Review: Action Comics #1074 - Supergirl Story

Action Comics #1074 came out last week, including the fifth part of the Supergirl back-up story by writer Mariko Tamaki and artist Skylar Patridge. 

Frankly, I am frustrated with this Supergirl story. 

We are five parts into this 'mystery mission' of Supergirl escorting a prisoner with universal threatening power. But who is it? And why does she need to do it alone? Tamaki has given us nothing to go on in five issues. Instead we get confusing story-telling, empty dialogue, and worst of all, a boring take.

This is supposed to be a showcase solo story for Supergirl. She is completely ineffectual in this story. As of now there is nothing that makes this a Kara story. Take her out and put in Natasha Irons, Starfire, or Hawkgirl and it would read completely the same. She has not even been a hero in this story. She is confused and helpless. In the Supergirl Special Tamaki wrote, the most action we saw was Supergirl eating a cupcake. In this story, we have Supergirl lose every encounter she is in, whether it is a physical altercation or an intelligent conversation. 

If this is supposed to drum up interest in the Supergirl character, it is going to fail. Because she is an afterthought in her own boring story. It is frustrating.

It's a shame because I am a fan of Skylar Patridge's art. And this Mark Spears variant cover is a killer too.

On to the indecipherable story points.

Kara found the prisoner on a small planetoid last chapter. This one opens up with the prisoner in a new cell. A fish-like alien is holding an auction, the winner getting custody.

But where is Supergirl? 

Well, she was captured off-screen. The ship that arrived at the end of last issue overpowered her, it looks like with Green K, and she is tied up. 

The hero of the story is defeated and tied up. Now that is fine, but show me some of the fight. Or show me in a more understandable way how she is defeated.

Does Tamaki have Kara escape her bonds on her own? 

Nope.

It seems Tamaki leans into two powers for Kara, her heat vision (which currently doesn't work) and super breath.  Kara blasts one of the cuffs with her cold breath only to have the ice grow and cover our hero.

No explanation for why this happens. But it does make Supergirl seem complete ineffective on her own.

We could have had her use her super-strength, strain against the bonds, and overcome.

But instead, she ices herself.

And is rescued by the protocol droid that is tagging along.

Supergirl isn't able to save herself. She needs an annoying side character to save her.

How is this at all interesting? Why would I want to read more about this character? Even as a Supergirl fan, I am finding this a chore to read.

Freed, Supergirl makes her way across the ship to take custody of the prisoner.

How does she fight the fish monster goons? Super-breath.

Does Tamaki even like the character?

Supergirl finally reaches the prisoner. 

Throughout the issue, there is more perplexing dialogue from (I think) the prisoner.

Here, it says that she has found Kara again and will be one with her again. 

A couple of things. This being was face to face with Kara at the end of last chapter so why didn't it react this way then?

Second, 'be one again'? Does Supergirl have a history with this being? Is that why she had to go on this mission?

I hope ... no ... I pray this isn't some Supergirl clone. If this is Tamaki doing her version of Satan Girl, I'll be quite unhappy. 

We are five issues in. I have no idea what is happening in this story. Also, Supergirl has really done nothing this whole story. This is like a reverse-showcase.

I will again say that Patridge seems to be a star in the making. She really does great hair! And I like how she does this version of Kara's costume.

Overall grade: D-