Review: Superman/Spider-Man #1 Back-Up Stories

I reviewed the main story in the DC released Superman/Spider-Man crossover here. But just as satisfying were the back-up features teaming up members of the Super-family with the Spider-verse. 

I liked all of them, some more than others.  But they all were entertaining and that isn't something I can say about many of the anthologies DC puts out. And obviously on a project this massive, DC brings in the big guns. This isn't some lesser known creators that DC is letting dip their toes in the DCU. These are veterans and superstars. 

The good thing about families as big as the Supers and the Spiders is that there are enough to give us 7 different team-ups. Impressive. 

These will be bullet reviews of these quick stories. 

We'll start with 'The World's Finest' by Tom King and Jim Lee teaming up Lois and MJ.

While Superman and Spider-Man fight off a Sentinel tracking down a surprise guest-star mutant, Lis and Mary Jane talk about life as the better halves. How many times have they hung from bridges, met other-dimensional versions of themselves, and even died.

As someone who thinks Peter should have ended up with Gwen, I like that MJ talks about how Spidey has a thing about bridges.

Jim Lee Fandome Poster

 

 The DC Fandome event is around the corner. Of course, it is happening on a day I am working. So I will be scouring the internet the day after for any news of  Supergirl which has been spilled ... if any.

The timing of the event given the recent DC purge is interesting. 

But I do like the energy that we are seeing around the event and hope it might rekindle some hope about the company.

One thing that did catch my eye was this poster by Jim Lee looking at DC properties which have crossed over into other media. Here is a link to some coverage: https://www.cbr.com/batwoman-jim-lee-javicia-leslie-dc-fandome-art/

Now I can understand some of the buzz around the new Batwoman being there. That show is getting a bit of an upheaval. 

But you can guess where my eyes went.

Bullet Review: Legion of Super-Heroes:Millennium #1

It has been a long time since a Legion of Super-Heroes book has been on the rack. We just saw the actual team pop into the Superman books at the end of the Unity Saga.

Before a new, true Legion of Super-Heroes book hits the stores, DC has released a two part mini-series to bridge the gap and define the timeline. Legion of Super-Heroes:Millenium #1, the first part, came out last week. It is written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Jim Lee, Dustin Nguyen, Andrea Sorrentino, and Andre Lima Araujo.

There are interesting aspects to the book.

The idea of Rose and Thorn being immortal and walking through the timeline of the DCU is a decent hook. How did she become immortal? And what does it mean for someone with a tenuous grip on reality to live forever?

I very much like the idea of there being a defined order of the different eras in the DCU. What came first? At the very least we have a timeline. That works for me.

And the respect Supergirl gets shown here is wonderful. Kudos to Bendis!

What is missing is the Legion! I suppose their name in the title is a draw.

I'll concentrate on the Supergirl section but I'll briefly touch on two other moments in the book.

Boston Fan Expo Recap #1 - Tyler Kirkham Commission plus Lee, King, & Orlando

This last weekend was Fan Expo Boston, the beginning of my convention season. I have been anticipating this con greatly because of the depth of the comic creator guest list that was coming and I wasn't disappointed.

From a commission point of view, I knew that this was going to be a light con, maybe two commissions. And my number one target for the day was Tyler Kirkham. Thankfully, I was able to land on his list and get a sketch.

I also knew that this was going to be the con where I would go the extra mile to make sure I met Jim Lee. I had the opportunity a couple of times prior but passed when the lines became too long. This time I spent a bit more to guarantee a brief interaction.

And the list of other creators that were present is a bit too long to regurgitate. I'll touch on John Byrne and Bob McLeod in recap #2. But it was great to meet Steve Orlando, Sam Humphries, Greg Land, and others there. And I also got to run into Tom King, Clay Mann, Peter Tomasi, and Frank Quitely again.

The one thing I have to say is that almost every creator had some charge for signatures. Often it was 2-3 for free but then $5 after. Some where every sig was $5. Some were $10. It has made me change my approach to pulling books for sigs which is kind of a shame. I understand their side of the financial equation as well.

The last day was a family day where the two youngest Supergirls joined me and were able to meet the cast of Steven Universe. They had a great time shopping for themselves and friends. 

So overall, a very good experience. Up next, the Kirkham commission!

Fan Expo Boston Preparation

Okay, we are moving at light speed towards my conventions season. I am lucky enough to have a several conventions be close by over the summer months and each con has a distinctly different feel to it.

The first con is Fan Expo Boston, formerly The Boston Comic Con. Last year was the first time Fan Expo was running the show, purchased from the local organizers. As a result, last year had a very corporate feel to it. It was moved to a bigger venue, one with free parking, and had more celebrities on the guest list. But it lost a little bit of the 'true comic con' homey feel the prior incarnation did. The comic guests seemed like a tack on rather than the draw.

Now I'm not complaining. I have Terrificon coming up to give me the true comic feel. And I don't mind experiencing a more business-like con here because it is probably the closest I'll get to San Diego.

This year's comic guest list is very impressive. Perhaps last year's success was enough to lure some big names. So I definitely have people to run and see. I also have a couple of commission hopes. So with all that said, here is my Fan Expo Boston con prep post.

DC Nation #1

The second issue of DC Nation, the company-made fan magazine, came out this week and I have to say as a fan of DC, I was impressed.

First off, the price. Free!

Second, it is 48 pages of high gloss, gorgeous art and news. It isn't just 'Direct Currents', although the latest solicits are in there. There are interviews. There are small pieces where you get to 'meet' the creators and staff. There are process pages. There is concept art.

For someone who loves comics, loves seeing the creative process, loves hearing from the creators, this is a perfect vehicle for all things DC.

I wonder how long they can keep up something of this quality or size. I can imagine it eventually being 20 pages or $1 or both.

But until then, I am going to drink it all in. Especially when I learn a little more about my favorite characters and upcoming books.

For example,

Review: Action Comics #1000

Last week was a huge day in Superman history as Action Comics #1000 came out, complete with 10 different variant covers and 10 different stories. One of those was ''The Truth', the first installment by Brian Michael Bendis in his time running the Superman mythos.

I have to say that I loved the issue. Not every story resonated with me. But they all encapsulated who Superman is. I won't review all of them but each vignette leaned into the idea of Superman being a source of truth and justice, a good man trying to help, an inspiration to people everywhere, and beloved. This was my Superman.

Now this won't work for everyone, I'm sure. Some might think it was hokey. Others boring. Others yet unoriginal. But anniversary issues like this ... and this is the biggest anniversary issue of them all so far ... are supposed to be about looking back at the big concepts. And for me, I wanted it to honor all the mythology that came before it.

To put it in other terms, I'm a baseball fan and my favorite baseball movie is The Natural, an almost supernatural story about redemption. That's level is what this issue was. Not Bull Durham or Major League.

I also admit that I splurged and got a bunch of covers. I ordered the limited Artgerm and Tyler Kirkham variants. And at the store I bought the Dan Jurgens, Steve Rude, and Mike Allred covers. 

My favorite is probably the Allred one because he snuck so much Silver Age sweetness onto the cover, including some excellent Supergirl moments.

The plan here will be to look closely at the Bendis story and then touch upon some of the others, so be warned. Spoilers ahead.

Rebirth ?

It was mid-afternoon on Friday when Bleeding Cool ran an article that had a rumor that DC was thinking of blowing everything up again, renumbering all their books at #1, and basically starting over. Here is that link: http://www.bleedingcool.com/2016/01/22/dc-comics-to-relaunch-everything-with-1s-again-this-summer-with-a-filmtv-bent/

Now this was just a rumor but the idea of DC scrapping the New 52 just 4 years in and rebranding the universe to fit in with the other media versions of the characters seemed preposterous. Didn't it?

Well shortly after that story Jim Lee and Dan Didio tweeted the above image. Most likely spurred by the Bleeding Cool break of the story, they probably felt they needed to get ahead of the game.

Now this is one image and one word - Rebirth - but to me it spoke volumes. And it also spoke to how splintered I am psychologically as a DC fan right now.

You see, I have long had issues with the New 52 and it's treatment of the characters I love. Remove Grant Morrison's initial Action Comics run and Superman has been all over the map but no where near iconic. He's been aloof, a monster, powerless. He has been away from the Daily Planet. The Kansas farm boy has decided he can love a goddess.  He has had no relationship with Lois. He has been hated and shunned by Lana and Perry. And he has been hated by the people of Earth. No longer is he an inspiration to do better. He isn't trusted.

Supergirl went from being an angry, cold, distant young woman who hated her family and Earth to leaving the planet, dying at the hands of her father, being resurrected, and then becoming a Red Lantern.

And the whole vibe of the universe is humorless and dark. From Forever Evil to Future's End to Doomsday viruses to The Truth, I would never ever ever want to live in the DCU.

So I should be welcoming a reboot with open arms? Right? I mean, I should be hoping that DC leadership realizes the mistakes it has made, wipes the universal slate clean, and gives me back my heroes.

But if this is truly a universal rewrite, it also means that I have to start back from square one. And that means losing the few successes this new universe has brought me. From Burnside Batgirl to Harley Quinn to the last issues of Supergirl, I have read good stories. From Starfire and the rocker Black Canary to the odd but engaging Martian Manhunter, there has been some wins in DCYou. Do I lose those books?

And lastly, if the New 52 seemed like a Hail Mary pass by DC to be relevant again, another universal reboot just 4 years later seems like a pathetic grasp for readers by a leadership group who has lost my trust.

Am I honestly supposed to believe with the people in charge that this new Rebirth will be better than the New 52? Isn't the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result?

If the New 52 was a perfect jump-off point, couldn't Rebirth be the 'cut the cord' moment?

So the windmills in my mind are spinning. I don't like much of the New 52. I have been clamoring for change almost weekly on this blog. I should be thrilled about a change!

And yet, another change this soon after the last makes me realize that right now DC is in complete disarray. It's one thing to rationalize this as something Marvel just did. It's another thing entirely when you add in this was just done a handful of years ago.

There are many mantras I have used over the course of my time on this site. One I use all the time is apt here.

Good stories trump all.

Just give me good stories DC. I'm ready for them.

But another misstep after the line wide missteps of the New 52 would be catastrophe.

Jim Lee On A New Supergirl Book

We have been waiting for information on a new Supergirl book since the last one was cancelled before its time. And finally ... finally ... we have a little.

Over on IGN Jim Lee was being interviewed about a number of topics including a new Hush collection, his work on Batman, and comics in general. And, surprisingly, the topic of Supergirl came up.

IGN: One last question. The Supergirl show is coming this Fall, but there's no Supergirl comic book on the shelf. Are there any plans to bring Supergirl back with her own solo series?
Lee: We'd be remiss if we did not use that as an opportunity. If you look at all the shows, we've tried to do things that both tie in directly into the core mythology of the show itself. But a lot of times you see the best stories featuring, let’s say Green Arrow or The Flash, those are the ones which see the greatest lift when a show becomes a hit. I think you'll see an interesting mix of Supergirl content come out, some of which will closely mirror what's going on in the show, but there's some of the great stories that we publish that we will put out.

I think it's exciting to see one of the key franchises lifted and showcased and we have really high hopes for it.

Now it isn't much. But at least we know that DC is thinking about the character and wants to take advantage of the opportunity the show is providing. I think it is interesting that Lee talks about trying to tie the concept of the book with the tone of the show. He even brings up Arrow and Flash. But then he talks about publishing stories that don't mesh at all (hence the New 52 reprint and the resolicit of the Loeb trade).

So are they waiting for the show? Are they waiting to see the response of the show? Are they waiting for the right creators to show up? Wait until the mess of DCYou settles down to decide if this is going to be 'meat and potatoes' or 'Burnside mash'?

I have to say that I find it frustrating that despite the incredible buzz of the show, despite the consistent failure of the darker interpretations of Kara, DC still feels the need to try to shove a bitter take on Supergirl to the readers. Why not revisit the Gates/Igle stuff? Cosmic Adventures? Why not release a Showcase book of the Daring New series? Why not do a show-related digital book with the same upbeat hope of the show? Why not embrace the Supergirl who wants to do good and inspire, who strive to be like Superman?

Why not?????

Anyways, at least Supergirl is on the minds of the higher ups at the company. Now we just need the right book!

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 Unchained #9

Superman Unchained #9 came out this week, the last issue of this title which has, despite delays, been one of the better books that I have read over the last year. Yes, it took 16 months for 9 issues to come out. But in this story we got a classic Superman, a very strong and very classic Lois, a plotting Luthor, and the Wraith, an version of Superman had the government raised him (a sort of DC version of Marvel's Hyperion which is a version of DC's Superman).

Writer Scott Snyder had multiple plots rolling along through the book and I have been waiting for them to all come together. Last issue, it felt like it all came to a head. All the players were suddenly in the same place. But it felt a little rushed. It was as if DC realized the delays were slowing the momentum of the book, that it couldn't go 12 issues (which the pace would have supported), and that the plug needed to be pulled.

As a result, this last issue also felt even more rushed. Everything needed to be brought to a conclusion. And we sprinted to that finish line. That doesn't mean there weren't great moments. But I actually wanted more here. In this day and age, with disposable stories, with decompression, with event after event, it is rare for me to want a plot to take longer to roll out, for a story to fit nicely into the '6 issue trade' format. And, in my heart, I blame Jim Lee. I think he couldn't keep the deadlines which sort of derailed this book.

For a last issue, this one works well. It does feel a little rushed. But Snyder does a great job of mixing both high action with a sort of philosophical discussion on what Superman is, how he inspires. And that feel makes the ending of this book that much sadder.

Unfortunately, it also means that I won't be reading this Lois anymore, one of the biggest draws for the book.

Last issue, Lex revealed that the alien race behind the Earthstone and Wraith being on the planet were mobilizing a space fleet to attack Earth. And only he, Lex, has come up with a solution. He has given Superman a 'solar injection' that will super-power him briefly before making him explode. It is a suicide mission that will save Earth.

As I said before, I absolutely love Lois in this book. And I have loved the interaction between Lois and Superman in this book. It has a classic feel to it. It feels right. And the moments are powerful.

Here is one example. Superman realizes that he has to do this to save Earth, he has to sacrifice himself. And when Lois tells him he can't go he tells her he has to. It is the right thing to do and he knows it is the right thing to do because it is what Lois would do. Lois has earned his respect and admiration. He is inspired by her. Wonderful.

And having his head tilted down, eyes in the shadows, you know that he doesn't want to do this. But he has to. Nice art.

And then this moment right after.

This hug in the snow. And these inset panels. You know that she wants to tell him that she loves him. You know that he feels the same, a close up of his gripping her arm, almost steadying himself for the emotional impact of the statement.

But then she doesn't ....

Is it because she is still too scared to say it? Is it that DC said she can't say it?

It was delicious as a missed opportunity. How many of us have wanted to tell someone we have feelings for them only to swallow the words?

One of the more interesting creative choices in the book is to have several pages of 'other story' in each issue by Dustin Nguyen. Here it is a very rough mud-colored flashback where we see Clark's compassion. The Kent's paranoid neighbor has pictures of Clark flying and threatens the family, including Ma. In a fit of rage, Clark simply lashes out, screaming super-loud and frightening the man into a heart attack.

Semi-surprisingly, Ma goes for the easy out. Let the man die. It isn't *really* Clark's fault and their secrets will stay safe.

But Clark isn't going there. He isn't a weapon. He is going to try to save the man.

We'll see how this fits into the story in a bit.

With the story careening to an end, we need to have some exposition. And so Lex gives us a very succinct, very tidy explanation of everything.

The Wraith and the Earthstone were sent to our planet by aliens hoping to cultivate us ... like a crop garden ... to then come and reap the benefits. I guess that'll have to do for understanding everything that has happened.

But the fleet is approaching. And through the Earthstone, they have taken over all technology. The world is helpless.

In another interesting sort of choice, Luthor provides the majority of the text the rest of the issue, as a voice over.

He talks about creating a program where he could track Superman's energy pattern around the planet. This being Lex, he hoped to find a couple of big spikes of energy, hoping to see where Superman is concentrating his efforts.

Instead, Lex finds a sort of even spread. Superman is helping everybody a little bit.

And as usual, Lex just doesn't get it. Instead of seeing this a Superman shedding a little light on everyone, he views it as Superman being a failure. Instead of seeing this as Superman holding people up, he thinks that Superman is stumbling. Instead of seeing this as Superman letting people find their own way unless he needs to step in, he sees it as Superman avoiding a chance to wring the world into shape.

It is why Lex is Lex and Superman is Superman.

As suggested by Lex, the alien fleet is imposing. And its ships are quickly able to batter Superman into a withered, dying hero. There is definitely a feeling like the drained Superman in the last act of Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns.

I have read this scene a couple of times so I would love to hear what people thought.

We see The Wraith arrive, grab the solar injection from Superman, and use it on himself to stop the fleet, sacrificing himself instead of Superman.

Initially I thought this was a sign of just how inspiring Superman is. The Wraith, unaware that he was a vanguard for these aliens, decides to save the Earth and save Superman. Superman was the Wraith's enemy. But Superman also inspired.

Then I thought that The Wraith, so intent on the mission, so ingrained in the military life, serving General Lane, might do this not because Superman has inspired but simply because it is his duty. Superman looks like he is dying. Why wouldn't the Wraith pick up the proverbial gun and fight the enemy.

But I guess it is the former, not the latter.

Because we then go back to the flashback, see Clark rescue the neighbor with some Super-CPR. This man is incredulous that Clark would save him when he was so intent on hurting Clark.

It is lessons like this ... helping everyone, even your enemy ... that are the core of Superman.

And apparently, even Luthor sort of gets it in the end.

This magical equation that started all of this was aspirational. Its solution was the betterment of humanity. And Luthor finally gets it.

Superman is the answer to that equation. It isn't that Superman  is going to better humanity by setting himself up as the instrument to achieve that. It is that Superman wants us to help each other. And he'll do the same. He'll help us when he can, when he should. But he wants us to pick up the cause as well.

By inspiring us, we will inspire others, and everyone gets better. Maybe Superman is the answer to that equation after all.

And as we read that, we see The Wraith sacrifice himself.

Not a bad little sequence.

But just as this issue started with a great Lois moment, the book ends with one as well.

It isn't a Superman/Lois moment. It is a Clark/Lois moment.

While Clark nurses his wounds in Smallville, Lois contacts him. There is a sort of playful competitive banter about who is going to post the better article - Lois' huge expose of the alien invasion or Clark's blogpiece on folks who survived one of the plane crashes that happened during the Earthstone event. But then you can see how much they care. Lois talks about Clark's courage for risking his career on the blog. She tells him he is missed.

This just reads right. I don't get good Lois/Clark/Superman in other books right now.

(Of course, this scene is also a way for Snyder to try to nudge this more firmly into continuity. Initially it felt like Clark was at the Planet in this book.)

So how do I grade this?

This was a good if fast ending to this story. I liked the sort of thesis on Superman's character during the fight. I liked reading Luthor sort of begrudgingly admitting that Superman isn't holding us back after all. And I loved Lois. Overall, Superman Unchained has been one of the best (if not the best) Superman books over this year (Smallville and it are neck and neck). 

But I do feel that these last two issues were almost too fast, barely explaining the intricacies of what was happening. 'Aliens are responsible and they are going to attack. Let's blow them all up.' That fast resolution flies in the face a bit to the slow, simmering, suspenseful unfolding of the early issues.

Still. I will miss this book. Like Lex's candle, it burned brightly and then went out.

Overall grade: B/B+

Review: Superman Unchained #8

Superman Unchained #8, by superstar team of writer Scott Snyder and artist Jim Lee, came out this week, the penultimate issue of this comic's first and only arc. The book is ending with #9. Superman Unchained #1 came out 2 Junes ago. 9 issues in 15 months of a 'monthly' comic isn't a great rate.

Unfortunately, for me,  that delay in the story has really hurt this book.  I have looked forward to the book whenever it has finally hit the stands. But the stop/start nature of release has slowed the momentum of a complicated plot where 3 major threads are slowly weaving together.

Now I have to worry that the delays and then cancellation of the book has now hurt the story. Because while this issue is a slugfest with huge panels and splashes and double splashes, I am left knowing that this entire thing needs to be wrapped up in one issue, next issue, and I don't know if even a writer as great as Scott Snyder can pull it all together without it feeling rushed.

I realize I shouldn't damn this issue based on my preconceived concerns for the next. But I have to be honest, I felt a bit cheated with this issue because of the lack of story given the abundance of splashes. I always say 'big moments need big art' and the splashes are very nice. But knowing that we only had one issue left, I felt like the space could have been better used.

On to the issue.

As I said, the bulk of this issue is a knock-down, drag-out fight between Superman and Wraith with each gaining the upper hand momentarily only to have the other snatch it away.

There is a very nice opening near two-page splash of Superman about to drop a tanker ship onto the Wraith. It is a nice scene and captures the scope of the battle.

Snyder has a nice running theme through the issue of Superman asking himself how other people, other friends, other people he respects would deal with this fight.

Here he knows that Diana would 'unleash' the Warrior. She would push through. And hoisting a ship is a nice embodiment of that.

The Wraith has a myriad of powers, some of which border on Firestorm-esque. Before the tanker can be dropped, The Wraith dematerializes it by making the atoms unstable. He then pounds Superman pretty much across the planet. And we know that Superman is taking damage.

Superman then wonders how would Bruce fight? He'd fight dirty.

So he decides to try to suffocate Wraith, flying him to the moon and focusing his attacks on the trachea and diaphragm. The trachea/diaphragm lines sounded like Batman, how he always talks about the multitude of moves he could land on an opponent.

But the Wraith uses his energy powers again, emitting Kryptonite radiation and turning the tables, trying to suffocate Superman underwater on Earth.

Superman then wonders how Lois would deal with this fight, this battle he is losing. Lois would 'dig down deep' and tough it out. I love how Snyder has handled Lois in this series. And here, having Superman include Lois' strength of character with the other members of the trinity shows just how 'powerful' Snyder thinks Lane is. It shows how powerful he thinks the Superman/Lois relationship is.

'Dig deep' sparks an idea in Clark.

He tunnels down to Earth's core. There, the internal magnetism of the planet interferes with the Wraith's control over the electromagnetic spectrum. All that is left is strength and invulnerability. It seems a little out of the blue but internally consistent.

Without his EM powers, the Wraith gets battered. It allows Superman the time to monologue a bit, the discuss his philosophy. He doesn't hide behind an army like the Wraith. He doesn't sneak attack like the Wraith. He does stand out in the open, stating who he is and what he believes. It has led to him being attacked. And he has become a good fighter.

Part of this story has been comparing and contrasting the Wraith and Superman, their origins semi-similar. This was a nice coda.

And then there was my favorite moment of the book, this epilogue to the fight with the Wraith unconscious in the magma.

Superman mentions his friends and allies. How brave they are. How steadfast they are in the opinions. How they aren't anyone's lackey. They live in the light.

Having read the issue you can rattle off a short list of those people: Batman, Wonder Woman, and Lois.

Lois.

But there is the whole gamut of other plots that need to be wrapped up.

The Ascension cult seems to be dismantled. The Wraith is unconscious. Are those plots done?

But what about the Earthstone, the voice inside it?

What about Lex?

What about Jimmy and the device Lex attached to his hand?

What about the origins of the Wraith?

Can it all be wrapped up?

Suddenly it looks like they are all balled together. Superman, Lois, General Lane, Jimmy, and a holographic Lex all congregate near the half-destroyed Fortress.

The Earthstone is calling out to aliens. The aliens that sent the Wraith. They are approaching Earth to attack. They want to see what Earth did with the 'equation' that unlocked information. And Lex knew all about it.

What I thought was a deadly joy buzzer attached to Jimmy turns out to be a case holding a syringe of concentrated solar energy, gleaned from his solar tower.

It will make Superman super-powerful but will burn him out. He'll be on a suicide run.

It sounds a little like the All-Star Superman solar overdose. And I suppose we'll see some battle sequence against these aliens next issue.

But has this issue brought the story to the place it needs to be. I would feel so much better if we had 2 more issues!

As I said, I shouldn't damn this issue for preconceived concerns. I thought this issue's fight, particularly when you heard Superman's praise of his friends, was very good. But I have usually been extremely happy with this book.

And it is a shame that we won't be reading more Snyder Superman and Snyder Lois.

Overall grade: B

SDCC 2014 Supergirl News So Far (Or Lack Thereof)- Oh Yeah, And Wonder Woman

There has been a lot of news coming out of the San Diego Comic Con this year, a lot of it around Wonder Woman in Dawn of Justice as well as Batman comics and Marvel movies.

But I hdidn't much about about Supergirl. I wonder if I have missed some part of a crucial panel about the super-books. Geoff Johns did talk a little Superman at a general DC panel and there was a generic sounding Superman panel.

So I don't have much to report on Supergirl here outside of two pictures from the con, both of which make me jealous of whoever has them.

Jim Lee did 50 quick sketches and hid them around the convention site for people to find. Lee tweeted out both the sketch and the general area where it could be found. One of them was this New 52 Supergirl. That would be a pretty cool find while wandering around!

Now a couple of weeks ago I wrote how Smallville cover artist Cat Staggs was on my wish list for commissions at the Boston Comic-Con.

Staggs tweeted her first commission of the SDCC, this pre-New 52 Supergirl. It is stunning and shows exactly why I hope she is sketching in a couple of weeks.

Anyways, if anyone caught any Supergirl news from the convention please let me know or include a link!

I am probably burying the lead ... but this is a Supergirl blog.

We finally got a sneak peek at Gal Gadot in her Wonder Woman costume for the upcoming Batman v. Superman:Dawn of Justice movie.

So ...

I was absolutely worried that the Wonder Woman costume would be horrible. And so, going in with that fear, I saw this and was pleased. There is definitely a specific Greek feel to this look and Gadot looks strong and fierce.

Yes, I wish there was more color, more red and blue. This muted color thing by Snyder is terrible. Is this whole world brown and gray?

And yes, she is wearing heeled/wedged shoes. Seems foolish to me. But it isn't a deal breaker to me because this could have been much worse.

Now I know that response to this has been dramatic and somewhat heated and negative, especially from hard-core Wonder Woman people whose opinions I respect. But I thought this was fine.

But otherwise there isn't much to report about Superman. Johns' was in the Champions of Justice panel.
Here is what he had to say:

 "We sat down and read every Superman comic from the New 52 and plotted the course of who that character is and what he's been through." Johns said that the human side of Clark Kent had been taken out of the series, but their new take on the Daily Planet staff will help bridge that gap. Coming up is a big change for Jimmy Olsen, which Johns referred to saying, "Dare I say it, it's bigger than Turtle Boy."

So one thing I have complained about is the lack of humanity and empathy in the New 52 Superman. So to actually hear Johns say that he is using the Planet staff to humanize Clark makes me happy.

At the same time, DC All Access came out with a video interview with Johns, John Romita Jr, and Klaus Janson. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fGY9l2vIPk#t=365

It is interesting to see the three interact, especially the general lack of involvement by Romita. But it is here that again we hear that the villain I thought was a new Cleric with a second villain in Toyman in the arc is actually a new villain named the Machinist.

And, there was indeed a Superman panel, covered here by CBR here. But there really is nothing major revealed or discussed here. Worth reading for completeness sake I guess.

Review: Superman Unchained #7

It took a couple of months to finally arrive but Superman Unchained #7 finally hit the stores last week.

So was it worth the wait?

The answer is yes. And for the most part that yes is because it is great to read a comic where a more traditional Lois is actually part of the story. And, for the first time in a while, I actually don't mind reading a Batman who seems to be able to stand next to someone who is way more powerful than he is.

The art by Jim Lee is big and splashy as this is mostly a fight chapter. There is nothing so amazing about the art here to justify how late it is. And we don't get too much progression of any of the plot threads that writer Scott Snyder has been weaving. The book is ending with the ninth issue. Will Snyder be able to wrap everything up in 2 issues? We still need a big fight between Superman and Wraith so will there be enough room to satisfactorily finish this? I hope so. And I have faith in Snyder.

As I have said, I will be sad to see this book end.

We had two cliffhangers last time. One was the Wraith confronting Batman in the Batcave. You may recall that Batman had synthesized the equivalent of Wraith-kryptonite, allowing Superman to mop the floor with him. Now the Wraith wants revenge. And wearing some fancy armor protects him from Batman's faux-K.

Here is some of that Batman bravado. When the Wraith says Superman won't be showing up Batman says 'good'. It is a nice mix of bluff and Batman intimidation.

And, as we saw way way back in Superman Unchained #2, Batman has a stealth suit that even Supers can't see. Ahh foreshadowing!

Nice characterization!

The other cliffhanger was General Lane poised outside the Fortress of Solitude with his 'dogs of war', high-tech anti-Kryptonian vehicles and weaponry. Lane is ready to bring the Fortress down around Superman for 'treason'. Sigh. Must our military constantly fight super-heroes in DC Comics!?

There is a sort of fatalism and despondency in Superman initially. He wonders if this was destined to happen because he didn't fall in line like the Wraith.

But there is Lois ... thankfully ... to remind him that tough choices are just that ... tough. But they define who you are. I love everything about this. How she talks of her own life decisions. How she is touching his arm. How they are very much equals here ... she might even be stronger in resolve. Superman shouldn't be doubting who he is here ... he should be embracing it!

She even says she wants to use the Earthstone to help defend.

She refuses to let him 'protect' her.

Jeez ... this is the Lois I want to read and she is going away in two issues.

And then that last panel. Is he about to say he loves her? That he is Clark? Both?

We won't know because Lane starts his attack then.

But that panel ... so full of potential ... with this Lois, so true to who she should be ...

Perfect.

Meanwhile, Batman tries to slow down the Wraith by battering him with many Batmobiles. (He already crashed a batjet on him.) I suppose someone with excellent knowledge of Batman could pinpoint all these versions as being somewhere in continuity.

I just thought it was brilliant and hysterical at the same time. And definitely worthy of the splash!

Superman decides that he won't listen to Lois and instead throws her in some protected pod within the Fortress. He then dons some Kryptonian armor and heads out to fight the US Army. (Ack I am sick of writing that!)

There is so much to comment on here! One, this reminded me of Acroyear from the Micronauts for some reason. Two, Superman's martial weapon of choice is a small warhammer on a chain?? Third, he does the 'ding ding' like Apollo Creed sparring with Rocky at the end of Rocky 3!

You know Lane might fight great, but Superman is a great fighter!

I don't know if this merited a splash page.

Meanwhile in the Batcave, Batman has seemingly run out of tricks.

Well, except one.

Wonder Woman arrives out of nowhere to lay some smack down! Maybe she'll knock some 'cents' into the Wraith.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Anyways, it is good to see the Trinity acting like the Trinity, defending each other. And it is another good moment. I suppose it is splashy enough to warrant the big coverage. I just worry when there are so many splash pages that I am getting cheated out of story.

While The Wraith seems to be winning his fight, Superman is getting battered by the military's anti-Kryptonian weaponry. Just as a whole salvo of Kryptonite bombs are about to kill off our hero, Lois uses the Earthstone to escape her cell/protective pod and then stop the missiles dead in their tracks.

I'm not always happy when I see so many effective anti-Kryptonian weapons so easily available. It somehow cheapens Superman's invulnerability, his giving Batman a Kryptonite ring, and his still being alive. If there are this many weapons out there that could kill him, he should be dead.

But that's right ... Lois saves Superman! And General Lane isn't too happy about it.

Okay, I'll say it one more time. This is the sort of Lois I want to read.

But wielding the Earthstone she also senses that intelligence within it ... possibly malevolent.

With the army shut down, Superman dismantles their mecha. And then, he gets the signal. Wraith is in the Batcave. It is time for a throwdown ... Superman vs. Wraith.


Okay, we don't know more about Wraith's origins or the Earthstone's origin. But we did get a lot of action! But most importantly, between the brawls, we got great characterization between Lois and Superman. This is such a great book for Lois ... and it is going away.

At least we get to see her star here. I hope Geoff Johns reads this book and remembers what Lois should be like, how she should interact with Superman.

I don't know when Superman Unchained #8 is hitting the shelves. But I will enjoy this maxi-series while it lasts.

Overall grade: B+