We are two issues into the new Supergirl comic run and Lesla Lar has been a big part of this opening arc. I have been reviewing the Lar's initial storyline which was in a long arc, especially for the Silver Age, leading up to Supergirl's being revealed to the world in Action Comics #285.
Action Comics #282 brings Lar's initial story arc to a close in a rather abrupt fashion. Like every chapter in this storyline, this was one is crazy with a futuristic adventure, a villain's plot foiled by insomnia, and the inclusion of a certain 5th dimensional magic imp. But there is definitely this feeling that DC wanted Supergirl to sort of turn the corner in her stories. She has a new hair cut. She meets an old friend again. And, of course, she is introduced to the world changing everything in her life in a few months.
Writer Jerry Siegel brings some wild action to the proceedings. What I really love is how Siegel inserts a quick snippet of a story of a fascist group being overthrown by a rebel group which embraces knowledge. Given Superman's early political leanings by Siegel as well as his upbringing, seeing Supergirl bring down a fascist regime was great. (Of course, it's the Silver Age and therefore is done in 2 plus pages.) And when this issue ends, Supergirl is stronger than Superman as well!
I can continue to talk about how Jim Mooney is the perfect artist for the Supergirl of this time. A legend. But I have to say, I think he is putting in some extra energy whenever he draws Lesla Lar who is just dripping with pettiness and anger.
On to the book!
We start out with a tremendous splash of Supergirl fighting a giant hawk. I love how Mooney conveys the struggle as Supergirl is leaning against the pull of this.
The caption lays out the story. Here is Supergirl in the future with powers. In the present she has none. She has a choice to make.
The giant hawks - Angarks - are invulnerable to the future army's weapons so it is up to Supergirl to grab them all and bring them to a zoo of mutations. Amazingly, it happens off screen. So much for that opening splash page.
Lesla Lar was all set to swap places with Supergirl on Earth once, as Linda Danvers, our hero fell asleep. Unfortunately, all the drama in her life gives Linda some insomnia. Lesla falls asleep first and therefore cannot swap that night.
The next day, Superman sends Supergirl into the future via Legion time bubble. Supergirl had powers in the past. Maybe she'll have them in the future. When she arrives, she has powers. She also sees a giant killer hawk attacking humans.
But I cannot just slide by that first panel. Mooney draws Lesla so catty. I love the knit eyebrows and crossed arms and sneer. She is so deliciously evil.
But this is where the magic of the Silver Age happens. We hear how animals mutated in the aftermath of an atomic war with invading Martians.
Even crazier, the Martians brought their Angarks with them to help the invasion. When the Martian troops were routed, they retreated but left the Angarks. And as it turns out, the Angarks are invulnerable to all Earth weapons.
Doesn't that seem a long way to go to have Kara fight off a giant hawk off screen?? Insanity!
The zoo-keeper is a member of a rebel force called 'The Unconquerables'. They fight against a fascist group called 'The Clan of the Censors'. When the world was still in chaos after the Martian war, the Clan ceased power. They burn books and kill dissenters.
Hmmm ... this could be Siegel just making a commentary on the Nazis, burning books and demanding compliance.
I do wonder if there is a dollop of Comics Code Authority in here given how there were comic book burning parties too.
But this is clearly important to Siegel. Look at the words being said.
So in about three pages we hear about a Martian invasion, killer giant hawks, a fascist takeover, and a rebel alliance overthrowing the overlords. No decompressed stories here. The ideas flowed like a riptide!
I especially love how the disarmed Cult members are cowards, shaking in their boots.
And what do you think of that Supergirl bust saying Supergirl is even more powerful??
She decides to embrace her life on Earth, staying with her foster parents and just being 'normal'. She feels less tense. She has made a decision about her life and will do so moving forward. No more 'thrown in an orphanage'. No more 'hiding as a secret weapon' for much longer. This is her life.
That is, it is her life as long as Lesla doesn't swoop in again.
Great beach picnic scene by Mooney.
The two have a fun day in the sand and surf and Linda feels some attraction to him, perhaps even more than Merro or Brainy.
You can just see that Siegel is adding new elements and new attitudes to this strip.
She calls Superman. Neither have an explanation for her powers returning.
And they really have no explanation for Supergirl being invulnerable to Green K.
Now we know why that bust said she is more powerful than Superman ... because right now she is.
She doesn't understand how Supergirl got her powers back so she tries her de-powering rays again. This time, the Kandorian police are on the case. They catch her using the 'forbidden rays' and arrest her, destroying her ray cannon in the process.
Again, for such a vaunted criminal, it feels like a quick ending. In the span of three panels, she's defeated. I do love how she was really hoping to conquer the Earth.
Remember she was 'teaming up' with Lex who is ticked off by the sudden lack of attention!
Now don't worry, we haven't seen the last of Lesla!
But what about her powers and all that?
Well in flashback we see that Mr. Mxyzptlk was flying around and decided to play a prank on Superman by making a young girl even more powerful than him. It just so happens he was flying by our Supergirl when she was trying on her costume one last time. Talk about incredible luck!!!
It also explains why she wasn't affected by Green K or Lesla's depower ray. Her super-powers are magic based!
Whew! That's a lot of story for thirteen pages! A lot of story! This whole arc had a lot of parts which was unusual for the time as well!
I covered the next couple of parts earlier this year when looking at Red Kryptonite. Here are my reviews of Action Comics #283 and Action Comics #284 . We can see more of that character growth that has permeated this whole series of stories.
But this is all about Lesla Lar! She is imprisoned. And the truth is she probably would have got away with it all if it hadn't been for Linda's insomnia or her own inability to stay awake!
Overall grade: A
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