Supergirl Best of 2025 Part One: The Movie, Commissions and Cons, And Comic Honorable Mentions

Welcome to Day 1 of 3 of my year-end review of the character of Supergirl and my comic book year.

I have been doing this blog for a while and every so often a year comes around where Supergirl seems to be everywhere. This is one of those years. Perhaps boosted by the Superman movie and the concommitant 'Summer of Superman' in the comics, Kara has had a very good year. She has been on the big screen. She has an upcoming movie. She has a solo title on the racks. This is not one of the leaner years and I have seen plenty over my time here.

So to set the stage, today I will review the big news of her movie, my commissions and cons this year, and then comic honorable mentions. Settle in ... this is a long one.

As this blog is really comic focused, tomorrow and the following day we will countdown the top ten Supergirl comic moments of the year. 

Perhaps the biggest news for the character was her drunken cameo at the end of James Gunn's Superman. I wrote down my thoughts back in July and they really haven't changed. "Truth. Justice. Whatever." is hardly inspiring.

The teaser trailer just dropped 3 weeks ago and I wrote at length about it then. You can read that here.

I am not surprised she is the cursing drunk girl. The movie is based on Tom King's Woman of Tomorrow. The saucy 'Look Out' very early teaser poster, again focusing on her drinking and her misbehavior cemented it. Krypto peeing on Superman to open the trailer isn't subtle. 

And I am still pretty perplexed by screenplay writer Ana Nogueira saying that she couldn't wrap her head around a character so sunny. Tell me you haven't read a Supergirl comic past 1970 without telling me.

Still, Milly Alcock is a great actress. She looks fantastic in the uniform. The visuals look good. The action looks good. And the end bit of the trailer - Kara, the sun behind her, no duster coat - makes me hope this is a redemption story. That she comes out of the haze and depression and realizes she is a hero.

I have to be hopeful.

Review: Superman #33

Superman #33 came out last week, a Luthor solo story showing his round 2 DC KO brawl with Etrigan. Written by Joshua Williamson with art by Hayden Sherman, it is a deep dive into the intricacies of Lex's mind and history so was an intersting read.

Since the beginning of this volume of Superman, Lex has been front and center. The whole premise by Williamson was showcasing the Lex/Superman relationship as Luthor wanted to befriend Superman, first for nefarious reasons and then because he was turned. Then House of Brainiac, amnesia, a truly good (almost naive) Lex emerging, only to have his unsavory life outlook sort of resurface. For sure, Lex has been complicated.

In this issue, Lex dwells on his mindset and background. He has an 'ends justify the means' foundation that he uses to justify every decision he has made in life, from literally making a deal with the devil to doing what he needs to do to advance in this Omega tournament. Throw in the Demon, Etrigan's own history, some deep DC history, and this is a worthy even tie-in.

Hayden Sherman is on art and brings a great style to the proceedings. I have just started to discover Sherman's work while reading Batman Dark Patterns and Absolute Wonder Woman back issues. One of the best things in this book is the page layouts with creative panels and page layouts. I don't know if his style is best for Superman but for an issue mostly located in Hell? Perfect. Alejandro Sanchez's color schemes of oranges, reds, and yellows only accentuates it.

If I had one nitpick, this issue could have used some editors notes pointing out where some flashbacks took place. 

On to the book. 

DC Comics Solicits - March 2026

The March 2026 DC Comics solicits sort of came out last week and it certainly was an interesting mixof Super-solicits in the wake of the ending of DC KO which ends that month..

Here is a link to the full list: https://aiptcomics.com/2025/12/19/full-march-2026-dc-comics-solicitations/

The biggest thing for me was the 'Reign of the Superboys' arc running through all the Super-titles. Now that title, reminscent of the post-"Death of Superman' arc titled 'Reign of the Supermen' arc, in addition to the complete lack of Superman in any of the super-titles makes me think something must happen to the Man of Steel in KO. Plus 'Symbol variant' covers this month have to be like the Reign of Supermen symbol covers showcasing the 4 shields of the supposed Supermen back then. Intriguing.

Now the name 'Reign of the Superboys' was enough of a hook. But the cover of Superman Unlimited made me pause. Then it made me smile. Settle in. 

On to the books.

SUPERGIRL #11
Written by SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Art by SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Cover by DAN MORA
Variant covers by JEFF DEKAL, TERRY DODSON, and SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Reign of the Superboys variant cover by ACO
Corner Box variant cover by SKYLAR PATRIDGE
Women's History Month variant cover by LEIRIX
Symbol variant cover

With the bottled city on fire (literally), Kara Zor-El abandons the comfort of Midvale to save the last survivors of Krypton. The youth are in revolt after a shocking secret is revealed, and the Science Council is put on trial for its crimes against the next generation. Can Supergirl find peace between the two warring factions?

Looking at the cover, it looks like Connor is the Superboy in the Supergirl title. The sight of Boy Thunder is also very interesting given his arc in prior World's Finest stories where he turned out to be Magog. 

It wasn't mentioned in this solicit but in another article about the month, the issue was described like this:"That same week, Supergirl #11 drops Kara into Kandor, strips her powers, and gives her a cybernetic upgrade as she leads a revolution alongside Conner Kent and a legion of Boy Thunder clones."  This has to be Sophie Campbell leaning into the stories in Adventure Comics where Supergirl was powerless and needed a Kandorian exoskeleton to have super-abilities. I love how much Campbell is leaning into Kara's history. 

Merry Christmas, Mike Maihack Style

I have been covering Mike Maihack's art here for a long time. I love his style. I love his humor. I love his take on Supergirl, so akin to my own. 

And every year I await his Supergirl/Batgirl Christmas comic. It is always a gift, highlighting the wonderful friendship of the two heroes. It is always funny and uplifting. 

But  I find this year's strip in particular to be fantastic. 

Supergirl in Maihack's strip is always a super-charged bundle of frenzied energy, changing costumes, handing out cookies, and being almost silly even in the face of super-villains. I love those as they show the inherent brightness and optimism of Kara.

Now this year, with the Supergirl movie, based on Woman of Tomorrow, in the near future, showcasing a traumatized, drunken, angry mess of a Supergirl, Maihack again shows how he gets the character. 

Early Christmas Gift - Milly Alcock Autograph

It's the holidays and new comic book day falls on Christmas Eve, a very important day for Italian-Americans like myself. So no new comic reviews for a bit.

Instead, a special shout-out for an early present I was given before Christmas which I just couldn't wait to open.

In one of those very generous moment, a friend of a friend of my sibling went to a convention where Milly Alcock was a guest. This was a while ago, when the first teaser poster was the only official Supergirl movie promotion out there. They got me an autographed pic of that poster!

How cool is this to own so early on! And love she wrote 'Supergirl' in big letters next to her autograph!

I am always impressed with the generosity of this community and do my best to reflect that as well!

But having received this, it made me realize something.

Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest #46

Batman/Superman World's Finest #46 came out last week, the second part of the Luthor/Joker team-up arc and basically a issue-long brawl between our main characters ... but with a twist.

This is a standard Mark Waid story, digging into some old DC concepts like the Thanagarian Absorbascon while giving it a nice updated feel. Last issue, the Joker and Luthor fused into one body. This issue we get to explore what that mind is like, with two completely dueling mindsets trying to work one body. Through some plot shenanigans, we get a fusion Superman/Batman being (harkening back to World's Finest #4 ). So we then get to see what two minds thinking together sound like as opposed to the villains. It is a nice little writing trick, giving us a nice dive into the thoughts of our main protagonists and antagonists.

But the real joy of this issue is the art by Adrian Gutierrez. It probably isn't the best word but there is a frenetic feel to his art. There is a wild energy to it. And in this issue where two fused beings are just throwing down, the art just sizzles. This just feels like a Dragon Ball episode with overpowered fused-form beings are zipping around the skies trading blows. I don't mind a brawl issue now and then.

I don't know why this issue got a Chuma Hill variant cover with Supergirl and Catwoman but it is an interesting composition.

On to the story.

Review: Superman Unlimited #8

Superman Unlimited #8 came out this week and was a fun semi-'done in one' story involving an overworked Lois, a spaceship, and Guy Gardner. Last month I complained about how the issue was a side trip, taking away from the main 'So Much Kryptonite' story. I want that story done so much, I complained about that diversion.

This month I decided to not let that hinder my enjoyment of a good story. Dan Slott seems to be exploring this new universe he is in, bringing in guest stars and giving us his take on them. It helps he has Jeremy Adams' steadying hand to help this issue as well. I like the classic feel of this Guy Gardner and how the League sort of tricks him into helping. And Superman is handled very well here, showing how much he loves Lois and how close they are.

So the character things work well. But the plot? Well, don't think about it too long or it unravels. 

The art is by Lucas Meyer whose work I have seen cropping up all over the place. He has a very clean feel, almost like Fernando Pasarin. He should definitely be put on a monthly.

Does this fun story mean we aren't done with the King of Kryptonite stuff? Yes. But the issue entertained. On to details.

Review: Action Comics #1093

Action Comics #1093 came out last week and was another fun chapter in this Superboy stint in the comic. Writer Mark Waid has been giving us some nice looks into these early days of super-heroics, including how the ethos of Superman was created. It is a mix of Kent-wisdom and experience that clearly are forming who this young Clark will become.

One of the questions that always plagued me as a kid reading comics is why Clark would allow the Kents to financially struggle. Or what would he do if the Kents were about to go bankrupt. Can't he wring diamonds out of coal? Waid specifically answers that here in a fun story that also shows how Superman has learned to work around laws of discovery and care. We are done-in-one here! Classic.

Another plus for the issue is the return of Skylar Patridge on art. Patridge brings a youthful look over the whole tale. As I have said, I especially love her take on the young Clark, Pete, and Lana. The art shines here.

On to details.

Review: Supergirl #8(v8)

Supergirl #8 came out this week, a holiday issue that focuses on the fact that not everyone feels merry and bright. In particular, it is Supergirl who is both sad around the holidays and also a little grumpy when pressed to talk about her feelings. It seems a little bit off after the excellent Supergirl #6 where Kara said 'yes I have been through a lot but I channeled that into something positive'.

Now I am not saying that Supergirl can't be complex. And yes, the holidays are a tricky time for many people so why not our hero. But this seemed to veer as close to Woman of Tomorrow as I have seen this book and for a Christmas issue, that fell a little flat.

Writer Sophie Campbell does do a great job of explaining why Supergirl is feeling this way. And she uses a forgotten Linda Danvers robot as a plot point to drive it home. But what activated that robot? I am still on board that a Chaos Stream or something like that is coursing below Midvale. 

The art is by someone new to me, Haining. She brings a very manga influenced style to the proceedings which fits the book. There are some nice artistic flourishes and tricks which helps bring home that low mood Kara is feeling. While I missed Campbell's art here, this is a solid fill-in.

Still, this was 'A Blue Christmas' issue, a bit different from the more upbeat vibe of this title before.

On to the details.

Supergirl Poster, Teaser Trailer, And Plot Synopsis

I will say up front I have been a Supergirl fan for a long time and I have to say up front that I never thought she would get another solo big screen movie. So at a gut level, I am thrilled by this. 

I will also say that I am not a fan of Tom King's Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow so I don't know if I am thrilled that the solo big screen movie is based on that work.

And there is a lot to mull over about how this movie really has embraced the drunk, angry, sad party girl vibe from that book. From  intoxicated cameo in the Superman movie to the 'Look Out' earliest teaser poster to the this latest poster with the 'Truth. Justice. Whatever.' tagline, it all seems to veer into the edgy, nihilistic, depressed Kara from that mini-series. 

Yesterday the teaser trailer dropped (here in case you didn't see it yet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqdAEdkHrwo ) and it is visually stunning throughout. There is more of that same tone for the majority of the trailer. There is a lot I could focus on that shows me a Supergirl I don't want to see. 

But I am going to choose to focus on one image in the trailer that gives me some hope. And when I link it to the brief synopsis of the movie at the end of this, I might even have more hope. Because all along, I thought this might be a redemption movie. That Kara sees the ultimate destination if she stays on the road she is on in the damaged, lover Lobo and she does some good for Ruthye, and ultimately decides that maybe she should be more like her cousin. That would fit with the James Gunn pattern of misguided, somewhat shady protagonist veering to the light for sure. The preview feels very Guardians of the Galaxy.

I have to have hope.

On to some details about the trailer.

Review: Adventures Of Superman: Book Of El #4

Adventures of Superman: Book of El #4 came out last week meaning the first third of this epic sequel to Warworld is done. As a reader, I feel like I am still learning about this future and these characters as writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson continues his world-building. So I do feel not lost. Maybe grasping at the plot threads to pull them together.

It was just announced that Phillip Kennedy Johnson signed an exclusive contract with Marvel meaning this is his last bite at the DC apple, at least for a while. So I am not surprised to see him playing with all his toys. So not only Kryl-Ux and Phaelosians from Warworld Saga, not only Rowan and Ronan Kent from Future State, but we also get Ellie Stewart from Green Lantern War Journal. I don't blame Johnson for using all the great things he has brought to the DCU. But I don't know if I completely understand what is happening in the Kent family or what the power structure of the universe writ large is. I am seeing all the parts and I trust Johnson to bring it all together. 

Scotty Godlewski really gets to stretch his legs in this issue on art. This universe feels mythic and Godlewski embraces it with haunted castles and knights in armor in sprawling fanciful lands. His art brings you into the world and it made me pause on some pages to just drink in the art. 

Still no Osul or Otho! Hope we see them soon!

On to the book.

Review: DC KO: Superman Vs. Captain Atom #1

D.C. K.O. : Superman Vs. Captain Atom #1 came out this week, a tie-in to the latest big company-wide crossover D.C. K.O.  

This event is one of those 'don't think about it too hard' sort of stories for me. If you try to actually understand what is happening - a Heart of Apokolips chaos engine pitting characters against each other in a tournament to create the King Omege to fight Darkseid - you'll probably get a headache. Or say 'comic book science'. 

A bigger problem I have with this event is it was built as a bracket style tournament but the first round was a battle royale. So why put out a bracket for fans to fill out? Why not do two promos? First pick the 16 Battle Royale winners and then set up the bracket for fans to fill. It sort of let some air out of the fun.

Still, everyone likes a good brawl and certainly Superman vs. Captain Atom is a great brawl. Writer Joshua Williamson does his best to inject some characterization into the proceedings. The point of this book is 'who will go the farthest' to get this power. No one thinks Superman can take that step. And Captain Atom, who has flirted with being a despot, just might. There are some good bests here. 

Sean Izaaske is on art here and has a lot to contend with. Multiple rounds. Multiple versions of the characters. Multiple settings. And an ending that veers into a Grant Morrison-esque fourth wall busting. The work is pretty impressive.

But in the end, this seems like a wrestling match with a good pre-bout speeches.

On to the book.

Review: Justice League Vs Godzilla Vs Kong 2 #5

Justice League vs Godzilla vs Kong 2 #5 came out last week and was another 'pedal to the metal', nonstop insane action issue that felt like a summer blockbuster movie in the cold of New England November. I mean when you have a battle royale between kaiju it is always a winner. But throw in a giant-sized Superman and other normal sized heroes and it is time to grab your popcorn.

Writer Brian Buccellato knows you need more than just the action to keep the book moving so while I have come for the fights, I stay for the interesting storylines. Remember, this story has been taking place on the Monster-Earth, meaning that some multiversal insanity can happen. And with this being an Elseworld, all sorts of stuff can happen. Characters can die. Villains can turn.

More importantly for here, Supergirl remains a vital part of the heroes, wading into the fray and often leading.

Christian Duce is on art here and continues to shine. I really love the precise, fine-lined art that he brings to the insanity. His character work is great. Love his Harley. Love his Kara. Love his gargantuan Superman.

I am having a blast with this book, enjoying the ride.

Review: Superman #32

Superman #32 came out last week, a true tie-in to DC KO with some replayed scenes and added moments to that storyline. But the main thrust of this issue is two-fold. One, Luthor entering the fray. Two, Lois dealing with the Absolute Legion while she tries to help her husband.

Writer Joshua Williamson has been focusing on the Luthor/Superman relationship this entire series with Lex going from duplicitous and villainous to inspired to amnestic to philosophical to now back to being villainous. Seeing Luthor say he is the better person to wield to Heart of Apokolips and win the tournament is a nice new addition to their dealings in this book. Is this a quick heel turn for Lex who went to Nanda Parbat to hide and meditate? Maybe. But the world is at stake. 

As for Lois, I have been enjoying her dealing with Superboy Prime who is at his most likeable in this story. How did she get her powers back? Who knows. It had been hinted at that they had been stolen from General Zod. Did he regain them only to lose them again? Will we ever find out the hows and whys of these.

Eddy Barrows is on art again and brings a nice aesthetic to the whole thing, a mix of a fine lined pencil work to excellent shadowing. I like how DC is using Barrows, having come in for a few issues and not saddling him with the idea of a monthly book. His art is great and I always like seeing it.

One thing about this issue is that it does spend some pages retelling things I have read in this title and in the DC KO #1 issue. I suppose there are readers who haven't read the other and these recaps help.

On to details.