Review: Supergirl Survive #1

The Summer of Supergirl started out with a bang this week with both Supergirl:The World and the Elseworlds Supergirl Survive #1 hitting the stands. With the movie around the corner, I am pretty thrilled to see DC pushing the character forward.

Supergirl has only headlined a couple of the old prestige Elseworlds in the past - Wings and Elseworld's Finest - so when Survive was announced, I was intrigued. I know really nothing of the writing partners Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan. I am familiar with Rod Reis.

One of the wrinkles added to the Supergirl origin when Jeph Loeb brought her back was the idea that she is older than Kal. That an errant path and suspended animation has her land long after Superman had grown up. Elseworlds are about mixing things up so why not have a story where Kara and Kal aren't separated and she truly has to raise him. That is a decent hook.

Parker and Sheridan definitely give this kick-off issue a political angle. Here, Krypton doesn't explode. It is destroyed in a world war brought on by a splintered culture, evident even in the relationship between Jor and Zor. 

But this is a Supergirl story. In this issue we get a sense of who this Kara is, a little shy, a little smart, completely loving. It will be interesting to see where this story leads here.

Rod Reis really has a soft touch here. He brings an almost Phil Noto feel to the art, a high compliment from me. I like his Kara a lot.

On to the book.

Back Issue Magazine: Elseworlds Finest & Barbara Kesel

I am a big fan of TwoMorrows Back Issue magazine, basically subscribing to it out of my LCS. As a amateur comic historian, I love these looks back at themes, comics, and creators from my history.

The latest issue covers all the alternative realities that comics have given us in the Bronze Age, from Marvels What If? to DC's Elseworlds and a ton of other imaginary tales. I love the concept of Elseworlds and What If? so this issue was in my sweet spot. Definitely worth getting and reading.

As always, whenever I stumble across a Supergirl specific nugget, I try to share. As Supergirl has had roles to play in some of the storylines which fit this issue's theme, I wasn't shocked to see her mentioned.

Specifically, the Elseworld's Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl comic got some significant coverage within the Elseworlds article.

Can I say that this issue has been one of the books I have wanted to do a dedicated review of since I started the blog. And yet, somehow, I have never been able to get to it. Part of it is how long it is. It would be hard to cover in one post. And yet, I think it would be cheating a little to cover it in two posts. That said, I recently split each issue of Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds into 2 posts given the dense nature of those stories over on The Legion of Super-Bloggers site. So maybe I shouldn't be overthinking it.

Regardless of my review, I love the issue and if you don't have it, you should seek it out.

And perhaps this TwoMorrow coverage will spur me on a little.

Review: CW Elseworlds Crossover Part 3

I conclude my in depth review of the CW three part Elseworlds crossover today, looking deep into this last episode which seems filled with hints of the future as well as some more incredible comic book homages.

To start off, I have to say that this was, by far, my favorite of the crossovers. I liked Invasion. I loved Crisis on Earth X. But Elseworlds seemed like a love letter to comic book fans who watch the show. There is no reason to put in some of the sequences or shots in this story except to make the seasoned comic reader nod their head in happiness. During these shows if something happens that is very comic related, I usually pause to fill in my kids. This time, I hit the pause button so many times they asked me to reassess what I thought was important enough to tell them.

I will also add that Crisis On Infinite Earths is the foundation of this crossover. I have already mentioned the red skies, the Monitor, the upcoming threat the Monitor is trying to prepare for, and the E-90 Flash appearances. But this episode really mines that material. And I was shocked to see how much that original material is ingrained in me. When we got into destinies and anticipated deaths in this episode, I got goose bumps. Supergirl's death in the Crisis still effects me, this wizened comic reader, 30+ years later.

All this to say kudos to Marc Guggenheim and the show producers and the stars for putting together something I thought would never happen. And I get the sense this was just the appetizer.

On to the show.

Review: CW Elseworlds Crossover Part 2

The second part of the CW Elseworlds was a bit more serious comic crossover, like a big annual crossover, and less like a silly single issue of Super-Team Family. The stakes became very real in this episode of Arrow. The immersion into the whole DC became deeper. The emotions, foreshadows, and angst that much more palpable.

I said in my review of the first part that this felt a little like Crisis On Infinite Earths Lite and this episode continues that with direct homages and indirect homages to what happened in that landmark series. As a long time fan, and someone who bought COIE off the rack, I can tell you I was basically gobsmacked this whole crossover.

There was so much to love about this. And I always worry that I might be focusing too much on the minor little Easter eggs in these reviews as opposed to recognizing the story as a whole. Yes, the body swap and the 'relationship' stuff was a very 'CW' layer to add. But this story of heroes getting together, fighting bad guys, meeting up with new allies, and saving the world was just classic comics, the reason why I still read these things today. And that makes me happy.

This is what a DC movie should feel like. I won't belabor that point. 

On to the show.

Review: CW Elseworlds Crossover Part 1

I know I am over a week late in reviewing the three part CW crossover event Elseworlds but it took me a while to wrap my head around how I wanted to go about reviewing it.

Initially the thought was to review it all in one big post, covering all three episodes and creating a massive missive about all that happened.

But after attempts at doing that I realized that would be doing this crossover an injustice. Because this is flat-out, one of the best DC super-hero live action products to be done. It deserves to be looked at closely and have its beauty acknowledged.

For one,  it completely embraces its comic book roots. Unlike the Snyder-verse with its dour washed out tones, unlike Smallville and its 'no tights/no flights', this show wallows in its four color history. It plays out like 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' Lite, a sort of stripped down COIE. But for a comic nerd like me, there are so many nods, acknowledgements, and Easter Eggs sprinkled throughout that I couldn't help but be thoroughly impressed.

Next, it also leans into its own history. These are characters with years of their own stories. So to see Ollie and Barry call back to something that happened when they first crossed over 4 years ago showed me how important the internal continuity is.

Also, it is clear that these actors simply enjoy working with each other. There is tremendous chemistry throughout. I was actively rooting for them. And, no word of a lie (and you'll hear about it when I cover part three), I actually got chills once.

Then there is a spot on Batwoman performance and a Gotham I want to explore more.

And, perhaps most of all, we got a Superman and Lois that I can 100% get behind. This is the Lois and Clark I want. Perfect.

So get ready to hear me gush a bit. Onto Elseworlds ...

Show News: Elseworlds And Lex!

How amazing are the CW crossover events?
First we had a take on Invasion.
Then we had Crisis on Earth X .
Now we have Elseworlds.

I have always been impressed with these arcs just for the scope. It must be crazy to get the casts of multiple shows together at the same place to film at the same time.

But I have very much been impressed with how deep these lean into comic history, stuffing the episodes with Easter Eggs for the astute comic reader.

The Network has been cranking up the publicity for this year's by releasing some pictures to whip up people's interest.

It starts with this poster where we see that in this Elseworld, Barry has become Green Arrow and Ollie has become the Flash. Now that is an Elseworld. I do wonder if this is how we will see Batwoman; she is the Batman on this world. It isn't as if we haven't seen such gender flops in Elseworld's before in comics.

Seriously, this poster alone made me giddy. But the best was yet to come.

Supergirl CW Crossover: Elseworlds

The annual CW crossover story for Arrow, Supergirl, and Flash has been officially named Elseworlds
and this comic fan couldn't be happier.

In 1989, DC Comics published Gotham by Gaslight, a story imagining Batman in the 1880's Gotham, hunting down Jack The Ripper. It is a great book, written by Brian Augustyn with art by Mike Mignola. Spurred by the success, DC began printing all sorts of books tagged with the logo 'Elseworlds', stories where familiar characters could be re-imagined or have their lives changed.

Let's face it, they were imaginary stories.

So you could see 'what if Superman was raised by the Waynes?' and 'What if Batman met Houdini and fought vamipires?' and 'what if Superman was around during the Civil War?' and 'What if Batman existed in a world where America was a Theocracy?'

Released in the wonderful Prestige Format, and usually with great creative teams, they were enticing. And as they existed 'outside continuity', as a reader you could pick and choose which stories intrigued you. I got a bunch of these and liked most of them.

So is the television Elseworlds going to be a similar take? Will there be new worlds? Changes in reality? Is Batwoman present because the idea of 'Batman' has been rewritten?

My guess is yes. But there is even more going on perhaps making this feel more like a certain Crisis.

Read on!

Review: Supergirl:Wings

With Superman:The Last Family of Krypton marking the rebirth of the Elseworlds line of stories, I figured there was no better time to look back at some of the more Supergirl relevant Elseworlds entries.

Supergirl:Wings came out in 2001, right in the middle of Peter David's Supergirl run, and mirrored that title's themes of spirituality, redemption, and heroics.

This is familiar territory for writer J.M DeMatteis whose works include Mercy, The Last One, and Moonshadow as well as more mainstream superhero fare. As with many of his headier works, I feel like I am missing much of it ... that I am not necessarily 'getting' all of what DeMatteis is hoping to convey. That can sometimes be irritating as I read and re-read to see if there was some pearl that escaped me.

Wings reads a little easier, if only because of the echoes of David's work on the main title.

DeMatteis starts off by showing us that all around us, unseen, are angelic beings. Humans are the most beloved creatures in God's ... in Hir universe ... because they are given free will. Some angels form the souls of humans, imparting in them the capability of greatness.

Others are Amenlee, literally guardian angels, charged with protecting their humans and hopefully guiding their souls to paradise. Unfortunately, many members of mankind turn away from their angels and head to damnation.

One such guardian angel is Matrix, a guardian angel to a very flawed and sinful young woman named Linda Danvers. Linda continues to sin, frustrating Matrix to the point where even the angel seems to be losing hope. She begins to question why God would love man so much.

Can an angel lose faith?

Matrix' feelings do not go unnoticed or unshared.

Her angel comrade Zauriel reminds Matrix of the love that God has for humans and the inherent goodness within mankind. But Matrix is still vexed, wondering why people would turn their back on Hir. This question consumes her thoughts; she cannot fathom why humans are so favored if they so often reject Hir holy way.

The Spectre shares Matrix's feelings with his usual dose of ire. The Spectre thinks mankind is simply unworthy and that those who turn away from the light should be cut down.

These versions of Zauriel (with his love of man) and the Spectre (with his blind fury) are close enough to their DCU versions to be instantly comprehensible.

Matrix hasn't lost all hope however and goes to look in on Linda. She finds a demon in Linda's room, a demon who mocks Matrix for her efforts to save Linda's soul.

This devil fans the fire of Matrix's crisis of faith. He calls her a failure, a fool for still trying when it is clear the path that Linda has freely chosen.

Unsure of her next step and hoping to clear her mind of all this doubt, all this questioning of Hir will, Matrix begins a sort of tour of the sacred beings and realms of the world.

Her first step is to see the woodland beings, the guardian angels of nature and the Earth. These are the lowest rung on the sacred, happy with their task of protecting the Earth and with no other purpose for their existence other than their duty.

Their absolute devotion is cloying in its comfort. They would never question Hir will. And what could be more comforting to a confused mind than a singularity in purpose. Matrix almost becomes consumed by these beings, losing her own will, but is able to shake off their droning. She doesn;t want to lose her doubts ... she wants them answered.

Leaving the green, Matrix next encounters the Phantom Stranger. As always, the Stranger walks between Heaven and Hell but also between the natural and the supernatural.

To show Matrix that not all humans are wallowing in evil, the Stranger shows Matrix a loving couple, sort of templated on Clark and Lana, and reminds Matrix of man's capability of boundless love. Then to help her understand the human condition, he has Matrix 'possess' Lana, having her experience that love firsthand.

It doesn't sway Matrix who feels this was an affront to Lana, a tawdry way to taste a snippet of humanity.

Again, the Stranger is close enough to his 'classic' characterization that this read well.

Returning to Linda, Matrix is shocked to see her nearly being devoured by the Spectre. He is disgusted by the evil within Matrix's charge.

Just as the devil had done earlier, the Spectre seems to goad Matrix, telling her she need to surrender Linda or face his wrath herself. It is as if Linda is a target for both Heaven and Hell and only Matrix stands in the way.

Angry that Linda has strayed so far, Matrix enters Linda's body, possessing it. Finding herself trapped within the flesh, Matrix feels assaulted by the very nature of man ... the need to breath, the stink of their bodies, the ongoing battle with  bacteria, etc.

But even more, Matrix is helpless against the compulsions of the flesh. Despite her attempts at purity, Linda's nature ... her lust ... takes over. She becomes amorous with her boyfriend Buzz. It takes all her will for Matrix to turn Linda away and then it is only with the help of Zauriel who frees Matrix from Linda's body.

DeMatteis' words flow nicely here, really conveying how Matrix is simply swept up by Linda's desires.

Even more confused about man's place and her place in the big picture, Matrix leaves.

Shortly thereafter Buzz and Zauriel have a conversation in which it is revealed that Buzz is actually the demon that tormented Linda before.

Moreover, it seems that Buzz and Zauriel are in cahoots. Just what is their plan? Or are they simply gambling with Linda and Matrix, playing a game the way God and Satan did with Job.

Either way there is more here than meets the eye.

Is mankind worth saving? Are they worth the fight?

Despite her recent travels and experiences, Matrix remains unsure. Looking for more knowledge, sge heads to see Ceetka, protector of the seas.

As with the woodland nymphs, Matrix nearly becomes part of the ocean hive mind. Once again, she shrugs it off, embracing her individuality.

Back on Earth, Linda is suffering through her own crisis ... a crisis of conscience. She doesn't like who she has become. Drowning in despair, she writes in her journal about feeling lost. It could almost be the beginning of the suicide note. But with Matrix gone, Zauriel steps in, reminding her that she is loved, and growing, and has the ability to make her way through the darkness and into the light.

Washed ashore after her visit in the waters, Matrix runs into the 'Clark' she spied on before.

He reveals that he is actually an angel, one of many living on Earth as a man, trying to better understand man and Hir love for them. It seems incomprehensible to Matrix. Who would lower themselves to the level of man?

It all finally reaches a head.

The demon confronts Matrix, telling her she should take his hand and join him, that she should give up trying to help man ... a fool's goal. He asks her to become, in essence, a fallen angel.

At the same time, the Spectre comes to annihilate Linda. Surprisingly, she prays ... she earnestly and honestly prays, begging for salvation.

And just as Matrix was about to take the devil's hand, that prayer calls to her like a beacon. It cleanses Matrix of her doubts and draws her Earthward where she fuses with Linda. Two become one in a holy union.

This form of redemption ... where one person steps up to save another who seems worthless ... is exactly the way that Matrix and Linda became an Earth Angel in Peter David's Supergirl. This was a nice reflection of that story.

Now truly an angel on Earth, Linda/Matrix is greeted by all the people she has encountered during this trial. They all played a part in this evolution, this fulfillment of Hir plan to create a newer and better being ... someone born of both human and angel.

We see how these beings all nudged Linda and Matrix ... tempting them to turn away from this path, but ultimately helping them reach their destiny.

What's more, in a nice reversal of the PAD version, here it was Matrix who was the flawed being, the one about to fall ... and it was Linda who saved her! It was Matrix who needed a guardian angel. It was Matrix who needed this fusion with humanity to save her.

As someone who devoured PAD's story, I thought this was a good twist. Even angels need saving.

And so a new form of life is made, a new angel to help mankind reach salvation.

I thought this was an interesting story, especially if you are a fan of Peter David's Earth angel arc of Supergirl. This is such a nice adjunct to that storyline, a fresh look at similar themes. One thing I have to say is that the  story feels very compressed. The tour of the afterlife feels like a whirlwind tour with each variety of being allowed only a page or two to be looked at. I feel like DeMatteis had a clear understanding in his head of this pantheon and the wisdom he wanted them to impart on Matrix but only had a short time to show it. I wonder if this would have read better as a two issue mini.

Jamie Tolagson's art is perfect for this sort of book. It is rough enough to capture the worldliness of man, how we are stuck in an imperfect environment. It also is just slightly warped enough to feel like other-worldly, supernatural.

This book is a little and almost unknown treasure. When I see it, it is in the fifty cent boxes at conventions. I don't think it had a big run and so might be hard to find. As a stand alone Supergirl Elseworld's, I think it has a space in a Supergirl collection although it had no lasting impact on the character. That said, if you like PAD's run, you should seek it out. As such, I would rank it of low/medium importance to a Supergirl collector.

This is one of those books I like more and more every time I read it.

Overall grade: B+

Review: Superman:Last Family Of Krypton

Last week, Superman:The Last Family of Krypton #1 came out, the first official 'Elseworlds' title in quite some time.

Certainly the Superman origin story has been nice fodder for Elseworlds. Whether it be Red Son, or Speeding Bullets, or even JLA:The Nail, all it takes is a nudge of a rocket for Superman to end up being someone very different.

Last Family adds a new wrinkle. What if Jor-El and Lara also survived Krypton's destruction?

Perhaps most exciting for a gray beard like me is seeing Cary Bates' name on the cover. Bates wrote many of the Superman stories of my youth, so I have some nostalgic fondness for his work. But nostalgia only goes so far. Is it a good story?

The book drops you right into the story. Jor-El and Lara land outside the UN Building and ask for acceptance from the citizens of Earth.

Their ship has an artificial intelligence called B ('A is for apple, B is for Brainiac') and looks like a warship. Heck, it even has a slightly skull-like appearance consistent with Brainiac too. I am a firm believer in the old rubric 'if you see a gun in act one, it will be fired in act three'. I doubt we have seen the end of this armament nor do I think 'B' will always be a benevolent operating system. But I am already getting ahead of myself.

When the ship lands, it also emits an EMP spike shutting down all of the American military's weapons. Well, shuts them down or shorts them out. Some mortars accidentally get shot resulting in some friendly fire. Luckily, Jor-El and Lara show their good nature, making Brainiac holster the space-guns and flying to save the endangered infantry.

The couple are suddenly heroes ... and a hot story.

They not only become darlings of the media but become super-heroes. We see the 'space family' stopping disaster after a disaster. As the acts of good will pile up, Earth welcomes the Els with open arms. The decision gets made to set up a permanent home in Metropolis.

With a little bit of help from B's nanotechnology, their ship literally puts down roots into the ground and forms a grandiose skyscraper, looming over even the Daily Planet.

One thing that always always amazes me is just how much the Donner films has insinuated their way into the comic's mythos. There is no denying the 'crystal' appearance of the El tower. But even more, Jor-El repeats the very speech he tells Kal-El in the movie here. It is so interesting that the film is considered such dogma by many creators.

But, somewhat ominously, Jor-El ends that famous speech by saying that the light that will show humanity the way will be him. Sounds like he might be thinking about of setting himself up as a leader/god. That doesn't sit well with me.

And all is not rosy within the family even if they are celebrities.

Jor-El is completely obsessed with the destruction of Krypton and trying to make sure that Earth doesn't suffer the same fate. While the respect for life is noble, obsession is always scary.

And Lara seems unable to help assuage his fears, especially since he is keeping things from her. Things like the creation of a think-tank called Jorcorp (nice little word play there). While upset over this secret, she is hopeful that other problems handled by the Corp will make him less likely to ruminate over Krypton's destruction.

And Kal-El is having as many problems.

He is the ultimate childhood star, hounded by paparazzi and unable to live a 'normal' life. We have seen what indulgence and fame has done to our own young celebrities so imagine if they had powers! Lara realizes that it will be unhealthy for Kal to grow up under the microscope. And with Jor-El distracted with Jorcorp, she decides on a bold plan ... she will let Kal be raised by an Earth couple as a 'normal boy'.

Hmmm ... I suppose it makes some sense. Although if you survived planetary destruction as a parent, would you really want your child out of your sight? This seemed like a bit of an stretch. It does follow the well traveled road of 'What if?' and other Elseworlds ... the road where no matter the circumstances, fate will happen.

Lara goes about an exhaustive search to find the perfect surrogate parents for Kal.

I love the names considered and crossed off the list. Thomas and Martha Wayne ... fantastic. But Julius Schwartz? The classic Silver Age Superman editor. Heck, 'Julie' was a real foster father for Superman guiding his life's story. I also like that a Dan Didio-like man is rejected.Okay, I admit ... I giggled.

And fate does show up, as the Kents are chosen by Lara to become Kal's Earth parents. I suppose Kal would go along with this masking of his powers if it means a moment's peace. But I am somewhat surprised that Jor-El caved on this.

With 'Clark' now safe, Lara can go about living her life. As much as Jor-El is preaching the power of science, Lara begins promoting 'Raology', preaching the Kryptonian religious beliefs and tenets on Earth.

Again, we are just meeting these parents so I suppose Lara can be a very faithful person willing to proselytize. But we didn't see this degree of religiousness earlier in the book. So this felt like it came a bit out of left field.

As for Clark, he is finding it a bit hard to reign in his powers. Why should he simply let himself be tripped and teased?

Jor-El continues to be a stern rigid figure in the book, telling Kal that if he stops being Clark Kent because of taunting then he will be bringing shame on the house of El! Whoa! How about a smidge of compassion Dad? I suppose that this is part of the book, setting Jor-El up to be something of an extremist, thinking mostly in black and white rather than gray.

All that said, I do hope that this slice of the plot, Clark's difficulties living life as a 'normal boy' is explored more. This isn't a Clark brought up since early on by the Kents, instilled with their virtues. This is a Clark who just a few months earlier was a superstar, a powerhouse. I just think it would be harder for him to soak in the Smallville experience.

But the Kents show why they are so perfect for this role. Pa tells Clark that he is here for a reason ... and it isn't to settle scores with bullies. If only he said it wasn't to 'score touchdowns' ... it would have been a Donner-palooza!

Even worse for Clark, Lex Luthor is embraced by Jor-El, invited to join the Jorcorp.

Lex is pure Lex here, already smarter than everyone in Smallville and definitely filled with pride. He talks to Jor-El as an equal and Jor-El seems to admire it a little.

Does anyone else smell a Luthor/Brainiac team-up?

Finally, the conflicting life paths of Jor-El and Lara reaches a head. They argue ... they disparage each others' careers ... the yell and scream ... they fly off.

Is there any better way to stop a fight and get back into the groove then a little nooky in the sun? That's right, we see some of the passion they have had for science and Rao redirected to each other. I can only imagine the emotional turmoil roiling within them having survived Krypton's destruction. And what better way to deal with that trauma then by immersing yourself in 'cures' for that ... whether it be religion or science. I think they just needed to be reminded why they love each other ... and sometimes it takes a little passion to reignite the fire. I thought this played out well ... and I usually question whether or not the sex scenes are too long or even necessary for the story. Here it was handled well.

And that little stellar tryst does seem to refocus Jor-El and Lara. Suddenly they aren't buried into their careers and are spending more time with each other. And that tryst also leads to the birth of twins! Jor-El even seems to be softening. Although maybe that is a bad thing given that Luthor and Brainiac are on his payroll. He needs to be keeping a close eye there.

I thought this was a solid opening chapter in this mini-series. It certainly got my attention and had a number of interesting ideas. I am looking forward to seeing where this is all going . That said, this didn't knock my socks off.

Renato Arlem's art has a sketchy/scratchy feel to it that I thought might not work for a book looking at the sterile science of Krypton. But there is enough chaos here that it worked well, adding to the atmosphere of the book.

Overall grade: B