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.

With Kara healed and heroes rallying behind her, it looks like things are falling apart around Black Flame. When Zora asks Thundergirl to join her again, Thundergirl manifests new powers. Without the solar radiation batteries she should have none.

Two things I like about this. First, it makes sense if the genetic code was Boy Thunder's, who becomes Gog and wasn't Kryptonian. 

But her power could be considered a metaphor for 'finding her voice' or 'standing up to oppression'. Given Thundergirl was 'supposed to be a boy', there is an metaphor in her. Kudos to Campbell for this nuanced storytelling (assuming I am right).

Supergirl leads Zora out of the microwave tunnel and out to Earth. Exposed to yellow sun rays, Zora sort of Hulks out, looking a bit like Rampage.

This whole scene and dialogue is worth reading but I can't scan and post whole pages. So here are some highlights.

First Supergirl says she has a drive to win because she is fighting for something and someone. She cares for people so much, she doesn't quit.

I talk about Kara's fierceness in the face of injustice. We have seen her, in this very story, keep fighting even when half her body was gone and she was using cybernetics. This is just a verbalization of what Supergirl fans know.

Out in the real world, with both Kryptonian physiology and the Yellow Ring of Nor-Kann, Zora is overenergized and it is burning out her body.

But I include this panel to show this vicious backfist. Completely palpable. Brutal. Fierce.

But we get more of Kara's morality.

She cares for everything and everyone. She cares about Black Flame even if she hates her! She would rip off Zora's hand to remove the ring to save her.

The only reason Zora is alive is because of Kara's ethics. She could've killed Zora already. And she doesn't mind of Zora hates her.

She is steadfast in this. Whether it is 'help, hope, and compassion for all' or 'a light that no darkness can extinguish' or 'I care about everything and everyone' ... that is Supergirl.

And yeah, maybe she needs to backfist you if you're evil.

Loved this scene. Loved it.

With Zora put down and her rebellion I guess disbanded without their leader, it is time for Kandor to heal. 

The elders come out to witness the mess. 

But it is clear to Supergirl and others that both sides - the elders and the rebels - are responsible for all this happening. 

Of all people, it is Lesla who speaks loudest saying that Kandor needs to change.

I agree with that. And perhaps, finally, Supergirl's inspiration is fully manifested.

But then she says that Zora can't be incarcerated. There need to be 'no more prisons'. 

I don't know if I can 100% get behind this. For sure Zora has killed people in this bloody revolution. What does 'no more prisons' mean? No punishments?

Seems a little simplistic. And also, while loud and proud, it isn't like Kandor has elected Lesla the ultimate law-giver. 

What do you all think?

With that, Kara gives Lesla the Yellow Ring, bestowing her with powers in Kandor. Luminary is Kandor's new hero.

And it feels like this is a true turn for Lesla vowing to never let Kara down.

But I will remind you -

She brainwashed Midvale and stole Supergirl's identity.
She trashed some homes in Midvale while drunk.

She went back to Kandor and was part of Zora's bloody coup.

She stole the Yellow Ring off Kara and gave it to Zora.

I hope Kara checks in on her now and then to make sure that some old bad habits don't manifest in the now super-powered Lesla. 

Feels a little bit like a free ride. But I should be more hopeful myself.

With Argo City now placed in its own bottle in the Fortress and with Superman still missing, Kara realizes that she is the Heir to the House of El. She has to be a leader. She needs to rally others.

Wow. 

Such a great page and such a cool moment for the character, a sort of growing up moment in the aftermath of everything that has happened.

Love the new suit. And wonder if this is a subtle riff on the cover of Supergirl #60. (I apparently don't mind the pink shield as much as I did in 2011.)

And then she puts together hew own 'Super Force' - Lena, Wanda, Thundergirl, Shark Princess, and Nightflame.

'Super Squad' was just waiting out there!

Loved this issue for all it said about who Supergirl is and how she put down the rebellion. Her talking out her ethics to Zora was fantastic. Her claiming the mantle of the House of El was superb. 

On to the next chapter!

Overall grade: A