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.

The story opens with an interesting hook. Supergirl is watching an old movie on television when the showing is interrupted by the news with a special request. A young woman is in danger and needs Supergirl's help. To get the info to Supergirl, the newscaster shows the information at high speed, a speed only Supergirl could read.

This clearly could be a trap but this Supergirl is too trusting. Off she goes.

But nice hook, showing Supergirl in her civilian life and then her need to do good.

It is a trap. Black Flame is waiting at the address Supergirl is speeding to. With her are three other villains you won't hear from again: The Inventor, The Toymaster, and L. Finn. 

It had been seven years since we had seen Black Flame, way back in Action Comics #304. So I guess we should give Sekowsky some kudos for doing what I just complimented Campbell for doing. I thought it was pretty nifty to see Black Flame again here. That said, it isn't just acknowledging a comic character's history. You also have to deliver on the story. 

Black Flame's original story had an over-complicated plot to rob Supergirl of her powers. This time it is just as nutty.

We don't get too much of a flashback to her origin story. Instead we see how she was imprisoned in Kandor but escaped by making a crude blaster, incapacitating a guard, taking his gun and keys, and jumping onto a ship and flying off.

There is a little to unpack here.

Zora was a scientific genius, on par with Lesla Lar back in the Silver Age, so her making a one-charge laser gun fits her history.

But what about being shrunk in Kandor? Where could she fly a Kandorian ship to anyways? Somehow she escapes the bottle to the full-size universe. 

She flies the ship to the Phantom Zone.

Wait ... what?

You heard me. She flies the ship to the Phantom Zone. A jail for many galaxies' villains.

Wait ... what?

You heard me. It is an intergalactic prison. 

 Lands there! Then asks for the three move vaunted criminals to help her with her scheme ... the three deadliest people in the Phantom Zone ... L. Finn, The Toymaster, and The Inventor.

Not Zod. Not Jax-ur. Not The Phantom King. 

This trio.

Supergirl shows up and is greeted by an old woman in a maid's outfit. But before you can blink the maid turns out to be a robot and lassos Supergirl with a Kryptonite-dusted lasso, instantly incapacitating our hero.

To make matters worse, the Toymaster uses his telepathic control box to make one of his toys, a Streaky also dusted with Kryptonite, rub up against Supergirl.

That's a lot of Green K.

At least Sekowsky gave us a 'sort of' Streaky appearance!

With Supergirl weakened, will Black Flame take advanatage and eliminate her hated foe?

Nope.

Instead Black Flame makes Supergirl the headpin in a giant bowling game. 

Black Flame and her cronies bowl Green K bowling balls towards our hero.

It's crazy. 

At least Sekowsky remembers that Black Flame is a de-powered Kryptonian and therefore Green K wouldn't effect her.

The plan is too cute.

Each time Supergirl is floored by the bowling balls, some of the K-dust falls off her and the rope. Enough finally hits the floor to restore her powers.

Crazy semi-splash by Sekowsky here of Supergirl battering the bad guys.

But wait .. there's more!

L. Finn can wield magic. And casts a concussive spell to knock out Supergirl again. 

"L. Finn .... elfin ...  a Leprechaun!"

L. Finn?

As if magic wasn't enough, Black Flame pulls out her next weapon. She pours out a huge pile of Gold Kryptonite dust. In this story, the Kryptonite 'slowly' drains powers.

Wait, doesn't Gold K instantly and permanently remove a Kryptonian's powers? Didn't it actually happen to Black Flame in her origin story? Shouldn't Sekowsky know this? 

Now that Supergirl has foiled the bowling plan and is now completely powerless, will Black Flame immediately eliminate her enemy?

Nope. Black Flame strings up Supergirl by the wrists. The villains set up giant arrow shooting cannon to blast into Kara's chest. And then ... they leave the room. 

It is so Dr. Evil. 'I'm going to leave them alone and not actually witness them dying, I'm just gonna assume it all went to plan'

Somehow The Toymaster just happened to leave his telepathy box near Supergirl's feet.

Turning it on, Kara uses her mind to control his toys to make a figurine ladder and have the lumberjack toy saw through her ropes. Falling away from the Gold K, Supergirl recovers.

Whatever Sekowsky was on when he wrote this, it was strong.

Still weakened, Kara commands the many tiny toys to capture the three henchmen while she takes out Black Flame herself.

All that's left is returning everyone to their respective prisons.

Whew ... what a bizarre story.

An escaped Kandorian that makes it to full size somehow. A physical Phantom Zone that can be flown to. The three deadliest people in the Zone are the Toymaster, the Inventor, and L. Finn. A giant bowling alley with Green K balls. A pile of temporary Gold K dust. A toy figurine army. So many things that are just sheer lunacy. And it doesn't jibe with continuity at all.

From a Supergirl view, this does mark a Black Flame sighting. It is a landmark issue of a legendary DC title. And it is bonkers. But otherwise, pretty meaningless.

Overall grade: C+