Amazing Heroes #136 - Superman at 50 and 'The Supergirl Saga'

One of the holiday presents I got this year was a copy of Amazing Heroes #136, a Superman-centric issue celebrating the Man of Steel's 50th birthday. 

I am a big fan of Amazing Heroes and definitely have been looking in back issue bins for ones that cover interesting topics for me so this was a gold mine. The issue includes a section where comic professionals give brief reflections on why they love Superman. There is a 'gallery' section of Superman pics from up-and-comers including one from a some guy named Adam Hughes who is about to break on the scene.

But for me, the article I found most interesting was an interview with Superman editor Mike Carlin and Superman creator Jerry Ordway about the state of Superman in the DCU and some upcoming storylines. The biggest one on the horizon at that point? The Supergirl Saga.

Remember, we were only about 2 years into the Byrne reboot so things were still a bit fresh. The Superman line was still settling in. Hearing Carlin and Ordway's thoughts, especially knowing where things end up going, was interesting. 

But far and away, the look back at the origin of the 'Supergirl Saga', the publicity for it, and how it seemed a bit still in flux is fascinating for this Supergirl fan. 

On to the details.

How interesting that it was Ordway who came up with the idea to reintegrate a character called 'Supergirl' but have it be Power Girl. And hearing Ordway describe it as a 'fun story' is a bit of a contrast to the dark, bleak Supergirl Saga with it's 'end of the pocket universe' and executioner Superman. 

I did not know this origin at all so I will definitely ask Ordway about it at Terrificon this year. 

Also interesting that the reason it didn't happen was because the Power Girl mini-series by Paul Kupperberg and Rick Hoberg as already in the works. (This ad was the inside cover of the magazine.)

Ordway had a naked Power Girl found in the Arctic.

Some of that kernel of an idea must have stuck given that the first appearance of the Matrix Supergirl in the 'Supergirl Saga' in  Superman #16 is buried in the ice.

I wonder how much of the Saga just spooled out of that little idea?

The Pocket Universe concept was introduced in the 'Death of Superboy' story in Superman #8 and Legion of Super-Heroes #37 and #38. 

It sounds like Carlin wanted to just get rid of the 'Pocket Universe', a sort of vestige of the pre-Crisis world, left out there to explain the concept of 'Superboy' that lingered in the post-Crisis DCU but then left out there perhaps to be misused by some well-meaning creators down the line.

A 'dangling plot thread' that needed to be 'wrapped up' sounds like Carlin thought of it like a time bomb that could only explode in the face of the new DC Universe. 

The Saga wasn't going to come out for 3 more months after this issue of AH was on the stands. One of the mysteries going into the story was 'is this Kara Zor-El?' So I also think it is strange that Carlin outright says that this Supergirl isn't that one. 

Also intriguing is that he isn't sure if she'll make it out alive. Now this could be some obfuscation on Carlin's part. But I do wonder how much of the Saga was written and done when this interview happened. Perhaps the 'no Super but Superman' edict by Byrne was still being mulled over?

It also sounds like the actual history of the Pocket Universe wasn't fully written yet. I giggled at 'Eart Weisinger' but hearing that it was an entire DCU that happened under the Time Trapper but in a way that anything might have happened, like a Supergirl meeting the Legion, means it was a bit wide open. 

What an interesting read given what we know happened in that story and with that Supergirl.

As I was reading the article I wondered why Byrne wasn't part of the interview or even really featured in the magazine.

The interview happened on January 11, 1988. The magazine hit the racks on March 1st, 1988. Carlin thinks Byrne is feeling rejuvenated with Superman and has a year of stories ahead of him. 

Superman #22, Byrne's last issue, hit the racks on June 21, 1988, 3 months later. 

Perhaps the writing was on the wall.

One more tidbit worth sharing in this magazine.

In the news section, we get this advanced discussion on the Saga. 

'Do you groan? Do you whimper? Do you cheer?' Was the concept of bringing back some version of Supergirl so controversial? 

Anyways, love the interview, especially the Supergirl Saga origin reveal!

Happy Holidays to me!