Bullet Review: DC's Very Merry Multiverse

Finding Supergirl stories in this time of DC flux is pretty hard. So I'll take almost anything I can get.

I also love Holiday issues and will usually buy the DC version of them each year hoping to get stories that are inspiring and maybe even a wee bit corny. It's okay to get a little sentimental this time of year. 

This year DC put out DC's Very Merry Multiverse, an anthology of holiday-inspired stories on many different Earths. I was glad to see this play out in more traditional holiday fare than last year's rather dystopian Nuclear Winter special. This was fun and merry and bright with a whole smorgasbord of Earths visited.

But I decided to concentrate on the Supergirl story. Or maybe I should say 'Supergirl' story as this tale takes place on Earth-11, the gender-swapped Earth and the Supergirl there is Laurel Kent, the daughter of Superwoman. And while I liked Laurel, there was an even better young hero in this story worth contemplating.

On to this fun New Year's Even story.

Review: DC Nuclear Winter Special #1

I had seen the solicits for DC's Nuclear Winter Special #1 and I saw the creator list included a number of names of creators who I trust. This includes but isn't limited to Steve Orlando, Paul Dini, Tom Taylor, Cecil Castellucci, Phil Hester, Scott Kolins, Jerry Ordway, etc.

That's a lot of names of people whose work I routinely love.

But then I saw the price point. $10 is a lot to shell out for a collection of post-apocalyptic, 'this isn't a holiday special', 'out of continuity book. I'd almost rather buy three monthlies and keep those titles afloat. It's like a $10 lottery ticket. It might be a winner. But it might not. And shouldn't that sawbuck go elsewhere?

Luckily I have friends who don't overthink things so much and had bought it. Those folks loved it. So when you say there are creators who you trust in the book and there are comic friends who you trust telling you to buy the book, you reach into your wallet and you plop the Hamilton down.

I am so happy I did. I won't cover all the stories here but they are all very good. But tucked in there is a Supergirl story by writer Tom Taylor with breakdowns by Tom Derenick and finished art and colors by dazziling newcomerYasmin Putri. The tale is absolutely wonderful. It certainly will make my top ten list. It leans into so many things I feel about Supergirl's history. It is hopeful, even in the nightmarish world it exists in. And it is beautiful. This alone would have made the book worth buying.

Back Issue Holiday Box: DCU Infinite Holiday Special #1

For the first time in a while I actually skipped a day of blogging, not posting on Thursday of this week. I will be honest, I have been running around like a crazy Anj. Between work, standard family fare, and the holidays, I simply ran out of time.

With the holidays on my mind, I thought I would review a Supergirl Christmas story from 2007, one of the tales in the DCU Infinite Holiday Special #1. 

"All I Want For Christmas..." was written by then Supergirl scribe Joe Kelly with art by Ale Garza, who was going to be taking over the Supergirl title soon after. In December 2007, Supergirl #13 was on the rack, the middle of the Power Boy love story with the 'crystal Hell, kill Kal-El' stories right around the corner. For me, this was not a good time to be a Supergirl fan as things were going to get dark and horrible. She seemed weighed down by angst, bratty, and miserable. And yet, Kelly's last issue (Supergirl #19) seemed to turn all that around. I have always wondered if Kelly was hoping to stay on the title longer, ready to right the ship after cleansing her of all the nonsense. The following year's Supergirl story by Joe Kelly was so uplifting. Maybe that is what he wanted her to be.

I hadn't read this story in a while and you see some glimpses of hope in this story. Kelly still has this be an edgy Kara but you get the sense she is ready to be happy and a hero. The ends are there; the means are still rough. It surprises me that, given this story, we still had 7 more months of a terrible Supergirl ahead of us.

But enough dwelling on the bad. This is the holiday season.

The story starts out with Clark extolling the virtues of Christmas and Supergirl being snarky about the whole thing. Santa isn't in the bible. Jesus wasn't born in December. Shops are 'pimping out' salvation. It all seems like a joke to her.

Superman asks her to look past this stuff and instead concentrate on the spirit of Christmas. And maybe a good way to do that is to help out others and answer some of the Christmas letters that get sent to Superman.

Surprisingly, given the feel of the book at this time, she takes his suggestion to heart.

We see her fixing homes, flying with gifts and wearing a Santa hat, playing with kids, visiting babies, and doing flying sleigh rides. She even is smiling in some of the pictures.

But, more consistent with her character at the time, we also get that bored panel in the right corner, as if she is wondering why she is even bothering. Because making kids happy and doing good isn't its own reward.

Well, reality sinks in a bit. One of the letters is from a young girl named Brooke who wants to see her father who is serving in the military overseas.

Supergirl heads to the house to gather some information and is shocked to see the mother slam the door in her face, telling her to mind her business.

So much for Christmas cheer.

Heading to the Batcave, Supergirl tries to figure out what's going on. I do like the winter hat look.

But remember this is the 2007 Supergirl.

She doesn't like to be told what to do.
She doesn't want to do nice things.
She has problem with authority.

Okay, I will say it for the millionth time ... I DON'T WANT A SUGARY SWEET Silver Age SUPERGIRL!

But despite the fact that she really is trying to do something nice here, the trappings are of this irritated young girl.

And the scene ends with her kissing Alfred and leaving a Christmas gift for Bruce!

Can you see why I might have thought that Kelly was trying to show that maybe just bubbling under the surface is a Supergirl who wants to be a hero and do what's right? Did he add this element just for the holiday story?

It turns out that Brooke's father isn't a nice guy at all. Cheated on his wife. Lost their savings. Became a drunk. Thinks the mother 'trapped him' with the pregnancy!

So he also tells Supergirl to fly away and mind her own business.

Remember, we were just at the beginning of the 'mad Zor-El' aspect of Supergirl's story. She has her own Daddy issues. And since this guy has a chance to put things right, she pushes things.

She finds the father again and flies him high into the sky ... and then drops him!

Luckily, she catches him.

But this is her effort to scare him straight. Would he really want to die without clearing things up with his ex-wife and daughter. She can't force him to do anything. But she knows he can make things better.

This is one of those 'young heroes learning' moments that I love. This is the right thing to do. Maybe dropping him wasn't the right means to get to this end. But her heart is in the right place.

Again, you can see why I might be lured into optimism with this story.

And then this ending.

A smiling Supergirl, wanting to open presents, talking about Christmas miracles!

And the last panel has Brooke writing a new Christmas letter to Supergirl now ... not Superman. She has a new hero. And the father is hugging her. Again, isn't this a nice Supergirl story, one built on love and hope and compassion ... albeit with the rough edges of youth.

And yet ... for some reason, the image that was burned in my brain with this story is the mother's expression in the lower panel. She does not seem happy. Even her silhouette in the last panel it is clear her arms are crossed.

This isn't a miracle for everyone. This woman probably still wants this guy out of her life. I can only hope that eventually this guy learns to fly right and everyone is content with this family dynamic. But that sullen expression kind of soured a more magical ending.

Still, this is a pretty good Supergirl story as she learns the meaning of Christmas spirit, as she helps people out, sacrificing her time for the betterment of others, going the extra step to make sure someone is done right by her.

Happy holidays to everyone!

Overall grade: B+

Back Issue Box: Christmas With The Super-Heroes #2

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everybody!

Long overdue for a look here at this blog, I figured I would review the Deadman story from Christmas with the Super-Heroes from 1988.

While it is a Deadman story, it resonates most powerfully as a Supergirl story from the immediate post-Crisis DCU, a DCU where there wasn't a Supergirl, wasn't ever a Supergirl, and characters therefore did not remember Supergirl.

'Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot' was written by Alan Brennert and drawn by Dick Giordano. I am always shocked to see Giordano's name on this story. Giordano gave the okay for Supergirl to be killed in COIE #7. This story is such a sympathetic look back at Supergirl, almost an apologia for her being erased from the history books, I am surprised he drew it.

The story starts with Deadman bemoaning his lonely existence as a wraith. Despite all he does, he aches for human contact, moreso at the holidays.

He begins hopping bodies, taking in moments of other people's lives to ease his own emotional pain. He steps into a man's body and enjoys a Christmas dinner, laughing with his family, loving his girlfriend, being someone again.

But then he realizes that his joy is at the expense of this man's life. It will never be Deadman's joy. Filled with anger and self-loathing, he leaves the man and takes off into the night.

It's there that he runs into a young woman who can see him flying there, can talk to him.

She can sense his anguish and tells him what he needs to hear. He is a hero. He does what he does because he can. He doesn't do it for accolades or gratitude. He does it to help people.

And he has to do it ... even if no one knows he is doing it. Even if no one knows he exists. Hmmmm ...

Set again on the right path, Deadman tries to thank the mystery woman. He asks her for her name.

"My name is Kara. Though I doubt that will mean anything to you." I still get chills.

This was Supergirl, the one who did what she needed to do and saved the universe because that is what heroes do. This is the Supergirl that was eliminated from the timeline, expunged from everyone's memory.

And with the lesson learned, she disappears.

His resolve re-established, Deadman thanks Kara ... whoever she is.

There is even a little kudos to Otto Binder and Jim Mooney who were the creators on Supergirl's earliest adventures.

It is such a short and lovely story, getting to the core of who Supergirl was in a handful of panels. It showed her heroism, her strength, her sacrifice. "We do it because it needs to be done. Because if we don't, know one else will."

It was as if someone in the DC offices realized that something special was gone and we needed to be reminded of it. Few stories encapsulate the beauty of Supergirl as a character as this one does. Wonderful.

I see this issue at conventions all the time, dog-eared in the fifty cent bin. It pains me. Because for old time Supergirl fans, this is such a beloved story, a hidden jewel, a near perfect eulogy for who she was and what she represented. The first time I read it, I suddenly didn't feel alone as someone who was a fan of Supergirl, or who missed her. If these creators could write this story, they must feel the same way.

I often rank the back issues I review in terms of their importance to a Supergirl collection. This would get my highest ranking, a very important story in the Supergirl mythos, even if she never appears in costume, never shows her powers. It's short and in a holiday anthology. But its impact cannot be denied. I cannot thank Brennert enough for writing it.

Overall grade: A+

I'll be away from blogging for a couple of days with the holidays. Hope everyone stays safe and has fun.

Happy Holidays - Justice League Unlimited #16

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!

To help celebrate this time of year, I thought I would review Justice League Unlimited #16, a nice holiday tale that reinforces the ideas of family and forgiveness. The book is written by Adam Beechen and drawn by Carlo Barbieri.

I have always like Barbieri's art and his stuff is simple yet stylish and very smooth. The cover here is perfect with Supergirl as Santa front and center, the other Leaguers wearing Santa hats as well.

So pour yourself some egg nog (or whatever holiday spirits you enjoy) and we look at 'Smashing Through The Snow'.


The book opens cheerily with Kara giving Atom Smasher a kiss under the mistletoe. Seems like Supergirl has really come to enjoy the holiday times on Earth and is really reveling in all things Christmas.

Atom Smasher reminds Supergirl that he is Jewish but I am pretty sure he appreciates the kiss nevertheless.


Turns out that Atom Smasher is a bit down despite the festivities around him. His uncle (presumably Al Pratt, the original Atom) has passed away during the year. Smasher's family used to gather at his uncle's house to celebrate Hanukkah and that isn't going to happen this year.

In fact, the only family he will be near are his fellow Leaguers. It seems the League has a rule where the younger members are on duty during the holidays. Supergirl, Power Girl, Firestorm, and Stargirl are all there with Atom Smasher. At least one 'grown-up' is there ... Hawkgirl is also on duty. With the decorations up, the group hopes to celebrate the holidays together quietly.

The party is put on hold when Blackgate Prison calls, telling the League that Girder has escaped.

And he isn't being to subtle, leaving a trail of rubble behind him.

The group descends on Girder and a brawl ensues. I really like this 2 page spread of the group swarming on him.

Girder is surprisingly tough.


In fact, despite the firepower in the group, he actually is able to incapacitate all of them. With the League unconscious in the snow, Girder runs off.

Atom Smasher comes to first and is able to follow the path of destruction Girder has left in his wake. The trail leads straight into a sleepy neighborhood as Christmas morning first dawns.


The two fight in the streets with Girder crying that he won't be stopped and that he is close to doing what he needs to do.

Fearing that carnage will ensue, Smasher tosses Girder into a cement truck luckily nearby. The cement traps the villain in a block of stone. What poor construction company is forced to poor concrete on Christmas morning?

But Atom Smasher is a bit befuddled. What could Girder have wanted there? After a little bit of snooping, he realizes that Girder was hoping to just get home on Christmas to visit his son.


And feeling the Christmas spirit, Atom Smasher brings the son to Girder who has been put back in prison.

I like both Girder's stunned look (after all why would he expect anyone to do anything nice for him) and the son's happy look at seeing his father.


There is a nice scene to end the book.

Supergirl asks Smasher why he would go out of his way for a 'dirtbag' like Girder. (Maybe Kara still has some things to learn about the holiday spirit.)

He responds that Girder is still a person, regardless of his past mistakes.



And Girder is that boy's dad. And don't all families deserve to be together on Christmas?

It's a nice ending. Being with family and forgiving. That is what the holiday spirit is all about! Hopefully Supergirl understands that sentiment.

I thought this was a great holiday issue for the Johnny DC line with a nice moral and great art.

Overall grade: B+

I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday !! I will probably be away for the next couple of days and will start posting again next week starting with a review of the fun and fast-paced World's Finest #3.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!

This Santa Kara picture is courtesy of Karl Kerschl from this year's DC Universe Holiday Special.


Here is the whole picture, showing a holiday celebration at the Kent farm. I like how Krypto has antlers on.

I hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday season. I will probably be off-line for the next few days but should be back on before the new year with the usual conglomeration of reviews, news, and updates. Hopefully some Supergirl-related gift ends up under the tree.

But most importantly, THANKS AGAIN to absolutely everyone who visits and posts. This blog has been a great creative outlet for me this last half year ... a true gift ... and you all have been a part of it.

Happy Holidays!

Review: DC Universe Holiday Special #1

I am a sucker for comic Holiday issues. Call it my inner child. Or maybe it is the fact that the holidays are the one time when my inherent pessimism fades and becomes some meager glimmer of optimism ... I still well up a little bit at the end of 'It's A Wonderful Life' ... but I always buy these issues. Usually the stories are throwbacks to a simpler time when humanity seemed inherently good.



Occasionally there is a real gem of a story like the famous 'Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot' in Christmas With The Super-Heroes #2 from 1988. That was the famous post-Crisis 'I am Kara' story, a story I thought about reviewing here but it seemed too obvious. Maybe next year.

This year, I was impressed with 'A Day Without Sirens' in the DC Universe Holiday Special 2008 .

The issue opens in Gotham with Commissioner Gordon hearing about a proposed 'Day Without Sirens' throughout the city. Gordon shrugs it off knowing that in the time just before the holidays there are innumerable crimes. There is no way that the criminals of Gotham would heed such a calling.

And yet, the day proceeds in the Police Department with an almost preternatural silence. At first the officers can't believe it. They keep checking the phones. They are called out only once to save a cat from a tree.

The news begins to spread throughout the city. The police officers put on holiday music and order lunch. They are seen smiling and laughing with each other, a welcome change from the usual grim business.

At 11:59PM, Commissioner Gordon holds a press conference applauding the fact that indeed there was a 'Day Without Sirens' in Gotham.

In a short but poignant speech, he says 'The only explanation that I can come up with is that grace still lives in our city. We should all walk away today ... carrying a little hope in our pockets."

And isn't that what the holidays are all about, that hope that things will get better. That humanity will work together to make this world a better place for the future. That Hope and Grace are alive in all of us and not outdated concepts in this dingy world.

But the day ends. At 12:01AM the emergency line lights up. There is a double homicide. "Party's over."

Still ... there was that day. Gordon reflects it with Batman, saying if it can happen once it can happen again. That the city can strive for that.

And, in what has to be a true Christmas miracle, Batman actually cracks a joke.

If the story ended there, I would have been happy. Heck, it was a near perfect ending. And I probably would have reviewed it here. I was that struck by it.

But there was one more page!

Turns out that the city had a guardian angel on duty during the 'Day Without Sirens'. Oracle was having all emergency calls forwarded to her during those 24 hours. And when a call came in, she sent out Supergirl as the response team.

Kara looks exhausted, saying she is going to shower for a week and then sleep for a week after this day. So she probably handled the usual pre-Holiday Gotham volume of calls.

But Oracle tells Supergirl that she did something special, that she gave Commissioner Gordon, Batman, the whole city a gift of hope.

The inclusion of Kara in such an inspiring story was a little Christmas gift to me. Sometimes hope has to be earned through hard work. And the fact that she and Oracle ... that anyone ... would work so hard for the good of others, with no chance of reward or recognition, well that was this story's 'It's A Wonderful Life' moment of holiday splendor.

And perhaps the most shocking thing of all ... the story was written by Joe Kelly! Joe Kelly !!!

Could it be that Joe Kelly, whose run on Kara's title I have consistently trashed, wrote a story with Supergirl that I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed? That he wrote an altruistic hard-working Kara who toiled simply for the good of mankind? Now that, my friends, *IS* a Christmas miracle!

So ... Mr. Kelly ... if you should see this ... Happy Holidays and Season's Greetings !!! Thank you for a wonderful story!