DC Solicits July 2025

The DC July 2025 solicits came out recently and it truly feels like the Summer of Superman. I also have to say that it sort of feels like the summer of Supergirl. The El family is pretty prominent. Supergirl even gets represented on covers for Justice League Unlimited, JLU Dark Tomorrow, and DC vs Vampires. Throw in her new solo title and that is a lot of Kara in one month. I know it isn't a lot! But I am not complaining!

We'll get to the super-titles soon but I have to point out a couple of non-Super solicits. One is the Titans Annual 2025. Written and drawn by Phil Jimenez, it will focus on Donna Troy's origin! Again! Maybe we'll get something to stick this time!

There are a couple of new DC Finest digests for sale as well. One based on the Spectre including but not limited to the classic Fleischer/Aparo stuff/ The other is a horror anthology with books pulled from all over.

I am pretty pumped at all the great super-books coming out though. On to those details!

SUPERGIRL #3
Written by SOPHIE CAMPBELL Art and cover by SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Variant covers by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU and PABLO VILLALOBOS
1:25 variant cover by JOËLLE JONES

Kara and the daughter of Lex Luthor, Lena, have come together to battle a common enemy posing as Midvale’s very own Supergirl! Will Lena’s brains and Kara’s brawn be a match for the super-powered super-genius from Kandor? It’s Supergirl versus Supergirl in a fight for the ages! Plus, the debut of Satan Girl!

So I have been pretty optimistic about the solicits for this title so far but this one has made me very optimistic. I have been waiting to get a creator on Supergirl who seems to know and like the character. Sophie Campbell has Kara teaming up with Lena to fight Lesla Lar. That feels like knowledge and liking.

But Satan Girl !?! 

Now that is a great part of Supergirl's history in all her incarnations! So Campbell bringing it back shows me that she has a grasp of the character and wants to lean into her history. Can't wait to read the book!

On to the rest of the books.

Comic Box Commentary is Seventeen Years Old

Today marks the 17th anniversary for this site. 

Seventeen!

I started the site to sing the praises of Supergirl as a character. I wasn't a big fan of her comic at the time and wanted to remind people of her history and adventures.

Since then, in the time I have been doing this, the character has had multiple comic series, multiple appearances in animated features, a live action television show, and an Elseworld appearance in The Flash movie. Next month she'll have another solo title on the shelves. And next year she'll have a major motion picture on the big screen.

I have loved the character since I first started reading her adventures, seeing so much of myself in someone trying to find their place in the world - whether it was a difficult romantic life or trying to find a career or sticking with certain schooling, or someone living in the shadow of someone close to you who was a bright light, or someone trying to be a hero but learning, fallible.

She has matured since those early tales and in the current DCU she mostly is written as a competent young woman, confident in her role in the super-family and still learning herself, a sort of middle figure between heroes and sidekicks. That works for me.

It hasn't all been perfect. Her solo story this year was incomprehensible and boring. The major motion picture is based on a story which, for me, portrayed her terribly. 

All that said, I don't see myself going anywhere. I mean, there is a new series to review!

As always, I am grateful for the people who come here, read my long missives, and chime in. I love the community here of Supergirl fans.

So happy anniversary to all of you too!

Wicked Comic Con Recap

I was at Wicked Comic Con earlier this month. This is still a young convention, only 4 years old, and I think is going through a little bit of growing pains. If you look back at my prior coverage, you can follow its history.

Back in 2022, it seemed like a modest con with a couple of creator draws. But it also was big for vendors with a main ball room comic vendors and the bigger creators, a small artist alley for locals, and a whole hall for non-comic merchandise. In 2023, it seemed to explode with a guest list that might rival bigger, more well known cons. It was big enough I needed two review posts and got two commissions from well known comic artists. I thought it might suddenly rival some of the bigger con shows in the area. Last year, seemed to stay the course with a very large footprint in the venue with an entire massive room for non-comic merch as well as a great creator guest list with both newer and classic creators in attendance. Again, it seemed to be growing ... or at least stabilizing to a very solid, medium sized con. 

So I was a little surprised when I saw this year's con description. Only one day. A smaller, more modest guest list. Free attendance. 

This seemed more like a 'year one dip your toes in the water' strategy rather than a 'year four, we had stars like Jeph Loeb and Adam Hughes in the past' con. When I got to the con, it had also shrunk in physical space, now just occupying the main ball room as well as a nearby hallway. 

I am not complaining. There were a couple of creators there I wanted to meet. I went with friends and had a great time. And I bought comic books, always the best part of shows. And there seemed to be very good traffic there, although now everyone was in one room instead of dispersed. 

I just worry that such a dramatic ...well ... downsizing doesn't bode well. Boston needs a true comic con of its own. And Fan Expo doesn't feel like a true comic con. So I hope this style of production for Wicked Comic Con works out. I hope it is around next year.

On to some details.

Review: Superman #25

The extra-sized Superman #25 came out this week and was a pretty rollicking issue that pushed forward one of the biggest storylines of this comic. The Lex/Superman dynamic has been the foundation of this book since its inception.

 Is Lex an ally? Is he an enemy, a wolf in sheep's clothing? Is this new amnestic Lex truly and ally? Or is the whole thing a ruse? Writer Joshua Williamson let's us peek behind the curtain, bringing us back to the earliest moments of this run and letting us hear Lex say his plans. But the amnesia from Brainiac must have been an unanticipated event, changing things. (I do wonder if Williamson had this all mapped out, including that turn, when the book was initiated.)

But this is a stuffed issue. So we get to see Mercy continue her heel-turn. We see Marilyn Moonlight for the first time in a while. We get to see more of the Red-K poisoning. And substantial movement in the Superwoman arc. And we get the introduction of a villain with a name that I can't believe hasn't been used before. Kudos to Williamson!

The art is done by a trio of superstars - Jamal Campbell, Dan Mora, and Eddy Barrows. It was good to see Campbell back on the book, especially since his pages are the flashback to the beginning of the book, the arc he drew. Gave it some artistic weight. Barrows and Mora finish the book with some flair, including the use of 2 page splashes and oversized panels. Mora also gives us this wraparound cover. 

I know it is going to sound insane but that jacketed Supergirl look has really grown on me. I wonder how much of that is Mora and how much is the look.

On to the book.

Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest #38

Batman/Superman World's Finest #38 came out last week, the official first part of Mark Waid's We Are Yesterday arc running through this book and Justice League Unlimited. It feels more like a prologue but it certainly has that Bronze Age flair that Waid has brought to most of the proceedings here.

We know the main villain in the arc is Gorilla Grodd and he is the main villain here, albeit in the past leading up to the present-day story. I haven't always been the biggest Grodd fan. I don't think I have a great grasp of what his power set is or even how powerful he is. Here, Waid makes it clear that Grodd is a powerhouse, worthy of leading an uprising against the League.

When you get Grodd, you almost always get Gorilla City. Fun to see Solovar again, even if he is more coldblooded here than I am used to seeing. I suppose it makes sense given how many times Grodd has taken over his rule. 

And there is the usual fun moments between heroes in this else-when past. Everyone seems a little fun and very collegial. It always works for me. 

Clayton Henry is on art. I love his smooth lines and no-nonsense approach to art. I loved him on the recent Phantom Zone arc in Action Comics so glad he gets a big cast to work with here. Thankfully he does apes well. Not every artist can claim that.

On to the book.

Review: Action Comics #280

Last week I reviewed Action Comics #279, the first part of the Silver Age Supergirl story where she battles Lesla Lar. All this is in anticipation of the upcoming Supergirl title and Lesla being the main villain.

Today I am reviewing Action Comics #280, the second chapter of the multi-part arc. And much like last issue, this one goes at an incredible pace and is filled with standard Silver Age insanity, including throwaway science ideas, identity changes, and wild action. 

But also, like last issue, there is some growth for the Supergirl character (or at least the idea of her given that Lar is impersonating her). Writer Jerry Siegel is using this big storyline to sort of mature Supergirl into something more than the orphan secret weapon. Last issue, Siegel had Linda get adopted. She ditched the braids. This issue, Superman recognizes how much Kara has grown in her 2+ years of comic history. Add to that the insane Lar who has aspiration and perhaps delusions of grandeur. She is truly wicked. 

Jim Mooney is on art and remains the legend. His work on Lar and her facial expressions is just stellar. But Mooney gets to spread his wings a bit here too. We get a lot of crazy Kandor science. We get a three page basic retelling of the plight of Argo City and Supergirl's origins. Mooney is a master.

Settle in and buckle up for a wild ride. On to the book. 

Review: Summer Of Superman Special

With the Superman movie around the corner, DC Comics has labeled this the Summer of Superman. What better way to start the whole thing with The Summer of Superman Special #1. 

This has the feel of a summer blockbuster. There are mega-stars associated with the book. The upcoming Superman book writers - Mark Waid, Joshua Williamson, and Dan Slott - seem to have all written the book. But one of the biggest draws on the book has to be Jorge Jimenez on art. I have loved his art since the Smallville Season Eleven comic 12 years ago. So seeing his take on most of the Superman Family ... and even some Legion of Super-Heroes ... made it worth the price.

The story hook is Lana Lang and John Henry Irons wedding in Smallville. The writers take the opportunity to focus on young Clark and Lana's relationship. We flashback to a Superboy adventure. We get some peeks into the future stories. And, best of all, there is actual character growth, mostly around Lana and John. We also get reminded why Superman is Superman, helping people, loving his quiet early life, and acknowledging that the precious small moments in life are as important as battling Validus.

As I said, Jimenez is a wonder. I have heard his Batman stuff is incredible. But anything I have seen of his is great. I love his Lana. I love his Validus. He does wedding scenes and time-stream fights equally well. The art in this book sings. And while this Alexander Lozano Supergirl variant is a little too coquettish for me, I am glad we got something Supergirl in this issue. She is only seen on one page which previews the upcoming books.

This is a great opening salvo for this Superman-filled summer. On to the details.

Old School Comic Show Recap

It is officially con season and a couple of weekends ago I went to the 'Old School Comic Show' in Concord New Hamphire. Run by Little Giant Comics, the show is just what I needed to kick off the season. 

This was a pure comic book show. The guests were all comic creators. The exhibitors were all comic book vendors. It was like a hit of pure joy right into my veins. And being just under 2 hours away from home, it was an easy trip. 

The show sort of lived up to its name to. Most of the guests were sort of 'old school' creators, as you'll see after the break. 

There wasn't a lot of Supergirl-specific stuff I was aiming for at this con. But I was looking to meet some new creators as well as see some I had met before again. And given the guest list, there wasn't a commission I was aiming for either. All that meant was I was able to be more easy-going at the con, not rushing to a specific table. I was able to walk the floor, shop, and have a great time. 

Trust me, I am going to put this on the 'must go' list for next year.

On to some of the specifics.

Review: Action Comics #1085

Action Comics #1085 came out last week, the first part of a brief story by G. Willow Wilson and Gavin Guidry. 

It's funny how a small little thing can upend my take on a story. I have viewed these 'Superman Superstars' stories as existing somewhere in continuity. Yes, the Mark Waid Phantom Zone story seemed to be solidly set in near-present time based on costumes alone. But the Ridley story? The Aaron story? Those could be set anywhere in Superman's timeline. 

And so we have this story which feels like it should be 'early' in Superman's history. Clark is considered a sort of novice reporter. Perry doesn't want Clark on a big story. And if it was set 'years ago', I would have been fine with it. 

The problem is there is an editor box that says this takes place before Absolute Power (explaining Lois' lack of powers, etc). Now 'years ago' is 'before Absolute Power' but that box makes this feel much more current. But the characterization doesn't feel that way. So the whole thing just felt awkward as I read it.

The plot is simple. A lab in the Arctic is hoping to curb global warming is being sabotaged. Clark is sent to investigate. A villain emerges.

I liked Gavin Guidry's art in Superman '78 and he continues to impress here. It is clean style with solid linework. I like his Superman a lot. And his Lois seems full of moxie. Hope to continue to see his art around.

On to the book.

Review: Absolute Superman #6

Absolute Superman #6 came out last week, another mostly flashback issue filling in the back story of this universe's Kal. With the destruction of Krypton behind us, we focus on Smallville. After the slow burn of the first issue, this one feels brisk opening and seemingly closing the Smallville portion of Superman's origins. We also get a major reveal which I felt was coming but never said outright. You'll have to trust me.

Writer Jason Aaron shows us that overlying despair of this Absolute Universe, especially in the early pages of Kal lost in space. But he also gives us some light, showing us a Jonathan and Martha Kent that feel pretty much our typical Kents. They take Kal in as a miracle. And Kal feels a bit of comfort in this Kansas environment with a kindly couple. Interesting to see just where the classic origins blur with the new stuff. But most importantly, as I said above, this is definitely a bit of a brisker pace for the flashback than the prior. 

The art this issue is by Carmine DiGiandominico and he's sort new to me.  Despite a slew of book, I only know him from the digital only covers of the end of the last Supergirl run. There is a sort of Chris Sprouse energy to his work. I love Rafa Sandoval but DiGiandomenico is a decent fill-in. Sandoval is on the cover which displays something which doesn't appear in the story. 

So with the brisk Smallville chapter done and the true villain revealed at the end, I think we can call this the 'opening arc' and that it is officially closed. Looking forward to what comes next.

On to the book.

Review: Action Comics #279

In the recent DC solicits, we learned that Lesla Lar is being reintroduced to the DCU as a Supergirl villain.  It made me realize that I have never really covered the earliest Lesla Lar stories on this sight despite my nearing 17 years of running the place. 

And Lar is a pretty big deal in Supergirl lore. In the Silver Age Action Comics, she had (for that time) a pretty long multi-issue story arc where she bedeviled Supergirl. She comes back and has a shocking 'death' later in Action Comics. And then, in one of the things I truly love about the character, she comes back to plague Supergirl over multiple issues in the early 1980's Superman Family book (some of which I have covered here)!

Today I'm reviewing Action Comics #279, Lesla Lar's first appearance which kicks of that long-form arc. I do think that multi-part stories were pretty rare back then. Her arc trying to replace Supergirl on Earth runs over 4 issues! The whole story is written by Jerry Siegel and drawn by Jim Mooney. Overcoming Lar is part of some significant growth for Kara. You looking for an important event in Supergirl's life? It is in this issue! Goodbye orphanage!

As for Lar herself, her motives are pretty basic - jealousy leading to contempt. Her scientific prowess is enough to rival Luthor making her team-up with Lex in this first issue seem appropriate. Lar does a number on Kara for sure. Mooney plays it up well with his usual expressive work. 

But it that jealousy, that wanting to be Supergirl and get the accolades, that upcoming writer/artist Sophie Campbell is riffing on in the new Supergirl title. So let's see the villain in action! On to the book!

Back Issue Review: All-Star Comics #58

We just turned the corner on April and that means we have officially entered the comic event of 2025, JSApril! Kudos to comic podcast legend, The Irredeemable Shag, for putting together the event, herding in over 40 podcasts and blogs to celebrate the first super-hero team, the Justice Society!

I definitely wanted to be part of the festivities. I wanted to remain true to this blog's core. So why not review All-Star Comics #58, the first appearance of Power Girl, the Earth-2 Kara Zor-L. 

In this current world or reboots and new #1's, it is pretty amazing to me that DC picked up the numbering of All-Star Comics. This book came out October 1975. All-Star Comics #57's release date? December 1950! A quarter century has passed!

But here we were in the mid-70s with DC deciding that not only were the JSA worth being on the racks, not only that we would pick up their legacy numbering, but we would inject the 'old-timers' with fresh blood ... The Super Squad!

Kudos to writer Gerry Conway for mixing this up. Yes, we get the veteran JSAers, right there on the splash page! But the Squad's make-up is interesting. A now grown-up Robin, a veteran in a way. The Star Spangled Kid, a hero from yesteryear but now thrown into modern life. And Power Girl, brand new and answering the question 'why isn't there a Supergirl on Earth 2'! They each add some juice to the proceedings but in different ways.

Power Girl is immediately effective and her personality is pretty much on display from the beginning. She is strong, smart, and very independent. This isn't the meek 'secret weapon' in the orphanage. She is ready to throw down and jump into the mix. This is who Power Girl is and always should be. 

The art is by Ric Estrada with great inks by Wally Wood. We all know that Wood is the one who ultimately pushes the envelope with Power Girl's particular pulchritude. But both artists give us solid representation of the JSAers. 

That is my copy's cover scanned above, signed by Conway and cover artist Mike Grell!

This is a fun new chapter for the Society and therefore a perfect book to celebrate JSApril. On to the book.

Supergirl #2 Homage Cover

Just yesterday I reviewed Action Comics #279, the first appearance of Lesla Lar. I was prompted to review because it was revealed in solicits that Lesla Lar is in the upcoming Supergirl #2 by Sophie Campbell. Furthermore, the solicit also says that Lar is impersonating Supergirl in Midvale. All of that is a riff on the original Lesla Lar story arc.

While the book is still a bit away, I have been feeling some cautious optimism about it. Most of the optimism comes from the feeling that Campbell actually likes the character of Supergirl ... unlike other writers who have her shoot up schools, hate Superman, become 'the mistress of the axe' and abandon Earth, bring a young girl to a stoning execution, or just plain be boring. 

I could be wrong. 

But things like bringing back an impersonating Lesla Lar to Midvale, it feels like there is a respect for the character.

So I thought I would read all the old Lesla Lar appearances, figuring I'm eventually going to Back Issue Box review them all. 

So I did indeed go to the long boxes and pulled out Super DC Giant S-24, a reprint collection of Lesla's second arc. 

That night I woke up and 4am because it finally hit me.

Look at this cover.

Now look at the two covers side by side.

Look at the middle strip in particular. Even the dialogue is the same. 

Sophie Campbell is homaging a 1970's Supergirl reprint comic cover for the current series.

I said it feels like Campbell respects the character, likes her. Something like this makes me feel like I might be right.

This is pretty cool.

Review: Justice League Unlimited #5

Justice League of America #5 came out this week and featured Supergirl so prominently that I felt I should cover it here.

This new title by the tremendous creative team of writer Mark Waid and artist Dan Mora. These two brought us Batman/Superman World's Finest and that book was the best on the shelves for some time. When Waid had characters guest star in that book, I would always say that Mora brought such polish to them that he should draw that character's solo book. Now with the Justice League Unlimited, in essence, being every hero in the DCU, I actually get to see Mora's take on the entire universe. 

I don't know if I am 100% behind the 'everyone is a Leaguer' idea. Back in my youth, being named to the League was a big deal. Dick Dillin would draw a big scroll welcoming the hero with some sort of certificate. Perhaps a better screening process would stop a traitor from being in their midst, one of the plot points here.

Still, this book has been fun and it does allow both Waid and Mora to allow different heroes to be in the spotlight. As I said, Supergirl is front and center here, as is Impulse, Star Sapphire, and Red Tornado. They wouldn't get a showcase with the big guns unless they are in the League. So there is an upside.  Plus, given Waid's love of the DCU, this allows him to do a deep dive. into every nook and cranny. I am convinced he is hinting at something in this book which is one of my great loves. 

Plus the League is up against 'Inferno' an evil society they seem helpless against. We learn who they are at the end which only ups the ante.

Add to it all Mora and his jaw-dropping work. I love his work. Mora makes the 'jacket' Supergirl costume work. And the action is stellar throughout. 

I don't think I'll always review this book so let's just dive in!