Review: Adventure Comics #291 (redux)

In the DC Comics December 2025 solicits, the plot of Supergirl #8 is shown to be our hero going up against her abandoned Linda Danvers robot duplicate. It is a story I can't wait to read. But it made me wonder when was the last time a Linda Lee robot had been seen in continuity. 

Now I freely admit that I didn't do a deep dive scrub of every comic but Adventure Comics #391 was the last story I found a Linda robot in. And boy what a story it is. The robot bit is the smallest part of a 12 page story that has planetary student exchange programs, a deeper dive into another world's culture than I would have expected, a deeper dive into alien anatomy than I would have expected, and more twists and turns that even the most wacky Silver Age story. It even has a college protest in it so it remains relevant today! So settle in! More plot and info is dumped in this back-up story than in many current comic 6 issue arcs.

But it is also one of those overly elaborate plots that makes little sense if you think about it too hard.

This issue also was a bit of a throwback for me to read again. Hard to believe but 10 years ago, I reviewed the cover story 'Linda Danvers, Super-Star' . That review was spurred on by Melissa Benoist talking about wire-work on the Supergirl show. That feels like a lifetime ago!

Anyways, this was a bonkers fun story to review and I promise that the destiny of one Linda Lee robot is definitively met in this story. If anyone knows of a later appearance of a robot double, please let me know and I will cover it here with full recognition.

On to the book!

Back Issue Box: Action Comics #512

A few weeks ago, I reviewed Action Comics #510, covering a story where Lex Luthor apparently turns over a new leaf, becoming a force for good because he has found love. The story started there, with Lex finding Angela Blake, saving her from a lethal DXS disease, and falling so in love that he turns away from evil. 

Action Comics #512 completes the three parter (sorry, I can't find my #511!) and it is, perhaps, one of the craziest Lex stories I have read. Settle in for some Lex playing the long game, Lex altering his own mind, and Lex regretting it all in the end. But also get ready to read Lex at his most evil, his most brutal. 

And when you deal with all that Lex, get ready to see an appropriately angry Superman.

Kudos to Cary Bates for this one. I'd say that three part stories were relatively rare back in 1980. But I think that second part (alas not reviewed here yet) was a keep part to get us to this issue. That middle chapter adds time to this story, makes Lex's long con feel long, and adds some potential legitimacy to Lex's turn to goodness.  

It all starts with this killer cover by Ross Andru and Dick Giordano. Superman kissing Lex's bride in front of him, and clearly on the wedding day is a throwback to the classic covers with our hero acting mean to his friends. The red aura is a nice clue to what happens in the story. And lastly, the addition of the toppling wedding cake is pure gold.  Inside art is by the classic team of Curt Swan and Frank Chiaramonte. 

Settle in. This one is a doozy.

Back Issue Box: Action Comics #510

People who frequent this site know that I look to themes in current comics to help me decide older comics to review. I never wanted this to be an index review site for Supergirl comics. I wanted it to be dynamic and related to current books.

So which current plot to take a look back at? I was torn between two and may end up doing both. One is Lex Luthor turning over a new leaf and trying to become a force for good. Joshua Williamson has been doing that over in Superman since he took over. The other was a look at Amazo given the android being both part of Absolute Power and My Adventures With Superman. 

Somehow I landed on the Lex plot. (But the Amazo story I have in mind is too fun so keep your eyes peeled.)

Action Comics #510 starts a three part story where Lex decides to stop trying to kill Superman. Instead he will become a good man. And the reason for this new lot in life? Well, it's hard to believe! It is the surprise ending so I don't want to spoil it here.

The cover by Ross Andru is certainly eye-catching but doesn't have much to do with the story on the inside. Superman letting Lex be killed would be an interesting plot ... but that isn't here.

On to the book.

Back Issue Box: Action Comics #549

Last week I was thrilled to review Action Comics #548, the first part of a two-part story that really dove into some Kryptonian history. This was a crazy story which had Vrangs hell-bent on revenge against the world that repelled them, heading to Earth to kill Superman and Supergirl. It has Phantom Zone villains escaping their prison after taking a sacred vow to the Colossus of Hadrad. And it had Clark, Lois, and Jimmy on the trail of some news stories which seemed unrelated.

Action Comics #549 was written by Cary Bates and is just as fun as part one. This one still has a lot of Kryptonian lore in it. We get an in-depth flashback of the Vrang invasion. We get the Phantom Zone villains and learn how they hate the Vrangs even more than the Els. It all ends in a battle in deep space that Superman has very little action in. For a Superman historian like me, this was a big win. 

Now I have to admit that to get to the meat of this story, the Vrang/Kryptonian battle, we have to take a few crazy story leaps. As I said before, this book seems to be padded to fill two issues. So some of the things the Phantom Zone villains do make little sense. But I won't complain.

The art is again by Alex Saviuk with inks by Vince Colletta. But the splash page is inked by Pablo Marcos making me wonder if this was an added page. In last issue's review, Isamu Yukinuri said this story was meant to be one big 46 page story for the European market. That means this second splash would definitely be new material. Saviuk is a fine artist but he feels very 'old school' for a time when people like Perez and Simonson were crushing it on other titles.

If there is one complaint about this story it is the complete lack of Supergirl. A story that hinged on Vrangs discovering Argo City and steeped in Kryptonian lore should have included Kara.

On to the book!

Back Issue Box: Action Comics #548

Sometimes you find your joy in the bargain bins. 

Action Comics #548 was sitting in my local comic shop's buck box. There was a whole brick of Superman books from just before the Crisis reset. This was a time when I wasn't reading the Superman books. So these were new to me and that meant I bought a bunch.

But of the ones I have read, Action Comics #548, the first part of a two part story, is my favorite. As a Supergirl mythos fan, as a Superman amateur historian, and as a reverb to the ongoing Kneel Before Zod book, this one just hit me. Too much fun.

Where else will you get a story with Phantom Zone Villains, Jewel Kryptonite, Argo City, the Colossus of Hadrad, and Vrangs? Break out the Superman encyclopedia! Luckily, legendary writer Cary Bates gives us a bit of primer on all these things in this story, filling in gaps for people who aren't as invested in lore as me. 

Surprisingly, despite all those things being in this book, the issue is incredibly padded with Superman stopping muggers, Superman saving people from a scientific experiment gone awry, and the Daily Planet staff getting seemingly random stories to investigate.

Artist Alex Saviuk brings a sort of stiff, old school feel to the proceedings. The usual complaint of this era of Superman books is that it feels antiquated. Indeed, the Byrne reboot injected some life in the Man of Steel. Unfortunately, Saviuk's art is a throwback and definitely added to that sort of dusty feel.

Still, for me, this one is a huge win. Even if Kara isn't exactly in this story, as a Supergirl fan and a Superman fan, this was a find.

Back Issue Box: Adventure Comics #382

Hello everyone and welcome to the holiday season here at Supergirl Comic Box Commentary.

Today I thought I would review Adventure Comics #382. This was the second issue in the Supergirl run as head character in this book. 

As for the 'why' I am reviewing this issue, I consider it a gift. 

Recently on the Into The Weird podcast (https://twitter.com/IntoWeird) they did a Bizarro world episode, covering Bronze age DC weirdness as opposed to Marvel books. And one of the stories they covered was a Superboy story. When they discussed that book they wondered if other stories like it are out there and this one counts.

So as a nice holiday gift, I thought I would cover this here. Merry Christmas gents!

I won't mention it here, why spoil the surprise. You'll need to read on.

Back Issue Box: Superman #363

I continue my look at a COVID-19 inspired back issue box review today by looking at Superman #363.

In last issue, Lois and Lana got exposed to a deadly tropical plague germ, a universally fatal disease. Ironically, it is the same tropical disease which killed Ma and Pa Kent. At the time Superboy couldn't save his adopted parents, even a Kryptonian blood transfusion failed.

Superman has a little more time because Lois and Lana are young and healthy. So Superman begins the search for a cure and it takes him to some funny places. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

There is a nice little, almost easy solution to the whole thing. I am sure I am not spoiling things by saying that Lois and Lana survive. Writer Cary Bates shows just how distraught Superman becomes during this infliction, perhaps missing the answer in front of his face because he is reeling. Perhaps the most interesting thing that happens in this issue is a side scene with Lana. More on that later.

I also have to wonder how ethical it is for Superman to not tell Lois and Lana that they have the infection. Shouldn't he share this info so that they can get their houses in order? I am rubbing my chin on this. What do you think? Should he have told them? I think yes.

The art is steady as always in the hands of Curt Swan. But the win is the cover by Rich Buckler with Luthor cackling with glee over not helping his foe! Amazing.

But to be honest, the real reason to find this issue is that back up story where Bruce (Superman) Wayne - this Elseworld like story has the Wayne's discovering Kal's rocket - marries Barbara Gordon! And Babs becomes Batwoman! Wild stuff.

On to the issue!

Back Issue Box: Superman #362

I figured it was time for me to take a break from my look at Kandor and switch to a different sort of topic on my mind these days! COVID-19!

I've covered a couple of back issues recently dealing with various viruses and Superman's afflictions and cures. So why not go back to the well and cover Superman #362 and #363, a two-parter dealing with a tropical plague.

Today I'll cover the first part, Superman #362.

I remember buying this issue off the rack at the time, intrigued by the cover. I didn't get the second part at the time. And I lost my original copy somewhere in the parental purge. I recently was lucky enough to get both parts and the disease story is apt for the time.

But ... spoiler alert ... White Kryptonite is not used to save the day. And that despite it being used frequently in continuity as a germ-cleanser and plant killer, like here, here, and even here!

So how does this plague get cured? We'll find out.

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!

Supergirl Quick Hits

 Hey all, just a couple of unexpected Kara moments cropped up this week at the comic store which I thought were worth mentioning here. One is current. One is pure Bronze Age joy.

We'll start off in Wonder Woman #46. 

I must admit, I haven't been too impressed with James Robinson's run as it seems like Wonder Woman is a supporting character in her own book. I will openly admit that I am floored by the tremendous Jenny Frison variant covers that have been on the book.

This issue has Diana battling the Cheetah. Cheetah keeps ranting how the god Urzkartaga, who cursed her with her bestial form, is dead. Dark gods are coming. And this theistic upheaval is enough to enrage and madden the Cheetah who goes on a killing spree.

In fact this seems to be hitting home normal people too. They are questioning their faiths and rioting.

Maybe you can see where this is going given the Supergirl focus of this site.

Digest Cast: Supergirl

You all have read my thoughts about Supergirl over the years here.

Have you ever wanted to HEAR my thoughts on Supergirl?

Over on the Fire and Water Network of podcasts, I was invited onto the DigestCast to discuss The Best of DC Blue Ribbon Digests #17 - The Many Lives Of Supergirl.

Here is the link for DigestCast so go and listen!

We review this great digest from 1981 showing the different periods of Supergirl's life.
There is orphan and secret weapon Supergirl in The Great Supergirl Mirage from Action Comics #256 (by Otto Binder and Jim Mooney).
There is revealed super-hero in The World's Greatest Heroine from Action Comics #285 (by Jerry Siegel and Jim Mooney).
There is college student Linda in Supergirl Goes to College from Action Comics #318 (by Leo Dorfman and Jim Mooney).
There is reporter Linda in Crypt of Frozen Graves from Adventure Comics #424 (by Steve Skeates, Tony DeZuniga, and Bob Oknser).
There is drama student Linda in Trail of the Madman from Supergirl #1 volume 1 (by Cary Bates and Art Saaf).
And finally there is Guidance Counselor Linda in Princess of the Golden Sun  from Superman Family #165 (by Elliot S Maggin and Art Saaf).

Whew ... a lot of great stories, many covered on this blog.

Not only do I help with the reviews, I talk about Supergirl's history and my love of the character.

But there is more.

Wonder Woman Day! Review: Supergirl #9

Happy Wonder Woman day! It is hard to believe but today marks the opening of the Wonder Woman solo movie, the DCEU movie I have been most looking forward to. And I figured I would join in the fun of celebrating the Amazon and her universe.

Surprisingly, there hasn't been a ton of Supergirl teaming up with Wonder Woman. There is the zany Haney Brave and the Bold #63 (a book I will cover at some point I'm sure), the wild massive crossover in Wonder Woman 291-293, her training with Diana in her re-introduction of Kara Zor-El to the DCU in Superman/Batman #8-13, the fight in the New 52 Supergirl #17 (booo!), and the occasional odds and ends of meeting in panels like in Wonder Woman #600. I am sure there are more but I wish that the two would run into each other more.

Today, I will look at Supergirl #9 from the 1972 Supergirl solo series. While the issue doesn't have Diana, it takes place on Paradise Island and includes Hippolyta and Nubia! What better way to help celebrate Wonder Woman's history on a Supergirl blog!

And like many stories in the Bronze Age, this won is an overstuffed, fast-moving, rather insane story and that is without counting Supergirl's swearing off men for good! So settle in for a wild ride with some great moments of 70's comic telling and Kara becomes 'The Super-Amazon'!

Review: World's Finest #169

Earlier this week I reviewed Batgirl Annual #1, the first true meeting of the New 52/Rebirth incarnations of these characters. It was a fast friendship and a true 'World's Finest', right down to the title of the story.

With that in mind, I thought I would head into the long box to review one of the older Supergirl/Batgirl team-ups and what better book to review than World's Finest #169. There is actually another decent reason to review this issue which will be obvious at the end. But the primary reason is to look at the Dominoed Daredoll and the Maid of Might teaming up.

I will say up front this is an incredibly bizarre story. It could be a primer on the Silver Age and just how wacky that time in DC Comics was. So settle in for a bumpy ride with many twists and turns.

I'll also remind folks that while there was always a sense that the pre-Crisis Supergirl and Batgirl were close friends (perhaps cemented by their scene in Crisis on Infinite Earths #4), there weren't that many stories with them partnering with each other. Over the years, I have reviewed a bunch of them for those who want to browse. My hope in this new universe is that we will see these two as friends in stories and crossovers. Maybe an annual event?

On to the book. Hope every one is ready for the zaniness.

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 Review: Adventure Comics #285

You know we are living in good times when Monday night is 'Supergirl night'. The show has become that ingrained in the fandom.

And that is great ... except for the times that there isn't an episode being aired on Monday. There is no show tonight.

Realizing that there'll be something of a 'show hole' to fill, I thought I would look into the back issue box to see if I could come up with something relevant. And given that the Kara/Alex relationship is such a key component of the Supergirl show, I thought I would review Adventure Comics #385. It is a cover which dares to see if you "Can solve the secret of Supergirl's Big Sister!"

What?
A big sister? Read on, true believers!

Supergirl Digest

One of the things that I love about social media and even this blog is that I have met great people over time, people I may never meet in person but who I count as friends.

One of the first was Mart Gray, from across the pond, steward of the Too Dangerous For A Girl comic review site, Supergirl fan, and overall great guy! I have talked comics with Mart for a long time and think he is a wellspring of comic knowledge. If you are looking for great comic reviews for a multitude of books, you should head there!

Mart sent me a gift recently, something missing from my collection. The Best of DC Comics, Vol 3, No. 17, better known as the Supergirl digest! I have been looking for this book for a long time so this is truly a wonderful present.

The digest sports a nifty George Perez cover, Linda Danvers in the background switching to Supergirl, flying towards the reader. She looks outright graceful there.

The supra-title is 'The Many Lives of Supergirl' and it shows how varied Supergirl's life was back then.

 The back cover is just as wonderful with a playful and casual Supergirl leaning on the panels showcasing the stories on the inside. And what I love about it is that it concentrates on the Linda side of Supergirl's life. There is action in all these stories. Instead we see the different points in Linda's life they occur. From orphan to revealed super-hero to college student to reporter to acting student to guidance counselor, Linda was trying to find her place. This is a Linda cover!

I have reviewed the last 4 stories in this digest here over the years. Perhaps most surprising is that I haven't covered the second story, Action Comics #285, in which Supergirl's existence is revealed. How have I not covered that issue here??

The back cover does a nice job writing about how Supergirl's life meandered over the years at this point.

It was 1981 so she was starring in Superman Family. This was two years away from another turn in her life, as grad student in Chicago.

It is a shame there were no footnotes or issue references in this blurb. This was well before the internet. I might have liked to know what issue she discovers her family, etc.

Since I haven't covered Action Comics #285 in depth, I had to include this panel.

This might have to become a t-shirt.

An absolutely huge thank you to Mart for sending this my way! I owe you one, my friend!

Back Issue Box Review: Supergirl #10

The new DCYou initiative is a widespread effort by the company to try to diversify their line of titles. Rather than painting the DCU with the one grim, dark brush, DC has decided to broaden their horizons. We have been told that we will laugh with some heroes. We will see deadly determination. We will look into the future.

One of the titles coming out in the new DCYou is Prez. And as I try to look back at Supergirl's history and make it relevant to current events. With that in mind I thought I would take a look at Supergirl #10 from 1974, a brief and weird team-up between Supergirl and Prez. This also marks the last issue of Supergirl's solo title from this era.

Now the Prez that is part of the new DC run is a young woman, elected to office via Twitter, and trying to make change in the world. It is written by Mark Russell, someone whose work I haven't read before. The art is by Ben Caldwell, who did the beautiful and dreamy Wonder Woman story in the Wednesday Comics strip a few years ago. And, to be honest, I don't think I'll be picking it up.

The first Prez was a short-lived 4 issue title in 1973. Written by Joe Simon and drawn by Jerry Grandenetti, the book looked at a teenager elected president. I haven't read any of these issues but in looking on line it looks like Prez brought some of the elan of the 70s with a flower power, liberal look at politics. Prez was a young man of the people, fighting the establishment from the White House.

"Death of a Prez" came out months after the cancellation of the Prez comic. Writer Cary Bates making Prez be president in this book I suppose establishes the teenager as President on Earth-1. I don't think this presidency was embraced by the entire run of titles back then. And there is definitely a lot of political messages here. This is a 10 page whirlwind of a story, with plot feints and unexplained turns. It is a bit insane.

Still, here we are, with Supergirl holding Prez off the top of a skyscraper, vowing to kill him, while planes buzz around her. This whole opening splash page has a wild 'King Kong' feel to it. I suppose that if Supergirl does drop Prez off the building, we can say 'twas Beauty that killed the Prez. (Sorry, I couldn't help quote the Kong movie.)

And I can say beauty because the art by penciller Art Saaf and inker Vince Colletta is beautiful. Saaf drew all these issues and brought a sort of pin-up girl curviness to Kara. She is the epitome of a bombshell here.

The issue starts with Linda Danvers, currently a student at Vandyre University, watching a Presidential speech with her fellow students. We are firmly entrenched in the 70s. I am totally digging those groovy vertically striped bell bottoms Linda is wearing!

Throughout the issue, we get to hear some of Prez' s political crusade. Here, speaking at a supermarket, he rails against the high price of food. The poor need to afford food and if prices keep spiraling upward, a hot dog will cost as much as a steak.

It is a good thing that Linda is watching because she spots something that makes her think Prez is in danger.

Flying to the rescue, Supergirl steps in front of an assassin who has a gun hidden up his sleeve.

We never learn just why this guy wants to kill the President. But her is taken away.

Supergirl tells Prez that he needs to be careful. People want to hurt him.

But Prez isn't too concerned. He decides to walk among the people, talking to Supergirl.

They are stopped by a young boy whose father has died in Vietnam. The boy hopes that Prez can fix his father's watch. Prez tinkers with the watch using only a dime as a tool and get the watch to work again.

This is a little side scene which isn't needed for the plot. It does let us meet a young boy left fatherless because of the war. That sentiment would fit in nicely with the leanings of Prez.

Apparently, Prez worked with clocks in his own series.

Prez promises Supergirl that he will try to be safer. He is heading back to the White House to battle air pollution!

Supergirl isn't going to take any chances. She will follow along to make sure Prez remains safe. Kara js bought into Prez's optimism. She says that 'love can steer this country back on track'. And Prez is the man to do it!

On the way back to the Oval Office, Prez sees an auction of rare antique clocks. Prez loves clocks and so makes the Presidential caravan pull over.

As Prez likes to fix clocks, he is fascinated by the one broken piece in the auction. He buys the clock.

Supergirl streaks in when she detects that the clock has a bomb in it. She again saves Prez's life.

Okay, this is a bit nutty. It is one thing for a nut to be in a crowd where the President is expected to speak.
It is another to plant a bomb in an old clock assuming the Presidential limo will drive by, stop, and the President will buy said clock.

Thanks goodness Kara is a guardian angel sort.

But then things get even weirder.

A man calling himself the "Master Killer" moves forward with his plan to kill Prez. He used the first two assassination attempts to lure Supergirl close to Prez. Now using a mix of science (a 'cranial cannon') and magic (an old crone named Hepzibah using a Supergirl voodoo doll), he places a thought in Supergirl's head to kill Prez. And it is a thought she cannot resist.

If I thought the clock attempt was crazy, this is even crazier. How did he know Supergirl would show up for either? Why does he need her close? How does the cranial cannon and simulacrum work?

I suppose I shouldn't be asking these questions.

After nearly dropping Prez off the skyscraper as seen in the opening splash, Supergirl does fly him over a river and dump his body, killing him.

But then we see that this was a ruse of her own.

She arrives at the Master Killer's headquarters and melts his cranial cannon. Then she mops up him and his cronies.

But what about Prez?

Well his righteousness was enough for her to shrug off the evil thought, even though it was magic based. "Right is mightier!"

We learn she flew Prez to the Fortress of Solitude, left him there, made a Prez mannequin to throw into the river.

Her solution seems as crazy as the plot. If she shrugged off the mind control and could track the beam, why go through the deception of flying Prez away and 'killing' the doll. Why not just put Prez down on the street and fly to the lab?

This is a crazy, kooky, wild ride of 10 pages. I don't know if much of it makes sense out of the general tone that Pres is trying to do what's right and help everyone. Heroes like Supergirl should be defending people like this.

Other than that, this is a pretty forgettable tale. It is kicked up a notch because of Saaf's luscious art.

For a Supergirl collection, this is of low importance. Outside of the rare Prez appearance and it being part of her short-lived solo book in the 70s, there isn't much here.

Overall grade: B (too bizarre to grade lower)

Review: Victory By Computers

Welcome to a special back issue box review of 'Victory by Computer', a giveaway comic by DC Comics and Radio Shack from way back in 1981. This story included the guest stars of Supergirl as well as the TRS-80 Computer Whiz Kids, Alec and Shanna. Alec and Shanna had already befriended Superman in 1980's 'The Computers That Saved Metropolis'. The truth is, Supergirl, Shanna, and Alec are the stars of the book. Superman is pretty ancillary to the story.

This was a time when computers were typically big and bulky. Home computers were just starting to appear and their utility was limited. Radio Shack, then a pioneer in computing, put out several comics discussing how much computers could help people in their everyday lives. Of course, the books also trumpeted Radio Shack's products as well. It is remarkable to see how prescient this 33 year old book was at predicting the future.

We were dealing with a little IT kerfuffle at work this week and that made me remember this book. So I thought I would share.

"Victory by Computer" has a pretty famous creative team for a Radio Shack promo book. Cary Bates, Curt Swan, and Vince Colletta are pretty legendary names in DC lore. So I am pretty impressed with creator box on this issue.

And I have to say that Supergirl looks positively smashing in this book. I'm not a huge fan of Curt Swan's take on Kara. But she looks great in this issue, starting out with this opening splash. I think Colletta's inks here bring a sort of Oksner-esque softness to her.

More importantly, my opinion of the hot pants Supergirl costume has really improved over the course of the last few years. Who would think that an old Supergirl fan like me could have some sort of renaissance of thought about older versions.

My guess is when I started this blog that I would have listed the hot pants costume near the bottom of my rankings of Supergirl's looks. (The red skirt look is my absolute favorite.) It may be a need for nostalgia or just a change in my taste but I would now rank the hot pants look as my second favorite look.

The issue opens with the super-cousins flying into a classroom in an unnamed Metropolis elementary school. In a little exposition, we hear that Superman had visited this same classroom in the past. That time he had 'large boxes' with 'big equipment' ... the actual TRS-80 home computers with the bulky tube monitor, etc. That happened in the prior giveaway issue.

Instead, this time, there isn't the need for the big computers ... at least not yet. This time the super-cousins have the TRS-80 pocket computer!! Slim, trim, and able to be easily slipped into hidden cape pockets, this computer has all the power of "the old room-sized computers of the late 1940's!"

And look at what it can do!

Remember words, analyze information, make comparisons. And you can write your own programs in Basic! It's the easiest language to learn!

Unfortunately, before we can see them write

10 print "Anj is awesome!"
20 go to 10

Superman is called away to an emergency. An imprisoned Luthor is making boasts in his cell saying today, Superman will free Luthor from prison. Cue wicked laugh!

Now it is fascinating to read this comic in today's world of smartphones, the internet, and the power of computing. The technology here is clunky.

But I have to say it predicts the future pretty well. My guess is in 1981 all this sounded like Oz. But here Supergirl talks how 'soon' computers will have an informational retrieval system where people will be able to do banking, go shopping, make appointments, etc. That is all right on.

The kids use what seems to be a fetal version of the internet called 'Videotex' to do a sort of trial run of some of the things that are possible. The kids just need a land line phone, a modem interface, and TSR-80 'Videotex' terminal, and a monitor.

Land lines? Modems?

But this old school internet works.

Having heard that Superman is going to confront Luthor, Supergirl challenges Alec and Shanna to a race. She will use her superpowers, they will use the TRS-80, and they will see who can gather information about Superman's battles with Luthor faster.

Supergirl speeds off to the WGBS file room to research the old fashioned way, looking things up, finding files, and reading. (Nice use of multiple images in the panel to convey her work.)

In the meantime Alec and Shanna type in a password to enter Videotex, type in a few key search words, and get a nice list of electronic documents that are pertinent.

AMAZING!!

I also love ... LOVE ... that Bates has Supergirl tell the teacher that she is comfortable in front of kids because her day job is in a classroom, a reference to Linda's time as a counselor at the New Athens Experimental School.

While the kids head off to the Metropolis Museum of Science and Industry, Supergirl decides to patrol Metropolis. She promised Superman she would watch the place while he was dealing with Luthor.

She notices in the mountains off the outskirts of Metropolis a secluded building which is emitting a microwave beam which could interfere with planes nearby. As Supergirl flies to investigate, the 'solar panels' on the roof flip to become red sun radiation emitters. Suddenly powerless, Supergirl falls into the open roof area of the building. It is all a trap.

Of course this isn't just a Superman and Supergirl adventure. This is a promotional book about computers. So we get a couple of pages dedicated to the history of computers, from the vacuum tube to microprocessors to silicon chips.

Supergirl wakes up imprisoned in what looks to be a hotel room in a club/casino. The doors are adorned with pictures of dice and the double letters PP. Without her powers (she assumes the red sun radiation permeates the building), Kara is left to her own devices.

Using a paper clip, she picks the lock of the room she is trapped in. Who knew she had such mad skills!

And, luckily, the room next door is equipped with a TRS-80, land line phone and modem! What luck!! The highest of technology!

Realizing she must be in the 'Purple Palace' (the PP on the doors), Supergirl decides to use the computer to get some help.

Calling Alec and Shanna (they are back at school), Supergirl works with them to scan Videotex to find out the address and send Supergirl a bunch of important information.

And don't worry, passwords are needed and not visible on the TRS-80.

Superman finally returns to the classroom to hear what has happened. Alec and Shanna are able to give him the address of the Palace and so he flies off to rescue Supergirl.

Hold on! Won't he also be effected by the red sun emitter??

Well, he would have been if he had to get really close to the Palace. But Supergirl used her computer search to read about a recent police sting on the Palace. And in that article, she read about a secret passage away from the Palace. She has escaped and is now far enough away that the Red Sun radiation isn't effecting either cousin.

Luthor had convinced the mobsters running the Palace to capture Supergirl to use as ransom, forcing Superman to free Lex. With Supergirl now free, the super-cousins capture the mobsters and leave Lex tucked in his cell.

But seriously, if you have a huge casino complex, why would you lock Supergirl in the room that has a hidden escape tunnel? Why not put her in ... I don't know ... any other room??

Of course none of this would have been possible without the slick computer work by Alec and Shanna and their savvy use of all the technological might of the TRS-80! What a team!!!

This is far more interesting to me as a look into the past than as a Supergirl or Superman story. It is fascinating to see just what computing was like back then. And I was astounded to see just how forward thinking Radio Shack was about the power of personal computing.

Still, it is also a fun little Supergirl story. Seeing her pick a lock, talk about her career as a teacher, and using her brains to get out of a jam makes me happy. Superman has little to do with this story. And he doesn't rescue Kara. She rescues herself.

I find oddities like this round out collections. I am happy to have it in my Supergirl stuff. Overall, it is of low historical importance to the character.

Hope you liked this look back.

Back Issue Review: Supergirl #1 - Supergirl Heads To Vandyre University

 

In anticipation of Supergirl joining the Crucible Academy in November, I  have been making my way through the back issues looking at the times Supergirl entered a new school.

In the 1960s it was Stanhope College.

In the 1980s it was Lake Shore University.

In the 1970s it was Vandyre University. And that new school was introduced here in Supergirl (vol 1) #1, from 1972.

This was Supergirl's first self-titled solo book after almost 4 years of ruling the roost over at Adventure Comics. Interestingly enough, it was released one month after Adventure Comics #424, her last story there. I wonder what spurred the movement to her own title. Did they think Supergirl deserved it after such a long run? Was the plan to turn Adventure back into an anthology book so she needed to move?

Regardless of the reason, this was something of a mini-reboot for Supergirl. She had just quit her job as a reporter/cameraperson for a San Francisco television news crew. It was time for a new start. Despite having graduated from college, it seems that it was time for some more schooling.

And, as this was a new direction, Supergirl got a new creative team. Cary Bates wrote this issue and the bulk of this whole 10 issue run, with a few Arnold Drake and Bob Kanigher stories thrown into the mix. But, the real star of this series is artist Art Saaf who drew the most bodacious, curviest, most va-va-voom Supergirl to date. She really is stunning under his pencil.

There is no better panel to illustrate Saaf's approach to the character than this opening splash page. Kara is radiant as she soars above the Golden Gate Bridge.

But there is something very much cheesecake in this pose, a semi-brokeback view of both her pulchritude and her posterior, a teeny tiny waist. And I am still trying to figure out what is happening with her legs. Still, Saaf is a master of the bombshell Supergirl.

Her life as news reporter is over. So Supergirl is able "to pursue my real ambition ... at last".

Her "real ambition"? As a long time fan, I don't recall Linda pining to be doing something else.

Her real pursuit turns out the be acting? Acting??

And despite her time and degree at Stanhope, Linda hopes to learn her chops at Vandyre University, a school with a Drama major.

Suddenly Supergirl realizes that she needs to move in today! I don't know about Vandyre U. Writing a letter on September 13, sending it out via postal mail, to tell them they need to be in by September 15! Sounds dicey.

Of course, having superpowers makes moving a breeze. In moments, Supergirl has packed up all her stuff and moved it into the school's Delta Zan house (maybe a sorority).

Bates does a good job of setting up a supporting cast. Here we meet Aunt Rosie, the house mother. She seems like a kindly and motherly figure.

And Linda sees the stuff from her roommate Wanda Five, who Rosie call strange ... but nice.

Later, Linda heads to the drama class and is nearly run over by a woman running from the auditorium.

And then we get the first mystery of the book. Linda walks into the class, run by Basil Rasloff, a famous leading man from times past. I have to assume Basil Rasloff is a take off on Boris Karloff.

The scene involves a student 'dying' on stage. But it turns out the student has actually died!!

With no other lead, Supergirl decides to track down the girl who ran from the auditorium. She heads to the dean's office and superspeeds her way through the student files and discovers the person who ran from the scene is none other than Wanda Five!

There is a brief side plot where it turns out the student was being blackmailed. But the blackmailer is not the killer.

Later, Supergirl is drawn mentally to head to a graveyard where she meets Wanda.

It turns out that Wanda has some form of ESP. She was able to mentally concentrate on Supergirl and bring her to the cemetery. Wanda's ESP had kicked in right before the student died. She had rushed there to try to save him.

While talking, Wanda gets another surge of negative energy. Someone else is going to die.

In the goofiest scene, Supergirl streaks with Wanda to the scene. Another drama student is tied to a log heading into a buzzsaw at a lumber mill, like something out of a 1930's serial. Supergirl scoops up the log and makes two shocking discoveries. One, the giant buzzsaw is a plastic prop ... it isn't real. And two, the student is already dead.

Heading to the police station, Supergirl, Wanda, and the police review the crimes.

The first student, a drama major, was killed by poisoned face cream.

The second student, also a drama major, was killed by fear. He had an underlying cardiac condition and the fright of being on a log heading to a buzz saw killed him.

Hmmm ... two drama students killed in odd ways. What could the connection be?? Come on Supergirl, you're better than this.

Well, the connection is discovered. Both were planning a starring role in an upcoming project. And both plays are one which Basil Rathloff starred in.

And, incredibly, the school is planning a third big production of another play Rathloff was famous for. It is clear that Rathloff is killing off young actors doing his plays.

As if on cue, Wanda gets negative thought waves again. Someone is about to be killed. Supergirl begs Wanda for some clues to where it is happening. Luckily, she gets the clues of a crane on the construction site of the new math building.

At last we hear Basil's reasoning. He curses method acting, long hair, and mumbling voices. Hmmm ... I guess Rathloff would really really hate Marlon Brando!

You can tell that Rathloff has a flair for the dramatic in his murders.

The first student died from poison makeup. The second died from fright after being put in a classic hollywood death trap. And here, he is going to drop the last student from a crane onto a bed of nails! Did he make that bed of spikes? Because I can't imagine a reason for something like that to be anywhere like a construction site.

Luckily Supergirl shows up in time to save him and then take out Basil.

Overall, Basil is no threat to Supergirl in any way. This was really more of a mystery tale.

The book ends back in the Delta Zan house where in the last panels we meet the other housemates Sheila Wong and Terry Blake. That is a pretty diverse household for a comic from 1972. Love that about this book.

I love the last panel of Linda, her finger to her face in a classic Supergirl quirk when she is deep in thought. That is a truly lovely Linda.

And Wanda Five... who is she really?

Unfortunately, the Vandyre setting and these characters are never really the focus of this brief series which is more of a one-and-done random adventures.

This issue also had a page of Supergirl fan-designed costumes. Look at those bellbottoms in the lower right.

But more importantly, is the Paul C Ryan design from now famous veteran comic artist Paul Ryan??? The world wants to know!

For me, the big draw to this issue is the art by Saaf which really pops. I mean, a deranged actor isn't exactly Mongul. But it is fun to see Supergirl slightly de-aged again, set up in school, and learning to be an actress. I always kind of felt that her being a reporter in San Francisco was a little too close to Superman. I want Kara to be part of the family but not a clone of him.

This is a book of major importance for a Supergirl collection as it is her first true solo book. While this book lasted only 10 issues, it stands out for the Supergirl collector as her first time as a headliner.

Overall grade: B/B+