Bullet Review: DC's I Saw Ma Hunker Kissing Santa Claus - Supergirl Story

DC Comics released their Christmas special, I Saw Ma Hunkle Kissing Santa Claus' this week. These anthologies have been coming fast and furious these days and cost a pretty penny. They also seem to be more of a New Talent Showcase featuring fresh names of creators I don't really know. So there needs to be a draw for me to be lured.

Let's just say DC had me with the Ryan Sook Supergirl/Brainiac Five variant cover. There is sort of a futuristic Norman Rockwell feel to it. And I am a 'KaraDox' kind of guy. So this was a win. It is gorgeous. 

Of course, a cover alone can't get me to buy. Luckily there is a Supergirl story on the inside as well, written by Ash Padilla with art by Anthony Marques, both new to me. 

There are some other fun stories in the book. I mean, where else can I get Animal Man, the 'new' Dr. Light, and Martian Manhunter holiday stories. So I plunked my money down.

What I got was a very sweet Supergirl story, set in a sort of elsewhen past but with a great ending. The hints were planted throughout the story so I can't say it was a surprise ending but it was still wonderful. So let's just dive in.

DC Comics Solicits - February 2026

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate.

For lots of reasons, I think Supergirl fans have a lot to be thankful for in 2025 and these February solicits certainly add to the cornucopia. In fact, I think 2025 has been one of the better more recent years for my comic passion as Superman and Supergirl were front and center and solid comics all around.

Here is a link to the February 2026 solicits:
https://aiptcomics.com/2025/11/21/full-february-2026-dc-comics/

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that the Vertigo imprint is coming back. I was there at the beginning of the first go-around and those books were so incredible. They came out at the perfect time in my comic reading life. So I might have to sample these new Vertigo books to see if the come near those halcyon days of Shade the Changing Man, Doom Patrol, Hellblazer, Enigma, Kill Your Boyfriend, etc.

But we're here for the Super-books so let's dive in!

SUPERGIRL #10
Writer(s): SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Artist(s): JOE QUINONES
Cover Artist(s): SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Variant covers by AMY REEDER, JOE QUINONES, and ELIZABETH TORQUE
Valentine's Day variant by CHRISSIE ZULLO

It's Valentine's Day in Midvale, and Kara has finally worked up the courage to ask her crush out for the holiday. Little does he know he'll be on a date with Supergirl! Meanwhile, Lena Luthor struggles with their friendship fallout. Can the daughter of Lex Luthor and cousin of Superman ever see eye-to-eye again?

The goth guy from Supergirl #4 returns and you might remember there was some debate about who he is! So is it H'El? Comet? Dick Malverne? Power Boy? Or someone new?

Joe Quinones is the perfect fill-in artist on this title so I will be glad to see his take on the characters. And his variant showing all the crazy love interests in Kara's past is pretty fantastic.

Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest #45

Batman/Superman World's Finest #45 came out last week and it is hard for me to think this book is almost 4 years old. The format of intermittent adventures from some elsewhen in the past has worked perfectly in giving us fun, entertaining stories reaching into the deep recesses of the DCU with a both a classic feel and a modern sensibility. Time flies!

This issue starts a new arc bringing us a Joker/Luthor team-up, the perfect contrast to our heroes. Throw in a guest star and some nods to some Silver/Bronze age goodness and you have another win. Writer Mark Waid has been walking that tightrope of classic and new for a while and definitely continues to shine. For me, the best part of this set-up issue is that a Lex/Joker team-up would not be an easy alliance. These two would not get along even if they have similar difficulties with heroes.

Adrian Gutierrez remains on art and his scratchy, energized style works very well with this story. An intangible Lex falling through a building? A violent Hawkman lashing out against the villains? A mash-up of Lex/Joker? All those things leans into his strengths and he hits it out of the park.

This is an opening chapter to an arc so we are just starting out here but there is a zaniness to this story already which was refreshing. 

On to the book.

Review: Superman Unlimited #7

Superman Unlimited #7 came out this week and was another sort of side-mission in this book which has been dealing with the over-arching plot of near limitless Kryptonite being available on Earth.

This is the second sort of side mission issue in this series already, with the Man-Bat issue also was off the beaten path. Now there are titles where a break from the action is a nice pause but here I kind of bristle. It took me a while to figure out why. Frankly, I am eager for the 'Bounty of Kryptonite' story to be done ... because we all know it will be undone somehow. And every pause we take means the story is lasting that much longer.

As for this issue, it is a Superman book in name only. This is a Jon Kent 'Super-Son' issue, focusing on Jon and a new life he is trying to create. I haven't read anything substantive about Jon since his mini-series a while back. He seems to be the forgotten El. So maybe a new, more stable life will help him. The story is plotted by Dan Slott with finished script by Jeremy Adams. There are a few fun moments but really this felt like a story where a punchline was thought of and the story was written to get us there. And a new wrinkle of labeling Smallville a 'weirdness magnet' is a more difficult choice for me as I like to think of Smallville as the place to escape the weirdness. 

The art is by Lucas Meyer who has been popping up across my comic reading recently and who brings a nice polish to everything. He recently did the Supergirl/Robin adventure issue in World's Finest. Here he gives us a modernized Smallville with a slick looking Super-Son. 

But this was really a pause. Can we get back to the main story so we reach the inevitable conclusion of 'not a lot of Kryptonite', 'everyone forgets Superman can go gold', and other pieces destined to be forgotten?

On to the book.

Comics Collector Fall 1984

As I have mentioned recently, I have found a new source of joy ... old comic fanzines that have articles about my favorite characters. I recently went to a local comic store that was having a massive sale, 50% off everything! And, to my delight, they had a pretty good section of comic magazines including the  Fall 1984 issue of Comics Collector. Right there on the cover 'She's a Supergirl'! 

To put this in context, the movie hadn't been released yet. The Kupperberg/Infantino comic had been cancelled. The Superboy/Supergirl Double Comics was in the works (although never published).

Writer Kim Metzger wrote 'Girl and Supergirl' for Comics Collector. Metzger sounds like a huge fan of the character in this article. Great Jim Mooney pic to open the proceedings.

This is a beefy article (I will include it in total at the bottom). It is a historical document, tracing Supergirl's stories from her first appearance to her last (at that point). It is a love letter, written with the tone of a fan. And it is an exasperated plea from a fan wondering why Supergirl isn't more recognized and appreciated. This is as much Metzger's personal opinions of Kara's history as a litany of the stories. 

But when the opening paragraph is 'why don't more people know who Linda Danvers is?' you know this is a fan who wonders why everyone else isn't a fan? I am going to highlight parts of the article that struck me first.

Review: Action Comics #1092

Action Comics #1092 came out last week, the first part of the next Superboy arc in the title by writer Mark Waid. 

Waid has been doing a good job of re-establishing Superboy as part of the Superman mythos here, slowly showing us early Clark discovering his powers, stretching his limits, and trying to become a public hero. The first arc showed us his reveal to the public. This arc he is more of a known commodity but still figuring it out. For long time readers, there have been hints at well established pre-Crisis moments perhaps coming back. But even Zero Hour friend Kenny Braverman has shown up.

This arc seems like it will focus on Superboy's public persona and how that aligns with the military and General Lane. I guess here is where the lifelong hatred starts. It is pretty interesting to see our hero stand up to Lane for the first time. 

Cian Tormey is on art this time and brings a sort of smooth if slightly cartoony style. Slightly! But it works for a flashback story with a sort of teenage dorky Clark. He does well with some powerful character moments here, building the panel to accentuate the proceedings.

I am liking this stealth Superboy book. Hoping others are too! On to the book.

Review: Supergirl #7 (v8)

Supergirl #7 came out this week, another fun and whimisical sort of holiday issue, celebrating the Thanksgiving tradition of bringing family and friends together.

Sophie Campbell is back on writing and art this issue making this an extra special treat. Campbell's art is just so intricate, so vivid, so captivating that you can't help but read the book slowly, taking in the art and all the small details she puts into things. A simple exercise will be to find Streaky every time the super-cat appears. He has is always doing something, making some expression. That devotion to the small things makes the art a true attraction here.

The story is a sweet one and really more character building. After last issue's look into the darker aspects of Kara's past, this issue is her being friendly and helpful, even to her enemies. Here, Supergirl is helping Princess Shark try to escape her life of villainy.While that unfolds, Kara's family tries to gather for Thanksgiving. 

The Princess Shark story is a sort of sideways take on the Little Mermaid. And the conclusion to that plot makes little sense given Princess Shark's earlier actions but it's fine. It showcases Supergirl's smarts and ethics nicely. 

And the family story shows how Lesla is still suffering from her lack of parental love, transferring it onto Superman of all people. 

All that said, while I think this is a fun issue, I actually am hoping we get a super-villain fight soon. 

On to the book.

Superman Album (Greek)

A bit ago, I showcased a Supergirl #6 from Greece, a gift from a buddy when he had traveled there. Turns out he had another gift for me, an interesting Superman album from the same time.

It is the size of your standard Asterix or Tintin size and produced by Anubis Publishing.

But it is an odd collection.

Three seemingly random issues.

Action Comics #870, from 2008, is the finale of the Geoff Johns Brainiac arc which led into New Krypton. 

Superman #15, from 2013, is a middle chapter in H'El on Earth. 

Superman #39, from 2015, was the end of another Geoff Johns run on the character, a time when Superman was using his solar flare and had just told Jimmy Olsen his secret identity. 

Three issues without any connection. One in an old continuity. Another in the middle of a less than stellar, very long arc.

Does the company only have access to some issues? Was this based on art? Gary Frank, Kenneth Rocafort, and John Romita Jr. provide great art here. 

But such a fascinating group. All reviewed here at the time of release! I have been doing this a long time!

Some samples ahead.

Review: Absolute Superman #13

Absolute Superman #13 came out last week, the penultimate chapter in this longform opening arc showing us the Absolute world that this Superman lives in. The Lazarus Corporation and the anti-fascist Omega Men revealed as organizations run by the Al Ghul family who are hellbent to turn Superman to their view. He hold out leading to war ... the Battle of Kansas.

I have been very impressed with Jason Aaron's pacing on this title, a slow burn of us seeing this world, learning about Superman and the supporting cast, and their goals. Even though we were barreling to the battle we see in this issue, Aaron pumped the brakes last month giving us an issue about Superman and Sol. 

But now we are back in it. Kansas is under assault.

Still Aaron gives us so much characterization amid to warfare. Superman still feels isolated, still feels 'other', still feels lost. It feels a little strong here after hearing how he defends the underrepresented, how he loved the Kents, how he is honoring his parents. But it again shows us we are in that Absolute world. If anyone isn't mired in the darkness it is Lois and Jimmy, both of whom look very much like their main Earth counterparts here, being journalists and getting the truth out there.

Rafa Sandoval continues to blow me away on art. This read like a war book, with tanks and planes, and bombs. But mixed in are these powerful character moments and Sandoval captures them too. I am so impressed with Sandoval on this book and glad we are getting him on this finale.

On to the book.

Review: Adventures Of Superman Book Of El #3

Adventures of Superman Book of El #3 came out this week and was another warp-speed issue by writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Scott Godlewski. This is such an interesting book to try and dissect. It is both said at a surpringly quick pace. It is set in a highly constructed world with a deep mythos. It is set basically in two times. I don't know if I know exactly what is going on and who every one is quite yet. But I am here for it.

Johnson is a world builder. This issue is set in the dystopian future brought about by Kryl-Ux's takeover of the universe. There are Summer Men. There is Lanternholm. There is Brainiac. There is Ronan Kent. I have a sense of this world but not the deepest understanding. But in many ways, just three issues in, it reminded me of the Warworld Saga. Three issues in we were just learning of Warworld's culture, of chains and Mongul and Phaelosians. Eventually it was a fully established world. I know we will get there on this book.

Instead of doing all the heavy lifting and exposition, instead we get a fast paced issue where Superman and Ronan battle Brainiac. There is action and battles and fun. Johnson still scratches the surface of what this world but in a sort of glossy way. Throw in some very interesting text pages at the end and it felt like a good meal.

Godlewski's art is also solid. We get all these alien pieces, weird armor and Brainiac drones, but within Earth and it's trappings. His Superman is large and powerful in a very iconic way. 

On to the book.

Wizard Superman Tribute Edition

One of my latest side quests has been scouring the shops, conventions, and warehouses I go to and see if I can find the old comic magazines that were published, especially around creators and topics that I love. I read Back Issue currently for similar reasons.

These magazines are almost time capsules of a sort. Reading creators' ideas about upcoming titles and stories and then comparing to them now that they are in the rear view mirror. In particular, Comics Interview, Comics Journal,  and Amazing Heroes are my faves as they seemed to take the material and the discussions seriously.

At the summer end's Time Capsule warehouse sale, I found a box filled with them and grabbed a few. That included this "Superman Tribute Edition" from Wizard Magazine. Now Wizard has it's critics (and I might be one of them). The book was more hype and journalism but at the time ruled the roost as THE comic book magazine on the shelves. 

But I will admit this one was solid, a magazine that kept out right before Reign of the Superman hit the racks. It was still polybagged, complete with collector card. The cover is a die-cut, chromium enhanced fold-out by Jurgens and Breeding showing the Doomsday fight. 

The table of contents shows this was a mix of historical retrospectives (both pre-Crisis and post-Byrne), a mini sort-of who's who, and a very interesting article looking vaguely at the four 'Supermen' who made up the Reign. The creators can't go into too much detail as the books hadn't been released yet, so speak a bit veiled. Very interesting hearing them talk about these characters so entrenched now.

But I'll cover the Supergirl specific stuff in the book for this site (not that there is much).

Review: Superman Red & Blue 2025 Special

Last week, Superman Red and Blue Special #1 came out, a sort of autumnal surprise in this summer of Superman. I was a big fan of the original Red and Blue series, a prestige anthology series that came out 4 years ago (!!). As with any anthology series, that one had hits and misses. 

But I am happy to say that this special has four stories, all of which are very good and very entertaining. Whether planned or not, the stories seem to focus more on the person of Superman is and less on fast and furious action. 

Moreover, unlike some holiday specials which seem like a type of New Talent Showcase, this one is filled with names of established crators whose work I standardly love - Paul Dini, Mirka Andolfo, Dan Abnett, Rainbow Rowell, Cian Tormey, and Chris Samnee. It also has some established creators that are new to me like Michael Walsh and Caitlin Yarsky.

And yes, Supergirl shows up in the issue and I have to say there was a sigh of relief on my part as the story unfolded. 

So if you are looking for a lot of punches this might not be for you. But if who Superman is at his core is one of the things that intrigues you, you should seek this out for sure.

On to the stories.