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.

Review: Adventures Of Superman Book Of El #8

Adventures of Superman Book of El #8 came out this last week, meaning we are two thirds of the way through this sweeping mythological future story touching on the Book of El and the Superman descendants. It also touches on the Warworld saga from a few years ago.

Writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson does great with stories like this. Whether it is The Last God or Warworld or even his current Hulk run, there is always a deep sense of lore. Sometimes it can be almost too much to comprehend. Here I am trying to follow both the Aspects of Olgrun, the mission of Kryl-Ux, and all the Superman descendants. I will be honest, at times I have been lost. At times I have to dig out my own reviews to remind me which descendant it is.

All that said, it is a tapestry worth diving into. I suppose it is no different than Tolkien's Lord of the Rings or Rowling's Harry Potter. You just need to immerse yourself.

Art this issue is done by Cian Tormey, giving Scotty Godlewski a break. Tormey is well-acquainted with the Superman family and his work here is wonderful, moving from interstellar battles to medieval parlays to fisticuffs.

I don't know if I get all of what is happening here. But I am enjoying the ride. And Johnson does a good job of answering a question that has been bothering me.

On to the book. 

Review: Absolute Superman #19

Absolute Superman #19 came out this week, continuing a new arc introducing 'King Shazam' and Absolute Steel into the universe. It is a high octane brawl of an issue showcasing our title character's emerging heroism and some new mysteries to contemplate. Add in the 'origin' of Steel and you have a solid issue.

Jason Aaron is continuing to grow this universe now that we are in the sort of second act of the book. With Ra's Al Ghul's plot to turn Superman done, it is time to broaden the view to the world. In fact, the Ra's story is truly ended here with an exclamation point. The biggest hook for me here is the mystery of King Shazam. Last issue we saw he was a slave in ancient Egypt given power by Brainiacs with a Father Box. Why were Brainiacs on Earth then? With a Father Box no less? Now we see how Shazam's powers seem to mimic Superman's down to the crystal cape? How are those echoes possible? Didn't Lara create Sol with sun crystals? Alas, these are just mysteries to contemplate now.

Rafa Sandavol continues to shine on art. There are action panels where you don't truly see the blows, hidden in energy and swirling sands. But the character moments are well rendered. And his take on the Steel origin is brutal and gorgeous. 

This book continues to intrigue as we peel back the layers. On to the book.

Free Comic Book Day 2026

If I can be honest up front, my non-blogging life has been in a bit of a tizzy recently.

I was on vacation in the middle of April. Came back to a full work schedule as I covered for many off work while their young kids were on school vacation here. And then, I just closed on a new house and have been moving things on my own as well as setting up a new life there.

Whew!

So a side effect of all that was Free Comic Book Day 2026 sneaking up on me. I usually am more prepared for this and plan a whole day of hitting various stores to soak in the celebration. This year ... not so much. Just a quick visit to my store.

I was thrilled to walk into the store about an hour after it opened to see the place filled with people not only perusing the free stuff but walking around the store looking at other stuff.

I grabbed the DC Next Level book mostly because I haven't planned on reading any of the three books highlighted here - Batwoman, Lobo, and Deathstroke. So why not use the free book as it was intended, allowing me to sample the titles before committing to buying the title.

With 'Next Level' being the big push of new books, I am not surprised that DC focused on this effort rather than promoting any of the bigger, more classic titles. It also is worth noting that Superman Day is just 2 weeks before FCBD and had all sorts of free Super-books.

I don't know if I will be getting any of the titles here but I would recommend Firestorm!

DC Comics July 2026 Solicits

The July DC Comics solicits have come out and the Summer of Supergirl continues with a number of books on the rack. Throw in some super-mini-series and a anniversary issue of Action Comics and you have a busy month. 

If you want to see the whole slate you can head here:
https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dc-comicss-july-2026-full-solicits-and-solicitations-have-dropped/

On to the super-books.

SUPERGIRL #15
Written by SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Art and cover by SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Variant covers by KRIS ANKA, RAHZZAH, and KARL KERSCHL

As Supergirl starts to gain the upper hand, Black Flame spots an opportunity to escape Kandor and bring the fight to Earth. Powered by the yellow sun, this Kandorian rebel could be unstoppable. It’s now up to Supergirl to rein her in before the entire planet ends up in danger!

Somehow Supergirl is whole again. I am wondering if Lesla's 'super-stuff' is going to be some sort of protomatter similar to Matrix Supergirl, a way to roll that idea into current continuity. And it seems like Lesla and Kara are back to being friends again. I am wondering if this whole thing ends with Lesla being the hero of Kandor, relieving Supergirl of that duty.

Glad to see Campbell on words and art.

Review: Spider-Man/Superman #1 Back-Up Stories

We wrap up the week of Spider-Man/Superman #1 by finishing my look at the rest of the stories in the book. There are a couple of real winners in this mix making this entire book a true buy.

The main story was solid outside of a plot point that confused me.

The Supergirl/Ghost Spider story felt like a wasted opportunity making the two characters way more catty than I usually see them. 

While most of these stories revolve around the super-family, there are a couple of other guest stars here. And I it is interesting to see the main Superman starring in so many of these stories. In every one, Superman is written so well, as a true North Star for the other heroes, leading them by example and with wisdom and kindness.

So let's dive right in with one of the better stories in the book.

"Metropolis Marvels" was the first story out of the gate after the main, starring the Golden Age Superman and Spider-Man Noir, set firmly in the 40s. The story was written by Dan Slott with pitch-perfect art by Marcos Martin. The look and feel is spot on.

I don't know much of Spidey Noir so I was surprised to see him packing heat and wanting to kill the Kingpin of Crime, Lex Luthor to avenge a man Lex set up, a prisoner heading to the chair.

In comes Superman to stop Noir's murder plan so he can get Luthor to the Governor in time to help grant a pardon to the innocent man.

So much to love here. One of Superman's first adventure was stopping an innocent man going to the chair. Lex as Kingpin is great. Superman couldn't fly, only jump back then so this page, mirroring the cover of Amazing Fantasy #15 just works. 

And Martin's art is nigh perfect for a noir tale. Home run! And yet, for me, it is still the third best story. There are two even better than this!

On to the rest.

Review: Spider-Man/Superman #1 Main Story

Welcome to part two of Spider-Man/Superman #1 week where I will review the main story of the book, 'Our Kryptonite', by Brad Metzler and Pepe Larraz.

This is a pretty beefy story, clocking in at 27 pages. And it again shows how Superman and Spider-Man would probably be easy friends. Both journalists. Both inspirational heroes. Both here in this Marvel release and in the recent DC release of the heroes, there is an easy chemistry between them.

One thing that I really like about this story (and truly throughout both books), Superman is treated with incredible respect, shown to be a leader and an inspiration. In this issue, I think he actually gives Spider-Man some perspective that the wallcrawler might have been missing. That makes me happy. It ends with a nice homey scene that also adds a touching ending. 

I do have to say that there is a story turn or plot point that wasn't exactly easy for me to understand that sort of pulled me out of the take a little bit. It was only on multiple rereads and a listening to some other reviews that I finally understood the plan of the villains of the piece, Luthor and the Green Goblin. 

The art is by Pepe Larraz so you know it is going to be great. In particular, there is a panel in the super-brawl that blew me away. I'll be sure to point it out. 

I'd be interested in hearing what others thought. For sure, some of the other back-ups (covered later this week) stood out as superb. 

On to the story.

Review: Spider-Man/Superman #1 Supergirl/Ghost Spider Story

Welcome to the week of Spider-Man/Superman #1, the Marvel release of the latest DC/Marvel crossover. I had recently done a deep dive on the Superman/Spider-Man #1 comic on the site. I must admit, both companies did a great job on these books with very entertaining main stories and very interesting back-ups.

Somehow Marvel got the luck of having the Supergirl story in the lot. And I was thrilled when I heard the team-up was going to be with Ghost Spider. As a huge Gwen Stacy fan, this seemed like a 'chocolate and peanut butter' moment, the perfect combo. Add in Phil Noto, a long time favorite of mine and I was really excited.

The writer of 'Remarkable' was Stephanie Phillips who I feel is a sort of hit-or-miss writer for me. I have enjoyed some of her work, the early issues of her Harley Quinn run and the current She-Hulk book for example. But this story's premise that Kara and Gwen would be sort of catty towards each other, acting like mean girls, seemed a little bit off. I do feel that maybe the story sticks the landing but given it is unlikely that these characters will ever meet again, it seemed like a wasted opportunity to see a true team-up.

Kudos to Peach Momoko for this slick cover. Love the pastel covers and the smiling Kara standing tall!

On to the book.

Review: Superman #37

Superman #37 came out this week and was another very entertaining chapter in this redemption arc for Superboy Prime, subbing in for the departed Superman. 

I have said that it is a minor miracle that writer Joshua Williamson has made me actually like this take on Prime. Prime is a comic nerd who recognizes his worst deeds are several reboots ago and is trying to do good. But all those old deeds are still known so Prime is basically under the microscope with everyone waiting for him to mess up. I actually felt for Prime here as he is really feeling that pressure of everyone side eyeing him all while hs is trying to be a hero.

It helps that Prime is a great POV charactier because he talks non-stop about comic history and lore. He is 'one of us' but in the DCU. This issue is full of references and fourth-wall busting insanity. It is a great tool for Williamson to use. But it is a tightrope. You can't overuse. This was the first issue where I felt we got close to that 'too many'. Close ... but did not cross.

There is also a mystery brewing. And I think I might have solved it.

Dan Mora is typically fantastic on art here. With all the trips and adventures and references, Mora is in the deep end of the DCU pool. But he never disappoints. 

On to the book.

Review: Superman Unlimited #12

Im trying to play catch up on reviews so a rare Thursday review of last week's Superman Unlimited #12.

I have been a bit up and down on this title with the underlying concept of 'lots of Kryptonite' one that I am struggling with. And I do feel that almost everything that is happening regarding that concept will be swept under the rug or forgotten in a year's time. 

But the current main plot of a time demon going after Jon, Jon plucking his younger self out of the volcano, and old Jon donning the 'Tomorrow Man' costume and going undercover is intriguing and making this book a bit more interesting to read. As someone who loved the young Jon/Damian dynamic, who has thought 'aged up Jon' has sort of lost his way in the DCU, and has been wondering if DC would recognize the mistake of aging up Jon and would find a way to put the genie back in the bottle, I am reading this closely and hope. This certainly could be the path to bring back young Jon.  Fingers crossed. Writer Dan Slott actually does a great job here showing how this is impacting old Jon, young Jon, but most importantly Lois. Heck, he even shows how it would impact Damian!

Adding to the mix of this is new fave Lucas Meyer who brings a wonderfully clean and vibrant feel to the art on the book. I love his work on the Lois scene here showing emotion both in expression and body language. Hope he stays on the book for a while. 

Am I hoping young Jon stays around for good? Yes I am. 

On to the book.

Back From Vacation And Feedspot Accolades

If I have seemed away this last week , it is because I have been! I am just back from 10 days in Vienna and Salzberg. So fantastic! Lots of history and a deep deep dive in filming of The Third Man, my favorite old time movie!

But some wonderful news made it my way across the pond.

Feedspot, a site that ranks blogs and websites, has ranked this place in their 100 Best Comic Blogs: https://bloggers.feedspot.com/comics_blogs/

As I always say, it is the community and discussion that comes to this place that makes the great place it is. So thank you and congratulations to all of us.

 The site hit #60 and I have to say I am pretty thrilled with this.

The top sites are more professional comic sites than fan sites. So I am happy the place hit that height.

Feel free to peruse the list and thanks again for the community here.

As for Vienna, I was able to find ComicsHutterer, a comic ship within walking distance of my hotel.

I always want to support local comic stores, even international! So I bought an Absolute Superman trade in German. 

I'll also say I was surprised to see some floppies in the bookstore in the train station!

Anyways, I am back home and I'll be back to normal posting and responding soon! Lots of books to catch up on!

Review: Streaky! The Origin Of Supergirl's Cat

We have seen a lot of Krypto in the Supergirl trailer . In that story and in that cinematic universe, Krypto has always been Kara's pet, meeting him in Argo and being rocketed to Earth with him. While Kara and Krypto have become close in the comics, he has always been Kal's pet in there.

But with all that love for the pooch, it made me realize it has been a while since I talked about Supergirl's 'true' pet Streaky, the Super-Cat. A while ago, I bought the Streaky origin story book, a kid's book similar to the one I covered about Comet . It is even done by the same team, writer Steve Korte and artist Art Baltazar (of Tiny Titans fame). 

Like that book, this storybook really borrows heavily from the actual Silver Age comics that Streaky appears in. I am always appreciative when creators acknowledge Supergirl's history. What could be better! Head here to see some of the original story we get riffed on.

But seriously, poor Streaky! He has become an afterthought in the current comic world and now overlooked in the multimedia world.

Let's head to the book!

Review: Supergirl/Blade

This is truly the summer of Supergirl as new stories are suddenly appearing out of the ether, some of them utterly surprising.

Take for example a digital-only Supergirl/Blade crossover on the DC Universe Infinite app. In a world where Batman has teamed up with Deadpool, Superman has teamed up with Spider-Man, and Carnage killed Jimmy Olsen, why not have Supergirl and Blade team up. 

CRC Payne, who wrote the main story in the Supergirl Girl Next Door issue, writes a fun quick read of Blade and Supergirl fighting Mojo and 'the algorithm' feeding the villain bad ideas. 

And this issue answers a question I have been asking myself since 2011 and the New 52 Justice League Dark book. What would a Supergirl story drawn by Mikel Janin look like? Turns out it looks great. 

This is a free issue, read vertically, digital-only, mashing the DC and Marvel universe. I have a big question about the ending but I think I am going to not worry about it too much. Let's just enjoy the ride.

Review: Action Comics #1097

Action Comics #1097 came out last week and was another fun chapter in this ongoing Superboy run in which Mark Waid explores the earliest days of Clark's super-heroics.

This is a fun chapter as three time-tossed heroes from the present find themselves in the past, meeting a very young Superboy and navigating the troubled waters of time-travelers and a delicate timeline. That happens from both sides of the equation. Mary Marvel, Booster Gold, and Martian Manhunter are trying not to relay too much to Clark. And Clark and the Kents are trying not to ask too many questions. It is that tightrope everyone is walking that is the strongest part of the issue for me, even more than the battle with Epoch, the Lord Of Time. I love this Martha and Jonathan because frankly, given my age, I think I relate to them. 

There are even some philosophoical and emotional moments involving Booster Gold that made me think for a while. I don't usually think of Booster spurring on deep thoughts but that is the magic of Mark Waid. 

Skylar Patridge is back on art and continues to shine here. Patridge has always excelled in showing us the quiet moments. But here, her action pages really sing.

On to the book.