Back Issue Box: Supergirl #18

I have been thinking a lot about Argo City in recent times given the reconfiguring of Supergirl's origin in the current Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow mini-series. I have definitely looked at the city's history in the past on this site. 

Today I thought I would showcase one of the weirder wrinkles in the city's history, perhaps one best left unremembered. Supergirl #18 has our hero facing off against the Kraken ... a blackmailer, a sorcerer, a pilgrim looking for enlightenment, a scientist ... all in one?

I don't know if writer Paul Kupperberg remembers writing this particular issue. It is a little all over the place. I don't know if it 100% makes any sense. But there is a lot to think about that's for sure. The one thing that I do love about this issue is that is shows the best parts of these Bronze Age comics - subplots and supporting casts. This issue is as much about Linda Danvers and her love life as it is the Kraken. 

The art is by Carmine Infantino and Bob Oksner and they bring some great visuals here. Again, the Linda stuff is the highlight for me. But I also love the innovative panel layouts. Great stuff. And I love the cover  by Howard Bender and Dick Giordano!

On to the specifics!

Back Issue Box: Adventure Comics #412

Philip Kennedy Johnson is about to send Superman off to Warworld, reimagined as a place where Mongul has coliseum style barbarian battles. 

With that storyline starting soon and having already covered Supergirl's fight against the actual Warworld in DCCP #28, I thought it would be fun to review Adventure Comics #412, in which Supergirl is brought to an alien world to fight gladiator style. 

Like many of these stories in Adventure, which slide from the Silver Age into the Bronze, it is a wild ride. There are more twists and turns in these 22 pages than in a year's worth of today's comics. Just when you think we are cruising to the finish, we take another swerve.

Despite the odd plot turns, Supergirl shines throughout. Whether it is fighting for what's right or teaching compassion or even giving folks the benefit of the doubt, she really shines. Writer John Albano really does a wonderful job giving us a true hero.

Art Saaf and Bob Oksner are on the art. Their art is beautiful, veering closely to cheesecake but not too much. From the compelling cover to the action scenes, the art is fantastic.

On to the book.

Back Issue Box: Supergirl #14

Supergirl #14 continues the Blackstarr storyline mixing incredible super-heroics with the backdrop of racism and prejudice. Feels like a good time in America to review this story.

Writer Paul Kupperberg focuses on Nazis and anti-semitism but the truth is any organized and systemic prejudice is villainous and this is just one example. and Kupperberg has a very goo approach. There are basically three levels to this story. One is the story of the Nazi party organizing in Chicago and how the city is responding. There is the superhero story of Supergirl fighting the immensely powerful Blackstarr, the leader of the Nazis. And then there is the personal story, how this is effecting Kara's landlord, Mrs. Berkowitz who survived the camps in Nazi Germany. By giving us all these perspectives, we get a full and enriching story.

The art is by Carmin Infantino and Bob Oksner who continue to bring their style to the affairs. They need to show their chops given the story layers as well. You need to convey crazy powers on top of personal scenes. These guys are legends so it flows seamlessly. But the show stopper is the Gil Kane cover which dazzles. I am not a Gil Kane fan usually but this one feels dynamic. Kara looks like she is feeling that blast.

On to the book.

A Little Bit of Kandor: Supergirl #2

We are in a new world with the COVID-19 pandemic, with no new comics and very little comic news coming out. With no new reviews in the queue, I will start doing some back issue reviews, trying as best as I can to lean into recent storylines or plot points. That has always been my M.O. here at the site, not doing index reviews but celebrating the rich history of the DCU.

Recently, I covered Batman/Superman #8, a story reintegrating Kandor and setting up the Kandor Compromise. It is definitely a fun issue.

With that book in my mind, in particular the rather rapid reintegration of Kandor in current continuity given that Rogol Zaar had just smashed and stomped it to bits about 2 years ago. So why not take a little look at Kandor?

This won't be comprehensive at all. 'A Little Bit of Kandor' will be like 'Matrix Monday' was here, a side look at some stories that intrigue me or that build a little history. And I thought I'd start with 1973's Supergirl #2,

Now I am a fan of Supergirl. And I tend to be a tad forgiving for her stories.

But this story is crazy.

I mean 'did the creative team drop acid' crazy.

I know that late Silver Age/early Bronze Age stories are stuffed with story elements. How often do I say that a 10 pager in this time period has as many plot elements as current 6 issue arcs. But this story is filled not only with plot elements but significant inconsistencies to continuity, odd off-the-cuff major details, and insanity that I am surprised everyone agreed to do it.

In the end I wonder if the writer basically asked people what they wanted to see in a Supergirl story, got a list of things, and fit a story around those elements. It is the only explanation I can see.

Let's not forget the reason I am reviewing this now. Kandor is a huge part of this story. But I also feel like the rules and landscape of the bottle city we see in the tale are just a bit off as well.

At the very least, I also have to tip my hat to the medicine in the issue. We get a brief message of sickle cell disease. I suppose that is the educational element that was sort of demanded at the time in comics.

On to this story. Strap in!

Review: Adventure Comics #414

Last week, at the suggestion of Mart Gray, I reviewed Adventure #410 and the story in which Supergirl becomes a sort of foster mother to a super-powered alien tyke named Judy. By the end of that story, Jusy was revealed to be the vanguard of an alien invasion, was turned to the light by Supergirl's love, and then was stripped of her powers. Judy's stepfather, the invader, was killed by the good old American Air Force.

But what ultimately happened to Judy?

Well,flash forward 4 issues to Adventure #414 and the back up Supergirl story in that issue. Trust me, many of these Adventure Comics are bonkers and this issue gives us a heady double dose of insanity. The cover story, with Vortex, is bizarre.

But let's get back to our little angel Judy and her guardian angel Kara. Settle in, insanity happens!

"The Kidnapping" was written by John Albano with art by Bob Oksner, the same team that brought us the first Judy story. It is filled with the standard lush, and occasionally Good Girl, art that Oksner excels at.

But we are dropped right into the action.

As Linda Danvers, dressed in a mod outfit that Peggy Lipton would crave, heads for home, Judy is being kidnapped.

Now, you might ask yourself 'why would Linda leave an alien kindergarten-aged moppet home alone while she went shopping. But I don't think you'll come up with a good answer.

Also, it seems almost random. Why did the kidnappers hone in here?

Again, we can't dwell on the details. We have to just accept and move on.

Even worse, when the crooks ransacked the place, they discovered Kara's costume. He knows she is the Girl of Steel. And unless Kara does any number of crimes, Judy will be hurt.

She has to knock off a bank, grab some jewels, and bring a mink coat too.

Ahh ... the seventies.

The whole idea of the costume hanging in the closet revealing a secret identity is such a trope.

Now you would think that in this pre-Crisis universe, a time when Kryptonians can drop kick planets and conquer time, that Supergirl would simply scour the planet with her super-senses and find Judy.

Nope.

Instead, her play is to get into a form-fitting Catwoman-esque body suit and go through with the crimes!! Now that seems silly.

If that isn't enough, her boss from the TV station, bohunk Jeff, calls to tell Linda that a UFO has been reported in the area. Linda needs to be on call for some reporting should something come of it.

The details of the crimes were clear. Supergirl was to drop the loot off at a certain place and then check out a phone booth for more details.

Inside the booth is a picture of Judy proving the little girl is still healthy and safe.

Now you would think the easiest thing for Supergirl to do would be to watch the loot from the upper atmosphere and follow whoever picks it up to where Judy is hiding.

But this is the 1970's. So instead she is able to make out a phone number written on the inside of the matchbook in the picture. Then, super-speed scanning the phone book, she is able to find the address of whom the phone number belongs.

Wow. That reads so dated. Matchbooks? Landlines?

Seriously, the clue on the inside of a matchbook is a pretty dusty plot point, right out of bad films noir.

The number leads to the kidnapper's girlfriend's apartment. And there is Judy, tied to a chair.

But check out the girlfriend. Smoking! Halter top! Bellbottoms! So seventies chic!

Supergirl busts in and confronts the woman. Initially, the woman reacts with violence reaching for a gun. But then she pleads she is an innocent in this ploy. At least Supergirl isn't buying the 'babe in the woods' routine.

But look at a brief peek at a dark Kara in that first panel. She is *aching* for a chance to take this woman apart. Grim and gritty stuff.

Okay, so far this is reading like a standard somewhat convoluted 70's Supergirl story.

But then things get a little crazy ...

The kidnapper returns but is basically cut in half by a laser beam shot into the apartment through the window.

I mean, that is pretty graphic. And it came out of nowhere.

Oksner throws in a little of his good girl art in that last panel letting us see Supergirl's assets as she turns around to look for Judy.

But who shot the man?

Well, whoever they are, they also gun down the girlfriend, perforating her in the middle of the street.

That's straight brutal!

And then the bloodthirsty murderers turn out to be ... Judy's grandparents! They have been looking for her!

Look at how middle america, tray of cookies cooling, sweet they seem. And Judy runs right into their arms. She is ready to go home. (I like how Albano includes a line about their ship jamming radar. Remember, Judy's father got killed by Air Force fighters when he entered US airspace.)

As sweet as they look, the grandparents just bisected 2 people in cold blood. I find it strange that Kara so easily lets these two killers take Judy away so quickly. But this is the seventies and this short story and this Judy plot need to be wrapped up.

In fact, the next day, Linda is still thrilled that Judy is home. She is smiling to the point that Nasty Luthor wonders just what is going on.

Now, you can take a step back and say that in many ways, the beginning of Judy's story was like Kara's. A young girl, rocketed away from a doomed planet and sent to Earth. So maybe she is thrilled that Judy could go back to her family unlike Kara herself. But still, so fast ... and so bloody an ending.

I am glad I got to review this. I owe Martin an extra thanks for getting me to smile again about Supergirl in these weird times for her character and our world.

This is a low importance issue for a Supergirl collection. But as always, worth a buy if you find it cheap.

Overall grade: B

Review: Adventure Comics #410

'Help, hope, and compassion for all' is the mantra that Supergirl has espoused in recent years, an indelible addition to her mythos thanks to Sterling Gates in his Adventures of Supergirl comic from a few years ago.

But Gates didn't just make that up. Those sentiments have been evident in Supergirl comics since her beginning.

Perhaps one of the sillier stories to prove that is from 1971'a Adventure Comics #410 in which Kara befriends an alien visitor to our world, becoming basically a foster parent herself. No throwing this young girl with powers into an orphanage. Supergirl is going to show compassion and help this moppet. I was reminded of this story recently by friend Mart Gray.

So settle in for a rapid fire story of the early Bronze Age!

And let's see Kara at her best ... maybe ...

Also, this book is semi-important from a Supergirl history viewpoint. But you'll see why later.

On to the book.

Back Issue Review: Adventure Comics #418

Last week on Supergirl Episode 406, 'Call to Arms', we saw Supergirl fight a dragon.

It was one of the best sequences I have seen on the show in a long time. I flat out loved it.

As a result, and thanks to a nudge from someone who left a comment here, I decided that I should take a look back at other times Supergirl fought a dragon.

These are all in the fluxing time period of the early 70s. Comics were starting to get more serious. But there was still a bit of Silver Age lunacy that could mix in. As a result, the two dragon stories that I am going to review are pretty wonky. So settle in.

Believe it or not, the earlier of the two stories is the less insane one.

Adventure Comics #418 came out in 1972 and the Supergirl run as the headliner in the title was just a few issues away. This was a time when the Supergirl stories were trying to be a bit more mature. Mike Sekowsky started the 'new adventures' way back in Adventure Comics #400. But Sekowsky had left leaving a handful of other creators to pinch hit.

And so we have 'The Face of the Dragon', a story which might be trying to cash in on the Kung Fu craze happening in America at the time. It also is trying to mesh the odd mix of film noir with the four color escapades of a super-powered Maid of Might. Basically, your mileage may vary.

All that said, please pick this book up if you see it in the cheap bins. The Black Canary back-up has a story with ridiculously gorgeous Alex Toth art. That alone is worth the price.

But onto the Supergirl story!

Back Issue Review: Supergirl #8 (1972)

This week I re-watched the Supergirl show episode titled 'Medusa', the mid-season finale for the show. Thankfully, the show returns in a couple of weeks.

But the idea of Supergirl and Medusa in the episode reminded me of Supergirl #8, from way back in 1972. This is a story where Supergirl fought the literal Medusa, not a virus named after the Greek gorgon of myth. And it is such a ridiculous story, I felt that I needed to share.

And trust me, this is pure 1970's comic zaniness. The plot doesn't make 100% sense. It is moves at a rocket pace. More happens in this issue than two years worth of comics these days. We travel the world. And the action is insane. Sometimes you just need to sit back and immerse yourself in the crazy. If you do, you will love this issue.

At the very least, we get to see Hawkman, Batman, and Green Lantern turned into statues. I mean, how can you look at this beautiful Bob Oksner cover and not want to read this!

Get read ...

Back Issue Box: Supergirl #20

My copy autographed by Paul Kupperberg

The Supergirl Season Two premiere is behind us and it was great to see Superman and Supergirl working together! But before that, given the team-up nature of the super-cousins on the show, I thought I would finish my look at one of their final team-ups in the pre-Crisis era, a celebration of Supergirl's 25th anniversary in comics. I covered the first part in Action Comics #555 last week. Today I'll cover 1984's  Supergirl #20.

Much like Action Comics #555, this is a 'sort of' team up. The cousins only get together at the end of the issue. But the stories are closely linked as the villainous Parasite is coordinating a simultaneous two pronged attack on Superman and Supergirl. In my review of the first part, I talked about how confusing the Parasite's plan was. It didn't make much sense to me then and I hoped it would be better explained here.

Unfortunately, I am still confused. This chapter does explain some of what is happening. But I still don't understand the Parasite's plan, why it needed to happen the way he plans it, and why it ends the way it does.

These books unfold similarly, sometimes with the same scene played out from each character's perspective. People who visit here know I have tremendous respect for writer Paul Kupperberg. And I like the idea of two similar plots unfolding against the heroes at the same time. It is a nice plot idea when you take a step back. But the devil is in the details. I can't think about this too much or it unravels and my headache returns. And, like in the Action chapter, this book has a healthy dollop of supporting cast subplot, something I always enjoy.

The art in the book is done by the standard team for this volume, Carmine Infantino and Bob Oksner. I think Oksner softens Infantino's line work nicely. Supergirl looks young, vital, beautiful, and strong.

So happy anniversary Supergirl! On to the story!

Back Issue Box: Adventure Comics #421

Back in Adventures of Supergirl #7, Supergirl is tossed from one dreamscape to another as she tries to fight Psi. In the story, writer Sterling Gates and artist Emanuela Lupacchino throw a ton of Supergirl history at us, showing us different costumes and bringing up the storyline of different incarnations.

My favorite deep cut reference was this barbarian warrior claiming that he was one of the 'Wolves of Nightflame'. Nightflame is a one-time villain from back in Supergirl's Adventure Comics run.

Who is Nightflame?

Adventure Comics #421 was cover dated July 1972 and sports an eye-grabbing cover by Bob Oksner. Supergirl is in the clutches of monstrous looking beings while behind her looks a beautiful woman wielding a flaming sword and screaming 'Now Supergirl you must die!" That is Nightflame.

While this issue is the only story that Nightflame appears in, this story is somewhat infamous. For one, Nightflame's origin is unbelievably intriguing and somewhat insane. Second, the story concludes with a veiled racy finale, something that a person well-versed in double entendre might call climactic. Others might say that in ends with a little death, in all that phrases meaning.

I don't know how you could walk by this cover and not buy the issue. Oksner's work always impresses. But Supergirl looks rightfully terrified here. The things are all over here, clutching her legs, pulling her hair, and holding her down. And Nightflame's sword looks like it is coming out of the page. That has to be a big sword!

On to the story!

Back Issue Box: Supergirl #16

The Convergence event for DC Comics is about a half a year away and one of the solicits that caught my attention was the Keith Giffen written issue starring  Matrix and Ambush Bug . I have some concerns about Giffen's approach to Supergirl and I know his love of Ambush Bug might make Supergirl the butt of any number of jokes and ploys.

But this won't be the first time Supergirl met Ambush Bug! They met way back in late 1983 in Supergirl #16.Writer Paul Kupperberg does his best to keep this a light-hearted story with Ambush Bug providing some yuks along the way. But also in this issue is one of the most bizarre villain plots I have read.

This is early Ambush Bug though, back when he was labeled a super-villain. Here he feels more like his daffy current self, trying to be a hero and generally annoying all who cross his path. It also is a time when his teleportation powers were limited by having a remote 'insect' drones somewhere to act as a receiver.

The art is done by the usual team on this book of penciller Carmine Infantino and inker Bob Oksner. I think Oksner cleans up this late Infantino work very well. But what intrigued me more is the cover by Giffen and Oksner. Giffen created Ambush Bug and so it is appropriate for his art here. But it is the pictures of Superman and Supergirl around Bug that grabbed my attention. They look like the character design art by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, or at least Giffen's version of them. Certainly the two of the 'floor' of the cover look very familiar.

"Bug-Out" starts with an elevated train derailing in Chicago forcing Supergirl to jump to the rescue.

I included this opening splash because I think the design is interesting. Supergirl is really a small element in this page, streaking in on the left side. The bulk of the page is the huge train plummeting onto tiny people and cars.

I think by positioning everything like this it makes the threat feel bigger. We know that Kryptonians are more powerful than a locomotive. But by keeping Supergirl small and by putting so many potential victims in the picture, the drama is ratcheted up a notch.

Throughout this book, initially Daring New Adventures of Supergirl and then just Supergirl, Paul Kupperberg has written Kara as being a bit more mature, a bit more assured of herself. We have seen her tell Superman that she is stepping out from his shadow. We have seen her be proactive, taking on Reactron and Blackstarr with confidence and maybe even an edge.

So it was weird to read this internal monologue here, Supergirl saying she is surprised sometimes at what she can do. That inside she still feels like 15 year old Kara on Argo City. Odd.

Maybe she is talking more about her personality or humility.

But if there is one thing I always applaud Kupperberg for it is setting up a true supporting cast in this book. And using them!

Here is a whole scene with Linda Danvers having lunch with her current beau (and Chicago Philharmonic conductor) Phil Decker. Supergirl ... in her secret identity ... having a conversation with a non-super human ... about everyday stuff. It is refreshing. These scenes make all the characters more three-dimensional and helped build up this relationship.

I don't need a whole issue of small talk. But this is great.

But wait ... doesn't this issue guest star Ambush Bug? Isn't he supposed to bug Supergirl?

Well, in a scene I don't cover, we see Ambush Bug escape from a prison transport. I think that might be one of the few times we see Bug without his costume. And using his tech, he blips to Chicago where he decides he'll stick around after he sees Supergirl fly by.

Of course, this being a slapstick issue, we see things such as pratfalls off skyscrapers.

And the Bug decides to turn over a new leaf and become a super-hero.

But rather than take on the big foes, he decides to start small with civic minor offenses.

So people who litter get throttled.

And people who smoke where it isn't allowed get frightened, battered, and eventually hog-tied.

Eventually the two cross paths ... but by chance.

Supergirl is tracking down her/Linda's missing boyfriend. First one of the philharmonics priceless Stradivarius violins has been stolen (one of many priceless instruments that has been pilfered across the nation). And then Phil has gone missing.

Now Ambush Bug is supposed to be addled and crazy. It is part of his charm. So here he confuses Supergirl with Superman! He assumes somehow that they are the same person and that something nefarious has both changed Superman and wiped his memory. That is crazy ... and maybe a little forced?

I love Supergirl's response here. She is busy. She doesn't have time for nonsense. So she asks him what he wants.

One thing worth mention is that page layouts in this comic are very well done including things like inset panels as seen above.

At least Supergirl remembers who Ambush Bug is. But he is annoying, and what she needs least of right now. In an interesting move, Supergirl decides Bug needs to be her priority. Even though he seems relatively harmless, he is an escaped convict with super-powers. There is more of that maturity.

Now remember way back in the intro of this review when I said there was a bizarre villain plot in this issue? Well here it is revealed.

Phil has been kidnapped by this unnamed man. This criminal has been the person stealing all the valuable and antique instruments all over the country. And here he has set all those instruments up ... in the hands of mannequins ... so he can hear how beautiful they sound. Completely insane!

And any mannequin orchestra needs a conductor to bring out their best and so this man kidnapped Phil. He wants Decker to conduct them ...

Now that is bizarre.

Luckily ... maybe serendipitously ... Ambush Bug leads Supergirl right there. Supergirl has been following the Bug all over town.

Within two panels Supergirl is able to bring this whole crazy adventure to an ends. First she disarms the kidnapper. Then she puts boxing gloves on Ambush Bug, interfering with his ability to move his fingers and activate his teleportation tech.

An mannequin orchestra? Boxing gloves put on at super-speed to stop a villain? This is one loony issue.

As the cops sort out the whole mess, Supergirl leaves and re-arrives as Linda to see that Phil is okay.

But the Bug has the last laugh. He recognizes that Linda is Supergirl! He now sort of knows her secret identity!

By the way, check out the next issue blurb! A new haircut for Supergirl! That's right! Linda's hairstyle remains the same but Supergirl's hair gets downright curly next issue!

Will the Convergence issue be as insane as this? Will Supergirl be portrayed as well as she was here? Time will tell.

Outside of Ambush Bug, there isn't much that makes this a key issue in Supergirl history.

Overall grade: B

Back Issue Review: Superman Family #200

Superman Family #200 came out 34 years ago. A young Anj was in the fifth grade and a $1.00 for a comic was a major financial commitment.

So why am I reviewing it now?

Well, if any comic shows how much comics have changed over time it is this one. Currently in DC Comics, we are reading Futures' End, a brutal dystopia in the near future where villains are loners, where anti-heroes are killing people, all leading to an even more brutal dystopia in the far future where everyone has been turned into murdering, bladed, cyborg tanks.

In 1980, Superman Family #200 looked into the future and had the characters celebrating a wedding anniversary.

I suppose that my comfort zone is somewhere between these two extremes. I don't know if I want to read a comic about anniversary parties every month but this comic gave me some comfort in knowing the future was a safe and better place. And anything has to be better than a robotic Wonder Woman fighting Frankenstein who has Black Canary's head attached to his torso.

I also am a sucker for these longevity anniversary issues as well. Even in the 1980's, a title hitting 200 issues was something of a big deal. In an era where we reboot and renumber every couple of years, I don't know if we will see this again.

And look at this future ... in a 'near (or distant) future, at the turn of the century'. That means this comic is already 14 years beyond it's future time! Perry White has retired. Jimmy is married to Lucy Lane and is the editor of the Daily Planet. Clark and Lois are married and have a 16 year old daughter named Laura. And Lois, who has been a stay-at-home mom for 16 years is about to get back into the journalism business.

But first, there is the celebration of Clark and Lois' wedding anniversary.

There is a lot to like about even these broad concepts. Imagine, Clark and Lois married! Amazing that it actually happened in comics about 15 years later. And a daughter named Laura! It reminded me of distant descendant Laurel. Laura has no powers and bemoans her 'normal' life.

But what about Supergirl?? Or should I say Superwoman!

The book is set up much like every other Superman Family with a Lois solo story, a Private Life of Clark Kent story, a Jimmy story, and a Supergirl ... umm ... Superwoman arc. But all the stories have the backdrop of the characters preparing for the wedding anniversary party of Clark and Lois as well as Lois' rejoining the working world. So we get 'Something swims the time stream' by Gerry Conway (who wrote the whole issue) and Win Mortimer.

As for Kara, she is still in Florida, acting as the local superhero and rescuing people. That includes this rescuing this whole offshore energy site from a tidal wave by lifting up the whole thing.

So we have Kristin Wells, Lucy Lane, and now Kara all having used the Superwoman moniker.

But there is more to Kara than simply being Superwoman. And she has moved way past being a guidance counselor at a New Athens Experimental School.

She is Governor of Florida!!! And the one act we see her perform as Governor is to pardon someone being wrongfully sent to the electric chair. It is reminiscent of the very first Superman story.

But it is also a high compliment for Linda that Conway elevates her to that office, especially for the time this was written.

Ahhh ... but then we get to the real Supergirl mystery. One that has never been solved.

Kara flies home to her husband, someone in shadows ... someone we never see.

But we do get some clues.

He is friends with Clark and Lois already. (Don't guess Jimmy. We have seen him with Lucy already.)

Soo .... friends with Lois and Clark ... hmmmm ...

And then the husband intuits that Kara is anxious because she hasn't got Clark and Lois a present yet.

Then he states it 'doesn't take a detective' to guess that.

Is he letting us know that he is a detective??

So a detective who is friends with Lois and Clark. Dick Grayson?? He is on the cover as a guest.

 Kara speeds off into the time stream to get her anniversary gift, traveling back in time to take video of the key moments in Clark and Lois' life together. Here he is hired at the planet. We see her snapping pics of Superman saving Lois, Clark spilling his dinner on himself like a klutz, etc.

 And then she captures the actual wedding on video.

But it isn't all fun and games and memories and nostalgia.

A white ape-like monster is living in the time stream. Somehow trapped between times, this creature has been leeching life energy off unsuspecting time travelers, and Kara is his next target.

 With little other choice, Kara flies away from him, forward in the time stream, to the edge of time itself.

Somehow, trying to keep up with Kara simply burns the creature up. With no control over his time manipulation, the years ... an eternity of time ... catches up with him and he disintegrates into dust.

Mortimer does his best to be Dali-esque here, trying to create a surreal landscape of cubes and shapes, but he can't quite pull it off.

Happy to be safe and pleased with her gift, Kara streaks back home.

 Meanwhile, in a nice twist, Laura's powers suddenly kick in. She guesses that her Kryptonian half kicked in with puberty. Suddenly we have a new Supergirl (even if she isn't called that here).
 

But there is one more twist. It turns out that Lois is pregnant again!!

Earlier in the book we hear how happy she was to be an at-home Mom for Laura but she was very much looking forward to being a reporter again. She is upset. I guess the concept of nannies wasn't big back in the early 80s.

Anyways, in a great turn of events, and showing how great these two are as a couple, Clark says he'll stop being a reporter and stay at home as Dad for the new baby (while maintaining his Superman duties). This way Lois can go back to work happily. I love how Clark tells Lois that she was always the better reporter. How fantastic is this!!

There is nothing left to do but show the happy couple and there happy friends at the party.

And so, that was the future of the DCU back in 1980. Superwoman, alive, well, and the Governor of Florida.

And married .... but to who??? Any other guesses?

Overall grade: A (drowned in the sweet syrup of nostalgia)

Psi Sighting 2: Daring New Adventures Of Supergirl #3

Given her return to the DCU in Forever Evil: ARGUS, I am in the middle of my look back at the Supergirl villain Psi.

Today, that means reviewing Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #3, the last part of Psi's biggest splash in the DCU.  Psi, the mutant psionic powerhouse, has given Supergirl a run for her money on the first two issues of Daring New but it is clear that she is conflicted. Psi might have been raised with with a warped view of life but she seems to know right from wrong. In DNAoS #2, Supergirl basically talked Psi out of laying waste to Chicago. But Psi is also a bit unhinged and seems a bit naive. Last issue ended with her blasting her deluded mentor Mr. Pendergast with her power, inadvertently changing him into the monster Decay.

Powerful, psionic, and just a little unhinged ... no wonder Psi is a great character and rogue for Supergirl.

The art for the book was done by the standard team of Carmine Infantino and Bob Oksner with the usual flair. But for me, the most interesting thing is the cover done by Keith Giffen and Klaus Janson!! There is a sort of early horror comic cover feel to this with the monstrous Decay looming in front of a full moon. I love that he is standing on the word Decay, a bit of Eisner or Steranko. And lastly I love that the word Decay is decaying more under his feet, his own touch eroding the word. Supergirl is almost an afterthought but I love her springing into action.

I have praised this title in the past for portraying a happy, confident Supergirl ... comfortable in her own skin and ready to be the defender of Chicago. And I love that Paul Kupperberg gave Linda's life a big chunk of time in this book as well. She had friends, her schoolwork, and a romantic life as well.

This opening splash page to the issue is a great microcosm of that. We see a smiling Supergirl rushing to get to school on time, happy that she stopped Psi from destroying the city. She even pats herself on the back! 'Way to go, Kara baby!'

And we see more of her life at the University. Linda is majoring in Psychology and is meeting her advisor, Dr. Barry Metzner. Metzner turns out to be something of a disorganized mess, his office a maze of tall stacks of loose papers.

But something about that is endearing to Linda. She even calls him cute! I love that second panel, her finger to her mouth ... a classic Supergirl personality quirk which has carried through from Jim Mooney's Action stories to this day.

In the end Metzner offers Linda a job to be his assistant/secretary, a job she accepts. Metzner continues to putter through the title, eventually becoming a villain!

As for Mr. Pendergast, he has completely embraced his new life as Decay! It is a little weird that he loathed the idea of Decay only to do a complete 180.

It is always interesting to look back at these issues which I read in my youth. I can remember thinking this scene in which Decay basically erodes or digests a homeless alcoholic was absolutely terrifying. In the scene, the man screams until he is nothing but a bunch of bones and rot. Seeing that pile of remains was horrific and pretty graphic for the time. It is somehow sad that this scene would actually be considered understated in this comic world where people get disemboweled, beheaded, etc.

He lumbers through the town, wilting and dissolving everything in his path.

Despite hanging out with her housemate Joan and being 'weighed down' with all her class books, Linda knows what she needs to do. Her super-vision spies Decay and zips on her way.

Again, I have to applaud the great exposure of Linda's life and the interaction between both sides of her persona.

And Decay is pretty vile appearing, like a diarrheal form of Clayface. Yuck!

Remember, this is a Supergirl who is sure of herself, ready to jump into the fray to do what's right. She also is quick with a quip, another sign she feels pretty confident in her capabilities.

So with little delay, she flies up to Decay and takes the fight to him. She has had it with megalomaniacs hoping to rule the world.

And this panel progression is nice as you fill in the action in your mind, Supergirl swooping down in the first panel and making a hairpin turn to fly into Decay in the second.

But this is a Psi-sighting post ... isn't it?

Since Psi's power created Decay, she is linked to him. As I said, at times seems innocent, like a sheltered girl not exposed to the horrors of the world, or even the trials of every day life. Last issue, she seemed to feel pain from the destruction she was causing ... almost like an empath.

And here she feels mental agony from the devastation that Decay is causing. She is the cause of it. And she needs to end it.

I have to admit I also liked this little sequence, showing just how powerful Psi is. She doesn't fly through the window, shattering it. Instead she 'unmakes it', flies through, and then remakes it in her wake. Interesting.

The Decay fight with Supergirl is actually a decent brawl with Supergirl bashing him with cars, concrete walls, construction beams, and her fists. But everything just disintegrates in his grasp.

And here, his touch is sizzling even to Supergirl!

Psi finally shows up and decides to end things.

If she created Decay, she certainly can destroy him, even kill him.

But that doesn't happen. Instead of outright killing Pendergast, she simply strips him of his Decay form, returning him to normal.

And, like last issue, Psi is gone before the dust settles. So is Psi the hero of the piece, saving the day? Or is she a villain? I think she is a little bit of both. Psi seems like there is a good core somewhere in her. But she is clearly an addled young woman, prone to outbursts with her fantastic powers. It isn't a temper ... it is more like a hair trigger. I don't think Psi knows who she is herself. And that makes her scary.

As for Supergirl, she is almost a nonfactor in her own book. While it is great that she flies right into combat, she isn't exactly effective. Direct physical attacks were found to be useless early on. Why not try heat vision, freeze breath, or some other attack?


Psi truly disappeared after this issue, not being seen again in the DCU for 5 years. That means there will be another Psi-sighting in the near future.

As for me, the Supergirl/Decay throwdown was pretty standard superhero fare. What I liked best were the Linda scenes, a great part of this series.

Overall grade: B/B-