Back Issue Box: Infinite Crisis Secret Files And Origins

One of my greatest joys in comics is scouring the bargain bins for hidden gems. Dollar boxes are abundant here and whenever I thumb through, I feel like some old miner, panning for gold and hoping to strike it rich.

Now usually I am looking for things from the 70s and 80s in those bins but more recently, I have discovered a new passion. I like finding books from the 90s and 00s which maybe I should have bought but didn't. And any over-sized or Prestige format book found there is most likely going to get bought.

In particular, I have found a new love for the DC Secret Files and Origins series. These books usually have a couple of stories. They exist to fill in readers to a current character's history and ongoing stories. And they always have some version of 'Who's Who' style pages. It has reached a point that, if in the $1 box, even for characters or arcs I don't like, I'll probably get the Secret Files and Origins.

Which brings me to Infinite Crisis Secret Files and Origins 2006. To be frank, I don't really remember this Crisis too well. I remember Alexander Luthor and Superboy Prime escaping paradise and doling out 'reality punches' to shake up the universe. I think Luthor even makes 'tuning forks' like the Monitor. And, of course, Superman from Earth-2, the first hero and the ultimate hero in Crisis on Infinite Earths, was made a patsy.

I also remember a hodge-podge of artists filling in pages in the latter issues.

But the ending? I don't recall.

So this falls into one of those 'don't like the arc but maybe I'll like this Secret Files' sort of issue. And, as usual, I did. A few key moments will be shared!

Infinite Crisis Supergirl

News came out earlier this week that Supergirl was joining another multiplayer online video game. Thanks to all the folks who passed on the info! As this seems somewhat 'buzzworthy', I thought I'd cover it sooner rather than later.

Supergirl was revealed as the next 'champion' in the Infinite Crisis game. Now the days of me playing video games regularly is unfortunately behind me. But pals with more free time tell me this is a fun game to play as a DC fan. Here is the link to the actual game: https://www.infinitecrisis.com/en

There is a YouTube video showcasing the character, elements of design, and showing her powers. It is worth watching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPi2heRO8Z8#t=329

Now one thing I will say is the actual character (as seen above) is really beautiful. She looks great. And when you see her flying in during her origin video (more detailed graphics) she is bright and smiling. I mean look at her up there! That's fantastic!

Unfortunately, the new reality of Supergirl is the 'new 52' model. The designer describes her main motivation as being angry. He says part of her character is that she has a very visceral response her landing punches against her opponents.

She does have a nice if interesting array of powers.

Since this is the New 52, she has a sort of sun burst power called Solar Furnace. But this is more like a Hulk power than a beam. With each successive punch she lands she glows brighter, gaining power. So basically the more violent she is, the more powerful she becomes. It is Hulk-like.

She also has an attack called 'World Breaker' which the designer states is when Supergirl 'punches through people'! Nothing says DCnU like being dismembered or impaled!

One of her end moves is called 'Comet'. I wonder if the game designers knew about the Comet character when they added this. It is pretty much a tackling attack similar to a spear in football.

I do like that she has a 'Determination' ability where she can focus and gain bonuses.

Look, I understand this is a fighting game. Of course there is little place in a game like this for brightness and optimism. But it still bothers me that the new normal is an angry Supergirl glowing with rage and punching through people.

The YouTube video does show game play which makes me think the game is a lot of fun, especially when it comes to crafting a team. But some of it sounds odd. You can equip characters with gear to help optimize their abilities. They recommend that Supergirl should wield Joe Chill's gun. That's just wrong.

Still, I think DC is still looking to cash in on both Supergirl's more historic optimistic outlook and the bad girl they want to shove down our throats.

Look at this image from the game. That is a smiling Supergirl, looking up at the stars, arms folded in a confident way. That is more classic Supergirl!

Does that look like an enraged character looking to punch through people, seething with her own rage?

So which Supergirl is it?

Anyways, would love to hear from anyone who plays the game.