Review: Action Comics #1096

Action Comics #1096 came out last week, another chapter in Mark Waid's look at Superman when he was a boy and part of the 'Reign of the Superboys' event. I have thought this whole look back as a sort of 'Superman Year One' has been pitch perfect. This issue has a little bit of timey wimey stuff that was a little tough to follow but continues to show how Superman became Superman.

Waid continues to put a modern sort of take on classic elements of Superman's mythos. Pete Ross knows the secret identity, Lana loves Superboy while Clark pines, General Lane has always been suspicious. It all works. In this issue, we see Superboy dealing with the fact that there is always an emergency he could be dealing with. How does he go about his own every day life when he could always be heroing?

The cliffhanger definitely brings up a time travel conundrum of how Superman doesn't remember meeting other heroes in his past? Hopefully Waid answers that question.

Skylar Patridge is back on art and continues to shine. Clark looks like a teenager. Lana looks like that perfect 'girl next door' who would entrance Clark. And the action continues to be dynamic. To be honest, if there was a 'Superboy's girl friend Lana Lang' special with Patridge art, I would be there!

Dan Mora's cover is fun, with Superboy lacing up his Chuck Taylors. But who is the ghostly hand? The post-KO Superman? Or one of the guests we see at the end.

On to the book.

Review: Supergirl #11 (v8)

Supergirl #11 came out this week and was another one of those issues that I feel a little torn about. 

There are parts of this issue that show me the Supergirl I want to read, thinking about her family, trying to help her friends, standing up to evil, and fighting to the end. I really love that Supergirl. 

But the tough part about this is that we are nearly a year into this run and we haven't seen Supergirl have an outright win. We haven't seen her save her friends and trounce evil. Almost every issue has her friends helping her out. At times she seems like a member of an ensemble cast instead of the straw stirring the drink. And there is a hinted possible romantic relationship that could tear this fandom apart, something I have seen before.

In this issue, Supergirl recognizes that as much as she wants to find the missing Superman, she has to help Kandor. She has to help Lesla. She finds a youth revolution tearing up the city, led by the nihilistic, sadistic Black Flame. And like a hero, Kara stands up to Black Flame only to be stabbed repeatedly, left for dead.

Yes, we need conflict and seeing Supergirl in peril means the ultimate victory will be sweeter. But this loss might be better received if prior issues had Kara mopping the floor of some opponents.

This Sophie Campbell written story fell just a bit flat, buoyed by the high points I'll point out.

One thing I have no complaints about is the art. Campbell's work is stunning. The Black Flame/Supergirl fight is brutal. The hits are palpable. The blood is flowing. And the choreography of the fight is phenomenal. One thing I really love is that the pages with Black Flame have slanted and odd shaped panels, as if to show that everything is off kilter with her. Nice touch.

On to the books.

Bullet Review: DC KO #5

DC KO #5 came out last week, finishing the story and, in theory, rebooting the DC universe yet again. Will there be any repercussions from this reboot from a continuity view? It doesn't feel like it. It feels like this was both an event and a non-event as it swept through all the books, was labelled an event on the cover, but ultimately will need to no tangible change other than Superman being out of the books for a while.

Perhaps the most memorable thing to the book is the sort of rock-em sock-em plot, the fight club style issues leading to the championship bout in this issue. I think we all knew it would end up being Superman fighting Darkseid. Too bad the bracket wasn't a true bracket. This issue is a sort of boxing match of cosmic proportions with the Universal Ruler being the title. 

Scott Snyder does a fine job putting Superman as the center of the DC Universe again, setting him up to be the core of things. I also think the ending where Superman reveals his plan is true to his character. I don't know if there was any revelation here either. All that said, the book is filled with some solid moments if you are a fan of Superman.

Javi Fernandez and Xermanico are on art. The art is cosmic. Some of the pages are wonderfully composed. And there are good flourishes worth pointing out that make the book a pretty solid visual feast.

The parts are more than the whole in this series though. Nice moments throughout but that don't come together into something more.

On to those moments.

"That's Not Me"

Last Saturday, this picture was forwarded to me, a post on the Pre-Crisis Supergirl page on Facebook. They knew I would love it. This one would have missed be completely because Facebook is one of the social media platforms I am not on. 

To give credit where credit is due here is a link to that Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/176AkvCbYD/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I thought the post was brilliant, talking about how at times DC 'scoops out' Supergirl's hope and optimism and replaces it with 'trauma and disillusionment'. This is, for me, especially true of her portrayal in Woman Of Tomorrow. So seeing this picture of Supergirl chucking the Woman of Tomorrow book in the trash and saying 'That's not me.' was great.

I posted it on X with the simple words 'perfect post'. I feel this 'not me' sentiment about trauma and disillusionment is not only true of the pre-Crisis Supergirl, but the post-Crisis ones too - the Loeb reboot, the New 52, and the Rebirth ones. They all dealt with their history and rose above.

The tweet has grabbed some serious traction, one of the biggest ones I have ever had. As of 7a this morning, it was one of my most viewed tweets with 10K views. 

Of course, this led to some interesting responses as well. And while I think my position on this blog is easy enough to find, I want to make sure that I am abundantly clear. I have said all along, I will never begrudge people for liking what they like. If you liked Woman of Tomorrow, I'm happy for you. It just isn't for me.

I love the character of Supergirl for many reasons. One is that despite the tragedies in her life she has worked through them, beyond them, above them to be bright, optimistic, and hopeful. She wants to make sure no one else has to suffer like her. 'Help, Hope, and Compassion For All' was the perfect mantra for her.

I think some of the best stories I have covered on this site have been arcs where she has done just that - BizarroGirl by Sterling Gates/Jamal Igle/Bernard Chang stands out. As does 'Red Daughter' by Charles Soule, Tony Bedard, and others.

DC seems to think that Supergirl an interesting take for the character would be to turn her dark but time and again that has failed. I think that is because it doesn't work for the core of the character.

And frankly, Woman Of Tomorrow's dark take failed for me there as well. The drunk, angry woman who wants to be alone rather than with family isn't right. The young woman screaming in a sun, living 'a life of pain' isn't right. A Supergirl who brings a young girl to a stoning execution and allows a prisoner to be beaten to death after serving his sentence isn't right. 

It isn't right for me and how I think of Supergirl.

This doesn't mean I want her locked in amber, never growing or changing. I think Joshua Willaimson and Phillip Kennedy Johnson had her grow tremendously under their run.

This doesn't mean I want her stories to be saccharine fluff. I love Supergirl because she is so complex, still learning her way, still fallible.

I do not want her without hardships. Of course, in all her incarnations, she has had them. I just want her to have worked through the trauma, not wallow in it.

I want her hopeful and optimistic. 

I actually believe the movie, unlike the book, is going to lean that way. I think the movie is going to have the traumatized Kara seeing Lobo as what she will become if she stays on her current path and deciding she needs to change. I think in the end, this movie Supergirl will be hopeful. 

We shall see.

And kudos again to 'Tommy Cheatham' for the original post. Brilliant.

Review: Absolute Superman #17

Absolute Superman #17 came out this week, the finale of a quick two parter bringing Absolute Hawkman and Absolute Superman together to fight the Parasite. The first arc of this book was something of a slow burn, world-building and introducing our cast and fleshing them out. So this fast, action packed and brief story was an interesting change of pace.

Quick doesn't mean light or superficial. Writer Jason Aaron infuses the whole story with a comparison of Hawkman and Superman, their approach to 'heroics' and morality. Hawkman is an 'ends justify the means' guy. Superman is a much more inspirational figure, willing to sacrifice himself to save anyone else. Add in the Parasite, who seems more of a victim than a villain here, perhaps another way the Absolute Universe is a new angle and approach to characters. But the hero here is still Superman, who has matured in this book already, becoming the hero this world needs.

Juan Ferreyra again brings a sort of pastel panache to the proceedings. He brings the horror of the Parasite as well a Brainiac as well. This book has, at times, veered into body horror and we see that here. It is all gorgeously if not grotesquely rendered. 

I wouldn't mind a few more of these mini-arcs to help increase the mythos of this Superman.

On to the book.

April 18 - Supergirl Day

April 18th is Superman Day commemorating the anniversary of the release of Action Comics #1. DC Comics will usually celebrate with some special releases or a re-releases of trades and collections.

With the Supergirl movie being released in June, DC decided to make April 18th Supergirl Day this year. Incredible. 

If you want to read all about it, here is a link to DC's blog: https://www.dc.com/blog/2026-02-12/look-out-supergirl-is-taking-over

I started this blog in 2008 because I felt Supergirl was being overlooked and horribly mishandled. I wanted to shine a spotlight on my favorite character. So if you told me then that DC would be celebrating Supergirl day in advance of a major movie, I would think you were crazy.

So I will be here to celebrate Supergirl Day and I hope you will to.

At the heart of Supergirl’s Superman Day offerings is the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #1 Superman Day 2026 Special Edition. This exclusive Superman Day sampler reprints the acclaimed first chapter of Tom King, Bilquis Evely, and Mat Lopes’s character-defining sci fi fantasy epic.

In addition to the Superman Day Special Edition, fans can also pick up two Superman Day–exclusive versions of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #1 at their local comic shop while supplies last: a foil‑enhanced Special Edition ($9.99 US) and a blank sketch cover ($4.99 US), ideal for signings, sketches, and collectors.

Obviously the movie is based on King's story so the celebration will revolve a lot around that book. I don't particularly like the book's portrayal of Kara but it is clear this is here to stay. Will I buy these issues? It will be torn for sure.

But there's more.

Review: Superman #35

Superman #35 came out last week, another DC KO crossover and another chapter in the redemption arc for Superboy Prime. It succeeds on both fronts. There is an interesting wrinkle to the Doomsday storyline as well, perhaps leading into a dramatic event in the actual KO finale as well. 

Joshua Williamson has done a good job so far making me a little sympathetic towards Prime, veering into actually liking him. Prime has learned some hard lessons and continues to do so in this arc, reminding him why Superman was his hero so long ago. This issue Williamson reminds us who Prime has been in the past, and maybe showing that he still has some darkness in him. Perhaps some down to Earth Kent wisdom will help tamp down the remaining vitriol.

The Doomsday piece does intrigue me as it is basically a new element to his origin and changes him fundamentally. I suppose that Doomsday becoming the Time Trapper was a big step already, one that makes some sense. I recall hearing that Dan Jurgens didn't like that change so I doubt Jurgens will be on board with this one either.

Eddy Barrows is again on art and continues to show why he is a favorite. The fight scenes are brutal. There are emotional scenes with heft. The pages layouts are interesting. But the high water mark for art here is the expressive work, a strong part of Barrows' art.

Will the events of this change the climax of KO? I think so.

On to the book.

Review: Justice League Vs Godzilla Vs Kong 2 #7

Justice League Vs Godzilla Vs Kong 2 #7 came out this week, the final chapter in what has been another fun romp through both universes, mixing nostalgia, interesting character moments, and lots of kaiju brawls. This was incredibly entertaining in a popcorn movie sort of way. And I read comics to be entertained.

Writer Brian Buccellato throws in just about every giant monster in the Monarch universe into this book and in particular this issue which is basically a massive melee between the good guys and the bad guys. As always, he lets Supergirl shine, not in the way I was hoping but in a way that is even better. But this is more than just fights. Small character moments, like Wally trying to follow in Barry's giant footsteps, or Hal being scared of Parallax, are inserted to sort of ground the book in loose DC history. Does it end fast? Sure. But is is JL v Godzilla v Kong. There isn't going to be nuance.

Christian Duce drew every page of this sequel and has a pristine art style which brings a crisp feeling to the insanity. He must have had a blast drawing giant-sized leaguers throwing down against dinosaurs and giant apes. I hope I see more of him. Give him something like this every year, a mini-series that allows him time to do it all.

Get your popcorn ready!

DC Comics May 2026 Solicits

The DC solicits for May came out this week and they include an interesting blurb in the Absolute Superman solicit that makes me a little worried. I'll also add that the Justice League Unlimited solicit grabbed me as well. But this month is right in the middle of the Reign of the Superboys event and those sound fun too.

To see all the solicits, which include the second issues of the DC Next Level books (like Firestorm) and some new Absolute books, click here: https://aiptcomics.com/2026/02/20/full-may-2026-dc-comics-solicitations/

On to the super books.

SUPERGIRL #13
Written by SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Art and cover by SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Variant covers by MATTEO SCALERA, SKYLAR PATRIDGE, and CHLOE BRAILSFORD

The battle between the newly empowered rebel Black Flame and Team Thunder rages on as Supergirl, still at the mercy of her recent cybernetic enhancements, is forced to come up with another tactic to save Kandor from ruin. Can Superboy and Lena Luthor’s arrival turn the tide of the approaching war?

Love the Sophie Campbell cover. I do wonder how Cyborg Supergirl returns to normal. And that yellow ring on Black Flame's finger has to be the Yellow Ring of Nor-Kann meaning Zora has super-powers in Kandor.

I do hope Supergirl wins this war and isn't bailed out by Conner and Lena. 

Let's see what else will be on the shelves.

Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest #48

Batman/Superman World's Finest #48 came out last week, the first part of a new arc focusing on Earth-3. There is a lot to love about this issue as the story unfolds. First, this book has done such a great job of riffing off the idea of World's Finest duos, so why not an World's Un-Finest? Focusing on Owlman/Ultraman makes perfect sense in this book. 

I have commented on how Mark Waid seems to be able to take classic DC ideas and freshening them up. Here, he moves beyond the classic Earth-3 idea that the Crime Syndicate rules the whole world and instead expands it wonderfully. The unholy Trinity is one syndicate. But other hero groups form other syndicates running their turfs. It opens up the world for way more stories, showing us evil versions of other heroic teams. This issue gives us a little bit of a quick tour of a few of these groups.

But in what I love as a meta take, Waid is looking back at this book and having teams that aided our World's Finest now fighting this World's Un-Finest. This has to be intentional. And as a fan of the book I love it.

Marcus To is on art for this arc and he brings an inkier, more shadowy style than I am used to seeing for him. This makes sense for an evil world. In places, and perhaps appropriately, it reminded me of Richard Case's work on Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol. 

I have read many Earth-3 stories. This one felt completely fresh. Kudos to the creative team! On to the book.

Review: Superman Unlimited #10

Superman Unlimited #10 came out this week, the conclusion of a quick two-parter showcasing the new Prankster. This was a fun little story albeit perhaps a bit too cute for its own good. I feel like my critique for this issue will be my critique for most of this series. There are a few too many plot contrivances to make the story go. There are a few too many 'funny' moments as writer Dan Slott tries to insert humor into the proceedings. And it feels like it is mandatory that Superman 'goes gold' in each issue at least once. 

I will give Slott credit for creating this new Prankster, the nephew of the classic Prankster, ramping up the villain's threat level. I hope this new version sticks and we see more of him. Even there methods and pranks are fun and interesting. But the two page Jon Kent subplot is the part of the issue that grabbed me the most. Don't know what that says ...

Mike Norton's fun style works well for the proceedings. He brings the necessary levity to a story filled with clown cars, phony hands, and other practical jokes. And I am loving Dave Johnson on covers as he always brings the goods, even if this scene isn't in the issue.

On to the book.

Review: Adventures Of Superman Book Of El #6

Adventures of Superman Book of El #6 came out this week meaning we have reached the halfway mark of this tale. I remain intrigued but a little lost, a sentiment I think I have shared the last couple of issues.

Phillip Kennedy Johnson is building a universe and mythology from whole cloth in this series, showing us a potential universe where Kryl-Ux disturbed the present, invading Earth, and disrupting the future. Because the canvas is so big, there is a lot to build and Johnson is doing his best. We are traveling the galaxies. We have backmatter filling in some history. It is all impressive and a lot of it is interesting.

But I still don't think I am understanding all the moving parts. Moreover, the underlying plot that Kryl-Ux is trying to unite the aspects of Olgrun into himself so he can bring his family back to life isn't making a lot of sense to me. Olgrun has fused with one aspect. But it is clear he knew where other aspects were. Why not merge with them if that is his goal? Was he waiting to know where all the aspects were before doing parts of it? Last issue we learned he knew where the Will of Olgrun was. This issue we learn he knew where the Madness of Olgrun is. So what is Kryl-Ux's mission?

Outside the plot, Johnson shows us more of Superman's descendants. We see a lot of Otho. And there is a mystery that has me guessing. 

Scotty Godlewski's art is really strong in the book. I feel like his style has become cleaner and more powerful than I remember from his ealrier works on the Superman books. With the scope this big, you need someone who can handle 'big art' and we see it here. I'd love to see him continue documenting the Super-Twin's story but I think this is probably the last we are going to see of them.

Do others feel as sort of lost as I am?

On to the book.

Review: Action Comics #1095

Action Comics #1095 came out last week, a look at the Superboy myth from Pete Ross' perspective. Last issue ended with Pete secretly discovering that Clark is Superboy. This issue shows us the fallout. Clark and Pete are best friends. Pete can't help but wonder why Clark didn't share this info.

Writer Mark Waid has the unique talent of taking an old concept (Pete Ross knowing Clark is Superboy; heck even the existence of Superboy) and updating it to make sense for our modern world. It is hard for me to ponder that Superboy was active in the 2000s. That means I am old. But there are elements in this story that shift us far away from 1950s Smallville. What I really love about this is how Waid makes Pete Ross just an incredibly nice, empathetic, good guy. His coming to understand Clark's view is well handled.

Patricio Delpeche remains on art and has a sort of Chris Samnee/Alex Toth approach to the art. This inky style works very well for one of the ending scenes and harkens back to more classic comics which feels right here. 

I grew up seeing Pete Ross peeking out his tent and seeing Clark turning into Superboy. I grew up seeing Pete help Clark by creating a diversion so Clark could skip out. I grew up with Pete keeping that secret. And now I get to grow old with this wonderful addition to the mythos again.

On to the book.

Review: Supergirl #10 (v8)

Supergirl #10 came out this week, an appropriate release in this week of Valentine's Day as it is a romance heavy issue, very reminscent of her short-lived self-titled seventies title where our heroine fell head over heels in love with a bad actor nearly every month.

Sophie Campbell brings us another interesting issue continuing to weave a variety of plot threads through the book. Who is this mysterious man and why is Supergirl so attracted to him? Is Supergirl still angry at Lena for leading Lesla down a bad path and inadvertantly getting Kara drunk at that party? Will Supergirl ever forgive Lena and be friends again? And why is so much weird stuff, like a love ghost from Krypton, manifesting in the sleepy town of Midvale? But I also am intrigued by the side plot of Lena basically messing around with tech is a way that still feels Lex-like. And this Supergirl feels like the young hero still learning that I like to read, even if it feels like a little step backwards from the 'second in command, mature hero leading the Superman family' we have read in recent years in the Superman books.

I like the world building that is happening in the book. But most of it is of the emotional aspects of Kara's life. I have said the last couple of months how I really could use a supervillain throwdown. While we get a fight with the love ghost, Supergirl struggles and needs a lot of help. This feeds the character plots but it still hasn't scratched my Kara-tharsis itch. Bring on Reactron. 

Joe Quinones continues to show he is the perfect artist pinch hitter on this book. His style is a wonderful fit for this book and is Campbell-adjacent making the feel of the book consistent. Much of this book has Linda Danvers swooning and I love how Quinones conveys it all.

Overall, this is still a great issue building up this new life Supergirl is moving through. On to details.

Supergirl Preview In The Puppy Bowl

Here we are, a few days after my beloved New England Patriots got manhandled by the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. I am still recovering.

Before the Super Bowl, Animal Planet broadcasts 'The Puppy Bowl', a silly event where rescue dogs are filmed playing with each other in a football field style play space complete with some phony announcers and even a ref. My kids loved it growing up and if you like cute puppies, there are worse ways to spend some time.

Rather than promote the Supergirl movie with a commercial during the actual Super Bowl (seems like you could riff on the word Super there), DC Comics decided to instead promote the movie during the Puppy Bowl. And with Krypto playing a big part in the movie, that also seems like a natural win.

Here is a link to the new trailer showcased there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoqjnU_wGJM

Most of the scenes in this trailer we have seen before. But one new bit is Kara meeting Krypto for the first time. During what seems to be a funeral on Argo City, we see a stray puppy Krypto playing with a stick. He then runs up to Kara who picks him up.

So we get a new take on Krypto's origin. He truly is Kara's dog, probably rocketed with her from Argo. This makes their bond that much tighter.

There's more.

Review: Absolute Superman #16

Absolute Superman #16 came out last week and was another fast-paced book for this title which was a sort of simmering pot for the first 13 issues. Writer Jason Aaron was doing a wonderful job of world-building in the first year of this title, layering depth so we understood this Kal's history and world. It stood out as a stark contrast to the go-go-go world of Absolute Batman. But with the Ra's book behind us, Aaron is putting his foot on the gas.

That isn't to say that Aaron has moved away from character moments and world-building. This issue gives us a lot of new threads and seeds to follow. Obviously, we get a lot of Absolute Hawkman in here, first seen in the Absolute Evil one-shot. We see his origin and we learn about his mission. And he is a brawler much like his main-universe counterpart. But we also get Lois moment, Clark moments, and the addition of an Absolute version of a classic Superman villain. I say it all the time. I didn't think I'd love this book. But this feels like an inspirational Superman doing his best in a dark world. Aaron is truly building this world.

Juan Ferreyra is again on art and brings a lot of action to the proceedings. He also is on color and I love how everything pops. There are flashback scenes in a sepia overtone. The color of the Sol-less cape blazes against the sort of washed out Hawkman. The action really is palpable. If this series becomes a 'Rafael Sandoval on one arc, Ferreyra on the next', I'd be happy!

On to the book!

Review: The Kids Are All Fight Special #1

I haven't been collecting all the DC KO crossovers out there, sticking mostly to the main mini-series and the titles I ordinarily collect. But when I saw The Kids Are All Fight Special #1  I knew I would be getting it. I had several reasons. 

You might think that this being a Jon Kent centric special would be the top reason. I feel the last several years have been bad for the character and he has basically disappeared from being a headliner to getting a small subplot in the Superman books. Somewhere along the way, from de-aging to over-preaching, Jon has become an unfortunate afterthought. I like the character and want to see him treated well again so I was interested in seeing how he would be treated.

You might think that Jeremy Adams writing it was the top reason. Jeremy Adams is one of those creators I implicitly trust and will follow from project to project. So for sure he was a big draw. This looked like a fun book, the perfect book for his style. But that wasn't the main reason.

Maybe the Dad joke pun title, riffing on an old Who song? Great but not the reason.

The main reason was the presence of Judy 'The Boom' Garrick. Ever get asked to name a recently created comic book character that you think will stick and struggle to come up with an answer? I no longer struggle. The Boom is awesome and when I saw she was going to be in this book, I knew I'd be buying.

The plot is simple. Jon has to babysit some young heroes during the disaster of KO. The kids have other ideas, heading out on a mission requiring a rescue. Adams does a great little plot maneuver that leads to a wonderful character moment that makes the book. 

Travis Mercer is on art and I really love his art. I keep hoping DC will give him a standing title. He keeps the energy buzzing and seems to have a great handle on the DC Universe given the number of characters that waltz in and out of the book.

On to some details.

Back Issue Box: Adventure Comics #400

One of the things I have very much enjoyed about the current volume of Supergirl by Sophie Campbell is how it is really mining the history of Supergirl. From homages to deep cuts, from the Silver Age on, Campbell is showing a knowledge and respect of Supergirl's lore. The latest? The introduction of Black Flame into current continuity.

I've covered Black Flame on the blog before but somehow I haven't reviewed her craziest story. I'll rectify that right now.

Adventure Comics #400 had quite a cover. First, there is the big '35th anniversary 400th issue' banner.

The cover is also a good draw with a defeated Supergirl, contorted in agony under the feet of an unknown assailant. But the 'final battle' in the dialogue box means this isn't their first, a decent hint. 

'Return of the Black Flame' was written and drawn by Mike Sekowsky, in the middle of his run with the character. There are times I like to think that these stories take place on Earth-Sekowsky given how loose he played at times with continuity. This story is probably the best (or is it worst) example of that so settle in. 

Hmmm, maybe these take place on Earth-B, the place where Bob Haney's Brave and Bold stories took place given their also tenuous grasp on continuity?

Okay, on to the story, one of the nuttiest Supergirl stories ever.

Review: Superman #34

Superman #34 came out last week, a DC KO tie in and a pretty big treat for a Legion fan like me. More impressive than the LSH stuff in the issue is that somehow writer Joshua Williamson continues to make me like reading his Superboy Prime.

The KO stuff is really on the periphery of the issue. The main plot is Prime, Lois, and a Superman Robot trying to get to Doomsday to give him the information we learned from the Lara Lor-Van tapes. That trip takes a few detours as we get to contrast the brash Prime to the earnest Superman simulacrum. We are on a sort of redemption tour for Prime and his being inspired by an automaton is a nice wrinkle.

We know Josh Williamson is going to be writing a Legion of Super-Heroes book in the future. Maybe we see some glimpses of what he thinks of the Legion in this book. I hope that book sings.

Eddy Barrows is on art and I have always loved his work. He really has shined on this arc and it is great to see his take on these DC KO landscape. His splash pages are fantastic. And wait until you see his Legion.

On to the book.

Review: Supergirl Next Door

DC's Supergirl Next Door Valentine's Day anthology came out this week, a smorgasbord of quick romance stories starring an interesting if unaffiliated group of characters. Much like the Ma Hunkel Christmas Special, the talent on the book are mostly people I haven't heard of with a smattering of a people I know from a few books. 

I used to love these holiday books when growing up. These days they are mostly 'hit or miss' without much to remember afterwards. But they had me at calling it Supergirl Next Door. 

One thing that is tough about these books is that they are outside of continuity so trying to figure out the whens and the wheres are tough especially in this book where things seem far afield for most of these characters. And for a hefty $9.99 I would love for there to be one story, maybe a lead story, from a big name talent team. 

I do love the Amy Reeder cover even if it isn't related to the Supergirl story inside.

Let's jump into the Supergirl story.

DC Comics April 2026 Solicits

The DC Solicits for April 2026 have come out and if you think Supergirl has been getting some love from the company in preparation of the upcoming movie, you ain't seen nothing yet. Here is a link to see all the solicits: https://aiptcomics.com/2026/01/23/full-april-2026-dc-comics-solicitations/

This is a hefty month for Super-books and if you like to trade wait or get omnibus editions, you better start saving your pennies. I am thrilled that Supergirl is getting such a push from the company and I am certain it is because of the film. I can only hope that a new treasury will happen closer to the release date. Hoping the film shows her as the hero I think she is.

On to the books!

SUPERGIRL #11
Written by Sophie Campbell
Drawn by Sophie Campbell
Covers by Nick Dragotta, Joshua "Sway" Swaby, Sophie Campbell, Pablo Villalobos

The conflict in Kandor between the Science Council and the younger Kandorians is only growing more tense. Supergirl's first run-in with the rebel leader Black Flame ends with her broken and without her powers, forcing her to seek recovery with the Science Council. But despite Supergirl's warning, the Council has their own plan to stop Black Flame: a powerful clone capable of taking down anyone in their path. Enter Team Thunder!

Back in my Supergirl #9 review, I wondered if the Science Council did something to keep the Kryptonian kids shrunk in the bottle. This solicit makes it seem like this time I am right. A revolt from the young Kandorians against the government? Makes sense.

But check out that cover. I recently reviewed an old story where Supergirl lost her powers and needed a Kandorian exo-skeleton. Looks like Sophie Campbell is riffing on that here ... but she looks more Cyborg Superman than donning a sleek model. 

And what about that powerful clone? Who could that be?

Couunt me in.

Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest #47

Batman/Superman World's Finest #47 came out this last week, the finale of the Absorbascon storyline pitting the Batman/Superman Fusion against the Lex/Joker Merger. And boy, it ends ... quickly, neatly, and semi-easily.

Writer Mark Waid is almost always a fun and entertaining read and this title has been a revelation in the four years it has been out. This story seems to have some elements that fit the quality of this book. Seeing how the fused heroes work together while the meshed villain minds sometimes are fighting each other is a good insight into the characters. Seeing how our heroes deal with their secret identities revealed also has some meat on the bone to delve into. (Indeed, the Lois scene in this book is my favorite.) And perhaps this characterization deep dive was the impetus for this story. But the plot, with the Absorbascon as a deus ex machina becoming both a receiver and a transmitter that needs to be shut down then saved then reverted seemed too big to wrap up. This was a three parter! But honestly, I don't know if a longer version of this story would make the ending more palatable.

Adrian Gutierrez gets to really stretch in this arc with crazy action, a large cast of cameos, and some emotional beats. It is a rapid fire book going from magical battles to quiet apartment conversations to fistfights. That is a lot for one tiny issue. It must be hard to step into Dan Mora's shoes but I have come to really like Gutierrez's style on this book. There is an energy here that works. 

On to the book.

Review: Superman Unlimited #9

Superman Unlimited #9 came out this week, starting a new story involving an updated Prankster. Throw in a crime boss in Metropolis and a Jon Kent subplot and this issue isn't just telling a story, it is setting up future plotlines. One thing that really isn't new or moved forward is the 'Kryptonite Everywhere' arc. Yes, we see a large chunk of Kryptonite in the story and Superman 'go gold'. I'll have a lot to comment on that within the body of the review.

Writer Dan Slott does a good job showing us the MO of the Prankster. This is a cold-blooded killer who murders in such silly ways that the death is all that people remember. To paraphrase the Bard, 'The evil done to men lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones.' It is silly in its own way, something Slott excels at. There is a sort of vanity in this new villain that makes him interesting.

But the Kryptonite story is still lingering and is, for me, the least interesting part of this title. 

Mike Norton is on art here, with Dave Johnson on the cover, which makes me wonder if Rafael Albuequerque's time on the title is over. Norton has a solid, straightforward style which might not be the best fit for a gag-filled killing spree. His Superman feels solid and sort of Bronze-Agey. 

I actually think this is a fun issue for this book. But the K-Everywhere element in this story pulled me out of the precedings. I realize this is something I am sort of saying in every review of this book. Apologies. 

On to the book.

Review: Action Comics #1094

 Action Comics #1094  came out last week, another chapter in Mark Waid's exploration of the introduction of Superboy to the DCU. I have been very pleased with this run of stories and this issue is no exception as Waid answers questions I think have been in the back of my mind as a reader. Why would the military not try to control or co-opt Superman when he first revealed himself?

The bulk of the issue is Superboy doing what he does best, trying to save lives and do what is right. But this time that is by helping the US military extract men from a foreign nation. It is Superboy entering war, being given orders, and still assisting because that is what is needed. But appropriately questioning his role afterwards. I think we are just scratching the surface of this confrontation with General Lane. 

But surrounding the main title is that exploration of Clark's feelings and dealing with this. He is still just a kid. He is still crushing on Lana. He is still doing silly little Smallville tasks. But now he has seen things that most people won't ever see, the horror of war, and has to find a way to deal with it. That is a story worth telling.

The art on the issue is done by Patricio Delpeche, whose work is new to me. There is a raw feeling here. There is as sort of Sean Phillips feel to the work too. Given the darker tone for most of this issue, the pencils and shadow work all works wonderfully here.

Lastly, the ending of the book synchs up a favorite Silver Age moment with these modern times. I smiled. Kudos to Waid for his usual walking the tightrope of honoring the old while refreshing it for today.

On to the details.

Review: Supergirl #9(v8)

Supergirl #9 came out last week, the third issue in a row focused on character building and leaning into some sorrow and angst. Writer Sophie Campbell is here with artist Joe Quinones showing us New Year's Eve, Midvale style. 

Campbell has definitely been focusing this series on Kara figuring out this next chapter of her life back in Midvale. Campbell has also done something I have been asking for in a Supergirl comic for about 15 years, added a supporting cast. In many ways, this book has been an ensemble cast with Supergirl the axle they spin around. Moreover, it is all young women trying to figure out who they are in a new place, all with different backgrounds and responses. Lesla from Kandor, reeling from unloving parents and a feeling of emptiness. Lena, walking away from Lex but still acting, now and then, like a Luthor. And Kara herself, out of Superman's shadow and trying to hold her life and her friends lives together.

This issue shows us how easily strained these relationships can be. A fun night unravels and suddenly Linda, Lena, and Lesla are not the bosom buddies they were. There was a bright feeling to the early issues of this book, an optimism and joy around Kara. These last three issues - Nightflame, the dying robot, and this issue's tumults - are a little darker. I am hoping this darkening is from my Chaos Stream theory.

And I have to admit I wouldn't mind an issue of someone like Reactron being a jerk and our hero pounding him. After all the personal drama, I wouldn't mind a supervillain coming around. I am not complaining too much. I love the book. And this is lightyears away from drunken, living in pain, witnessing stoning executions, etc.

I have been a fan of Joe Quinones for a looooong time and have always loved his art, getting a commission from him in 2010. His style fits the vibe of this series wonderfully and I wouldn't mind him being the official pinch-hitter here for issues Campbell can't do herself. 

On to the book! 

Bullet Review: DC KO #3

DC KO #3, written by Scott Snyder with art by Javi Fernandez, came out this week and was another bonkers, high energy brawl of a book as our heroes and villains vie to see who will win the title King Omega and take on Darkseid to reinvent the universe.

It feels intentionally over the top with the fate of the universe at hand, the winner being able to scrawl their idea of what reality should be. 

Round one was a battle royale style race for immunity totems (magical items).

Round two was a two out of three solo match.

Round three is a tag-team match with each entrant able to pick their partner.

It is silly in a good way with high stakes and I have mostly enjoyed it. But two things have detracted my enjoyment from the title.

The first is a bit meta, the promotion of the event. I will talk about that at the end.

The second, how Supergirl was treated in this particular issue hence the bullet review.

They are, overall, small distractions to the insanity of the book. It is fun in an 'over the top' way.

But let's dive into Supergirl's part in this issue.

The rules of engagement are clear. The Elite Eight are allowed to pick a partner, any partner, got the tag team battle. If they don't choose a partner, one will be chosen for them.

Superman chooses last. The omnipotent voice almost chooses for him but then Clark makes up his mind.

Is the crumbling Supergirl statue supposed to mean she is who was almost chosen for him? Does it mean he contemplated picking her but picked someone else?

Either way, at least she was near the top. 

But then ...

Back Issue Box: Adventure Comics #404

One of the things that I have truly appreciated about the current Supergirl title is how writer/artist Sophie Campbell has really done a deep deep dive into Supergirl's history, incorporating elements of all of Supergirl's lore and iterations into the book. 

Recently, the March 2026 DC solicits came out promoting a 'Reign of the Superboys' arc running through all the super-titles. In a related article talking about the titles, this nugget was dropped.

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.

A powerless Supergirl in Kandor getting a cybernetic upgrade?

It sounds like Campbell is revisiting a storyline from the early 70's where Supergirl's powers would blip on and off. To compensate, she went to Kandor and had was given an exoskeleton to boost her abilities when she was suddenly powerless. 

Now to be honest, I am not a fan of storylines where characters' powers can suddenly disappear. The story always seems stretched and forced. And that is true for this classic one. But how great to see it updated. So why not revisit Adventure Comics #404, with that Kandorian exoskeleton revealed.

The brief story? A mob leader named Starfire (no ... not that Starfire or the other Starfire) comes to town to take over. To do that, she needs to get Supergirl off the board. So she has a lothario slip Supergirl a pill designed to depower her permanently. But it only works some of the time. Check out the awesome cover! Starfire beating up our here while a group of odd clowns watches on! Inticing!

To put in context, this book came out in May 1971, in the middle of the Kryptonite Nevermore arc in Superman, an arc seriously depowering the Man of Steel. Perhaps DC couldn't have Supergirl be the strongest character in the universe? 

On to the book!

Review: Absolute Superman #15

Just a couple of weeks ago, I reviewed Absolute Superman #14, the ending of a long, world-building arc for our hero. I thought perhaps the ending seemed a little too quick with Ra's Al Ghul almost laying down after a gruesome battle. But that was that, the opening arc teaching about this Kal and his fight against the Lazarus Corporation was over.

Last week, Absolute Superman #15 came out, a 'new story' trumpeted on the cover, complete with a new artist Juan Ferreyra. This new direction has been earned by writer Jason Aaron whose deliberate pace gave us wonderful world-building here. With Ra's defeated and the existence of the Superman a bit more public, it is time for our hero to come into the sunlight.

And that is what this issue is about. Superman is a public hero now, trying to do everything he can to help people, perhaps overdoing it. He is an inspiration in action all over the world. But he also is trying to be an inspiration to the defeated Ra's. What I really like is how while trying to do what's right, it is clear this Superman is a little uncomfortable in this role, a little taxed. 

All that said, this is an issue filled with hope, something I haven't seen much of in the absolute universe.

You can tell immediately the change in tone and direction by comparing the covers by Rafa Sandoval.

Issue #1, black-garbed Superman, face looking down, in shadows walking through a parched field.

Issue #15, blue-garbed, flying upwards, face in the sun, birds flying around him, angelic.

A new story indeed.

Part of that new feel is artist Juan Ferreyra. His style is strong and energetic in the heroic scenes. It is quiet enough in the smaller moments to convey emotion. I hope he is on the book for a long time.

On to the book.

Review: Adventures of Superman Book of El #5

Adventures of Superman Book of El #5 came out this week and continues to be brash and epic and universal in scope. There are big moments in this book, worthy of big art, as it continues to build this mythology. 

I just don't know if I understand what is going on.

I desperately want to love this book. I am amazed at writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson's world building and myth building style. I loved his Superman run. I am enjoying his current Hulk book. He recently signed a Marvel exclusive contract so this is probably his last bite at the DCU for a while. This book is built on the Warworld Saga. And I miss the Super-Twins who are the crux of the plot and finally seen a tiny bit in this issue's cliffhanger.

I should love this book. 

The truth is I am enjoying each scene but I don't think I am understanding 100% how it all holds together. I am interested in seeing the descendants of Superman interacting in this future time but I don't know their back story enough to appreciate what should be emotional moments. I trust Johnson to pull the threads and tighten everything. But I feel a little lost. Am I the only one?

Scott Godlewsi's art really is brilliant giving the scope of the action in the book. From small personal moments to giant universal giants throwing haymakers, the book is gorgeous. 

Would really love to hear other's thoughts as we approach the halfway mark. On to the book!

Review: Justice League Vs Godzilla Vs Kong 2 #6

Justice League Vs Godzilla Vs Kong 2 #6 came out last week, the penultimate chapter of this wild series. I always feel that these 'next to last' chapters are always crucial. The book has to be set up to a place where a satisfying conclusion to the overall story has to be possible. With an over-the-top book like this with all the insanity out there, I think we get there. I do wonder if a few crumbs will be left out there in case DC wants to do a third. 

Writer Brian Buccellato pushes things forward. With the freedom of working in a pocket universe, he can take big swings and continues to do so here. What I like about this is Buccellato also shows he is a fan of DC history because he inserts some fun moments into the work for gray beards like me. He also clearly loves the characters, treating them with respect. From Wally to Black Manta to Aquaman, there are moments for all. 

Meanwhile Christian Duce continues to shine here. He has the hard mission of super-hero antics and giant monster mayhem and both things happening at the same time. I love the detail of the work and I am very appreciative of DC giving him the time to do the series in its entirety. 

I keep waiting for a Kara/Kong moment and I am still waiting. But this was still fun. On to the book.

Review: Absolute Superman #14

Absolute Superman #14 came out this week, the culmination of a long first arc building the world and showing us who this Superman is. It was clear that the end of this was going to be a bare-chested sword fight with Ra's Al Ghul, perhaps a nod to the early O'Neil/Adams Batman stories with Ra's himself.

Now all along I have been praising writer Jason Aaron for the pacing of this book. Unlike the frenzy of Absolute Batman, Absolute Superman was a very deliberate title, showing us Krypton, this new world, and giving us a lot of backstory for not only Superman but also Jor-El, Lara, Lois, Jimmy, and even the Al Ghul's. This is a fully formed world. I feel we have learned who this Clark is. 

The action has been ramping up over the last few issues as Ra's kept pushing Clark to take a step towards evil. And we finally get it in this issue, a bloody, brutal brawl that has me questioning how either combatant survives. Unfortunately, while the opening is a bang, the end of the fight is a whimper. This tremendously layered, long, complex arc just sort of ends. 

Rafa Sandoval is back on art and gives us in incredible issue of melee and gore. I have loved Sandoval's work for a long time but I feel that his work on this title has been his best. I'll be sad to see him go. 

Should this sudden ending to this arc sully the tremendous work which got me here? I'm not sure yet.

On to the book.

Supergirl Best Of 2025 Part Three: Top Ten Comic Moments #5 - #1

Well, we are ending our look back at Supergirl's 2025 by getting to the best comic moments for the character.

As we close out the year, I have to once again say that this has been a big year for our hero. She had a cameo in the Superman movie and her own film is coming soon. She played a big role in the Superman book, the JL United book, and the JLA vs Godzilla vs Kong 2 book. In all those titles, she was treated as a serious hero, a field commander, a leader.

The biggest comic news, of course, was the new Supergirl title on the racks, a love letter to the character's history by writer/artist Sophie Campbell. We have seen some moments from that on the lower part of this top ten list already. But there have been many moments throughout the issues that have been spectacular. Campbell is mining Supergirl's 65 year history and it makes this old time fan happy.

On to the top comic moments of 2025! 

Supergirl Best Of 2025 Part Two: Top Ten Comic Moments #10 - #6

Welcome to part two of my three part review of Supergirl in the year 2025. Yesterday I posted Part One , a review of the Supergirl cameo in James Gunn's Superman movie, my own convention experience, and some comic moment Honorable mentions. 

This is my seventeenth end of year review on the site, a number that staggers even me. Over the course of that time, some years have been pretty lean. In contrast, the last couple of years have been solid ones for the character. 2025 saw Supergirl finally back in her own title, continuing to play a role in the more major storylines in the Superman books, and even a decent presence in other books. Whether it was Mark Waid's JLU, or the insanity of Justice League Vs Godzilla Vs Kong, or even the Kal-El-Fornia Love book, Kara was all over the place and always treated with respect. That meant there were a lot of great moments for me to choose from making this year a tough one to pick a top ten,

Making that even harder was the profound respect and sheer amount of Kara-history that Sophie Campbell has injected into the book. From Lar-On and The Yellow Ring of Nor-Kann, to Satan Girl, to a comb that changes hair color, to Lesla Lar and Nightflame, to Midvale to cover and panel homages, there has been a ton of Supergirl history from multiple realities and continuities in the book. And each of those could be a top ten moment. I feel like for the first time in a long time, we have a creator who loves and understands the character. And that love and understanding shows in the book.

So settle in ... here comes the Top Ten Supergirl Comic Moments of 2025.