Supergirl Best Of 2024 Part Two: Top Ten Comic Moments #10 - #6

I started my 2024 Supergirl year in review yesterday with a look back at her non-comic appearances, my convention season, and a couple of comic honorable mentions.

As I said, this was a decent year for Supergirl. Not the best but certainly not the worst. We started the year with the very end of Philip Kennedy Johnson's Action Comics run in which Kara was the second in command of the super-family, the smartest person in the room. We saw Joshua Williamson keep her as a that field general, especially in House of Brainiac. And Mark Waid, when he included her in his books, always treated her well. 

That said, it has been nearly 4 years since Supergirl has had a solo book on the shelves. And her recent solo stories have been, in my opinion, pretty lackluster.

So cobbling together a top ten comic moments list means combing the depths for Supergirl moments that stood out for me. Some of them are one panel wonders, a blip into a story. Others powerful moments in arcs she was a main part of. And yes, even Mariko Tamaki's solo story has a moment that was a solid entry.

But I long for the halcyon days of a solid monthly Supergirl book. 

On to the Best Supergirl Comic Moments of 2024!

Honorable Mention #1A - Batman/Superman World's Finest #28 - "Sassy Statistician" 

I have really enjoyed when Mark Waid has inserted Supergirl into his World's Finest book. Taking place in some uncertain past, this Kara is a bit younger and a bit brasher than her present day self. But she also is just a smidge more mature and accomplished than the young Robin in the series. There has not been enough Supergirl in this title over the last year.

Still, I loved this moment we get in her all-too-brief appearance in the imp-killer story. Looking at the near omnipotent imp-killer, she still throws some sass, saying the villain is outnumbered. But the sass is even more delicious because she thought so little of Robin she didn't include him in the stats.

Dear Mark Waid, give us more Kara in World's Finest.

Comic Moment #10 - 'The Veteran' - Superwoman Special #1

We'll see lots of writer Joshua Williamson on this list so buckle up. In this month's Superwoman Special #1, we learned how Lois got powers and how she decided to use them as a hero. 

The facts are told to Lana and Kara because Supergirl asked Lois to pitch them her story. Supergirl was the one who got Lois to leave the office and let off some steam. It was Supergirl who questioned Lois going to Mercy and SuperCorp first. And it was Supergirl who figured out that Lois' underlying writer's block is that Lois was enjoying having powers and using them.

It ends with Kara welcoming Lois to the super-hero community. "Welcome to the club." In this whole issue, but cemented here, Supergirl comes off as the veteran of the group. She is mature. She is a friend. And it is Supergirl who welcomes Lois. She is the respected veteran. Great moment in a great issue.

Comic Moment #9 - Action Comics #1075 - "Exceptionally Well-behaved Child"  

In the current Action Comics tale, Superman finds himself on Krypton just prior to the planet's doom. I love how we see a young Kara here, complaining about being bored and driving her parents crazy. That alone would be enough to nudge this near the top ten. I love seeing precocious Kara. (I loved how Venditti/Oeming portrayed her in World of Krypton.)

But then we have to see Superman recalling Kara describing herself as an 'exceptionally well-behaved child'. This little white lie has been discovered. I hope we get to see Superman actually bring this up to her at some point.

A wonderfully humorous moment.

Comic Moment #8 - Power Girl #6 - "Earth Born Angel?"

The Supergirl/Power Girl team-up, tracking down a drug that teleports users to a mystical land called Ferimbia, was a rough story. I haven't liked Leah Williams' take on the character, dropping the title a while ago. 

Perhaps it is my ingrained love of the Peter David Earth Angel Supergirl that made this moment stick out to me. In the midst of investigating the drug traffic, Supergirl throws off a cloak she was wearing as a disguise.

Marguerite Sauvage really draws this to have it look like Supergirl has angelic wings. Having the color be red only adds to the 'flame wings' look that the PAD Supergirl had. Even her dialogue, taking about a confession, has a religious sort of connotation. 

Am I the only one who sees it? I feel it has to be an intentional throwback to angelic Supergirl.

Comic Moment #7 - Action Comics #1070 - "One Way Trips"

There really has not been much to cheer for regarding Supergirl in her own ongoing current story. Mariko Tamaki has really dragged this out.

But I did think this moment, given Kara's history, was a good one. John Henry has made a spaceship to get Kara to her deep space mission. But he isn't sure if it will last. Kara says flatly she knows all about one-way trips.

Remember, in current continuity, Kara was alive and a school age young girl when Krypton exploded. She was put in a ship, aware that the planet was going to explode. She wasn't going home. That was a known one-way trip.

At least here, Tamaki is referencing Kara's history well.

Comic Moment #6 - Action Comics Annual 2023 - "Call To Arms"

This one snuck in, based on when I reviewed it more than release date. But I was thrilled to have one Phillip Kennedy Johnson moment on this year's list.

In the culmination of his run, the shadow Earth run by the Al Ghul family of the universe are planning to invade Earth. Kara flies into the militant Blue Earth fascist group and acts like the leader she was in PKJ's run. Instead of being a fascistic enemy of the Super-family, the Blue Earthers fall into line, following Supergirl into a battle to save Earth. 

I love this set of panels, including the great art by Max Raynor. Look at that determination on Supergirl's face as she inspires these thugs to fight for right.

All right! The bottom half is done! What do you all think?

Tomorrow we close out 2024 by looking at the top 5 Supergirl comic moments of the year. See you then!