Review: Action Comics #1100

Action Comics #1100 came out last week and was a sort of turning point for all the Superman books. As a result, this jumbo issue has elements of all the Super-titles and therefore has a multiple stories from all the writers of the super-books. We are closing the book on the Reign of the Superboys and we are heading into the Kingdom of Zod.

The main story picks up the Superboy arc that Mark Waid and Skylar Patridge have been crafting, showing up how Clark became Superboy in Smallville. How he learned about his powers. How he fell in love with Lana. Waid uses this anniversary issue to basically give a quick primer on Superman's history and sort of closes the book on our Smallville arc.

The remaining stories set up the upcoming arc. Joshua Williamson and Daniel Sampere give us the return of present day Superman being found and heading back to the present with ... Superboy?? Sophie Campbell and Dan Mora show us Supergirl forming her super-team to head to El Caldero and the meeting between Superboy Prime and Conner Superboy (I've been waiting). Dan Slott and Lucas Meyer send us to El Caldero to show us what is going on there and revealing the super-villain of the next arc.

I love the fact that DC has used this issue to showcase all the Super-books and how they all are going to fold into this next event.

On to some particulars!

Review: Superman #40

I have been collecting comics for about 50 years now. Hard for me to wrap my head around that number. There have been times, looking at the long boxes in the comic room, that I have wondered if the time was right to stop collecting current comics, stop hitting the store on Wednesdays, and just relax and read all the old comics I own over again. Is it time to stop.

And then comics like Superman #40 come out and it reminds me all over why I love these characters, these books, and arcs like this Superboy Prime one. This whole arc has been jaw-dropping excellent for all sorts of reasons. Writer Josh Williamson has done the impossible making me like Prime. I have loved this redemption of his character. I have loved Prime's commentary on comic books in general. In this issue, Williamson shows he either is one of us fans or knows us well, commenting on comic book fandom as well. But on top of all that, there are speeches in this book that talk about an inspiring Superman, about hope springing eternal, and about being a hero. Pitch perfect.

On top of all that, we have had Dan Mora on art the whole time, riffing different comic styles, bringing the action, and utilizing the fourth-wall-breaking to bring in old comics and covers. I have said in the past that Mora's art is so fantastic that every time he draws a character I want to see Mora on that character's title. Who knew I would want a Witchfire comic this bad.

So I can revisit it easily I might buy this arc when it comes out in trade format, something I haven't done in a long time. 

I loved a Superboy Prime story so much I am going to buy the trade. Give Josh Williamson all the awards right now. Let's dive in.

Review: My Adventures Of Superman S3E6: Party Animals

My Adventures of Superman S3E6, Party Animals is a sort of rest issue after the violence and catharsis of last episode. The action is a little bit more muted but the character focus is high in this episode. But it is the characterization and character interplay is really what I love about this show. 

Frankly, after last episode, I need a breather, a 'rest issue'. Not that this is nonsense. All our characters are dealing with things and we learn more and move forward. All of this is set in a Humanist Gala for Metropolis.Clark has no idea who he is without Superman. Lois and Jimmy are nominated for an award but Lois is still feeling like she is the shadow of Vicki Vale. Jimmy is still dealing with his feelings for Kara. Kara is dealing with her feelings for Jimmy while also being the main hero of Metropolis. More on all these in the review. 

This episode also leans into many characters we have met and who make up the supporting cast. Silver St. Cloud, Steve Lombard, Vicki Vale, and Bizarro all show up and add flavor.

All these character moments are shown through an action piece of Dr. Poison trying to turn humans into animals. This leads to another Silver Age Jimmy moment.

Love this episode mostly because you feel the pain that Clark is suffering, not knowing who he is now that he is powerless. He seems almost disgusted with life as Clark. Hmmm ...

This season continues to be incredible. On to details.

McFarlane Silver Age Figure

This has been a pretty crazy spring and early summer here with my moving into a new place and having a birthday within months of each other. 

With so much to celebrate and with the new shrine on display, I figured I deserved a new piece. 

A while back, McFarlane Toys came out with a Silver Age Supergirl figure and I was charmed. I have a bit of a soft spot for the earliest Supergirl stories with their earnest tales of Kara trying to help children and please her big cousin. 

The figure comes with multiple hands and an extra face so you can 'customize' how you'd like to display her. So many of these new, high-end figures come with these extras to make the figure truly yours to pose and play. 

It even comes with a card (upper right) with a snippet of the cover of Action Comics #252. 

Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest #53

Batman/Superman World's Finest #53 came out this last week, wrapping up the three part Warlord crossover story. As always with this book, there are a lot of fun moments. But this story never really grabbed me.

Writer Mark Waid continues to do a great job with characterization in these stories for sure. In this one, it is Robin who gets the bulk of the work with our title heroes under a sorceror's spell for most of the book. Not only to we get to see how smart and funny this young Dick Grayson is but we get to hear what he has been taught about by Superman and Batman. There is a sanctity to life even if the life lived has been one of evil. Waid always shines with that stuff.

But the villain  plot here about a pilot getting magical powers and then trying to augment them with Atlantean tech all seems to come out of nowhere as does his defeat. 

Clearly I don't know what I want. I don't want decompression. But I don't want super-compression either. I wonder if this was more Waid just wanting to play in the Skartaris sandbox for a bit.

The art is again split between Adrian Gutierrez and Vicente Cifuentes. Both artists seem to be enjoying this savage land setting and these characters. 

As I have said before, I expect unparalleled excellence from this book. When it merely entertains (which this issue did) I somehow feel let down. On to the details.

Review: Superman Unlimited #15

The Kingdom Of Zod is about to explode onto the Superman Family which means the Reign of the Superboy stories need to end. And so we get Superman Unlimited #15 which sprints to the ending of the Tomorrow Man story, bringing about events and changes and deus ex machinas to basically get us back to where we at the beginning of the story. 

Truly, a lot of stuff happens here. Somehow Kryptonite self-replicates! It has been weaponized by El Caldero for some reason! Lana is changed! Kryptonite is now harmful to humans! Txyz (remember him) does some tomfoolery! Batman has a one-time trick!  And Superboy ... that is Ultra Boy ... that is E3 Superboy is gone. It all felt a bit too fast. There are too many things that come out of nowhere. But here we are.

There are zero complaints about the art though. Lucas Meyer is thriving on this book. We get battles. We get the supermobile! We get energy crackles and brutal punches. It is all so beautiful. Glad he is here!

On to the book. Expect some nit-picking.

Review: My Adventures With Superman S3E5 - The Death of Superman

 My Adventures of Superman S3 E5, titled 'The Death of Superman', came out this week and was a high action, rather brutal episode for this series. If you are looking for the usual food jokes and whimsy the show is known for, look elsewhere. This is Zach Snyder meets Dragon Ball Z as the Super-family battles the Cyborg Superman to stop a dystopian future from unfolding.

With Bizarro, the Cyborg Superman, and a Conner-esque Superboy all here, the show has been leaning into the Death of Superman/Reign of Supermen famous comic storyline. We get a peek at another famous of those characters at the end of this episode. And what an ending, worth of Trunks time-traveling for sure.

But we have to get there first. And to get to that finale, we need a knock-down, level the city brawl between the threat of the Cyborg and his Kryptonian drone cronies vs the Supers. And it isn't easy. The Cyborg has all the powers of Superman, and the ability to link to technology (like in the comics), and a heart of Kryptonite.

While the buildings are toppling, the Cyborg is becoming more monstrous, and our heroes are turning green, we still get to see the best of our heroes character come through. Superman continues to look for the best in people. He levels up at the end. Kara shows she has come far from Brainiac's weapon. And Lois shows she is fearless. 

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the episode was written by Marguerite Bennett, a comic writer I liked best on DC Bombshells. Cool to see her name in the credits. On to the show.

Revamped Supergirl Shrine

For those who don't know, I recently moved into a new home. That means setting up a new office/comic book room/sanctum sanctorum. 

It also meant packing up the Supergirl collection and bringing it all back out. 

I was excited to get the display up to give me a sort of anchor amid the unpacked boxes and piles of stuff. 

With the new set up established, I thought I would share it here.

Rather packed shelves meaning, incredibly, I might need to think hard about either increasing the shelf space or being more selective in my merch purchases. But I think it looks pretty slick in total.

Keep reading for a sort of shelf-by-shelf breakdown.

DC Comics Solicits - September 2026

Nearly a month ago, DC released their September solicits. But the Summer of Supergirl, an increase in super-titles, and the My Adventures With Superman show have pushed this post back to mid-July. Champagne problems. When there is so much Supergirl content that I have to shuffle posts, it is a good thing.

Here is a link to the entire slate: https://aiptcomics.com/2026/06/18/september-2026-dc-comics-solicitations/

And it looks to be another great month for DC and another bad month for my wallet. Right out of the gate, I can tell you I am buying Gotham City General, a book about working in a hospital in Gotham City. I am very interested in reading it. But there is also a new Doom Patrol and as a fan of the Patrol I will surely give this new take a try. There is also a new Teen Titans, and another new book that I will discuss later. Lastly, there is a facsimile edition of V For Vendetta #1 coming out. I think DC is putting that out because I have been doing in-depth coverage of the series over on Billy D's Magazines and Monsters podcast. Everyone should be listening and reading along. 

But let's get to the Super books! First off, love Lucas Meyer is doing an interlocking cover collage on all the books!

SUPERGIRL #17
STORY: SOPHIE CAMPBELL
ART: JOE QUINONES
COVER A: LUCAS MEYER

After the shocking events of last month's crossover, Ursa and Supergirl are on a time-traveling battle to Krypton's past! They have beef with each other, but they must be careful not to get lost in time! Or, y'know … accidentally rewrite time again! The rest of Super-Force are either locked up in the Kryptonite Kingdom, injured, or fighting a losing battle to stop the spread of Zod's deadly K-Zone!
ON SALE 9/9/26

I am not the biggest fan of time travel stories back to Krypton. But it will be interesting to see Kara back on Krypton and will she try to somehow stop the planet being destroyed. I do think the idea of Ursa being a Supergirl arch-villain is an interesting wrinkle.

Review: Supergirl #15

Supergirl #15 came out this week, ending the Reign of the Superboys story as well as the Lesla Lar/Black Flame Kandor story at the same time. 

There is a lot to like about this issue as writer/artist shows once again that she understands the character of Supergirl. She is hopeful. She has compassion. She doesn't kill. But if she needs to knock some sense into you to defend the helpless, she will. There is a 3 page face-to-face with Black Flame that should be printed out and given to future creators as a sort of distillation of Kara's ethics. 

On top of that, we get some interesting development in ThunderGirl and Lesla too. The Argo City plot thread is intriguing. On top of that, we even get a beautiful finale of the arc with Kara sort of looking to her own future and declaring herself the heir of the House of El. That is amazing.

Campbell's art really explodes off the page this issue as well. There are more solid battles sequences and even a little bit of body horror. 

That doesn't mean there aren't some things to quibble about. Lesla, as has been the case for much of this series, gets to skate a little despite her past. And her being named the hero of Kandor so quickly after being one of the instigators of its near-destruction is a little strange. 

Still, I really liked this issue.

Review: My Adventures With Superman S3 E4 - Guess Who's Slammin' to Dinner

My Adventures with Superman S3 E4 'Guess Who's Slammin' to Dinner' came out this week and propelled the storyline for this season forward in a fast way. New character, emergence of the main villain, and a cliffhanger that seems to preview the dystopian future we saw last episode. 

I was a little surprised at how fast this moved along until I realized that this season is only 10 episodes long. Turns out every season has been that long and I forgot. Perhaps because these episodes pack so much inside them that they feel longer or meatier than just 10 episodes.

This episode brings in Jon Kent, the future son of Lois and Clark who looks very suspiciously like Conner Kent from the comics. When I saw the previews, I figured it was Conner given the cloning side of this season. But bringing Jon to another medium is just as cool, even if everything about him - clothes and personality - scream The Metropolis Kid.

In fact, Jon is outright fun here, saying everything is "slmmin'" and he is enjoying himself perhaps a bit too much for a kid sent from a world on fire. I suppose meeting your young parents and eating pound cake might make you forget your terrible present makes sense.

I will also say that I appreciate all the Silver Age riffs and comic homages the show is dropping into the show. And I love this sort of brash Kara learning and loving her new world. After saying goodbye to Brainiac early this season, we haven't seen much overwhelming trauma in her.

Loving this season so far. On to details.

Review: Adventures Of Superman: Book Of El #10

Adventures of Superman Book of El #10 came out last week and that means we are but 2 months away from the end of the story. Knowing that, creative team of writer Philip Kennedy Johnson and artist Scotty Godlewski (with some pinch hitting by Vicente Cifuentes) don't have time for more world building and move towards the finale. 

Kryl-Ux is finally getting to gathering the aspects of Olgrun in hopes of resurrecting his family. But now that we actually see what Kryl-Ux looks like after absorbing old god energy makes me wonder if his family will even recognize him. As for the Els, we also get them together at long last. 

One thing that has troubled me a bit in this series has been the depth of world-building and my trying to keep up with the new knowledge. I wish there was a little index on the title page listing the aspects of Olgrun - passion, wrath, etc - and where they are. I am struggling remember what is where and even how many. It also is interesting to see how monstrous Kryl-Ux looks like in the contrast to the aspect-bearing Els who remain normal appearing. Is it a demonstration of the host's motivations and ethics?

Scotty Godlewski and Vicente Cifuentes art is excellent, continuing to bring a smooth look to the troubled future. There is some horror in this and it is brought to bear.

We have two big issues left here. Kryl-Ux being defeated and Superman going back in time to stop this timeline from happening. We also need the fate of the twins decided. Two issues left with a lot of story to cover.

On to the book.

Review: Supergirl Survive #2

Supergirl Survive #2 came out this last week, continuing the story of a young Kara caring for a young Kal after Krypton was 'destroyed' in a complete nuclear war. I do like the overall concept of Kara and Kal rocketed off together (as opposed to separately in the current continuity) and seeing this young Kara use her wits to remain alive.

Writers Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan grow this universe a bit in this issue. We see all the Lantern Corps, working together to police the universe. We see Lobo and (I assume) clones of him working as a criminal gang in a sort of Western environment. But most importantly, we see Kara taking her role as caretaker as her primary role and willing to get a little morally gray if she needs to in order to keep Kal safe. Overall, this was a solid second chapter.

The one thing I'll say is that we are still learning this universe. There is a nonlinear aspect to the story-telling here which didn't seem necessary not really adding much and instead confusing me. There is a story element from the past that we don't know that I hope will be revealed later. But not knowing it now also was a bit vexing.

Rod Reis' art continues to shine. It feels almost painterly. It continues to echo Phil Noto's work, always a good thing. And his take on the Lantern Corps is pretty cool as well, especially the Red Lantern. 

On to the book. 

Review: Superman Father Of Tomorrow #2

Superman Father of Tomorrow #2 came out last week, pushing the story forward quickly. Almost too quickly. I guess if this mini-series is going to tell us the life story of Jor-El on Earth, you can't dawdle. Last issue, Jor-El landed, befriended the Kents, spent years in hiding, and then revealed himself to the world. Looking on were grade schoolers Lois Lane and Lex Luthor.

Writer Kenny Porter pushes us forward at least 2 decades with Lois and Lex adults and friends/colleagues of Jor-El. Jor has allowed the use of Kryptonian tech around the world for good purposes. And between his super-powers and his super-science he is extremely powerful with few weaknesses. There are heroes and villains on this world. But we are dropped right into the action without know how these relationships or characters came about. 

Because we have no background, one of the characters betraying our hero doesn't seem to carry the weight it should. Still, perhaps the rest of the series sits in this time period and we'll learn more. If issue one was just the origin, setting the stage then maybe it will all even out.

Danny Earls brings a sort of rougher take on what could be a stream-lined tech-run world. But given the character interactions and the introduction of magic into the world, it feels right. I like seeing his take on classic villains and heroes in this new world.

Overall though, I felt a bit lost at sea and so I didn't like this issue as much as the last. On to details.

Reviews: My Adventures With Superman S3E3

My Adventures With Superman S3 E3, All's Fair in Love and W.O.R.M.S. ,came out this week and was another great episode. As I said last episode's review, somehow this show is able to balance plot progression, action, character growth, and humor. I mean in this episode we get dystopian future, 2 Silver Age homages, a musical number, and two super villains! Whew!

The axle the issue spins on is the will they/won't they Jimmy/Kara relationship. Kara took Jimmy's advice and has started dating other people but her knowledge of Earth and really of who she is herself is lacking. In comes Lois. Meanwhile, Jimmy is jealous from the outcome he asked for so has signed up for a new dating service W.O.R.M.S. Fun and mayhem and comic references ensue.

Amid that fun we have two more serious plots. First is character driven, Lois is worried that perhaps her relationship with Clark is moving too fast. She likes the idea of making the next step; she wants to. But she also likes how life is going now. How can she deal with those conflicting emotions.

Second, the Cyborg Superman reveals who he really is and shows himself to be a threat to everyone. 

Throw in an amazing cliffhanger and you have another winner. On to some details.

Review: Absolute Superman #20

Absolute Superman #20 came out last week, the next chapter in the pretty brutal King Shazam storyline. One thing for sure, there is a lot of action in this issue ... a lot. We see what happens when four immensely powerful beings battle across the globe. 

What I like about this issue is that we see, again, how writer Jason Aaron shows this young Superman is inspirational in a Darkseid-fueled world. We have seen him turn Ra's Al Ghul. In this issue, we see Hawkman, someone we have seen be a killer, soften in the face of Superman's actions. I think that Hawkman seeing Superman and King Shazam, so similar in powers, next to each is probably a bold contrast. 

That contrast is highlighted by the brawl that dominates the issue, a fight that goes King Shazam's way mostly. It shows what Superman could have been while Shazam slept. Watching Hawkman and Steel sort of be more like gnats in the face of this power shows what unchecked power can do. 

Rafa Sandoval is on art and brings the kinetic energy to the proceedings. The fight is huge in scope and power and you feel every punch and blast. I think he slightly tilts the panels and even word balloons in some place to give the whole thing an off-kilter feel. 

Throw in a new mini-mystery and a great cliffhanger and you have another solid issue in this book.

On to some details.

Review: Superman #39

Superman #39 came out last week and was an absolute treat as writer Joshua Williamson and artist Dan Mora continue to redeem Superboy Prime and break the fourth wall to smithereens. I have been saying how great this whole run has been all along but this issue, which really embraces comic history, might be the best of all. 

Last issue, Manchester Black finally revealed himself to Prime, asking for a reality punch to bring the villain back to life. Here Black puts Prime through the wringer, making Prime relive some of his low points, then putting him through a tour of comic genres, until finally breaking him. The best part of all of it is seeing Prime trying to fight through it all while continuing to be good. It really seems like a redemption story. Williamson has done the impossible; he made Prime likeable. We end with a great cliffhanger that left me wanting more.

Mora is a genius. This book lets him stretch his muscles. From indy art to romance to horror to animated style to battles reminiscent of Prime's bloodiest past, Mora shines. 

What makes this run so fantastic is all the fourth wall comic riffs. For an old fan like me, this is like a trip down memory lane. And there is a panel in this book so pitch perfect, both truthful and hilarious at the same time. I promise I will share it. I may put it on a shirt.

On to the book.

Review: Supergirl Movie

I saw the movie on Saturday and I am going to do my best to wrap my head around my thoughts in a non-spoiler way (above the fold) and a little deeper once we get inside.

I will say, based on the source material and some stuff that I had heard before hand, I went into the movie with low, almost no expectations. And perhaps going in that way, I found that I liked it more than I expected. 

There is an underlying theme throughout almost all the movie that Kara is kind and good. Despite the self-destructive journey she is on during the majority of the movie, that continues to bubble up to the surface. So I felt in many ways, the core of Supergirl was present in the story. I was not expecting that.

But there is a Zach Snyder-esque event at the end of the movie that seems to completely unravel that message. An act that seems so out of character from what we have seen before that it comes as close to ruining the film as it can. And it is completely out of character for who I think Supergirl is.

I think Milly Alcock is solid in the role, showing the pain Kara is going through and then having her come out of it in the end. It is a tight rope of 'party girl', 'sad girl', and 'hero' that worked. Alcock is probably the best part of the film. I thought Lobo, played by Jason Momoa was fun to see and quite comic accurate. But he seemed to be sort of tacked on. I wonder if in one of the earlier versions of the movie (remember it had 10 pre-showings and therefore probably multiple edits) he had a bigger role in the finale. 

But the movie itself feels sort of episodic with Kara tracking Krem and luckily running into people who know where to point her next. The film is incredible dull looking with most of the planets and sets very dark, shadowed, and dull. There are plenty of things that happen in the movie that are hard to hand-wave away (non-powered Kara beating up an 8ft highly muscled brute, innocent Ruthye being combat ready in one scene and choking out a brigand with ankle fetters, overpowered Lobo somehow 'trapped' and stuck in a brigand prison).

Even those plot issues didn't seem important next to the 'be good' core.  But then that Snyder moment happened. So I guess it lands as a 3 out of 5.

Review: Summer Of Supergirl Special #1

Last year the Superman movie hit the screens so a Summer of Superman Special hit the racks.

This year ... indeed this very day ... a Supergirl movie will hit the screens. So DC did the right thing meaning a Summer of Supergirl Special #1 hit the stands this week. And what a special it is. We are talking big name creators are on the book. Mark Waid, Sophie Campbell, and Gail Simone write stories. Cian Tormey, Belen Ortega, and Emma Kubert are on art. And most importantly, the stories all say something. 

Campbell and Ortega are on 'Main Man's Best Friend', finishing the story started in Lobo #4. That means we get a story truly in current continuity.

In 'Lost Girls', Simone and Kubert give us a sweet story pointing out, quite elegantly, the similarities between Supergirl and Mary Marvel. It even sets up Supergirl as a sort of mentor for Mary, a nice new wrinkle if kept in continuity and built on. We have seen Kara be a role model for Lesla in her current book. We have seen Kara be Superman's second in command. Why not have her be a 'big sister'.

But the absolute winner of the book is Waid and Tormey on 'Who Is Supergirl?'. I have always known that Waid is a fan of Kara. But in this story, he sort of double downs on what he wrote in the recent New History of the DC Universe. In fact, Waid almost seems to be pulling a 'Morrison on Batman' take on Supergirl's continuity. It all happened. But baked into the story are some funamental truths about who Supergirl is, not just her history but her character, her ethos. Most wonderful.

This truly is the Summer of Supergirl and this special is a great way to kick it off.

On to the book.

My Adventures With Superman S3E2

My Adventures of Superman S3E2 came out last week and continued to push the overall storyline of this season forward. It is clear that the showrunners are going to lean into two areas. The first will be the concept of identity, especially in Supergirl and for plot, the idea of the Reign of Supermen, probably looking at what it means to be Superman, or an evil version, or a clone, etc. Meanwhile, it continues to be amusing and cute in just the right measure.

This episode brings the super-crew to, of all places, a fan con. Most of that plotline revolves around Supergirl coming to grips with being new to the world and wanting to have a partner. From Jimmy's noble worries about Kara's affection to Cat Grant becoming a foil (leaning into Sterling Gates' run), we are going to get a lot of Supergirl dealing with her past and future this season. After last year's rough run of her as Brainiac's weapon, I hope we will see her get to a happy place.

As for the other theme of Superman's identity, we already had a version of Bizarro introduced. In this episode, we get Hank Henshaw's Cyborg Superman. Perhaps the thing that pleases me the most is that Luthor is really deep in that mess. I want to see Lex sort of emerge as the arch-villain here.

Despite the heavy topics, there is still the humor I love in the show. A super-villain wanting to date Superman. Jimmy Olsen's self-made comic books. Lois losing her mind. Cat Grant cackling like a Disney evil queen. It all made me smile between the action.

Love the series. On to the episode.

Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest #52

Batman/Superman World's Finest #52 came out last week and sported a pretty nifty Dan Mora Supergirl movie variant cover. I will never complain about seeing Dan Mora Kara.

Outside of that, this second chapter of the Skartaris adventure was otherwise just okay.

It is hard to dislike a Mark Waid moment. There are always character moments and history mentions that make the book solid. In this title, he has really poked around the DCU. This story visiting the Warlord and his supporting cast shows that premise. My guess is this story is, for many readers, the introduction to this world. Throw in some great Robin moments and the book remains the fun title it has always been.

It is the plot that those moments exist in that is what I am finding a little lacking. We definitely get two exposition dumps to explain the plot progression. The plot isn't exactly innovative. And I don't know how long I think a side adventure to Skartaris is warranted. Not when the Earth 3 story was rushed to just 2 issues.

Adrian Gutierrez remains on art and continues to sparkle. I love how he uses silhouettes now and then to accentuate the action. His take on the Warlord cast is solid. Plus we get all sorts of primitive landscapes too.

But I expect a lot from this title and this one didn't hit the usual mark. On to the book.  

Review: Superman Unlimited #14

"The Reign of the Superboys" continued in last week's Superman Unlimited #14, a book with a big reveal that most of the folks who come to this site guessed right from the start! Good for you all!

Writer Dan Slott brought back a young Superboy, a young Jon, and readers like me were perhaps hopeful that this was a way for DC to correct aging the character up. But from the beginning, astute readers picked up the hints. Krypto growling. Damien suspicious. Young Jon's temper and lack of memories. Still ... I hoped. In this issue, that mystery is answered. But what I like about this is seeing other characters' responses to this young Jon, in particular Lois who is a sort of POV character for me here.

But there is more to the book than just this young John. We continue to have deal with the 'Too Too Much Kryptonite' storyline. That story takes another left hand turn as experiments on it bring about yet another new manifestation of the mineral. I don't know where this is going but I wish it might go away.

Meanwhile, Lucas Meyer continues to be a revelation on the book. His clean style is a welcome change to the book. I love his expressive work conveyed on Tomorrow Man's black faceplate, no easy task. His expressive work on Lois here also shines. But there is one chilling panel of young Jon I'll point out later. 

On to the book.

Review: Lobo #4

I have never been a fan of Lobo, a parody character that somehow took on a life of his own. The crude humor and bloody action just doesn't grip me. So when Lobo was announced as a 'next level' book, I knew it wouldn't land on my pull list.

With Lobo a big part of the upcoming Supergirl movie, I figured a comic crossover between Supergirl and Lobo was bound to happen. And, in what I think is a sign of the times, Supergirl is the guest in Supergirl's book and not the other way around. Guest stars are supposed to tempt fans of the guest to try a book. Heck, I am trying this book I would otherwise be avoiding because this week's Lobo #4 has Kara front and center. In his heyday in the 90's, Lobo would be the guest to lure in readers.

Skottie Young is the writer of the Lobo book and brings to the proceedings what you would expect - loud, brash violence peppered with curses and lowbrow humor. If you are looking for that, you got it! In the issue here, Lobo is trying to break into an auxiliary Fortress of Solitude and runs into Supergirl. Mayhem ensues. Not much else happens here other than a few good quips.

Jorge Corona's art is the perfect style for this title. It veers near some Trencher-esque Giffen electricity. There also is a sort of Howard Porter feel to some of this, reminding me of the JLA 3001 book Kara starred in.  It is rough and almost blotchy in places, evoking the chaos of Lobo and his world. His Kara jumps right into the action, punching with her fists while still remaining cute and pouty. If I was a Lobo fan, I'd want someone like Corona on art.

On to the book.

Bullet Review: Fury Of Firestorm #3 - Supergirl Sighting

This will be a quick review of a Supergirl appearance in Fury of Firestorm #3, one of the DC Next Level phase books. But it also is a plug for this book because it is a great title, especially if you are a fan of the character.

As many know I am old and I was a big fan of the Fury of Firestorm book out out in the mid-80s by Conway and Broderick. I have followed and dabbled with the character ever since. 

On the current book, writer Jeff Lemire is honoring not only the classic continuity of the book but also bringing in some of the darker aspects of the origin that were revealed in, of all things, Doomsday Clock. The main plot is that the Firestorm Matrix is operating without a human mind to guide it and taking apart Colorado. 

But Lemire shows how Ronnie Raymond's mind is trapped in the Matrix, repeating sunnier memories of the earliest Firestorm adventures with ben-day dot art to match the feel. Firehawk is called in to try and connect with Firestorm but is unsuccessful. She then seeks out Jason Rusch and Martin Stein. Stein admits he was behind the accident which made Firestorm but can't reach into it now. Really great stuff. In particular, Firehawk (a long time favorite of mine) is the star of the book, determined, strong, and smart.

Rafael De Latorre is on art and the book is gorgeous, especially the when the art flips from the darker present to Ronnie's Bronze Age memories.

This is a great book and folks should be reading. Let's peek into the beginning of Fury of Firestorm #3.

Review: My Adventures With Superman S3E1

Season three of My Adventures With Superman started this week and truly hit the ground running. It is a brisk half-hour show with all the action, comic history and homages, and whimsy of the first two seasons. I don't know how the creators are walk the tightrope of anime slice-of-life young romance, deep existential dread of overcoming early trauma, scifi action, DC lore, and enough hints of ongoing threads to make my head spin.

It is clear based on the season card, name-drops, and plot points that we will be circling the 'Reign of the Supermen' storyline. Or, at the very least, what it means to be Superman, what it means to be Kryptonian, and how one can define themselves. We hear about Hank Henshaw. We see Bizarro. We see Supergirl recognizing the psychological weight of needing to redefining herself away from Brainiac, Kryptonian robots hinting at the need to reinvigorate their culture, and we even see Lois dealing with her upbringing and how that made her who she is. All of that is reflected against Superman's sunniness and his Kent upbringing. Whew ... all that in the first episode.

But in all that thick plot, there is still the fun and joy we saw in this show's first two seasons. Clark and Lois' flirting and teasing. Jimmy and Kara's romance. Kara still being a bit of a stranger in a strange land. And Clark just wanting the simple things in life like a Halloween festival, the crispness of an autumn day, and a dog.

For Supergirl fans, she will clearly be a central figure on the show as she struggles with her new life. Should be a great showcase for her and will resonate with the movie's take on Kara.

On to some details and highpoints. There are a lot so settle in!

Review: Action Comics #1099

Superboy has taken over Action Comics but Superman is due to return in next month's Action Comics #1100. This made me think that this week's Action Comics #1099 might be the ultimate or the penultimate chapter of this remarkable run. 

Interestingly enough, this felt like a normal issue of this Superboy run. Yes the current story of some JLAers in the past fighting the time villain Epoch. This issue does push the plot forward quite well. But it doesn't feel 'almost over'. We had two new plots introduced in this issue! So is Superboy continuing as a back-up? As a new book? Or is Mark Waid going to rush to the end next issue?

Enough worrying about next month. Let's celebrate this month. Waid does such a great job of showing the emotional swings of an adolescent male like Clark, as he goes from anger to losing his powers to joy of getting to be a 'normal kid' to back to maturity and recognizing his need to regain his powers. We get two Lana plot threads! One, she finally seems to see Clark as a possible romantic interest. And second, we see what her father has been up to. And we get to see the problems of time travel up close as our heroes literally fade from reality. So much fun.

The art is split by Skylar Patridge and Patricio Delpeche. Patridge just sings in the small town Smallville stuff. Her Lana has been luminous, showing why Clark would be smitten. I don't know if I am ready to not see more of this stuff. Patricio Delpeche has a very different style, rougher and looser. His pages are mostly in a Metropolis lab and that style works well there.

All in all another fantastic issue in this run. On to some details.

Review: Supergirl #14 (v8)

Supergirl #14 came out this week, the next chapter in Supergirl's battle with the Black Flame in Kandor during the Reign of the Superboys mini-event. For folks like me who wanted more action in the earlier in this title, writer/artist Sophie Campbell is answering the bell giving us another heavy action issue with more brutal fighting between Supergirl and Black Flame.

The violence is tempered with solid characterization here. We see Supergirl as an inspiration for others because of her heroism and tenacity. And yet, at the same time, we see Kara questioning herself, wondering her role in the El family. She is a good friend and ally hoping to help people by talking them through their problems. But she also has no time for injustice and is ready to throw down when ready.

It is this wonderful contradiction that makes me love Supergirl as a character. She is young and learning and caring and maybe a bit unsure of herself. She is also accomplished and capable and inspirational and maybe a bit fierce when necessary. Campbell, perhaps because she seems to be a fan of Supergirl's history, has been able to grasp that conundrum and showcase it.

That love by Campbell of all things Supergirl has been evident from the beginning of the book with her packing the title with nods and references to Supergirl's Silver and Bronze age history.

I didn't think she would be able to lean into the Matrix Supergirl history in this book. It starts with the cover, an homage to a Tom Grummett Matrix Supergirl pin-up in the Supergirl and Team Luthor special from way back when. 

But there is even more inside. Let's get to the book.

Review: Supergirl: The World

The hits of The Summer of Supergirl keep coming with the release last week of Supergirl:The World, a hardcover collection of short Supergirl stories from creative teams from around the globe with stories often touching on the culture and history of the creator's home nation. It is an interesting and rather highbrow concept and one I would never have believed that DC would do for my favorite character. But here we are.

There are a smattering of creator names I recognize but most I don't as I don't read too many international comics. I love the Joelle Jones cover here, a sort of squint and you'll see a  reverse Superman from Superman #1. Even the whirl of clouds on the Supergirl cover evokes the round panel encircling Superman. 

Might be perhaps a bit too much Krypto in the book but that most likely is because of Krypto's involvement in the upcoming movie.

There are fourteen stories in the book but I won't be reviewing all of them. But I did like how the title pages and indicia pages include thumbanils from all the stories inside.

I enjoyed the book a ton but it is pricey at $24.99. 

Here are some of the highlights.

Review: Adventures Of Superman Book Of El #9

Adventures of Superman Book of El #9 came out this week and pushed this storyline forward, explaining a bit more about the aspects of Olgrun in this far flung future. The solicit said that Supergirl was finally going to enter the story but alas, the solicit was wrong. Kara is no where to be found.

Phillip Kennedy Johnson is doing what he does best here, building a world and a history that we saw in Last God, Warworld, and even now in Infernal Hulk. I have said before that I don't think I quite see the big tapestry and occasionally need to remind myself who is who. But there is a depth to this story that I think might be best served when reread, including the text pieces at the end, a sort of appendix/bible for what we are seeing in the story. I almost wish this was a 2 year series where all the exposition in the backmatter was shown; some of the things discussed there sound amazing.

Unfortunately, this is a 12 issue series and we are now 75% done so some things here happen almost too quickly, without explanation, as this story careens to its end. The turnaround for Theand'r for example is confusing to me.

But I don't want to ignore the fact that Johnson not only understands Superman but understands the inspiration he is. We see it in the star-children. We see it in most of his descendants. Superman himself is tremendous in this. 

Scotty Godlewski is back on art and this might be his strongest issue. There are Olgrun manifestations, undead Warzoon, battles on Tamaran, and a killer cliffhanger. 

I am going to miss seeing Kennedy Johnson working with DC characters. On to the book.

Review: Supergirl Survive #1

The Summer of Supergirl started out with a bang this week with both Supergirl:The World and the Elseworlds Supergirl Survive #1 hitting the stands. With the movie around the corner, I am pretty thrilled to see DC pushing the character forward.

Supergirl has only headlined a couple of the old prestige Elseworlds in the past - Wings and Elseworld's Finest - so when Survive was announced, I was intrigued. I know really nothing of the writing partners Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan. I am familiar with Rod Reis.

One of the wrinkles added to the Supergirl origin when Jeph Loeb brought her back was the idea that she is older than Kal. That an errant path and suspended animation has her land long after Superman had grown up. Elseworlds are about mixing things up so why not have a story where Kara and Kal aren't separated and she truly has to raise him. That is a decent hook.

Parker and Sheridan definitely give this kick-off issue a political angle. Here, Krypton doesn't explode. It is destroyed in a world war brought on by a splintered culture, evident even in the relationship between Jor and Zor. 

But this is a Supergirl story. In this issue we get a sense of who this Kara is, a little shy, a little smart, completely loving. It will be interesting to see where this story leads here.

Rod Reis really has a soft touch here. He brings an almost Phil Noto feel to the art, a high compliment from me. I like his Kara a lot.

On to the book.

DC Comics August 2026 Solicits

The August solicit for DC Comics have been released and this is the month the Kingdom of Zod event hits the stands. That alone would be news, especially when it sounds like Supergirl will be playing a major role in the event. But there are some other interesting tidbits this month that got my attention. 

If you want to review the entire list, here is the link:
https://aiptcomics.com/2026/05/22/full-august-2026-dc-comics-solicitations/

And now on to the super-books.

SUPERGIRL #16
Written by SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Art by JOE QUINONES
Cover by GUILLEM MARCH
Variant covers by NOOBOVICH, STEPHANIE HANS, and JOE QUINONES
Foil variant cover by MARK SPEARS

The Kryptonite Kingdom of El Caldero has been taken over by General Zod! Supergirl gathers her own super-force to infiltrate the Kingdom! Superboy-Prime, Conner Kent, Tomorrow Man, Lois Lane, Steel, Lana Lang, Natasha Irons, Princess Shark, and more of Supergirl’s wild cast!

But before they can remove Zod from power, he unleashes a dangerous new force… What is the K-Zone?!

Do I think it is pretty cool that the opening chapter of the event is in the Supergirl book? Yes I do.

We haven’t seen Zod in a while so I like that his return is splashy in this way. How much of this is coming out of the Kneel Before Zod ? Is he still leading a ragtag group of prisoners? Is he still powerless (as it was implied Superwoman Lois stole his powers)? Is that how he can stay in a K-filled nation?

But the big thing here is Supergirl gathering a super-team to infiltrate. Lois being on the team makes me wonder if she is Superwoman again, perhaps explaining Zod being able to be there. But then again, how can Kara be there if the place is dripping with Green K. 

I’m pretty excited for this.

Review: Superman Father Of Tomorrow #1

Superman Father of Tomorrow #1 came out this week, an Elseworlds mini-series that has Jor-El make it to Earth rather than Kal. I have read many Superman Elseworlds around the arrival. Kal in Civil War times, Kal in Soviet Russia, Kal in King Arthur times, the whole family making it to Earth. But I think this is the first time that Jor being the only survivor has been explored.

Kenny Porter is writing the series and I really only know him from the Superboy Man of Tomorrow mini-series, a fun ride with Conner. This is the first chapter so Porter is setting the stage a bit, although we do get a pretty significant event here that is the catalyst for Jor-El to become this world's Superman. I also like how this 'Superman' is not only relying on the super-powers his physiology gives him, but also the super-science he knows. How much should he share? Interesting.

Danny Earls is on art and he is also relatively new to me. I really only know him from some of the rest issues of Phillip Kennedy Johnson's current Hulk run. His art is a little rougher in style than the usual house style for DC but it works here, really making me feel like this is a completely new world.

I do like that the timeline for Kal is basically preserved, meaning characters like Lois and Lex are as old as Clark would be even on this world. That might be the most interesting wrinkle to be explored.

On to the book.

Review: Superman #38

Superman #38 came out this week, the next chapter in the Superboy Prime arc in this book, and frankly another winner. As I have said almost every Prime issue I have reviewed, I am impressed at the creative team who somehow made a character I have loathed for a long time into one I am eager to read each month. This book, a redemption arc with more fourth wall breaking than a Byrne She-Hulk book, has crept to the top of the read pile. Kudos to the creative team who are firing on all cylinders together, writer Joshua Williamson and artist Dan Mora.

Williamson has been doing a fanastic job showing us how earnest Prime has been in trying to be a hero while also having him recognize Prime's unsavory past. I have read lots of 'villains become the hero' arcs in my comic career but few have had the murderous past or the eagerness to amend than here. This book reads like a standard teen hero book with our hero struggling with a job and romance and adventures which is refreshing all while layering in Prime's history. And I appreciate how Williamson is leaning into Prime's probable prime reading window, bringing in characters and villains from that era.

Meanwhile, Mora is just sublime here. From a Prime's day job to a rapid fire descent into hell to a goth club to a meta-look at comic art pages, Mora sings. His Witchfire is gorgeous. One could say she's hot! The outlandish demon fight pages sing especially when Witchfire exhibits some angelic (or evangelion) powers. But the pages at the end of actual art pages really cinches it.

The whole book is a fast-paced book propelling the story forward. I loved it.

On to details.

Supergirl Comic Box Commentary Turned 18 !

Sometimes life comes at you fast!

April 29th was my 18th anniversary of running this site. Between a much needed vacation in mid-April and then a move to a new home at the end of April, my celebration of this place was missed!

I started this site to celebrate the character of Supergirl because at the time, I wasn't enamored of what was happening in the comics with the characters.

We are a year into a fun and entertaining new Supergirl title. 

We are a month away from Supergirl being on the big screen. 

And, of course, the community of folks who visit here are great. I love the conversations and discussions and passion of the fans who help me out here.

I cannot believe this place is 18 years old!

Thank you everyone who stops by!

Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest #51

Batman/Superman World's Finest #51 came out this week, another fun story that allows writer Mark Waid and artist Adrian Gutierrez to amble around more of the DCU and introduce readers to some fun characters. 

This time Waid has decided to bring our heroes to Skartaris to see Warlord and his supporting cast. That is a tiny corner of the DCU and, as far as I know, one that hasn't been explored in a while. Maybe a bit in the last Young Justice book? Maybe one of the villains from the Convergence event a while back? But I wonder if this will be the first Warlord book for many readers?

One of the best things about this book is that Waid has had free reign to go any where he wants to in this book and bring in any characters he wants to as well. Given this is an elsewhen book, looking back in the DC continuity, Waid can give us classic takes while freshening things up. As always, the young Dick Grayson Robin has the best lines.

This issue is the opening chapter so we don't get too much backstory and instead are dropped right in. We'll see where this goes.

Adrian Gutierrez knows his assignment and brings us some great dinosaur action, fun sword and sorcery battles, and some of the sexiness that was a crucial part of the Mike Grell book back in the day. The art is the best part of this issue.

This book is always fun.

Review: Superman Unlimited #13

Superman Unlimited #13 came out last week, continuing the saga of a young Jon Kent being plunked back into our time while the current Jon masks himself as Tomorrow Man. As someone who has always thought the aging up of Jon was a stinker of a move, I was hoping this might be some way to undo the mistake. 

Perhaps it was that hope that made me not see some warning signs about this young Jon last issue. To all the people who pointed them out to me, congratulations! It looks like this time you were right. This issue shows us pretty clearly this isn't the young, happy-go-lucky Jon we knew back in the Tomasi/Gleason days. I am now all on board on a theory that was floated out there about who this Jon is. But more on that later.

Dan Slott concentrates on the Jon/Jon story here, weaving in a new version of Beppo as a sort of anchoring plot thread. Nary a mention of El Caldero here although we know that K-land is the focal point of the Kingdom of Zod upcoming event. Slott amps up the mystery of this Jon. I wouldn't mind Slott being given a sort of Superman Confidential style book where he is allowed to just tell fun stories without leaning too much into current continuity. 

Lucas Meyer continues to be brilliant on art and I hope he stays here for a while. His clean and detailed work shines. I love the Beppo pages. And page construction and action sequences also feed the narrative. Yes, there is action here but there is a small panel with Lois that was my favorite of the issue, showing how the art crackles.

On to the book.

Terrificon Prep

We are just under three months away from Terrificon, my favorite comicon and a highlight of my summer. Everyone should check out the long guest lists and other information about the con here:https://www.terrificon.com/

I have been going to this convention for years and have always been impressed with how comic forward it has been and remains. The comic creator list every year is long and impressive.

This year is no different with a fabulous list of comic guests with more supposedly coming. So there may be another prep posting closer to the time. 

There are many 'big names' this year, the biggest being Jim Lee and Jeph Loeb. Signatures for them are limited and pricey but they are legends. 

There are also lots of legends coming to Terrificon. Walt and Louise Simonson, Jim Starlin, Arthur Adams, Denys Cowan, Chris Claremont, Jerry Ordway, and Dan Jurgens are just a few of the legends that will also be in attendance.

Having attended cons for a while, I have met many of these creators before. So let me show you the creators I haven't met before who I am thrilled to be able to meet and thank for their work. Starting with the biggest name for me, Karl Kesel.

I am unbelievable excited to meet Kesel for a number of reasons. First and foremost, he reinvented my beloved Hawk & Dove comic from the late 80s/early 90s. I freaking loved that comic and can't wait to get some books signed by him and gush.

But he also wrote the first Harley Quinn mini-series. He wrote the Superboy side of Reign of the Supermen and then the Metropolis Kid's first solo title. 

Heck, he inked Byrne on the early Superman books and Legends.

I cannot wait to meet him! First table!

Review: Action Comics #1098

Action Comics #1098 came out this week, another great chapter in this look back at the early career of Superboy. Given recent announcements about Action Comics #1100 we may be nearing the end of this mini-run which feels shortsighted by DC because this has been great. If DC announced a Superboy book by this creative team, I would be there.

Mark Waid has done a great job on this book, showcasingClark's early super-heroics and discovering his powers as they develop. Just as important though, he is showing the emotional side of these early adventures. The Kents' history. The Lana love triangle. The Pete Ross mystery. All great.

This issue shines a light on the earliest origin, the landing of the rocket and the Kent's adoption of Clark, leaning a little more to the classic origin and a bit away from Byrne. Waid uses a time-travel villain to make the exposition a plot component so it isn't forced. I have talked about how the Lana stuff has been very nostalgic for me, remembering my early loves in high school. The scene in this issue is fantastic.

The art is split between Skylar Patridge and Patricio Delpeche. Patridge is a cleaner style which works for the Smallville scenes, especially the Lana stuff. I was hoping that Delpeche would do only the flashback pages to keep a sort of thread to the art. But the artists are mixed throughout the issue. Both artists are great.

Onto the book.

Review: Supergirl #13 (V8)

Supergirl #13 came out this week, the next chapter in the 'Hero of Kandor' arc, a brutal story so far pushing Kara to her physical and emotional limits. This is a story filled with physical danger and emotional turmoil. But through it all, even when seemingly spiraling, this Supergirl remains a hero and an inspiration. 

Writer/artist Sophie Campbell has had Kara nearly die, been turned into a cyborg, and trying to quell the uprising of the Black Flame in Kandor AND chastise the Kandorian government for letting it happen. And she continues to do this despite a large portion of her body having been replaced by clunky robotics. It would be easy for her to give up but she doesn't.

Not that she is stolid or staid. She breaks down here and there. We see her lamenting her past. We see her screaming at Lesla Lar. She is still learning to be a hero, still dealing with the roils of her life, but moving past them. This isn't a Kara crying in a sun, living a life of pain. This is a Supergirl who knows she needs to help people in danger, who literally tells herself to 'get it together'. I'm not sure I 100% understand her loyalty and devotion to Lesla. 

As for Black Flame, she is both physically devastating, ready to kill those who stand in her way, and somehow a charismatic leader, bringing people under her sway. That is why Lesla followed her. And someone else might be joining the cause.

As for the art, Campbell has really kicked it up a notch in this arc. There are some wonderful little touches in the art that I think emphasize story points. I love her take on Superboy and his tactile TK power.

Add to that a killer cliffhanger and you get a fantastic issue. On to the book.

Kingdom Of Zod Crossover

The summer Superman crossover event, Kingdom of Zod, was recently announced and promoted on line. I wasn't expecting a Superman event but in comics this summer so it came as a bit of a surprise.

To read the whole promotional piece head here: https://aiptcomics.com/2026/05/07/kingdom-of-zod-crossover/

The main plot blurb is below:

The crossover kicks off August 12 in Supergirl #16, where a sudden military takeover throws the Kryptonite Kingdom of El Caldero into chaos. Kara responds by forming a strike team that includes Superboy-Prime, Conner Kent, Tomorrow Man, Steel, and others, only to discover the invading force has Kryptonian roots. That same day in Action Comics #1101, Superman returns to the present following the events of issue #1100 and is quickly pulled into the growing conflict.

 As the story unfolds, Zod’s return and his role in the invasion become clearer, setting up a major twist tied to Kryptonite that raises the stakes across the globe.

There is a lot to unpack in even this small blurb.

For one, I like that the story starts in Supergirl and that she is the 'field commander' bringing together the team to try and stop the Kryptonian invasion. That is how she has been written in the main super-books just prior to her solo series.

Second, interesting how El Caldero is a sort of lynchpin in the whole proceedings. I have always thought the the Absolute Legion made the inertron covered K-meteor that started Dan Slott's story. But they aren't around anymore. Could it have been Zod? Perhaps he sent it to soften up the Kryptonians on Earth before his arrival? Fascinating.

And the promo art above is packed. All the supers. Steel and Natasha. Who is the flannel shirt wearing guy holding a bearded Superman? A younger Smallville Clark meeting his future self?

That has to be Ursa in the crystal coffin!

I mean we haven't seen Zod since Kneel Before Zod (reviews up on this site). It was implied that Lois' Superwoman powers came from Zod.

Crazy. But there's more.