Terrificon Wrap-Up #1 - Kerry Gammill And Some Sigs

Terrificon was last weekend and it was a tremendous time as it always is.

I'll start as I often do by thanking the show runner Mitch Hallock for putting on the show and giving me a press pass. I appreciate the hard work it takes to put the show together, for sure. The exhibition hall was packed with dealers, creators, and celebrities. Everyone was having a great time. I left this year with several commissions, many autographs, and a ton of stories. In fact this is one of probably three recap posts.

I'll start with my interaction with Kerry Gammill. When Gamill was announced, I was thrilled. Gammill was responsible for many of the Superman covers and art from the triangle memory that are burned into my brain. His style is stunning. And he did a bunch of Supergirl and Power Girl covers making him stand out in my mind as a commission that would be perfect for my collection.

I ran into Gammill's handler at the table before Gammill arrived and got on his sketch list. 

The result is the incredible commission you see above. Just a great pose, a pensive face. This is an older sort of looking Supergirl, reminding me of Matrix during the Funeral For A Friend time period. She was growing as a hero. She was becoming more.

I am so happy with this commission!

Terrificon 2025 Prep

Summer is convention season and my convention is of course, Terrificon.

I have been going to the con since 2017 and have always been impressed with the event. 

It is run at a great site, Mohegan Sun Casino. Free parking. Restaurants from fast food to fine dining.

It is run by a great show runner, Mitch Hallock. Hallock is clearly a fan of comics, a 'one of us' kind of kindred spirit, and is present at the show.

And it always has the best comic guest list. From legends to new talent, it is always a long list of guests.

The bottom line is if there is one show I am going to go to in 'con season' it's this one. And this year is no different. You can click here ( https://www.terrificon.com/ ) to get the run down of the show, including the great comic guest list and pretty impressive celebrity guest list too. 

For me, we are four weeks away and so that means it is prep time. Who am I going to try and commissions from? Who am I running to in hopes of getting some books signed? And what books am I going to try and get signed for friends who can't attend?

Let's start with the guest I am most excited to meet and hopefully get a sketch from.

I have always wanted to meet Kerry Gammill having been a fan since he drew the cover for Power Girl #1. I love his style. Gammill drew the covers for that Power Girl mini-series, the covers of the Supergirl mini-series in the 90s, and other Super-related stuff. For me, based on that, he has a solid Matrix Supergirl connection. He hasn't been at any convention I have been to so I was thrilled when I saw him on the list!

I really hope that I can get a commission from him and get books signed. 

Brainiac Who's Who Pages

With House of Brainiac showcasing all the forms of Brainiac and with my recent review of Action Comics #544, I was struck with how much Brainiac has changed over time. One of the ways I sort of try to catalog the changes on this site is to look back at some of the official biographies of characters ... the Who's Who pages.

We'll start with the original, the mid-Crisis 1985 Who's Who. This issue was on the racks just 2 years after Action Comics #544 and the same month as Crisis on Infinite Earths #6.  So this version of Brainiac was relatively new. 

This is a nice page with art by Ed Hannigan, the designer of the new form. There is a nice retelling of his origin, a 12th level intelligence construct sent out by the Coluan computer tyrants to reconnoiter worlds for them to conquer. Given Vril Dox as a pseudo-son to cement the humanoid persona.  I forgot about that aspect of his origin to be honest.

But this catches us up to the recent change to this emotionless 'unique organic' life form with infinite technology at his disposal. 

While this version only was around for 5 years or so, it struck a chord. I am glad this design remains around today either in the Brainiac ship form or the drone soldiers look. 

But the changes didn't stop there.

Review: Supergirl #4 (1994 miniseries)

And so Matrix Monday reaches Supergirl #4 from the 1994 mini-series, the finale. Finally, we get a Supergirl who is her own woman, free from the influence of those who wish to use her. Finally, we got a Supergirl that old-school Supergirl fans could get behind.

Of course, it was also the 90's, so we need to get there with leg bands and spikes. But that's okay.

As I have said many times in the past, The Death of Superman, Funeral for a Friend, and Reign of the Supermen were all sort of catalysts for the Matrix Supergirl character. With Superman gone, she seemed to step up. She wanted to fill his void as a hero for Metropolis. And she wasn't going to sit by when his body disappeared or when newcomers tried to claim his name.

In the aftermath of those mega-selling books, we got a Superboy book and a Steel book. At least Supergirl got this mini-series. And writer Roger Stern took all the progress we saw in the character in those earlier arcs to its logical conclusion. Supergirl was finally going to see Luthor for the manipulative villain he was and strike out on her own.

It would have been easy to make her *extreme* !!! It was the 90's after all. And we do see elements of that here. She initially is a destructive force, lashing out at Luthor, and almost (as we'll see) killing him. Thankfully, Stern back pedals a bit keeping the more innocent and optimistic side of Supergirl dominant.

The art by June Brigman and Jackson Guice is as solid as it has been in the series. But with the darker turn in plot, they employ more moody settings and shadows. It all blends nicely.

I wonder how many people go to Roger Stern at a convention with all four issues of this mini-series to get signed. I should have asked him.

In fact, I hope I do run into him again at a convention so I can ask about this story. At Terrificon, there was a line waiting behind me to meet him so I was brief in my interaction.

Matrix Monday: Supergirl #3 (1994 mini-series)

We are into the back half of the 1994 Supergirl mini-series, a story our Matrix realizes that Lex Luthor has been using and manipulating her. For two straight issues we have seen LexCorp test her physically and mentally. It is time to break free.

In Supergirl #3, Supergirl comes face to face with Luthor's ultimate goal regarding all those tests. He wants a new body. His own cloned body is dying. And he also wants an army of Supergirls to control. Writer Roger Stern does a great job of showing us how the truth slowly sinks into our innocent heroine's mind. She has been looking for love and purpose and Lex gave her both. Now she knows that was all a ruse.

Stern also does a wonderful job leaning into this Supergirl's short history in the DCU. All the major events are brought up here, showing us the highlights. Moreover, Stern shows how all of this has been building up for a couple of years. The seeds were planted, the lines laden with foreshadowing said. It shows a sort of respect for a character that could have been a joke. Kudos to Stern for treating Supergirl well.

The art here is by the usual team of June Brigman and Jackson Guice. The art this issue feels a little looser than the prior two. Some of that might come from the major action sequence which the book revolves around. This approach works for Supergirl given the mayhem and destruction happening around her.

Lastly, this does what a penultimate issue should do. We are brought to a point were we can see the climax coming up. I also feel like the story is at a place where a satisfactory ending is within the reach of one issue's pages.

And yes, I got this issue signed by Stern last year at Terrificon.

On to the story.

Matrix Monday: Supergirl #2 (1994 mini-series)

Supergirl #2, the second issue in the Matrix mini-series from 1994, playfully has the word Supergirls as it's trade dress, showcasing last issue's reveal that Luthor is creating a clone army of his innocent girlfriend. There are a lot of Supergirls in a lot of bubbles. If this doesn't grab your eye, not much will.

The truth is we don't see much of this part of the story in this very good issue. Instead, we have Supergirl finally realizing just how much of a toxic relationship she is in with Lex. For months she has been creating excuses for Lex for his poor behavior. She has accepted his apologies and inane rationalizations for his actions at face value, always leaning on her belief that Lex is ultimately a good man. Even hearing from trusted sources like Clark and the Kents has done little to dissuade her.

In this issue, Supergirl finally listens to herself and realizes that Lex is mistreating her. She hears others say how she is being used and abused. And maybe because she hears it not from the viewpoint of Lex being evil but from the angle that she is complicit in her own abuse does she shake away the cobwebs. It's about time.

Writer Roger Stern does a great job in these first two issues showing us just how terrible Lex is. And he does a very good job in showing us just how slowly Supergirl comes to seeing through the lies.

The art by June Brigman and Jackson Guice also is strong here. We get action sequences in the book. We get to see how graceful Supergirl can be even while fighting. And we see some quieter, more civilian moments, reminding is that she is a young woman as well.

All in all, this is a great second issue as it pushes the plot forward but in a more character-driven way.

On to the book.

Back Issue Review: Action Comics #651

With a new Maxima gracing the pages of Supergirl, I have been going back through my long boxes and rereading some of Maxima's appearances in the pre-New 52 universe. She is a relatively complicated character, starting out with the basest of motivations and slowly becoming a hero and planetary protector (albeit with a couple of lapses back to super-villainy). And so I thought I should review the first appearance of the real Maxima in the post-Crisis world.

Action Comics #651 brought Maxima to Earth and showcased her tremendous psionic powers and her somewhat petulant personality. With a creative team of Roger Stern, George Perez, Kerry Gammill, and Brett Breeding, the book is beautiful. And this issue not only introduces us to Maxima but also continued 'The Day of the Krypton Man' arc in which the Eradicator continues his mental manipulation of Clark.

Maxima was something of a mainstay to the Superman universe and always interesting. I am very glad that K. Perkins and Mike Johnson are bringing her back.

"Not of this Earth" starts with Clark beginning his life as editor of Newstime magazine. In the span of 3 panels we see him go from a back-slapping team player to something of a dictator, brusque with some co-workers and firing others. One of the Newstime employees thinks what we are thinking ... "hard to believe this is the same Clark Kent who wrote for the Daily Planet."

And then Clark thinks something very un-Clark. "If fear yields the results I desire ... so be it."

Is this the result of harsh big business? Or is it something more?

To be honest, I had completely forgotten this blip in Clark's career. He just sort of needs to be at the Daily Planet.

One of the things on Clark's mind is Earth's reaction to aliens, especially given the Invasion megaevent that had just happened.

In thinking of the aliens he has come across, he recalls Sazu and Maxima (from Action Comics #645). So technically this isn't the first time we have seen Maxima. But as we learn in this flashback, that Maxima was a simulacrum, destroyed by Sazu (who was acting more like a handmaiden).

As for the real Maxima, she is streaking her way to Earth. She feels betrayed by Sazu and she does want to meet Superman. And that means sending her true self to our 'backwater world'.

I sort of love the design of Maxima here. The boots being different lengths but diagnonally forming one line, the gold neck piece which extends to the torso, the pleated gauzy cape, even the little seen battle mask. It all works for  me, visually engaging.

First stop on Earth? To punish Sazu (who has been captured and psionically weakened by S.T.A.R. labs).

The Maxima drone was supposed to create a mental link between Superman and the real Maxima. When the simulacrum was destroyed, the link was as well.

Sazu has her reasons for doing so. She found Superman lacking. But Maxima isn't listening. She sends Sazu back to her home planet for further discipline.

But right off the bat, we see that Maxima is something of a hot head, and certainly powerful.

The arrival of Maxima and Sazu's deportment is noted by Superman across town who goes to investigate.

Despite wanting to meet Maxima, she isn't going to take his orders. She is in charge. She then literally flies circles around him, leading him on a merry chase that has just a hint of foreplay to it. "Can you catch me Superman ... do try ... I have waited so long for this ... don't disappoint me!"

Everything about Maxima is bold and unrestrained. And powerful. She is able to stand up to Superman physically.

But then the chase is over. She creates a bubble of air underwater to discuss her plans with Superman.

It is an interesting panel. She is definitely vamping here. Her hair tousled and in her face, innocently running a finger across her chest, the see-through cape seeming more like lingerie, the comment about only being adversaries for 'mutual amusement' (a little rough and tumble I suppose) ... it is all very seductive.

And yet, here she is in the muck of the Metropolis river, surrounded by trash.

Odd. Not exactly a sensual environment.

And so we finally hear a bit of Maxima's origins.

She is of an imperial bloodline from the planet Almerac, a 'hearty star-spanning people'.

Her bloodline has been carefully controlled, her ancestors picking the people of the strongest genetic stock, the greatest warriors, to hone the power of Maxima's lineage.

And now is the time for Maxima to continue the power of her people.

While lounging on her planet in some unmentionables, she spies Superman when he was fighting in Mongul's arena. And Maxima was impressed by Superman's ... ahem .... prowess.

You get the sense that everything about Maxima is based on emotion. And also that she lives her life on the extremes.

And then it becomes clear.

Maxima wants to get busy!

She wants to mate with Superman so that the power of their bloodlines will merge. She has actually already done a genetic scan to show they are compatible. Their children would be unstoppable.

Remember how odd Clark sounded in the beginning of the book. We hear that again when he says 'continuing the Kryptonian line is intriguing'.

But then the real Clark shines through. He will not father despots.

Maxima does not like to be spurned ... not at all. What was a seduction scene becomes a battleground. Superman and Maxima end up fighting until it seems that Maxima has been killed.

It turns out she psionically shut herself down to lure Superman in. And when close enough to be in her clutches, she invades his mind.

Initially it looks like Maxima's world. She is dressed in strips of cloth and Superman has very little on himself. It is clear that Maxima would be in charge, Superman would be her consort. And life would be ... physical.

Finally we see why Superman has been acting so cold. He rejects Maxima's advances ... he rejects all emotion and physical attraction. He is acting completely emotionless ... completely rational. The Eradicator is a stronger power in Kal's mind, making him the cold Kryptonian of Jor-El's time.

And this 'true son of Krypton' is not only able to resist Maxima's love; he quickly dispatches her.

Before anyone else can see this transformation, this Kryptonian housecoat becomes his classic S-shield suit again.

Maxima might be misguided. But this Superman might become a threat.

As for Maxima, she is imprisoned right where Suza was. With her psionic powers dampened, she is caged.

And I don't think someone like Maxima would tolerate this ... at all.

As I said, Maxima ends up working for Brainiac, joins the Justice League, tries to woo Superman again, becomes part of the Superman Revenge Squad, leads her planet away from Imperiax, etc. etc. She proves to be a strong female in the Superman mythos both as an ally and enemy. She is complex and I like complex comic characters. I wouldn't mind doing more Maxima coverage ... thoughts?

The current Maxima in the Supergirl book is being driven by the same familial push to mate with someone. But I wonder about that Maxima ...

Overall grade: A