DC Superhero Girls: #WhySoBlue

I recently have rediscovered the DC Superhero Girls animated shorts on Boomerang and I have been enjoying them immensely. This is a complete Elseworlds with a brash, opinionated, 'punch first, think second' Supergirl but that works in this universe where characters are mainly defined by one attribute. Supergirl is the 'punk' in the group, right down to being cast as the Judd Nelson character in an episode inspired by The Breakfast Club movie, something I will cover soon, I promise.

What I like about the show is that while one aspect of the character dominates, there is room for growth and some subtlety. Kara loves cute bunnies. She is a bit of a geek, getting into role playing games and video games.

In #WhySoBlue, we see Kara learn a lesson about patience and giving people second chances. She has to keep Ted Kord, who has decided to be the super-hero Blue Beetle, from killing himself. But she isn't sure he is cut out for it. 

I would also love to meet the creators or writers of the show to see if they are big comic fans. I see things that could be homages to comic books but I don't know if I am overthinking. On to the show!

DC Superhero Girls: Double Danvers

I have been enjoying myself recently in discovering and, in some cases, re-discovering, the second season of DC Superhero Girls. I can't explain why covering the show dropped off here. But I plan to rectify.

As I have said with each episode I have reviewed, the Supergirl here isn't your standard version of Kara. She is brash. She is hot headed. She is impetuous ... okay maybe that is classic Kara. But this version seems more like Power Girl than Supergirl. In any case, she has her heart in the right place, is definitely a hero, is the tank of the team, and is a laugh riot. 

Today I'll look at an episode called #DoubleDanvers, a pure Supergirl episode with a dash of Bizarro Supergirl. In it, Kara tries to skirt some responsibility by sending Bizarro in her place. You can anticipate the madcap hijinks that ensue. 

I love the concept of Bizarro Supergirl, mostly from incredible BizarroGirl arc from Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle. In this show, she is more misunderstood and mostly harmless and that is true here.

But this is a DC Superhero Girls episode. There is a lesson here. You have to be true to your family and honor your promises. 

On to the show.

DC Superhero Girls: #TheAquamanCometh

It has been a long time since I have reviewed DC Superhero Girls here on the site. And I have been remiss in not mining this show for the joy it brings.

I sought the show out and have been accumulating episodes on the DVR with plenty of fun stuff that made me smile. I don't know if I will review every episode but certainly there will be some that rise to top and need some coverage here. There is a little nugget of possible Supergirl history in this episode that made me laugh. (I may be reading to deep into it though.)

And I will again point out that this is a kid's show with mostly one-dimensional looks at these DC characters. This brash, mischievous, rule-flouting Supergirl is a hoot. I don't know if I would want this to be exactly how I would want her in the continuity-based comics. But for this medium and this show, he is a laugh riot.

The episode I am covering is called #TheAquamanCometh.

One thing that has been fun to see grow over the seasons has been Kara's friendship with Garth. On this show, Garth is a late bloomer and no powerhouse. But he has become Kara's gaming buddy and I have seen episodes where she is very protective of him. This Supergirl makes fun of geeks but she is in fact one herself. That is a fun little side story on the show.

Here Garth is upset because he has been writing to Aquaman about his school life and has been fibbing. He has said he was everything from the Homecoming King to the star quarterback to the school paper's editor to ... well you get the idea. Impressed by Garth, Aquaman is coming to visit.

So Garth turns to his friend Kara, surprising her and making her drop her 'mystery meat' cafeteria sandwich.

DC Superhero Girls #PowerSurge

Last week, DC Superhero Girls showed an episode called #PowerSurge which is truly a love letter for fans of Supergirl and Power Girl. As I have said before, this show really leans into the history of these characters but also adds a ton of Looney Tunes fun and even a lesson or two.

I have been pretty thrilled with the Supergirl character as well. This Kara has a bit of a chip on her shoulder, stuck in the shadow of Superman. That results in her having a short fuse and a quick punch. As a result,the average citizen seems to have tagged Supergirl as a troublemaker.

While she acts as if it doesn't affect her, we have seen in episodes that she does take it to heart.

We start this episode at a Metropolis power plant where Supergirl and Livewire brawl. No punches are pulled here. Supergirl swings a girder like a baseball bat. Livewire blasts away. As a result the plant is pretty much demolished.

But before the entire thing falls, Livewire soaks up all the juice and unleashes a Kamehameha that seems to incinerate our Girl of Steel.

Supergirl Best Of 2019: Non-Comic Stuff

Hi all!

Hard to believe but I am about to embark on my 11th end of year analysis of all things Supergirl at this site! I have been doing this for some time! As always I can't thank the audience that comes here enough! Without the interaction on the site, this would be a dull business. I have made so many friends here. Thanks again!

In a bit of housekeeping, I'll just say that 2019 has been a bit tumultuous for me personally n case folks didn't notice the blip in social media presence in October and November. But things are looking up. I am in a better place mentally as I transition to a single life. So thanks for sticking with me and for all the well wishes that came my way as I hinted at the upheaval on Twitter and here.

Anyways, we are here to look back at the year for Supergirl and as usual I will start with a look back at the non-comic happenings for our favorite Girl of Steel. Tomorrow I'll give my Honorable Mentions for the 2019 best comic moments. And then on New Year's day I'll post my Top Ten 2019 best comic moments.

Overall, 2019 was another good year for Supergirl and from a non-comic viewpoint, it starts with the show.

In the beginning of 2019, we saw the end of the fourth season of the show. While the season started a bit shakily, it really stuck the landing. By bringing in an incredible Lex Luthor, somehow played to full intensity by Jon Cryer, the whole season ended with a whirlwind of activity and energy.

The slogging plotlines of Agent Liberty and Red Daughter all rolled into each other in great ways. We had wonderful flashback episodes looking into tying the events of the season together coherently. And, of course, the exclamation point was Lena shooting Lex in the chest who then revealed Kara's secret identity.

I mean it, the beginning part of the season four seemed like it was walking through molasses. But the last 5 episode just exploded. So nothing to complain about there.

DC Superhero Girls: The Good, The Bad, & The Bizarre

Life has been a bit busy for me these last few months so some Supergirl stuff has slid by without commentary. One of those has been the Lauren Faust led DC Superhero Girls show. There have been some great episodes with some quality Kara moments that I hope to eventually cover.

We’ll start with the most recent episode “#TheGoodTheBadAndTheBizarre’. Of course, for comic fans the title hints strongly at who the villain of the piece will be.

One thing that I have liked about this version of Supergirl has been her sort of irascible personality, ready with a snarky remark and a left hook at all times. She’s fun and way less saccharine than the last DCSHG Supergirl we had.

I don’t even mind her sort of familial rivalry and semi-distaste for Superman in this universe. Here Clark is played up as being perfect and (perhaps appropriately) narcissistic.

This episode plays up both of those aspects of her character.

But we start on a good note.

After months of feeling overlooked and being overlooked, Supergirl is now the darling of Metropolis, considered a hero worthy of bus tours and endorsements. And after feeling bad about herself or ignored for so long, Kara wallows in it a bit.

So you know it wasn’t going to last.

DC Superhero Girls: #CrushingIt

The Lauren Faust led DC Superhero Girls has been a huge hit for me, a sort of step up from the semi-bland prior incarnation. A mix of Looney Tune mayhem with some more subtle messaging has made this an unexpected 'must see' for me.

Last week, Cartoon Network showed a new episode every day at noon. Now while I am thrilled that so much new content came out and on a regular basis, noon is hardly prime time. And I don't know how well the time slot was trumpeted. I hope this wasn't Cartoon Network dumping all the material out at once as a harbinger of cancellation.

Welcome to the half full/half empty life I lead.

Anyways, all the episodes were fantastic. There is a Krypto/Ace the Bat Hound one that is fantastic. There is a Babs/Harleen going to a Batman convention that includes the most annoying Robin you will ever meet. That one also has a 'some days you can't get rid of a bomb' joke!

But for me the best one was #CrushingIt.

In that episode, the normally unflappable Diana is rendered into a giggling, ineffective, and inattentive mess because of a crush she has on Steve Trevor, the first boy she met when she landed in America.

Whether it is volleyball, science experiments, debates, or the class play, Diana can't get her stuff together around Steve.

Perhaps best of all, Steve is played as an average guy. This isn't the strong, fearless leader of the comics. He's just Steve.

All of that, especially Diana's clumsy blushing ineptitude, was enough to make this a winner. But there is a joke run through the episode that made this even better.

DC Superhero Girls #LostAndFound

Lauren Faust's new take on DC Superhero Girls remains a fun Looney Tunes romp through the DC Universe. One thing I have liked is seeing some tiny personality quirks begin to stick to these characters. While each of the main girls fits a certain personality trait akin to the My Little Pony gang, we are starting to see some other secondary characteristics stick. I love it.

I also think this is something of a throwback cartoon with wacky violence and even gentle teasing injected into the shorts. I suppose it is only a matter of time before someone complains. Until then, I am soaking it in.

The latest short, #LostAndFound, is now available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNPhAlttRSM&feature=youtu.be

Diana has lost her magic lasso, the Lasso of Truth, and knows that mischief is about to explode.

DC Superhero Girls #SheMightBeGiant

I am a bit late but a couple of weeks ago, DC Superhero Girls released #SheMightBeGiant, a short on the Cartoon Network 'introducing' the character of Giganta to the universe.

The overall plot is a similar one with Bumblebee having to overcome some concerns for inferiority to save the day.  It includes one of the classic DC Superhero Girls homages which has made this show delightful. Best of all, it involves Supergirl. And that riff is what prompted this post.

We meet Doris Zuel, a jock and bully in Metropolis High School. Zuel always picks on Karen (Bumblebee) to the point that our hero avoids her in the hallway. In an effort to increase her strength, Zuel pumps herself full of some Bane-like steroid that her father has created.

 Heading to the mall to get some free weights to bulk up more, Doris runs into an sales man who has old fashioned ideas about women and exercise. He points Doris to the yoga mats and the 3lb. mini barbells.

This infuriates Zuel and with the formula in her veins, she flies into a rage. The results are rather Hulk-like. And if you don't believe me keep reading.

DC Superhero Girls #FightAtTheMuseum

I have been pleasantly pleased with the new DC Superhero Girls under the direction of Lauren Faust. As I have said before, this is a wonderful mix of empowering messages, superheroics, and looney tunes action. As someone who lived through the reinvigoration of the My Little Pony franchise under Faust's direction, I feel this show has that same elan. It just checks off all the boxes. I can only hope that it catches fire the way MLP did.

On top of the story, I have also applauded the visual direction of the show with wonderful perspective shots and direction that just elevates it. There is this wonderful energy to the show, a concoction of mature cinematography telling a superhero story.

And I really have been tickled pink by the Supergirl on the show. This Kara is brash, a bit of a hothead, punching first and asking questions later. She is the rebel, the iconoclast throwing shade on Superman. While I am routinely against this persona in the DC continuity, in a side project team show like this, where everyone has a personality trait to demonstrate, I don't mind it. Welcome to the complex personality of this Supergirl fan. Nicole Sullivan does such wonderful voice work, bringing a little conceit, a little snark to the proceedings. And Supergirl has really been showcased. If I recall, Faust said Supergirl was her favorite when she was making Super Best Friends Forever. And this Kara is basically that Kara.

One thing I do know I like about Supergirl as a character is that she is a young hero, on the journey, and learning.

The title of  this episode is #FightAtTheMuseum, I suppose a riff on the Night At The Museum movies. Supergirl has to learn the lesson that might doesn't always make right. She also learns that she can't just punch every problem away. Get ready!

DC Superhero Girls #WasabiWar

After what seemed to be a slow start out of the gate, the new DC Superhero Girls has been putting out great new material, both 'full' episodes on the Cartoon Network (introducing Livewire and Giganta) and the YouTube shorts.

The latest short on YouTube, titled #WasabiWar is available and features the interesting pair of Zatanna and Supergirl. Here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyBBVG_aBEY&feature=youtu.be

Remember, Zatanna here is the 'Rarity', enjoying the finer things in life and following societal rules of decorum. Supergirl is the 'Rainbow Dash', a bit rough and tumble, a bit of the rebel. So you know insanity will ensue.

Zatanna has somehow obtained a reservation at one of the fancier and more exclusive sushi restaurants in Metropolis. She invites Supergirl.

And while Zatanna is a bit demure and subdued as she revels in being there, Kara is more in a pub mode, using the chopsticks like drum sticks and generally being a bit rowdy.

DC Superhero Girls #SuperWho

I have been pretty thrilled with the new DC Superhero Girls and the approach to the characters and stories. As I have said, there is as much Looney Tunes humor in these shows as there is life lessons and values. I don't mind either.

And I have been overall pretty happy with this take on Supergirl. She is the tough one, the 'bad girl', the iconoclast of the group. She is the act first, think later member of the team. And in a group show where each of the friends needs to embody a character trait, it makes more sense for Kara to fit that bill.

It also helps that we have seen that the rough exterior probably hides a softer inside waiting to be nurtured, waiting for her to be confident enough in herself to let herself be vulnerable.

One thing that I didn't think I'd be too keen on is her relationship with Superman.

I'm a big fan of the super-family being family. I don't want Superman to dominate Kara. I don't want him to be the stern father figure. But I do like him being an inspiration for Supergirl, someone she can turn to for advice.

In a recent episode, #SuperWho, we see that it is something adversarial. Supergirl is upset that Superman arrived here first and has become this hero. She doesn't like being in his shadow.

And here Superman seems aloof and something of a narcissist. I always worry about how Superman is being portrayed, especially to people who might not be exposed to him anywhere else.

So yes, #SuperWho is a hilarious episode showing an exasperated Kara trying to find her way in the world. It has a deep cut DC villain. But I wish Superman was shown in a brighter light.

DC Superhero Girls #Beeline

I know that I am beginning to sound like a broken record (a dated reference if there ever was one) but this new take on DC Superhero Girls is a ton of fun and I love it.

As I have said since its debut, the show is a great mix of action and humor. There are deep cuts to the DCU. There is a dollop of adult humor and references, the sort of things to keep the grown-ups happy. And there are messages of pride, empowerment, and inclusion ... but the stories drive the messages, not the other way around.

All the kudos to Lauren Faust for this injection of adrenaline into this franchise.

Take, for example, the latest long form episode airing on the Cartoon Network, #Beeline.

This is a story of Bumblebee learning to be strong, be proactive, and embrace being a hero, someone who puts the well being of others over herself. But we have to get there.

We also get a version of the Legion of Doom and end with a classic superhero trope, the villains and heroes running towards each other.

But the episode opens with a dramatic shot of the heroes running towards the camera, racing to get somewhere 'before its too late!'

What is the threat?

DC Superhero Girls #HardRock

While long episodes on Cartoon Network remain surprisingly sparse, the DC Superhero Girls minisodes on YouTube continue to flourish and remain a brief 3 minute respite from the doldrums of every day life. (Although a recent full episode on CN did have a 'Legion of Doom' style nemesis group! Sure to cover at some point!)

The latest minisode, called #HardRock is now up here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTCt-BFT520&feature=youtu.be

It is clear that each of the main characters has a dominant personality trait that drives their characterization. This episode again focuses on how Diana is a stranger in a strange land, getting used to metaphors, idioms, and what consists of normal behavior here in the States.

That sort of trope can be endlessly mined for humor. And here it is no difference.

Supergirl's personality is to be rebellious. Here we again see that she is a hard rocker. And so bringing Diana into a punk concert is a recipe for hilarious disaster.

So get ready for a wild ride as we venture into the Lazarus Pit, a hard rock cafe.

(And how great is it that the club is called the Lazarus Pit, a nice Easter Egg for folks who get it.)

DC Superhero Girls #PrizeFighter

I continue to be impressed with the Lauren Faust version of the DC Superhero Girls. While there haven't been many 'main' episodes on the Cartoon Network, the YouTube shorts are released with some regularity.

The latest, 'PrizeFighter', aired last week and was another fun look at the Supergirl character. This Kara is competitive and certainly a bit on edge but in a fun way. Here is a link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RaZ4t5fdio

One thing I love about this is that it feels a little more real than the prior DCSHG. The Shea Fontana shows were definitely great and I loved them. But it felt more like kids when they are at their aunt's house ... best behavior and careful. This new take is sort of a 'no holds barred' romp. The messages are still there, a bit more nuanced and always hilarious.

We also got a significant cameo in this episode. And as brief as it was it spoke volumes.

On to the show!

DCSuperhero Girls #SilverScream

Just last week, I finally got around to reviewing DC Superhero Girls #MeetTheCheetah.

One of the things that tickled me about that short was that Supergirl was firing off bad puns left and right. As people most likely know, I love puns. And obviously, I love Supergirl. So that seemed like a match made in heaven.

So just when I didn't think I could like or relate more with this new Supergirl, I saw the DC Superhero Girls #SilverScream short over on YouTube. Here is a link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOHRwZ1Z6aI

In it we see learn that Supergirl is also a movie fanatic and also like the horror genre of movies. And when she is at the theater, she like to immerse herself in the experience. People distracting her from the movie are going to irritate her.

It is as if Lauren Faust is trying to create the most Anj-est Kara there is.

#SilverScream starts off with the marquee shot.

Summer of Danger VIII is showing.

There is even the secondary title 'He remembers what you don't remember' - perhaps some riff on 'I know what you did last summer'?

But it is what happens inside the cinema that is hilarious.

DC Superhero Girls #MeetTheCheetah

DC Superhero Girls #MeetTheCheetah aired a while ago. Sorry it has taken me so long to have it bubble to the top of the pile.

I have been pretty impressed with the show so far. It has had a great mix of action and humor. Each of the characters have a pretty unique outlook and personality. And, under it all, are the social lessons which seem to be de rigueur for cartoons these days. Unlike the old version where those lessons seemed primary, here they seem to be more nuanced. That makes me happy. Cartoons should be fun and educational ... not necessarily preachy.

We finally get a supervillain in the mix and it is classic Wonder Woman nemesis Cheetah. I like how the identity of the Cheetah is a little bit of a mystery here. I am curious if people who have never been exposed to the character anticipated the expected reveal at the end. And we also see the first time that Supergirl needs to be eliminated as a story element because of her power level.

But for me, the best thing about this show so far is that it truly is an all ages affair. Prior episodes have included Spinal Tap riffs and Watership Down references. Here we get pretty much a straight up homage to the Alien movies. And that makes me thrilled.

So far so good for this series! Loving it.

DC Superhero Girls #KaraCare

The new DC Superhero Girls series has really hit the ground running. Mixing in 'full' episodes over on Cartoon Network and shorts over on YouTube, Lauren Faust and crew have been giving us all the material we need to learn about the new takes on the characters and their environment.

A recent YouTube short is now available titled #KaraCare. Here is a link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBF2tO_aE7A&feature=youtu.be

Now I will admit, this is an interesting take on Supergirl. She is brash. She is rough around the edges. Here she is downright duplicitous as she takes advantage of a friend's kindness. This isn't the kind, dorky, awkward Shea Fontana Supergirl. But she is very likeable as a sort of 'bad girl' for this group, albeit one with a soft interior that occasionally gets shown.

I have been loving this series from the beginning and already know I need to cover the Cheetah main episode. So there will be more coverage soon!

On to this episode.

DC Superhero Girls: Adventures In Bunnysitting

The first stand alone episode of the new Lauren Faust led DC Superhero Girls aired last week and it was a complete hoot as well as a good look at the personalities of Zatanna and Supergirl. You just knew I was going to love it.

#AdventuresInBunnysitting is a sort of 'Trouble With Tribbles' take on magical rabbits. And while the silliness that ensues from the premise of magical fertile bunnies is brilliant, it is the character stuff that really hooked me.

One thing we knew was this Supergirl was a rebel with a gruff exterior, the 'punch first' muscle of the team, with a chip on her shoulder about Superman. It didn't initially sound like a take I would like. But after the shorts and the hour long premiere, I was sold. This is a magnified take on some aspects of Kara's classic character, attuned for these Looney Tunes shorts. And this episode also showed that there is a different Supergirl simmering under the hard exterior.

Add to that the usual flourishes tossed in for adults and you have a big big win. Please seek this episode out, especially if you are a Supergirl or a Zatanna fan.

On to the show.

DC Superhero Girls Premiere

As a fan of Lauren Faust's My Little Ponies:Friendship is Magic as well as her take on the Super Best Friends Forever, I have been awaiting the rebranding and re-imagination of the DC Superhero Girls eagerly. Through shorts and interviews, I got the sense this was MLP on steroids, a sort of Looney Tune romp through the DCU while still giving the overall empowering message that the earlier DCSHG was built on.

Last week, the premiere of the show, titled #SweetJustice hit the airwaves and I was delighted.These are sort of side-eyed versions of our superheroes and they do semi-neatly fall into a My Little Pony algorithm. Wonder Woman is Twilight Sparkle, the leader of the group. She holds the team together and wants to train them. Batgirl is the Pinkie Pie here, bringing oodles of energy and sometimes lacking a focus. Babs sometimes gets in her own way but she is utterly sweet. Zatanna is the Rarity here, a stage presence with style. She is reluctant to get into heroing but brings pinache. Bumblebee is the Fluttershy, timid to a fault with power that reflects her lack of confidence. Supergirl is clearly the Rainbow Dash, an act first, rough and tumble with a heart of gold, counterculture tomboy. Which, I guess, makes the vegan and pacifist Green Lantern the Applejack. (Okay that last one is a hard fit.)

Of course, this is an origin story so we hear how the girls meet and become a team. There is a fight between them, a classic comic trope. We get a good look at all their personalities. And we get a glimpse at a possible hero. And there is a ton of fun and laughs. There might even be a few references for old-timers like me hidden in there.

This being a Supergirl blog, I'll say I was delighted with her characterization. I often describe Supergirl as fierce in her pursuit of justice. This Kara is that times 10. And her desire to be outside the mainstream, probably because of the known difficulty with her relationship with Kal, puts this outside of the norm for the character. But her actions speak loud. I think I am going to love this Supergirl. And I think I will be laughing with her too.

On to the synopsis/review.