Grant Morrison And Supergirl

Last week I reviewed Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow #8, a dismal take on the Supergirl character, one filled with tragedy and angst, willing to be complicit or participate in murder.

It was another one of those moments that strikes me now and then when I think maybe comics have passed me by. Maybe it is time to move on to another media, another hobby. If my heroes can't be heroes, it might be time to move on. 

Then I read Grant Morrison's substack newsletter about their work on Superman and the Authority. Please, I beg you, go here and read this in its entirety: 

https://grantmorrison.substack.com/p/162-superman-and-the-authority-annotations

In it, Morrison talks about how perplexed they were at Dan Didio's idea to have Superman become a fascist, forming his own Authority to take over the world with an iron fist. It was this inane direction that sort of forced Morrison to write their own take on the idea. (Thank God they did.)

But then we get this from Morrison:

Didio was going to do the same with Supergirl. 

Now that shouldn't surprise me. In Didio's tenure, Supergirl was a love slave of Darkseid, went dark in issue #5, school shooter on Krypton, went dark again in Justice League, became a Red Lantern, and went dark one more time. So why not try her as a fascist.

It is Morrison's rebuttal that got me. Why can't we get the adventures of a smart, creative, and kind-hearted teenage girl with super-powers? After all that is what I want.

We saw hints of this in Morrison's take on Supergirl in Final Crisis, like scenes above where she is shown to be a musician, a fashion designer, a lover of cats, and a hero.

Review: Superman And The Authority #4

Superman and the Authority #4 came out last week, the last issue of this quirky mini-series that I have unabashedly loved.

I shouldn't be surprised that Grant Morrison could pull off such a series. Somehow this series is both in continuity and seems out of continuity. It started with Superman meeting Kennedy. It ends with Superman heading off to Warworld, sliding into the current Action Comics arc. It is seems to include metacommentary on social media, comic fandom, and comic property creators. It throws in some intriguing lines that probably will impact the entire super family. All this while being massively entertaining. Morrison grasps who Superman is. 

Mikel Janin is also amazing on this book, bringing us such polished art that I want to inject it into my eyeballs. His older, graying Superman is just dazzling. His Lois Lane is feisty and sort of scary. The  

action sequences include very palpable hits. 

But it is the droll ending of the big villain arc that is the can't miss moment here. It has to be seen to be believed.

On to the book.

Review: Superman And The Authority #3

Superman and The Authority #3 came out last week and was another tremendous issue in what has been a very entertaining mini-series. Writer Grant Morrison is telling a story of an aging and weakening Superman forming a team to act on his behalf. But as I have said in the past, Morrison is also weaving in comic history, commentary on comic fandom, and a surprising amount of humor. I think Manchester Black is almost a stand-in for Morrison, calling it like he sees it at times.

This issue concentrates mostly on the recruitment of the Enchantress to the Authority. It involves a true laugh out loud moment. It ends with three different cliffhangers, one as the team is trying to recruit their next member, a new Lightray.

The art is by Mikel Janin and Travel Foreman and the book has a very pleasing polished look to it. I love the new look uniforms for the Enchantress and Nat Irons. And I the wild environment of Fort Superman is showcased nicely with great points of view in wide open page layouts.

If there is one complaint it is that we only have one issue left. The team hasn't even been fully formed yet. We have just learned about the threats the world faces. How is this going to wrap up in one issue? Or is the plan for it to end with the actual formation and take it from there. I wouldn't mind a lot more issues of this title.

On to the details.

Review: Superman And The Authority #2

 When the Superman and The Authority miniseries was announced, I knew I was going to buy it. I mean I will always buy Grant Morrison books. And Morrison Superman books never fail to entertain. And Mikel Janin on art? Brilliant. 

 It was 'the Authority' part that worried me. I have never had too much interest in the group and never read the book. But the concept of a future Superman putting together a group of misfits to be his away team sounded too good. Manchester Black corralled into being a good guy? This I needed to read.

Superman and the Authority #2 came out last week and was simply one of the best books I have read in a while. What is Morrison's game here? Is Morrison poking fun at the comic book industry? Himself? Is he laughing at us fans? Or with us? 

I don't care.

This book is just seeped in metatextual comic and fandom stuff that I had a silly grin the whole way through.

The team is barely formed and we are halfway through this brief 4 issue series. I hope we get to see them in action. But if all I get are 2 more issues similar to this, I'll be just fine.

The art here is predominantly done by Janin who draws an older Superman looking like sturdy Tom Strong. The internal chapters are done by Travel Foreman, Fico Ossio, and Evan Cagle. The book flows well under these artists, each chapter improved by the style of the artist. 

Let's dive into the fun.

Review: Superman And The Authority #1

Superman and The Authority #1 came out this week and by the time I reach the bottom of this review I hope I have a grade in mind. Because I am a bit befuddled by the concept but I enjoyed the issue.

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by this. Grant Morrison is the writer of the mini-series. And with so many Morrison works, I probably will need to marinate in this one for a while. I sometimes just have to let the experience wash over me and hope I will appreciate all of it via osmosis. But one thing I know about Morrison, he never fails to impress. And in particular, his take on Superman has never failed me. 

Here we have a Superman on some Earth trying to make sure that he has a team of operatives who can act on his behalf when his powers fail him. But this is a Superman who was alive in the 60s. He is gray-templed, weakening, wearing a Kingdom Come S-shield, but still dang inspirational. And the first person he reaches out to is Manchester Black, one of his most powerful and deadly enemies. Whew .. some opening act.

The art here is by Mikel Janon, whose work I have always loved. Clean lined, dynamic, and lovely, his work sings here. His middle-aged appearing Superman looks like a movie star. The action scenes are fun and frenetic. And the colors by Jordie Bellaire only bring a layer of beauty to things.

But in a current DC world trying to work its way to a Future State, where the super-family has been shaken up a bit, is there room in my mind for the Superman of Earth-?. Well, as long as it entertains, yes.

On to the book.

Bullet Review: Detective Comics #1027

Detective Comics #1027 came out this week, a jumbo issue with a heavy $9.99 price tag, another major anniversary issue just 2 plus years after the mammoth Detective Comics #1000. Of course, this is the 1000th issue with Batman starring in Detective and so I suppose it deserves a bit of accolades.

I think the last Batman book that I collected monthly was Batman Incorporated. (Folks who come here know my love of Grant Morrison ... more on that later.)  I honestly don't know what is happening in the main Batman continuity and even when I hear snippets, I don't think I am missing out.

As a collector though, I love anniversary issues. And I find issues like this, a sort of anthology of short stories by terrific creative teams, to be joyous celebrations. Usually these stories are sort of touch points on themes of the character, a sort of primer on concepts and philosophies. And this issue was no different. 

I wasn't sure if I was going to bullet review this but there is 'blink and you'll miss her' Supergirl sighting and since those aren't common these days I felt compelled. But almost every story in this book is fun. I'll cover just my favorites here but if you have an extra ten bucks, this book is worth it, thick enough to be on you trade shelf.

With a ton of covers to choose from, I picked the Jim Lee 'World's Finest' cover. Hey, in my mind, these two are good friends.

Bullet Review: Green Lanterns Blackstars #3

Green Lantern BlackStars has been something of a metatextual commentary on comics in general. No surprise give that Grant Morrison is writing it.

Last issue we had Hal Jordan confront Superman with the fact that every month seems to be some grim punch 'em up with anthropomorphic universal powers.

But I was a bit intrigued how Morrison was going to wrap this whole thing up. BlackStars was a 3 issue mini between 'seasons' of Green Lantern but the story seemed to have as wide a scope as Year of the Villain and The Batman Who Laughs and Event Leviathan. The Black Stars, the agents of Lord Mu were taking over the universe. They even recruited Jon Kent, Superboy, into the fold.

We had one issue left ... Black Stars #3. Would it all come together? Or would it be another Morrison 'what the heck' story?

I leave you to be the judge.

Bullet Review: Green Lantern Blackstars #2

I freely admit that I am a Grant Morrison fan, the odd mix of acolyte and apologist. I find most everything he writes interesting even though it often is impenetrable. I have decided that reading a Grant Morrison comic is akin to sitting in a thunderstorm. It is exciting. And you just have to let the experience wash over you.

But even when Morrison is at his most inscrutable you can tell he loves comics and reveres the concept of hero. His love of Superman is palpable. And he wants to honor the past.

His current Green Lantern comic is a typical Morrison book. It is pretty trippy. It is often more about the myth and location than it is about Hal Jordan. And I love it.

Currently, we are in the midst of a side story in the book. Hal Jordan has joined the Blackstars, a cult who follow a being named Mu who hopes to bend the universe to his will, a way to protect people. Hal has seemingly abandoned his ring, taking the name Parallax, and is out there with the conquerors.

Green Lantern Blackstars #2 came out yesterday.

I am surprised DC allowed it to be published.

Because in it, Morrison gives a withering, blistering castigation of the state of comics today, in particular DC.

And, of course, I loved it.

Get ready to ride the wave.

Leviathan Theory: Pax Americana

You need to understand something before you move on reading this post.

I have been obsessed with the Leviathan mystery, a healthy little comic diversion given the hectic nature of my life. And I have been poring over the clues. I have a Leviathan Theory.

Unfortunately, obsession can sometimes lead to madness.

 Robin said it best early in the series. When you get a theory that you are completely invested in, you can't shake it.

Moreover, as you think about it, it becomes more real.

I have described it as anchoring bias.

I believe that Ted Kord and the Charlton heroes are Leviathan.

And once you anchor on that, you look for things to confirm that bias.

And just yesterday I posted how the inclusion of the Multiversity map in Action Comics #1015 was actually a clue, a way to trigger the reader to start thinking about multiple Earths in this organized way.

And then that led me to thinking about the actual Earth 4 in the Multiversity map. And that led me back to Pax Americana.

Luma Lynai Sighting: Green Lantern #9

I have been enjoying the new The Green Lantern comic for all its Grant Morrison zaniness. Now I am a Morrison apologist and almost nothing he does is going to fall flat for me. But the scope of this book so far has been insane. And for once, I actually sort of like Hal.

One thing that has always impressed me with Morrison is his knowledge of continuity lore and his willingness to include comic history in his stories.

So I was both thrilled and not surprised to see Luma Lynai appear in The Green Lantern #9.

And I love the way artist Liam Sharp draws her. Just spectacular.

DC November Solicits

It may sound strange but I am having this swell of optimism in my heart about comics and DC Comics in general. Perhaps it is the hazy afterglow of convention season. Perhaps it is because there seems to be a sort of sweep of creativity going through the DC books recently. At the very least, you can say the company is trying new stuff while leaning into their proven commodities.

That feeling only got larger in my heart when I looked at the November solicits, seen here at Newsarama:
https://www.newsarama.com/41452-dc-comics-november-2018-solicitations.html

Maybe it is because one of my favorite artists is doing Supergirl. Maybe it is because a new Shazam book is going to be on the shelf. Maybe it is because Scott Snyder continues to keep the new Justice League book flying at warp 9. Maybe it is G. Willow Wilson is starting on Wonder Woman. Maybe it is one of my all time favorite comic writers back on a monthly?

Maybe it is all of it.

But it starts with seeing Doc Shaner doing November's Supergirl. Not that I don't love Kevin Maguire. But I have been wanting to see Shaner draw Supergirl for a long time. Getting a whole issue of him on Kara (maybe more than one issue?) set the tone!

On to the super-solicits and other stuff that caught my eye.

February 2016 Solicits

The February Solicits for DC were announced last week and there were a couple of surprises. Here is a link to  Newsarama so you can review all the books being offered. There were long awaited items finally solicited that made me happy.

But the bottom line is this ...

There is still no Supergirl book.

Insanity.

Here are the super-books and a couple of other items that caught my eye.

JUSTICE LEAGUE 3001 #9

Written by KEITH GIFFEN and J.M. DeMATTEIS
Art and cover by SCOTT KOLINS
After suffering a brutal defeat by Lady Styx’s legion, the remaining members of the Justice League are forced into hiding—but there are eyes everywhere. And what’s the best way to hide in plain sight? Create secret identities! But even that may not be enough deceive Styx’s deadliest bounty hunter: Eclipso!

Supergirl isn't listed in the solicit but she is right in the center of the team if you look close enough. There is something sort of art deco about this cover by Scott Kolins. I'll miss Howard Porter on the book.

I do like the idea of the League being fought by an overwhelming foe. And Eclipso is a big bad. So it'll be fun to see this new incarnation of the team  fight him.

DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #9
Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT
Art by SANDY JARRELL, ELIZABETH TORQUE and MARIA LAURA SANAPO
Cover by ANT LUCIA
Mera realizes that the only way to achieve victory at sea is to call upon the King of Atlantis. But the price for his assistance may be more than she wants to pay. Stargirl makes plans to return to Russia and rescue her father, while Supergirl comes up against none other than the wealthy American industrialist, Lex Luthor.

Here is the one comic solicit which does name Supergirl.
I have enjoyed this comic much more than I anticipated. I love this Mera cover by Ant Lucia.
And I can only hope that Supergirl doesn't swoon over Luthor. Fingers crossed.
People should be reading this fun book.

ACTION COMICS #49
Written by GREG PAK and AARON KUDER
Art and cover by AARON KUDER
Variant cover by NEAL ADAMS
“Savage Dawn” continues! Now powered by Kryptonite, Superman is confronted by the first of Vandal Savage’s children! It’s a creature with unrelenting bloodlust and the power to match it!

The depowered Superman may be gone here, replaced by one fueled by Kryptonite. You know who that sounds like? 

Ultra Man!

I guess the slow evolution of Superman into the villain version of him is near complete.

I do like the idea that Vandal Savage has a brood of super-powered kids wandering the Earth. And I trust Pak and Kuder to make this into a silk purse. 

As for the variant cover, it might look Crisis-y, but I think it is based on Lois Lane #128

SUPERMAN #49
Written by GENE LUEN YANG
Art and cover by HOWARD PORTER
Variant cover by NEAL ADAMS
“Savage Dawn” continues! Superman and Wonder Woman lead an army of gods and monsters against Vandal Savage and his deadly spawn!

So this also looks like a K-fueled Superman.

We see Superman, Frankenstein, Uruk, and others. Perhaps the rest are the fallen gods from the mythological fight club?

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #49
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by ROBSON ROCHA
Cover by YANICK PAQUETTE
Variant cover by NEAL ADAMS
This epic tale from another era in Clark and Bruce’s history continues! Someone has put a bounty on Batman’s head, and Lobo’s come to collect. Can Superman stop this intergalactic bounty hunter in time?

I guess DC realized that it is hard to sell a Batman/Superman book when the stars are depowered and armored right now. Depowered Clark and mechanized Gordon aren't friends. To force them into a story would be rough.

So why not just print a flashback!

I'll be interested in seeing Tom Taylor's take on these characters mostly because I haven't read much of his stuff.

SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #26
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA
Cover by ED BENES
Variant cover by NEAL ADAMS
Superman Triptych variant cover by KIM JUNG GI
“Savage Dawn” continues! Suffering a terrible loss, Wonder Woman comes to the aid of the Kryptonite-charged Man of Steel to face the terror of the twins of Vandal Savage!
Plus, world-renowned visualist Kim Jung Gi puts his stamp on the DC Universe with a wall-to-wall-to-wall action triptych featuring the Big Three!

I doubt I'll be collecting this book in February.

But is it me or do those twins of Vandal Savage look like the Wonder Twin analogs from the Justice League United cartoon?

That can't be coincidence.

SUPERMAN: LOIS AND CLARK #5
Written by DAN JURGENS
Art by LEE WEEKS and SCOTT HANNA
Cover by LEE WEEKS
Variant cover by NEAL ADAMS
How do you fight a villain who is a reality TV star and still stay undercover? That’s what Superman is up against as he faces a threat created just for ratings: Blackrock! Meanwhile, Intergang has Lois Lane in their crosshairs!

I'm an old school reader so I'll be very interested to see how Dan Jurgens can update Blackrock for the current comic world. Fascinating.

And that cover looks a lot like the classic Jim Steranko Hulk cover.

SUPERMAN: THE COMING OF THE SUPERMEN #1
Written by NEAL ADAMS
Art and cover by NEAL ADAMS
1:25 B and W Variant cover by NEAL ADAMS
From legendary writer/artist Neal Adams comes a threat so epic it will take more than one Man of Steel to handle it in this new 6-issue miniseries!
As Darkseid and the hordes of Apokolips lay waste to the world, even Superman is overwhelmed—but not for long, as three heroes from the miniaturized city of Kandor emerge at full size, armed with all the vast powers of Kal-El, ready to become the new Supermen!
This battle of titans also features the machinations of Lex Luthor, plus fan favorites Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane aiding in the fight for Truth, Justice and the American Way.

I am up in the air about this new mini-series announced this month. Neal Adams is writing and drawing a six issue Superman story where Kandorians are enlisted to help the Man of Steel. That sounds Silver Age-y. So that is a plus.

But I haven't heard many good things about the recent Adams' written books for Batman and others. So I am wary.

Guess I'll try the first issue.

DC COMICS DESIGNER SERIES: DARWYN COOKE—BATMAN, SUPERGIRL, HARLEY QUINN AND ADAM STRANGE ACTION FIGURES
Eisner Award-winning artist Darwyn Cooke lends his amazing design skills to a new line of action figures, beginning with BATMAN, SUPERGIRL, HARLEY QUINN and ADAM STRANGE.
EACH FIGURE SOLD SEPARATELY
1. BATMAN – 6.57”
2. SUPERGIRL – 6.6”
3. HARLEY QUINN – 6.6”
4. ADAM STRANGE – 6.75”

We saw pics of this series of figures from the San Diego Comic Con. Now they are solicited. It is pricey at $28. But I love Cooke's design. And I can forgive the price tag since it comes with Krypto and Streaky. And that is one happy Dog of Steel!

These will be available in June.

WONDER WOMAN EARTH ONE VOL. 1 HC
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art and cover by YANICK PAQUETTE
In this new installment of the New York Times best-selling Earth One original graphic novel line, Grant Morrison (THE MULTIVERSITY) joins with Yanick Paquette (SWAMP THING, BATMAN, INC.) to reimagine Wonder Woman for a new era. Encompassing the vision of her original creator, William Moulton Marston, Morrison presents a Diana who yearns to break free from her mother and the utopian society on Paradise Island to learn about the forbidden outside world. Her dreams may come true when Air Force pilot Steve Trevor crashes on their shores, and she must defy the laws of the Amazons to return him to Man’s World.
Is she ready for the culture shock that awaits her in America? And is the world ready for this Wonder Woman?

While I know that this isn't a Super-book, I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for Grant Morrison and Yanick Paquette's Wonder Woman Earth One book. So I was giddy to finally see the book solicited.

I will definitely be getting this book!

Anything grab you?

Howard Porter Supergirl

I have gushing a bit lately about JLA 3001 (and its predecessor JLA3K). For me, I have found it to be a multi-layered, relatively dense read that also has a bit of irreverence to it. I wouldn't call it a humor title but there is some Giffen flair in there. In some ways, it reminds me just a bit of the 5YL Legion book. There is a lot going on here and you better be on your toes as a reader.

It doesn't hurt that Howard Porter is on art on the book, bringing a nice energy to the proceedings. There is a sort of raw feel to the art which works well with the story. It doesn't hurt that he draws a great Supergirl.

With Porter on my mind, I thought I'd scour the long boxes for other times he has drawn the Girl of Steel (outside of the current JL3001 and the recent covers of the Convergence Matrix book).

In JLA #5, the League decides to have a membership drive and some usual suspects arrive to try out.

It is interesting to note that it is Tomorrow Woman, an android co-made by T.O. Morrow and Professor Ivo that gets the seat. It is also interesting to note that Plas, Aztek, that Green Arrow, and Steel all eventually are all formally in the League during Morrison's run.

There in the background is the Matrix Supergirl.

Wonderful.

The last storyline Morrison does in the book is World War III, a standard Morrison arc where an anti-god is going to destroy everything. Over the course of the issues, the New Gods get involved, then all heroes, and eventually a suddenly super-powered entire population of Earth join in the fight.

It is crazy Morrison magic. But with the entire planet in peril we get lots of cameos.

Here on this crazy page, Supergirl is flying up the stairs to join the heroes.

Later she is at one of the fronts, saving Lex Luthor from being possessed by the evil of the entity and generally kicking butt.

And then finally, while the world itself seems bent on destroying itself (hence the title World War III), the heroes have to unite to save the planet from destruction.

Supergirl is right there in the lead.

Great stuff.

I know Porter is heading over to Superman for a spell to relieve John Romita Jr. But I hope that doesn't mean he is leaving JL3001.

This is basically the only Supergirl we got!

Bullet Review: Multiversity: The Mastermen

I have been enjoying Multiversity, Grant Morrison on walkabout through the multiverse. The stand out for me has been Pax Americana, perhaps the finest comic I have read in years. The Secret Society of Super-Heroes and Thunderworld were also very good.

Last week Multiversity:Mastermen came out, a collaboration of mega-stars Grant Morrison and Jim Lee. This is Earth 10, the old Earth X of the pre-Crisis world, a place where the Nazis won World War II and Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters battled them.

Unlike that world though, this new Earth 10 has a Superman. And he is fighting for the Germans.

And there were enough Supergirl (or here, Overgirl) bits to make it worth a brief review.

Now the comic world went mad at the opening of the book, a constipated Hitler reading Superman comics while on the toilet. But for me, that was the most forgettable part of the book, something that seems more in line with a Mark Millar book.

No, for me, this story is about Superman. Crashing in the Sudetenland instead of Kansas, Kal-El (called Karl) becomes the Ubermensch, the Overman, which leads Germany to victory.

But this is a sad story. Because over the decades, as he continues to run the Reich, you can see that Overman is an empty shell. His life is without joy, without love, without meaning. The above moment of victory is fleeting, replaced by a wasted life.

While there is a Nazi-based JLA, the rebels on the planet are growing stronger and somehow winning.

And Overgirl, the Nazi Supergirl, has been killed at the hands of the growing opposition. We see how her death affects Overman. His dreams are nightmares, reliving this  moment in a Hellish landscape.

This is another homage to the classic Crisis on Infinite Earths #7.

It isn't the first time we have seen Overgirl die. Way back in 2008, in Final Crisis #3, she came through the bleed and died on Earth-1.

Overgirl's death is recent. There is a memorial dedication to her the next day.

It is the small touches of these different Earths that make me appreciate them. On this Earth, Superman is married to Lena Luthor! This world is completely topsy-turvy from what we are used to. Having 'Karl' married to a Luthor is a perfect way to show us how crazy this place is.

She tells him that he needs to be strong at the memorial.

At the memorial, we hear that Overgirl 'died on a distant world'. Maybe that Final Crisis death is 'in continuity'?

Finally, at this service, we learn that the narrator of the book is this world's Jimmy Olsen. He is close to Superman here, a propagandist, but also someone who knows just how empty Superman is.

But the rebellion doesn't stand by while the enemy mourns.

In a great shot, we see the spirit of Uncle Sam leading the attack while the Human Bomb detonates, ending the memorial sevice.

I will say there are some odd wrinkles to the story as well.

I liked how the death of Overgirl seemed to be weighing on Overman, the last straw which has broken his will. Could this loss make him finally realize that he is in charge of a world he hates?

We then learn that the superhumans that are fighting for the undeground, the Freedom Fighters, were given their power through experiments by Dr. Sivana. I love the fact that Sivana ... all of them from all the universe ... are being set up as the big bad in the story.

And I love the redesigned Phantom Lady costume!

One thing that I have seen in many Elseworlds Superman stories is how his 'goodness', his morality, is inherent. Regardless of where he is raised or how he is treated, the real Superman shows. Here, despite what I am sure was a childhood of indoctrination, we see him mourn as he sees the result of the concentration camps. He was away, on the front, while this genocide occurred.

It is the most chilling scene in the book. 

But where other Elseworlds Supermen would change things, make the good rise, this Overman seems to just be crushed by the weight of the world. Instead of shining his light, he just allows the madness to continue around him.

The book ends with the Human Bomb, captured by the JLA, detonating himself on their satellite causing it to plummet to Earth and raze Metropolis. Overman couldn't stop this.

I love Uncle Sam here, extolling the virtues of freedom and the American Way. The issue ends with Overman kneeling amidst the ashes. He is utterly defeated ... but it isn't just physically. He is spiritually defeated.

These Multiversity one-shots are fascinating glimpses into the edges of the new DC multiverse. I would rank this book as one of the better ones, a solidly somber tone to contrast the lighter Thunderworld and pulpier Secret Society.

Review: Superman 23.2 Brainiac

Superman #23.2 Brainiac came out this week and was another satisfying issue released during Villain's Month.

Writer Tony Bedard weaves a very good origin story for Brainiac, bringing in elements of his classic history while rectifying and explaining how The Collector in Grant Morrison's Action Comics run is linked to the villain. Brainiac was the name of Krypton's A.I. Brainiac classically isn't the centipede like creature we saw in Action. So how did it all mesh? Bedard explains it and in a way that is extremely palatable since it riffs on the revelations about Brainiac during his time on Action Comics.

Moreover, there is sort of a 'through a mirror darkly' comparison to Vril Dox and Jor-El which brings another dimension to this origin story. Brainiac is Jor-El gone wrong in many ways. There is even a sort of echo of the current Zor-El as well.

Pascal Alixe does the artwork on the issue and brings a very polished penciled look to the book. From the high-tech land of Colu to the steampunk feel of the world Noma, site of this issue, Alixe really brings a great flair to the story. There is a sort of Gray Frank vibe here, just enough to remind me of Frank's art but being unique enough to be its own work. I wouldn't mind seeing Alixe on a monthly book.

We start on Noma where hero Victoria Viceroy is watch Brainiac dismantle her planet. The Brainiac drones are on the ground, cataloging and gathering key artifacts in preparation for the planet's demise. Brainiac has taken control of Viceroy's android ally Pneumenoid.

With Viceroy defeated, Pneumenoid spins the tale of Brainiac's origins. It is a relatively classic framing device although it means that Pneumenoid is essentially monologing. But this concept that Brainiac has to convince the heroes of the planets he destroys to understand why he does what he does is a sort of psychological flaw.

Again, the art on this section is so great with the detail needed for a steampunk environment, from the decorative piping on Pneumenoid to the blunderbuss Viceroy wields.

Back on Colu, Vril Dox, their world's greatest scientist, is aware that his planet is in peril from the Multitude. And his idea to help prepare for that disaster is to make the Coluans stronger, to survive the attack. His first subject - his own son.

The idea of knowing the planet will be destroyed and preparing for that is Jor-El's story as well. But rather than trying to save his son, Vril decides to experiment on him. That is a warped take on the Superman origin.

It is, however, completely in line with Zor-El's actions in Supergirl, experimenting on her with World Killer tech in hopes of making her stronger. Vril even has his version of Alura, a wife horrified by the actions.

I do like that Vril's psychological foibles are mentioned here. He is called 'odd'. But he clearly has no concept of the sanctity of life or personal freedom.

And then we get a nice replay of Jor-El's impassioned speech in front of the Science Council, except here it is Vril Dox standing in front of Colu's governing board. Dox talks of the 5th Dimensional army The Multitude (the Vyndxtvyx army from Morrison's story), how they move from planet to planet, and that Colu is next.

So instead of "Krypton is Doomed" we get "Vod-Colu is next". The insistence on making a stronger Coluan also ties in nicely to The Twenty storyline in Scott Lobdell's Superman as well. So this issue links Brainiac to both the past and the future.

But Dox is also accused of crimes and is sentenced to a prison sentence on a rocketship.

Of course, Vril wrote all the programming for Colu's technology. He is able to access his C.O.M.P.U.T.O. operating system to take over the ship. And then he returns to Colu in something akin to his current Brainiac ship, shrinks and bottles a city, one that has his wife and son.

And immediately after that bottling, the Multitude arrives and destroys Vod-Colu.

So there is a lot to digest here. The fact that Brainiac decided to save his wife and child shows some sort of humanity inside him, even if he is denying it exists. I really love how Alixe crafts this page with the wife and child outside the panels. It separates them from the rest of the destruction around them, showing us visually that they are important to the story, part of a bigger picture.

With his first city bottled, Brainiac then goes out, collecting information and cities before the Multitude can arrive.

And now we hear why the Brainiac from Krypton, the worm-like Brainiac that came to Earth in Morrison's Action, looks so different from the classic humanoid Coluan. It is because Brainiac has created drones with an 'aspect' of him present, to improve his efficiency.

This reminded of Geoff John's Brainiac arc where all the Brainiac's that Superman had fought were merely drones and not the true Brainiac. So that worked very well for me, bringing in elements of a more classic origin.

And this splash page is wonderful by Alixe. The brooding Brainiac in the background as we see these monstrous aspects surrounding him. In particular, I find the Mind-Wyrm Brainiac from Morrison's Action horrific!

During that first sweep of the galaxy, the Brainiac Wyrm heads to Krypton and bottles Kandor. During that attack, this Collector becomes Brainiac by name, absorbing the Kryptonian AI. So, at last, we have the explanation of the name.

I think this is one of the key moments in the book. Brainiac finds Jor-El to be a kindred spirit - no surprise given the opening scenes here. But, unlike Vril, Jor-El is able to repel the Multitude. Unfortunately Brainiac can never learn how because Krypton explodes.

I really think that Brainiac does not like to be one-upped when it comes to intelligence. Jor-El out-thought him, and that doesn't sit well.

Back on Noma, Victoria Viceroy has heard enough. She knows, because of some technology she built into Pneumenoid, that this origin story isn't 100% true. (I love the name Madame Absynthe! Too bad we won't see this world again.)

So what is Brainiac after? Is it to find a world with beings that he can download the Coluan intellects into (as in Lobdell's current arc)? Is it to simply gather as much knowledge as possible?

Viceroy shoots Pneumenoid forcing Brainiac himself to show up. He admits that he destroys the planets he 'collects' now to deny the Multitude their prize. But we know that Jor-El was able to defend against the Multitude. So why destroy the planet if, perhaps, the champions of that world can replicate Jor-El's feat.

I don't think Brainiac wants someone else to do what he couldn't. We know it is a twisted urge, a psychological flaw. I think this is fantastic.

Before Brainiac can destroy Noma completely, Viceroy sends out a copy of this encounter, so others can hear Brainiac's story. And Earth's Dr. Veritas is able to pick up the signal and translate it. Now Superman will know, Brainiac is coming.

So overall a very entertaining issue. From a Brainiac story, we see the merging of the Morrison wyrm Brainiac, a nice reflection comparing Vril to Jor-El, the interesting and humanizing element of a wife and child in Brainiac's history, and then this jealous feeling over Jor-El's accomplishment. That all worked. And it gives the character more depth, making him more interesting then a simple cold robotic intelligence.

But this all comes together with the art by Alixe who is able to do quiet moments, massive destruction, sterile Colu and sumptuous Noma. I love the soft pencil look here, which works despite the tech-heavy nature of the character.

Great stuff. One of my favorite issues from Villains Month.

Overall grade: A