Review: Action Comics #1079 Supergirl Story

Action Comics #1079 came out last week, the tenth entry in Mark Waid's Phantom Zone story. That means we are finally nearing the end of the Mariko Tamaki Supergirl story.

Incredibly, something actually happens in this chapter. There is a little action. There is a couple of nice moments for Kara. But as usual, Supergirl still isn't the hero in her own story. Still, this is probably the best chapter we have had so far.

But there are problems. We are in chapter ten. There are two chapters left. Let's assume that the last chapter is a wrap-up, Kara back home on Earth. That means this whole space story has to wrap up next week, in ten pages. No way we get a satisfactory ending.

Next we have to think of all the other things. What is Kara's mission because right now she seems more like a friend than a warden to this being. Why did Superman send her alone? Who are these beings? 

This story meandered so much I fear it will take a miracle to tie off everything that has happened (or not happened) here. And given the previous chapters, it probably isn't going to happen.

Skylar Patridge is back on art and there are some well constructed pages in this part. Supergirl looks very good here as well. Hope to see more of Patridge somewhere. But we are again saddled with a meaningless opening splash with a circular object, this time the planetoid. Ten percent of this story has been opening splashes that have not added to the proceedings.

On to the story. 

Last issue Rage showed up, hoping to reunite with his sister Fear.  And he is willing to fight Supergirl to get her.

We have seen how he needs to grasp Fear's hand to activate a planet-destroying explosion. He also carries a big sword which seems extraneous. He knows who Superman is and hoped it would be Superman coming for his sister; he wanted to fight the Man of Steel. 

At least we get this defiant moment of Supergirl standing up and saying who she is. If only she said 'and I don't scare easily'. Decent moment.

Rage tosses Supergirl around for a bit. 

At least she rallies herself to get up. ,

These are the crumbs I am forced highlighting. At least my hero didn't stay down after getting beaten up. Heroic.

There is a defiance here in Supergirl as if she finally is ready to go into action and defend something. I liked this second panel as she looks like she is steeling herself for a brawl.

Moreover, she speaks up trying to tell Fear that she doesn't need to join Rage in this destructive grip.

There is some odd panels and words that sounds like Rage and Fear mind-meld or fuse Firestorm-style. He also calls himself Destruction as opposed to Rage which he was named the last few issues.

Again though, a good panel here by Patridge.

And another good panel as Kara grabs Fear's hand, blocking Rage. Somehow it causes a disruption, throwing him back.

Funny sound effect ... WISHHH, perhaps Fear's wish to not be part of this.,

Finally, we get a Supergirl who does something in this story!

And then a very solid page construction by Patridge.

The three are on a wooded planet. Supergirl brawls with Rage. We start with a view from below, looking up, the trees ringing the initial contact. And then the trees become the panel borders. That is pretty slick.

It also has this circular visual theme we have been seeing.

Patridge has a nice style for sure!

But all the good will sort of faded with the last page.

Rage says Kara won't survive alone. She says she isn't.

Now if you wanted to have this be a shot of Kara and Fear who is finally standing up to her brother, I would probably be fine. But why is Power Girl there? Why does Supergirl need any 'Paige' psychic support? Why?

It just again shows how Tamaki can't have Supergirl win her own battles. It means something that this is the best entry in this story because it still has some serious flaws.

Overall grade: C+ (raised a lot by art)