he wants to protect her.

I love when Supergirl has an edge to her, a sort of fierce response to injustice. And we get it here. That first panel of her bathed in shadow shows she is in a dark place, revealed and fighting her cousin's way.

I couldn't help but get a whiff of Silver Age in this Ultraman response. He keeps talking of protecting her (specifically from the rest of the Crime Syndicate). It reminded me of when Superman put the original Supergirl in an orphanage to let her learn about her powers and protect her.

But she wants no part of it.

Meanwhile, we see that no one is really good on this Earth.

Green Lantern fought with the Justice Rebellion but backstabs his heroic friend Thaal (Sinestro) to rejoin the Crime Syndicate. 

Gray upon gray.

Except Supergirl who is undaunted and unbowed.

Now I suppose I should have seen the writing on the wall when she said she'd rather die than join Ultraman.

Great first panel though. You can feel that punch in the jaw.

While Lex stands around trying to convince Kara to stand down, the rest of the Crime Syndicate shows up.

But even Ultragirl and Power Ring can't seem to slow her down. She is almost in berserker model, struggling against the bonds they hold her in.

This is a very powerful Kara, sworn to do good.

So, of course, she is killed off.

Atomica said she would be important. We see her crawling from Kara's ear. Atomica shrunk down, into Kara's brain, and stomped around killing Kara.

Unbelievably sad.

The heroic Kara, a shining light on this dark Earth 3 world, would have been the main hero here. 

A couple of things.

One, this death reminds me very much of Identity Crisis. I really don't want to be reminded of Identity Crisis ... ever.

Two, I suppose if the Atom killed Darkseid in Rock of Ages this way, I guess it is feasible. 

Three, how sad is it that this character, just introduced and a great foil for almost everyone on the world, was killed off in an issue. It is such a bummer. There was a lot of potential in this Supergirl. She definitely felt more classic, as strange as it sounds. 

But instead she is killed off.

Saddened.

With Kara dead and the heroes scattered, the Crime Syndicate regroups and grabs the satellite.

I do like how Ultraman continues to nurse a grudge over Kara's death. He was already self-destructive. Now he might take on his own teammates.

At least he has some remorse over her death.

And despite some nuggets of things which could come to pass if a sequel happens (Despero finding Sinestro's yellow ring??), this issue wraps up quick. 

People are going to fly right on Earth 3 or the Crime Syndicate members will crush people. 

I will give this mini-series a b overall. I thought it was very interesting. I like how this was a new take on this team and this world. 

And I don't know if the death of Ultragirl would bother me so much if it weren't for the depressing take on the main version right now. But I am still mourning a bit.

I do recommend this comic to everyone.

Overall grade: B-