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.
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.
The story opens with Kara arriving in Smallville for Christmas with the Kents.
She seems world-weary, evidenced by the expressive artwork.
More importantly, she is worried about leaving National City unprotected. Clark gives some good advice, saying that even he needs some time for himself. Plus ... super-hearing.
National City?? We are heading into the past with that one. Feels like Kara had been in Metropolis for a while before heading back to Midvale.
Clark has also set her up on a blind date with Pete Ross' son Jonathan at the local Winter festival.
She bumps into someone and assumes it is Jon. And this person knows Kara's name and pauses before saying he is her date.
Hmmmm ....
They chat as they walk around.
He also is dedicated to his job as a ... all around scientist. A real brainy type!
Hmmmmm ...
But during their time walking around, Kara keeps hearing threats happening in National City and she keeps zipping away and back.
When she returns after the last event, she finally cracks.
She feels overwhelmed and stressed. She feels she has to be perfect, working all the time, and losing herself.
It is a moment of sheer honesty ... pretty powerful.
And I like that it sort of reminded me that Kara is a young hero, finding her way, and trying to live up to the expectations of others. Especially at this 'National City' time, rather than the field commander we have seen in Metropolis recently.
And then the young man with her tells her that if she is feeling like that than surely others are too. And she can always reach out to others to help her just like they can reach out to her.
He seems to speak from experience, as if he is on a large team that works well together?
Hmmmm ...
He slips away before she can get his number. Even odder, she runs into Clark and Lois with the actual Jon Ross (a throwback to pre-Crisis times). She isn't in the mood for another date so just heads home with the Kents but one the way she talks about the guy she met.
Who was he???
Well we see it was Brainy! He wasn't ready to tell her his feelings yet.
So nice ending ... well hinted at throughout the story. But I will never say no to a Brainy/Kara story. And this one, where Kara needed some emotional support, was really sweet. An unexpected Christmas gift for sure.
Overall grade: B+
4 comments:
I agree this was an entertaining story but despite seeing all all of the clues I did not think it was Brainy until the reveal.
Mostly this was because I still don't believe DC would acknowledge the pairing (even though they seem to be much better nowadays) but I had Clarence style Christmas Angel before Querl for who the mysterious man was.
Ash Padilla’s story needed another dialogue pass, the use of contractions was inconsistent in the characters, it was odd and distracting. I didn’t enjoy Supergirl being quite so harried, and Jon Ross being quite so old. Also, forced blind dates are obnoxious! Disguised dates are even worse. I found Brainy’s speech trite and obvious. Apart from that, I loved the story…
I did recognise the artist’s name, Anthony Marques was an editor at DC. The Hallmark Smallville atmosphere was nice, and I liked the mittens panel. Good ood luck to Anthony, I bet he’d do well in children’s books.
Ash P is also a DC editor, looks like we’re still in New Talent Showcase territory.
I didn't much care for the artwork in this one, Supergirl looks vaguely "blobby", indistinct, like Marques was finding it challenging to stay on-character. As for the storyline, It's Brainiac V, and with him the line between romance and stalking is perilously thin one :). JF
Thanks for comments.
Interesting thoughts from everyone.
Stu, interesting you didn't think DC would acknowledge the pair. We saw last year that Williamson put into canon that Kara knew Brainy.
Mart, I get your complaints, especially the disguised date aspect.
And Anon, the artwork was unusual but I think it worked for me because it made Kara seem younger and I was putting this a few years ago in my mind.
Appreciate comments!
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