Bullet Review: Hell Arisen #4

Hey!!!

New comics!!!

As strange as it seems given the more recent history, my comic story was sort of open this week! I was able to get new comics, including the print versions of Lois Lane #10 and Jimmy Olsen #10 which I purchased digitally during the closure of the stores during the pandemic.

And look at that fat stack! Hooray for me!

Tucked into all this new goodness was Hell Arisen #4, a book I threw in my pull folder prior to the store closing. But I forgot that I had held it aside and didn't purchase it way back in March. As a result, it sat there festering.

But this was the ending of Kara's infection and I felt I need to read it to complete that story in my head.

I did not get the first three issues of this. So I don't know much. I do know that between Justice League and Batman/Superman I knew enough of the concurrent Perpetua and Batman Who Laughs storylines that I was glad reconciling the two competing plots in one book.

Or were they?

Turns out that this mini-series ends as the prologue for the upcoming Death Metal mini-series. Nothing is necessarily ending here.

At the very least, the infections are over. But does the solution make sense? Perhaps someone who did read the beginning of this series can answer that for me.

On to a quick Supergirl-centric bullet review.

Bullet Review: Forever Evil #7

Forever Evil #7 came out last week ... finally ... ending a company-wide crossover that plodded along, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

There were many reasons why I didn't enjoy this book or feel invested in it.

Maybe it was the chronically delayed nature of the book. Maybe it was the overwhelmingly violent tone of the book. Maybe it was that it really felt like Geoff Johns fan fiction, a DC company wide crossover where the majority of the hero characters were stuffed into Firestorm. Maybe it is because there seemed to be no ramifications in any of the ongoing monthlies that for a period of time villains devastated the Earth. Maybe it is because ....AGAIN .... Batman seems to be invulnerable, having slipped through the grasp of the Crime Syndicate while immensely powerful heroes with planet-shaking skills are trapped.

But most of all, it is because this whole book was done to make villains and evil seem necessary, desired, or hip. The tagline was that 'Evil is Relative' and maybe that is true. But I don't think I want to cheer for Black Manta as we get a whole page of watching him stab someone to death.

And, the big player in this idea was Lex Luthor, a character that Geoff Johns early on described as a good man trying to help humanity. At the time it reminded me of Al Pacino's speech at the end of The Devil's Advocate. Playing Satan himself, Pacino gives a rambling speech that he is the ultimate humanist, only giving mankind what they deserve.

Lex Luthor ... the humanist?

Let's see what our new super-hero does in this last issue.

Amongst all the death and destruction he has wrought throughout the series, here was the final chapter.

Lex kills his evil doppelganger Alex Luthor by stabbing him in the chest with a mystic lightning rod and then literally rips out Alex's heart.

Oooohhhh .... soooooo cool.

And then a couple of pages later, he crushes Atomica, killing her.

This is the person that Geoff Johns and DC are promoting as their latest hero.

Perhaps recognizing that it would be hard to portray this cold-blooded murderer as a hero, Johns tries to soften Lex at the end. He performs life saving surgery on Superman. And he doesn't buy out and take over Kord Industries.

Wow ... isn't he grand?

And then he calls his estranged sister Lena. She isn't dead after all, just paralyzed from Lex's attempts to cure her.

And now look as he stares at his computer screen ...
Her want to grow and learn.

Sigh.

I don't know if I need to read a redemption story about Luthor. I don't think I am going to cheer for a guy who I have seen kill people, viciously, for the last year - throwing assistants of skyscraper roofs, ripping out hearts, blasting people, etc.

So not taking over a business and finally calling your ill sister isn't exactly going to erase all that. I just have to realize this isn't a DCU that I am going to be comfortable with.

It's funny. I didn't have this problem when Lex was named President way back when. Back then we knew he was still a villain, just one a position of power. And, of course, the heroes were brighter back then. By making the heroes darker and then painting the villains as heroes, all DC has done is made this whole place gray.

Hopefully this won't last too long or encompass the whole universe.

Forever Evil ARGUS - Psi!

While Forever Evil as a crossover event hasn't really grabbed me, the Forever Evil A.R.G.U.S. mini-series has been a wonderful little offshoot, highly entertaining.

I will admit that I only picked up the book when I saw writer Sterling Gates was on board. I have rarely (I don't thin ever) been disappointed with Gates' books. Between reading Suicide Squad, Vibe, and Justice League, I felt like I knew enough about ARGUS and the internal workings of these secret agencies in the DCU.

So far I haven't been disappointed. Steve Trevor has really shined here. And I really like the new more tragic Killer Frost. This book has really read more like the Ostrander Suicide Squad. These are a mix of characters with a mix of motivations but all working towards a good goal. This book really makes me think that Gates would shine on a team book. And god knows DC has a bunch of teams on the shelf or about to be canceled. I'd love to see Gates' on a Checkmate style book.

But wait ... there's more ...

Oh my god ... it's Psi!  A new Psi ... but Psi nonetheless.

One thing I appreciate about Gates is his ability to take some of the lesser known DC characters and bring them back, even as an Easter Egg. So we saw BizarroGirl, Reactron, Satan Girl, and Superwoman in new incarnations in Supergirl. We just got the new Killer Frost. And in Vibe we saw a new Gypsy as well as all the crazy inmates in the Circus.

So while not surprised to see Gates bring back a little known Supergirl villain in theory, I am surprised to see Psi again. And this one looks downright bizarre, mouthless, metallic, other-dimensionally. At first I thought she looked Cronenberg-y. But now I think she is more like a Clive Barker character. And there is a whiff of evil in her, or an out of control nature. She grabs Steve Trevor and sort of assaults his mind.

Moreover Gates has Steve Trevor talk about when Psi first breached into the DCU she was stopped by Vibe and ... Supergirl!! An untold tale of Vibe and Supergirl, a heroic Supergirl who helped Psi get help from ARGUS. There is an mysterious and unseen Green Man, a long-time ARGUS agent who I am guessing is the Spectre. And then Gates calls the prison tubes in ARGUS Draper tubes, a nice Easter Egg nod to Moosie Draper, the Master Jailer. Awesome sauce!

But back to Psi, the real focus of this post.

If you re-introduce a Supergirl character to the current DCU, you know I am going to have to showcase them.

So in the first of several looks back at the little known character Psi, I present her entry in the 1986 Who's Who book. The history section will review her story as seen in Daring New Adventures of Supergirl  1-3, but don't worry, I'll cover them in detail. (In fact I have already reviewed Daring New #1 and, as a result,  Psi  here.) Suffice it to say, Psi had tremendous psionic power, enough to floor Supergirl when they tussled.

The art here is by comic legends Carmine Infantino and Bob Oksner, both of whom were nearing the end of their creative years. While I like the oversized flowing black cape/cloak, the rest of this costume is pretty ugly and silly.

Expect a couple more looks back on Psi over the next couple of weeks! And thanks to Sterling Gates for bringing back a Supergirl rogue. Would love to have Tony Bedard bring her over to the main title.

Alas Poor Lena ...

A couple of months ago I wrote about Forever Evil and how it was hinted that Lena Thorul was once again back in continuity.

Alas, while she might be back into the history books, this page from Forever Evil #4 reveals that she has died. And she died because Lex was too afraid to try to save her, too afraid to fail. This is such an interesting page.

It is a shame because Lena has played a role in Supergirl's life in prior incarnations and she could have been an interesting foil for the current Kara as well. Imagine the two of them, dealing with older family members with huge reputations (albeit on opposite sides of the ethical fence), trying to figure out who they are without being defined by their family name, trying to figure out the balance between nature and nurture.

I was hoping ...

I suppose her death could have been faked so she could live life as a Thorul, away from Lex. We'll see.

I also found this issue a bit too over-the-top in its handling of Lex. It felt like Geoff Johns was trying a little too hard to make 'evil relative' and to make Luthor relatable.

There is this moment where a tired Lex pauses to tell this story of personal defeat and tragedy, a time when he failed to act. It almost looks in that last row of panels that Lex might be close to tears! And then he 'inspires' Bizarro to try to overcome fear and there is a shocked look in Lex's eyes.

Also in the issue, there is a Luthor internal monologue where he talks about an aspect of him which is ... wait for it ... humble. HUMBLE? Luthor?

I only need to go back to his Villains' Month issues to think differently. Defiantly looking at Metropolis as something he should control. Tossing his assistant off the skyscraper roof. Sending a satellite down onto a competitor's house. Using and ultimately killing humans in his Bizarro experiments. All the while talking about how he is better than everyone.

This New 52 universe is a twisted place. We are forced to feel compassion and root for the villains. In the meantime we are dealing with heroes who seem to loathe being heroes and act awfully.

Again though, I am disappointed that Lena won't be around.

Villains' Month And Forever Evil - One Last Look

Villains' Month is now officially behind us but there were a couple of small things which I wanted to cover here. Now one thing I very much like. The other I am cringing at a bit. Both warrant some coverage. And I thought I would bullet cover the other issues I bought that month.

Forever Evil as a whole is what I thought it would be. It is vicious with the usual amount of blood and gore. While there are some mysteries (who is the hooded figure, what invaded Earth-3 forcing these guys to come here, where is the Justice League), overall the story hasn't grabbed me. And as I thought, since 'evil is relative', Lex Luthor is viewed as the hero here despite releasing Bizarro and having him tear an innocent security guard apart.

Will Forever Evil end with a brighter more optimistic DCU when the heroes return? Who knows.

I suppose it is my own idiosyncrasies that this panel was my favorite one from Forever Evil #1. And the reason why I love it is because with this Lex Luthor memory, Geoff Johns has put Lena Thorul back into continuity.

Lena has always had a strong connection to Supergirl and so I hope that this isn't a throwaway line. If Lena is mentioned, she should be used.

Lena first appeared in Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #23 but became a recurring Supergirl character in Action Comics #295.

In this issue, Lena shows her patented telepathy obtained by her interaction with a space brain. She doesn't even know she is a Luthor here.

Of course, Lena played a huge role in the classic Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade.

I have covered Lena before on this blog here and there. She is an interesting character with some potential outside of the Silver Age.

I hope that Tony Bedard or whoever is the new long term Supergirl writer picks up on Lena being in continuity and uses her as a supporting character. It would be a nice nod to Supergirl's history.

As for the other moment worth some coverage, it was in Justice League #23.1, Darkseid written by Greg Pak and drawn by Netho Diaz and Paolo Siqueira.

I will say I didn't like this issue too much with Darkseid not being 'created' with the explosion that created New Genesis and Apokolips. Instead, Darkseid is a god-killer on his world, destroying the 'titans' of that planet and gaining their power.

The issue ends on a down note for me and here is the moment I felt I needed to cover.

We see Darkseid in a room of dead Supermen. I guess he has traveled throughout universes killing other Supermen. And then we see this abomination of Superman, stitched up and attached to machines. I can only assume that this is the Superman of Earth 2 who wasn't killed in battle but kept alive and perverted. One thing I liked about Earth 2 and Worlds' Finest was that the Trinity on that planet seemed purer than the New 52 versions and that they sacrificed themselves as heroes should. Now, I suppose, DC is going to make the Superman of Earth 2 a villain, a dupe of Darkseid.

And that just seems wrong.

A few other comments on books I bought in Villains' Month. I will list the books by their villain as I don't know which 23-point-what the issues are off hand.

First the good:

Rogues - I have shied away from Flash in the New 52 but this issue was pretty good, making me think I am going to get the Rogues mini-series.

Killer Frost - great issue by Sterling Gates showcasing a sympathetic villain. Well worth reading.

Riddler - solid stuff by Scott Snyder, showing a psychopathic Riddler

Ra's Al Ghul - a very good story telling Ra's origin, riffing on classic O'Neil/Adams stories, and showing Ra's has a different long-term view about the Earth. He could not care less about the CSA.

First Born - this issue read like another issue of Wonder Woman, working the story into the longstanding arc in the main book. I liked that.

Mongul - fun book recreating a completely ruthless dictator

And the not so good -

Harley Quinn - I want to root for Harley, I want to think she is just misguided. But she kills thousands of people with booby trapped gaming system which seems wrong. Also, in this issue it appears the Joker threw her into an Ace Chemical vat, recreating his origin. Seems needless.

Deadshot - I like his old-school 'rich boy who is psychotic' much more than this 'poor kid witnessing his family's murder'.

Poison Ivy - forgettable

Cheetah - not really a Cheetah book although the inclusion of a Mark Shaw (Manhunter) almost raised this.

Any Villains' month book I miss that I should go out and get?

DC September Solicits

It was 2 years ago in September that DC decided to do the New 52 experiment, rebooting the entire universe. It certainly hasn't been a durable reboot and has had as many downs as ups. And yet, despite that, DC has decided that each September they will honor the anniversary with something 'big'. Last year was the Zero month. This September is 'Forever Evil' villains month with special 3-D covers. 'Cool covers' seems so retro ... and not in a good way.  The solicits are all out and can be seen here on Comic Book Resources: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=45983

As I have written elsewhere, it is hard to look at this month's solicits as a celebration of the New 52 when so many titles have been put on the back burner. There is no Supergirl, Superboy, Vibe, or Worlds' Finest this month. Four titles I buy aren't being published. Not much of a celebration for those books.

We do get a major push of the big name books and as a Superman fan it is good to see his villains getting a big push. And I have to admit, some of the creator teams here are intriguing.

ACTION COMICS #23.1: CYBORG SUPERMAN
Written by MICHAEL ALAN NELSON
Art by MIKE HAWTHORNE
3-D motion cover by AARON KUDER

Deep in space sits a cybernetic force of evil unlike any other. What terrible connection does Cyborg Superman share with Krypton? And what alien force commands the robotic terror? Find out here!

So the villain that was just in Supergirl is getting a spotlight issue written by the current Supergirl writer. Couldn't this have been Supergirl #23.1? Wouldn't this have been great publicity for her book? Seems like a missed opportunity by DC to plug a mid-level book.

I am a fan of the Cyborg Superman (and the whole Reign of the Supermen story). So I am glad to see him back in this version of the DCU.

ACTION COMICS #23.2: ZOD

Written by GREG PAK
Art by KEN LASHLEY
3-D motion cover by GENE HA

General Zod storms into The New 52! Witness the origin of this genocidal maniac, and learn how far he will go to destroy those who oppose him!

I am surprised that this story wasn't pushed up to now to get some buzz from the Man of Steel movie.

It will be interesting to see if this Zod is the Colonel currently storming through the Action Comics back-up feature. I trust Pak to come up with an interesting origin for Zod. And Ken Lashley's brash style should work with this character.

ACTION COMICS #23.3: LEX LUTHOR
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art by RAYMUND BERMUDEZ
3-D motion cover by AARON KUDER

Evil genius, sadistic businessman, sociopathic inmate—Lex Luthor is all this and more. Now released from prison, there is nothing to stop Luthor from getting his way...not even Superman!

I have heard enough great things about Charles Soule to be very eager to see his take on Luthor. I like how this Luthor seems like the right mix of the Byrne businessman and the brutal scientist. A genius and a sadistic businessman. Best of both worlds.

ACTION COMICS #23.4: METALLO
Written by SHOLLY FISCH
Art by WILL CONRAD
3-D motion cover by AARON KUDER

Before he became Metal-Zero, John Corben had two great loves: his country and Lois Lane. Awakening from a coma after the events of ACTION COMICS #8, Corben finds himself betrayed by both—and now his Kryptonite heart beats only for revenge! And when he joins up with the Secret Society, there’s no limit to the destruction he can cause!

As a huge fan of his Action Comics back-up features during Grant Morrison's run, I was so glad to see Sholly Fisch's name in the credits here. Best of all, it is with a character from that run so we get to revisit some of the beats there.

Fisch's stories always seemed to get the right mix of action, characterization, and humanity. I had hoped he might get the Action book when Morrison left. So I can't wait to read his Superman again.

SUPERMAN #23.1: BIZARRO
Written by SHOLLY FISCH
Art by JEFF JOHNSON and ANDY SMITH
3-D motion cover by AARON KUDER

Lex Luthors’ sinister plan to manipulate Superman’s genetic material to create a mindless soldier under his control results in the monster known as Bizarro: opposite of Superman in every way, with no compassion, no remorse and no mercy!

And if one wasn't enough, I get more Sholly Fisch on the Bizarro issue. I am glad that the "H'El is the new Bizarro" discussion is put to rest. I am glad that Luthor is again thrown into the mix of Bizarro's origins. And is that 'cold vision'?? I love it!

SUPERMAN #23.2: BRAINIAC
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art by PASCAL ALIXE
3-D motion cover by GENE HA

Brainiac was the first adversary Superman fought on Earth, but where did he come from? A lineage that spans the universe holds many secrets when we ask, “Who is Brainiac?”

Well, as someone who is still trying to wrap his head around Brainiac as Kryptonian AI, being part of the Collector, and being from Colu, I need an origin issue! So hopefully this will straighten out my misunderstandings.

And, as a bonus, it is written by Tony Bedard who wrote Vril Dox in R.E.B.E.L.S.! Hopefully we see some Coluan stuff!

SUPERMAN #23.3: H’EL
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art by DAN JURGENS and NORM RAPMUND
3-D motion cover by GENE HA

After his last battle with Superman, H’el wakes up on Krypton years before it is destroyed! Can H’el manipulate the Science Counsel, soldiers and countless others including Jor-El, to save the planet? And what does it mean for the birth of Superman if he succeeds?

Ugh.
Can we forget about him?

SUPERMAN #23.4: PARASITE
Written by AARON KUDER
Art by AARON KUDER
3-D motion cover by AARON KUDER

Parasite: Noun.
An organism that lives in or on another organism.
Preferably Superman.

That is about as close to the bloated tick of a Parasite that we saw in Frank Quitely's All-Star Superman. Kuder sure brings that feel.

I haven't read anything Kuder has written before but I like his art style. While dominating the covers, I am glad he got this issue to draw. That is what the Parasite should look like ... horrifying.

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #3.1: DOOMSDAY
Written by GREG PAK
Art by BRETT BOOTH
3-D motion cover by TONY S. DANIEL

Long before Superman fought the unstoppable monster known as Doomsday, the beast’s reputation for death and destruction haunted The Man of Steel’s home world of Krypton.

I can only hope that Supergirl is somehow brought into this story which includes Kryptonian history. Brett Booth should bring some wild art to Doomsday.

Can't wait to read Greg Pak in the DCU.

ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #5
Written by NATHAN EDMONDSON and KYLE KILLEN
Art by YILDIRAY CINAR and PIA GUERRA
Cover by YILDIRAY CINAR

When an alien baby crashes on Earth, Superman must protect the screaming infant from her pursuers both human and extraterrestrial! Plus: a Lex Luthor tale like you’ve never seen before, written by Kyle Killen, creator of Awake, and drawn by Y: THE LAST MAN’s Pia Guerra!  

After all that villainy, it will be great to cleanse the old palate with some old school red-trunked Superman. 
I think this is going to be my go-to comic for my Superman.

SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 #17
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER • Art by JORGE JIMENEZ
Cover by CAT STAGGS

Superman and new ally Diana race to stop magickal terrorist Felix Faust from launching an attack on the nation’s capital. Meanwhile, Lois launches an attack of her own by digging into the shadowy connection between Faust and the new Department of Extra-Normal Operations.

Of course, I also have been going to Smallville to read my Superman too. I love how this book is bringing in more and more of the DCU characters to this Smallville universe. I am convinced this is on purpose so that the ultimate Crisis this title is building to is going to be a massive 'crossover' of all the heroes we have met here with Superman leading them. Supergirl better survive this one!!

And then we get a lot of 75th anniversary trades coming out celebrating Superman. Here are the ones that caught my eye.

SUPERMAN: A CELEBRATION OF 75 YEARS HC
Written by JERRY SIEGEL, EDMOND HAMILTON, OTTO BINDER, CARY BATES, JOE KELLY, ALAN MOORE and others
Art by JOE SHUSTER, WAYNE BORING, CURT SWAN, DOUG MAHNKE, DAVE GIBBONS and others
Cover by TBD

This amazing celebration of all things Superman includes stories from ACTION COMICS #0, 1-2, 137, 242, 544, 775 and 900, ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #498, Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross, SUPERMAN #11, 17, 53, 75, 76, 141, 149, 247 and 400, SUPERMAN ANNUAL #11 and a 1940 story from LOOK MAGAZINE!

I don't know if I am going to get this because I have read many of theses stories in other formats and other places. Still, good lineup there including the Look Magazine story of Superman ending WW2.

LOIS LANE: A CELEBRATION OF 75 YEARS HC
Written by JERRY SIEGEL, JOHN BYRNE, GRANT MORRISON, GREG RUCKA and others
Art by JOE SHUSTER, JOHN BYRNE, PHIL JIMENEZ, FRANK QUITELY and others
Cover by TBD

Don’t miss these tales starring Lois Lane, Superman and more, reprinted from ACTION COMICS #1-2, 6, 484, 600 and 662, ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #631, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN #2-3, MAN OF STEEL #2, SHOWCASE #9, SUPERMAN #29, 33-34, 58 and 168, SUPERMAN 80-PAGE GIANT 2011 #1, SUPERMAN: LOIS LANE #1, SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND LOIS LANE #5, 16, 23, 42 and 106, and WONDER WOMAN #170!

This one I might be more apt to buy because I don't have many of these in other places.
I am glad that DC is celebrating Lois. It is her anniversary too!

SUPERMAN ADVENTURES: THE MAN OF STEEL TP
Written by MARK MILLAR, DAN SLOTT, ROGER STERN, LOUISE SIMONSON, DAN JURGENS and others
Art by NEIL VOKES, MIKE PAROBECK, RICK BURCHETT and others
Cover by BRUCE TIMM

It’s a special all-ages Man of Steel collection, with stories from SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #17, 18, 40 and 41, and SUPERMAN/BATMAN MAGAZINE #1, 3, 5 and 7!

And an added bonus ... an all ages Superman collection. Something I can buy and give to my girls!
It is hard to believe that Mark 'Kick-Ass' Millar wrote some great Superman stories for Superman Adventures. And if only DC kept Dan Slott around!

This one I probably will buy ... but not for me!

 

No Supergirl In September

I have been waiting for all the DC September solicits to come out to do my usual review of upcoming books. As a result, I haven't touched much upon the upcoming 'Forever Evil' theme running through the books that month. The overall solicit post will be up soon.

But let's talk about 'Forever Evil' and the month of comics. 'Evil' was first announced in USA Today here: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/06/03/forever-evil-dc-comics-series/2381849/    The concept is a decent one if not played out a little. All the books that month will spotlight a villain and, in a move similar to the nonsense of 1990's comic boom, will sport 3-dimensional covers, most likely lenticular covers of a sort. What's next? Hologram covers?

My opinion of David Finch's art has declined since the days of New Avengers but I thought this image was interesting if only to see the villains being showcased. And, when I saw this I immediately wondered which, if any of these villains, would grace the Supergirl book.

Now it seems that there won't be a Supergirl book at all that month, a move that seems to be in line with DC's recent moves of flooding the market with 'hot characters' and not cultivating the middle tier of their line. Over on  Bleeding Cool the list of DC books solicited so far is up. 16 Batman books. 8 Superman books. 10 Justice League books (JL, JLD, and JLA). It also continues the 'event' nature of Septembers. The New 52 premiered in September. Then we had 'zero' issues. Now we have villain issues and 3D covers. It feels a little bit gimmicky.

But the glut of some characters books means that others are going to be missing. There apparently won't be a Supergirl or Superboy book that month.

I suppose the writing was on the wall when Michael Alan Nelson was interviewed over on Zap2It here:
http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2013/06/first-look-dcs-action-comics-villains-month---zod-lex-luthor-and-more-plus-michael-alan-nelson-talks.html

If Nelson is being interviewed and there isn't a Supergirl solicit attached, things don't look good.

Yes, those Action Comics solicits look great. Sholly Fisch being back on board makes me happy. And a Charles Soule Superman book! Fantastic.

But wouldn't this gimmick month be another opportunity to shine some light on other DC books in their line. Look, Supergirl is a middle-ground selling book. She has a new writer who has promised (like others before him) to add to Supergirl's rogues gallery. She will have just fought Cyborg Superman in her book. Silver Banshee is in the wings. Both of those villains are established enough to be recognizable in a month like this. Heck, maybe it would a great time to introduce a new villain in a splashy way! Wouldn't it be nice if DC decided that her book was worth a fancy cover and some publicity?

Instead, her books and others aren't present. Is it yet another 'jumping off' point for the casual Supergirl fan? What about books like Katana? Vibe? Constantine? Don't they need something like this?

It seems I say it about every 3 months or so. DC seems interested in short money, the quick fix, without looking ahead to the health of their whole universe. What do fans of the titles being left off the solicits think about the health of those series? Do Red Lanterns fans think that DC cares about their book?

Remember this month several years ago when every DC title was included in the Faces of Evil theme. It showcased Superwoman to people who might not know she was worming her way into Supergirl's life.

Anyways, it looks like there won't be Supergirl in September. And that irks for a number of reasons.