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.

Bullet Review: Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen's Boss Perry White

Every so often, the comic world gives me a complete treat, a wonderful reminder of why I love the medium.

In 2020, creators Matt Fraction and Steve Lieber delivered a masterpiece with their Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen maxi-series, a book which swerved into the insanity of comics while also somehow embracing continuity. I was tickled pink and demanded a sequel.

Last week, a creative sequel of a sort, Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen's Boss Perry White #1 came out. Included in it is a 7 page Perry White story by Fraction and Lieber, a snack of a story which completely recaptures the elan of the Olsen series. Now $4.99 for a 7 page story is a hefty price tag but brilliance comes at a cost. And DC does a good job of trying to support the price tag by including reprints of key Perry stories over the years, from the Bronze Age through to Bendis' run on Action. 

But the real magic is the new material. Set in the same Metropolis as the Olsen story (the giant lion statue prominently displayed in a panel), it gives us a little peek into Perry's mind while also giving us that wry humor that this wizened comic reader loves. Lieber's art is clean and cool and captures the feel of the universe especially on a 2 page spread showing different headlines that the Planet has emblazoned above the fold.

Hard to not give everything away in a review so I am holding back the ultimate solution and an absolutely brilliant closing page to the story. 

I'll only say that if you enjoyed the Jimmy Olsen book, you need to get this. And if you haven't read the Jimmy Olsen book you need to.

On to the particulars.

Review: Jimmy Olsen #12

 Comics used to delight me.

That is the best word for it.

I would read a comic and I would get giddy and excited and I would look up new vocabulary words and I would learn about right and wrong.

I'd be delighted.

Of course, you become an adult. You've read comics so it is harder to be giddy. You have a good vocabulary already. You realize the world if mired in shades of gray.

It takes more ... a lot more ... to get me back into that magical world of being a kid reading a comic.

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen, by Matt Fraction, Steve Lieber, and Nathan Fairbairn, delighted me. And with the release of Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #12 it is over ... far too soon.

I should probably end the review here. There is really nothing more to say except thank you to the creators for making me laugh and think and puzzle and grin and fall in love with comics all over again. I owe you.

But on to some specifics.

 The Daily Planet is closing, the board of trustees shutting the doors given the reveal that the paper was owned by the Leone Mafia.

But wait, if you need a miracle why not ask Jimmy Olsen and his merry band of friends.

Unlike the recent Lois Lane series, Matt Fraction indeed brings together all the plot threads and shows us the outcome.

 Police officer Jim Corrigan and the Porcodillo head to the Olsen mansion to accuse Julian Olsen for attempting to kill Jimmy.

Meanwhile, Jimmy and Janie are already at the mansion to confront Julian for bankrupting the family.

It is clear Julian is on the way to the airport to leave town, leaving Jimmy to stop the plane.

He parks Jix's spaceship on the runway.  It ain't gonna be easy.

I'm not sure why the professor is dumping trash out the port side but Bugles? A Thighmaster? The Dial H dial? A wiffle ball?

Ah! The insanity that surrounds Jimmy.

Great stuff by Lieber.

 Enraged, Julian decides to take matters into his own hand.

But before he can pull the trigger, the Porcodillo unleashes his croc attack and then bullrushes the elder Olsen.

I died laughing when the Croc was part of the Porcodillo's 'Batmanesque' origin. So I was tickled to see it back again.

 But that doesn't change the bottom line. The Olsens are bankrupt.

Fraction reminds us that the beginning of this maxi-series delved into the earliest Luthors and Olsens in the frontier America. And insetting the pic of Jeremiah brought all that back.

But it is Jimmy's line that he has seen infinity that really got to me. Jimmy probably has seen infinity at some point.

 But then a bomb.

The secret box in the cornerstone of the Monarch of Metropolis contains information that the current Luthor and Olsen families are related. (Remember that mini-arc in the book?)

And Miss Tessmacher, upset that Lex wouldn't listen when she explained how important this was, turns it over to the Olsens. Jimmy now sits on LexCorp's board and can block every move Lex tries to make.

Hmmm ... Luthor related to Jimmy? Brilliant? Or heresy?

 Jimmy then goes to confront Lex and makes a reasonable deal.

If Lex funds Janie's plays and the Daily Planet without any oversight, Jimmy won't block his moves on LexCorp. Win/Win right?

Not for Lex who then says that he was the real mind behind the Jimmy murder. He set into motion all the events which led to Julian having to kill Jimmy for the inheritance.

It was all Lex!

I love that first panel, Lex (in his own mind) towering over the city. That is how he feels.

Alas, a screamed confession out of pride is still a confession if taped ... which Jimmy was doing.

Front page of the Planet!

 That leads to Jimmy now being the Publisher of the Planet! I mean he funds it now so he is the chief.

How I love panels of the Planet Pit. Lombard doinking a guy with a football ... awesome.

And then a quiet moment between pals.

Jimmy gets a new signal watch. But Superman knows that his pal can take care of himself.

Look, there are tons more panels, jokes, craziness and brilliance in this one issue I could have scanned.

This book is a winner. Fraction and Lieber took what looked to be scattershot weird episodes and out of that weaved a story that became more integrated until suddenly you realize you indeed are reading one big arc. And if you haven't been reading it, you missed out on greatness.

I am sad knowing I won't be getting more of this book.

It delighted me.

Overall grade: A

Review: Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #11

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #11 came out this week and was another smashing chapter of what has to be the most criminally underappreciated book on the market right now.

I don't think I use the word 'genius' a lot on this blog. But what writer Matt Fraction and artist Steve Lieber are doing on this title is genius. Somehow they are able to tell us a story, a nonlinear story about an assassination attempt on Jimmy Olsen, while just simmering in the pure joy of the Silver Age and the Bronze Age. This issue is no difference, even crossing company lines at one place.

And yet, instead of this just being a parade of homages and silliness, it tells a compelling story. And one that could become a big part of comic canon. And a new mystery is brought into play! Let's compare that to other Superman based maxi-series out right now which haven't really showcased the title character or told much of a story.

Lieber is called upon to illustrate this madness and he continues to shine here. There is a fight scene where you have the Reign of the Jimmy Olsens, Enemy Ape, Arm Fall Off Boy, and Dex-Starr fighting robots. And yet, there is consequences and punch to that scene of insanity.

There isn't a lot to celebrate about 2020. This book deserves to be recognized for the joy it is.

Review: Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #10

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #10 came out this week and was the perfect ray of sunlight in this COVID pandemic. I have always praised this book for its inventive storytelling style, its humor, and its perfect blend of all things Jimmy from Silver, Bronze, and modern eras.

This issue was no different. As always, I laughed out loud at a few things. And I am just impressed at how Matt Fraction is able to juggle all of these bizarre plot threads all while weaving a solid narrative. Truly this book is a revelation and it pains me that it isn't selling like hot cakes.

Steve Lieber continues to bring some ground sense of illustration while playing up the zaniness that is happening around him. Whether it is sad sack villains wearing crocs or cylindrical robots slipping on banana peels, it all works here. Add to that slick coloring by Nathan Fairbairn who adds subtle touches to the sunny scenes and this book continues to wow.

I can't help but contrast this title to the Lois book which came out at the same time and has been a heavy plodding mess. They are like two opposite ends of a comic spectrum.

On to the details.

Review: Jimmy Olsen #9

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #9 came out this week. This book remains one of the absolute delights on the shelves these days, a long form nonlinear story filled with all things Jimmy Olsen. You get zaniness. You get mystery. You get intrigue. And you get humor.

Now I am a grizzled comic reader. I've read a ton of books of all genres. And when I laughed out loud, literally, at two different points in this issue, I knew I had a winner.

And, unlike the Lois Lane book, this book has plot progression and pacing! Those two titles were bound to be compared, solo maxiseries of Superman characters out at the same time. But whereas the Lois book has, at times, plodded along, this book crackles with crazy energy. It's just brilliant.

Writer Matt Fraction has really woven a complex story of an Olsen conspiracy and assassination attempt mixed with flat out Silver Age lunacy. And even if I guessed this issue's big reveal a while ago, it still comes off great.

And artist Steve Lieber has to bring all this bizarre action to life visually. From Calvin & Hobbes style childhood reflections to living porcupines to tense conversations, somehow Lieber brings it all to life.

I don't want this book to end. So everyone needs to enjoy it while it is around. On to the book.

DC Comics June Solicits

Last week DC Comics released it's June 2020 solicits. Here is a link to Newsarama's coverage:
https://www.newsarama.com/49409-dc-comics-june-2020-solicitations.html

First and foremost, for me, was that there is no Supergirl book on the shelves. June is the first month after her cancellation. It seems so foolish and shortsighted. But then again, I can't say that the book on the shelf has truly been a Supergirl book for a while ... so maybe this was the right move?

Just as bad as no solo title is that the Girl of Steel is nowhere to be found in the solicits. No talks with her cousin in either super-titles. No guest starring in Legion. No joining the Titans. No side mission with Justice League Dark.

Kara has been ghosted by DC Comics.

Crazy.

So here are the other super-books.

ACTION COMICS #1024
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by JOHN ROMITA JR. and KLAUS JANSON
variant cover by LUCIO PARRILLO
Wonder Woman 1984 variant cover by FRANK CHO

The city of Metropolis has been rocked by Luthor’s latest attack and the drama surrounding Superman’s truth, and that gives the invisible mafia a new foothold to change the City of Tomorrow forever. Meanwhile, the Daily Planet is under siege! The fallout from Superman: Villains continues as Clark Kent steps out into the world as a reporter for the first time.

I guess I'll need to figure out how Luthor relapses from Apex Lex back to plain old Lex at some point. And the Daily Planet under siege? I am going to guess that it is from other news outlets and not a physical siege.

I keep hoping Romita's time on the book comes to an end.

Review: Superman Villains

Superman Villains came out this week, the bookend to last week's Superman Heroes. The focus of this book is to see how Superman's villains are responding to the news that he and Clark Kent are the same.

And I am a bit torn about this book.

There are several stories that I actually love. There is the reintroduction of Ma and Pa Kent into the DCU (post Doomsday Clock). There is a hilarious short with Lex Luthor. There is a giant plot progression that will certainly dramatically impact the main books. And there is a redemption of super-villain, spurred along by the inspiration of Superman. All good. Brian Michael Bendis and Matt Fraction have such a handle on these characters now that it just all clicks. Add solid art, with particularly effective visuals by Cully Hamner and Michael Gaydos, and you think this would be a win all around.

But there is a downside, one that particularly stings for me. Supergirl has a story here, explaining why she is doing what she is doing in Smallville in her own book, a prologue to a story that is now 3 months in. And she is doing it because she is angry at Superman, a response to his reveal.

I want you to think that last paragraph over. Realize this, in a book called Superman Villain, a book looking specifically at his foes response to his Truth, Kara is the lead in a story. Supergirl is a Superman villain right now.

That is inherently wrong. It is simply terrible.

And yet, once again, here we are. Same as it ever was.

That is such a monumental failure for me, on all levels, that I can't help but have it muddy my feelings on the rest of the book.

It is ridiculous.

Review: Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #8

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #8 came out last week and was another hoot of an issue. I find myself grinning like a goof after I read this book. It is tough to follow the big story arcs. It is told in a crazy way. Nonlinear isn't enough to describe it. Random?

But it is all good and I have a solid enough feeling about it to just float along and enjoy.

Like past issues, this issue leans into Jimmy's  crazy history throughout all continuities. We get riffs on Silver Age. But there is also a Jimmy take on the Reign of the Superman which truly made me laugh out loud. Matt Fraction continues to inject humor into this book, both side jokes and funny long form plots. I am going to be so sad when this ends.

Steve Lieber also shines here. The panel breakdown, the pages, the different looks of Jimmy, the expressive work all is perfect here.

I know sales aren't great. But I am going to miss this. Maybe DC can give Fraction and Lieber an annual or a special or something when this is all done? I need the smiles!

On to the book!

May 2020 Solicits

Last week DC released their May 2020 solicits. A look at all the books can be found here at Newsarama:https://www.newsarama.com/49036-dc-comics-may-2020-solicitations.html

The big news is the cancellation of Supergirl, a topic I covered here. I keep hearing these rumblings of another universal reboot. I am hearing some behind the scene whispers that Supergirl is going to be left untouched for a bit. I already ranted. Just know it makes absolutely no sense to keep a marketable character like Supergirl on the shelf. Ridiculous.

SUPERGIRL #42
written by JODY HOUSER
art by RACHAEL STOTT
cover by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO
card stock variant cover by DERRICK CHEW

Deemed a threat by the U.S. military, Supergirl is now a wanted villain! General Corvid has come for our hero—and she won’t give up until Kara’s gone for good. Meanwhile, the superstorm rages stronger than ever, while hundreds remain helpless against it. Can Supergirl prove that she’s the hero the people once believed her to be? Or will she let everyone down—including herself? Find out in the pulse-pounding series conclusion! FINAL ISSUE

We go out with a sob. Instead of the book ending with Supergirl as a hero, redeemed the solicit makes it sound like she's a fugitive. That is a far cry from the National City citizens cheering for their hero when she returned from space.

Who can I blame for this complete misunderstanding of a character and the character's fanbase?
I have no choice but to blame Dan Didio who has been in charge for all of these dark takes.

On to the rest of the Super books.

Review: Superman Heroes #1

Superman Heroes came out last week, a sort of anthology book by the current gaggle of Superman writers and artists. Think of it as this season's Leviathan Rising. It is a sort of pulse check on what is happening in the super-books while giving us some back story and future hints about the latest major story arc, the reveal that Superman is Clark Kent.

I found most of the book to be quite enjoyable with solid plot and art throughout. In particular, the sort of reaction pieces, those stories to check in on how the news has hit them. Jimmy's story is wonderful and Superman thanking an old professor is another good tale.There is also a very nice 'wisdom of Pa Kent' story. You know I am a sucker for those.

The art is a nice mix. Scott Godlewski lends a folksy feel to the Pa story. Steve Lieber and Mike Perkins draw the Jimmy and Lois stories respectively, keeping up with their current assignments. And Kevin Maguire and Mike Norton add nice panache.

For the price point, I was very happy with this.

DC April 2020 Solicits

The April 2020 solicits for DC Comics came out last week and there were a couple of interesting surprises and a 'not surprised' solicit as well. There are plenty of anniversary issues and plenty of dollar facsimile comics as well. Not a bad springtime month.

Here is a link to all the solicits for you to peruse over on Newsarama:
https://www.newsarama.com/48662-dc-comics-april-2020-solicitations.html

And now onto the blog-specific solicits.

SUPERGIRL #41
written by JODY HOUSER
art by RACHAEL STOTT
cover by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO
card stock variant cover by DERRICK CHEW

Free of the infection and reeling after the events of Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen, Supergirl crash-lands in an area being devastated by a catastrophic storm. Suffering from a series of hallucinations and memories of her past, Kara struggles to keep her mind clear enough to save the people she swore to her cousin she’d protect. She’s got a lot to prove after endangering Smallville and all its inhabitants. Will she be able to save everyone including herself? Or is this the end for our hero?

Well it looks like we are back to Supergirl, freed of the infection which made her dark and edgy.

That means we have reached the 'redemption' portion of the Supergirl cycle of 'hero-edgy-redemption' plotlines.

As I have said I am a bit tired of this cycle. I also am a bit tired of the endless different looks at Supergirl's Kryptonian memory. Maybe we can settle on something this time?

Looking forward to see what Houser/Stott do away from a crossover.

Review: Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #7

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #7 came out this week and was a nice little breather by the creative team of writer Matt Fraction and artist Steve Lieber. I applauded last month's issue for pulling tight on the plot threads and bringing the bigger picture into better focus. This month was more of a look at Jimmy as a person. Yes, the plots were nudged forward. But the big thing about this issue was when I was finished I felt like I understood who Jimmy is a little bit better.

Because one of the things about Jimmy Olsen as a character is that he is hard to pin down. Is he the hard-hitting investigative journalist Mr. Action? An 'in the right place at the right time' photojournalist? A Silver Age wacky transforming man? An action hero enmeshed in Kirby-esque plots? A cub reporter trying to break in? All of these things?

Somehow this book has shown him as sort of being all these at the same time. And in this issue, Fraction and Lieber double down saying he is all those things. And he has been dreaming of being all those things since early on in life.

Between the grittiness of the mainstream DCU and the inky noir of the Lois Lane book, this title has been a refreshing palate cleanser. I have said it before and I'll say it again. I hope we see more of Jimmy from these creators once this maxi-series is over.

On to the issue.

Review: Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #6

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #6 came out this week and was another great chapter in this amazing, label defying book by Matt Fraction and Steve Lieber. Since the beginning, this book has been equal parts action, mystery, zany science fiction, and pure humor. How such an omelet has gelled is beyond me. But somehow this team has pulled it off.

Prior issues of this title have felt like a jam piece of tangentially connected anecdotes showing how crazy Jimmy's life is. This issue, Fraction pulls the purse strings a bit, bringing some of these chapters closer together, as if a big picture is coming more into focus.

And, it turns out, that Jimmy has a special and truly unexpected benefactor in this story. Shocking.

Add Lieber's clean pencils and you have a winner. After seeing this book, I want to see Lieber do a comic about boxing. He draws the best bashed in faces!

On to the book!

Review: Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #5

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #5 came out this week and while it nudged along one of the main subplots of this maxi-series, it was mostly Jimmy and Batman punking each other.

I don't know if I have ever laughed as long or as hard about a comic as I did with this one.

For me, the idea of an infallible and ultra-prepared Batman is semi-ridiculous. The fact that he has stood toe-to-toe with Darkseid, single handedly defeated the Justice League, and always has the right tool in his belt, stretches even my suspension of disbelief, and I will tolerate heat vision and sorcery!

So to see someone poke fun at Batman the way writer Matt Fraction does here is just perfect, a needed deep cleansing breath. And he also shows that maybe Batman has a sense of humor as well, a needed bit of humanity in the otherwise incessantly dour Dark Knight we get.

Artist Steve Lieber continues to bring solid art to the book, ranging from moonlit dinners to action sequences. But it all starts with the brilliance of this cover. Jimmy clearly can't handle the Batmobile. But even better is the fast food flying everywhere. I doubt Batman goes through the drive thru.

On to the book!

DC January Solicits

The January solicits for DC comics are now out and the new year is ringing in with a dose of darkness and a recent blighted storyline revisited. Will this be a banner ringing in of 2020? Or will DC look back at this decision and realize they weren't seeing things clearly?

I'll cover the super-specific stuff but if you want to see the total solicits, you can head to Newsarama here: https://www.newsarama.com/47466-dc-comics-january-2020-solicitations.html

But I will say, I don't think I am feeling too excited about much of this.

SUPERGIRL #38
written by JODY HOUSER
art by RACHAEL STOTT
cover by MIKE PERKINS
card stock variant cover by DERRICK CHEW

After Batman and Superman couldn’t stop the Infected Supergirl from trying to thee entire world, they knew they had to call in the only person they trust can bring Kara back...Wonder Woman! Will Diana’s compassion be enough to cure Kara of the infection that’s taken over? If not, what’s a fight between an uninhibited Kryptonian power house against a god like? You’ll find out here!

So this is a solicit with a typo. What was Dark Kara trying to do?

Anyways, you know how much I am sick of Supergirl being tainted and corrupted, so it is going to take something special for me to like this. And ironic that it is Wonder Woman's compassion that is the weapon here. You would think that Supergirl and her 'compassion for all' mantra would mean she wouldn't be darkened by the Batman Who Laughs.

Sigh. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Review: Jimmy Olsen #4

We are in another year of the villain. We have the Batman Who Laughs corrupting the best of all heroes. We have Perpetua and a mutated Lex Luthor leading an entire universe to Doom. It all seems so dark and dreary.

And then there is the wacky, laughy, crazy Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen by writer Matt Fraction and artist Steve Lieber.

Everything seems right again.

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #4 came out this week and was another wonderful chapter in this story. Like prior issues, this is a series of vignettes. But unlike the last, these are all in some sort of linear order showing how Mr. Action's life has sort of unraveled. Bound by the framing technique of Jimmy divulging all to Lois in an effort to figure things out, we see how Jimmy has come to the conclusion that Lex Luthor 'killed' him. Brilliant.

Perhaps best of all is the new 'Timmy Olsen' persona, a hit and run, provocative, sort of YouTube personality reporter who basically is causing trouble in Gotham. For someone who wants to keep a low profile, Jimmy ... ahem 'Timmy' ... isn't exactly hiding. All of Timmy's antics made me laugh.

As for art, Steve Lieber is on his A game this issue. We start with the Citizen Kane homage cover. Then we have several interesting panel choices and page layouts which really give a sort of Madman feel to the proceedings. It echoes the addled Jimmy perfectly. Kudos.

Another winner! A wonderful palate cleanser!

On to the book!

Review: Jimmy Olsen #3

I have been loving the new Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen book, a hodge podge of brief stories, flashbacks, Silver Age wackiness, and a mystery. The whole seems to be greater than the parts. You could read each 2 -4 page story separately but there is some resonance when you read them all in one sitting.

That said, I wonder if I am the perfect audience for such a book. Does a book like this, just north of weird, just west of silly, cater to the masses?

Frankly, I don't care.

In this day and age of Year(s) of the Villain, I need a little pure fun and legitimate story-telling to keep me invested. And writer Matt Fraction and artists Steve Lieber are just producing magic. I outright love this book. It is just the perfect melange of everything Jimmy Olsen.

On to Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #3.

Full DC November 2019 Solicits

Last week, DC released their complete solicits for November 2019. Here is a link to see all the books:
https://www.newsarama.com/46215-dc-comics-november-2019-solicitations.html

They had done something of a preview of some of the books earlier, showcasing the 'acetate cover' books which have a clear overlay which changes the initial image. I wrote about how disappointed I was with the Supergirl one last month here:
http://comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com/2019/07/early-november-solicits-dark-supergirl.html

Now we know a little bit more about the Year of the Villain, who the Batman Who Laughs infects, and what issues we will see these heroes turned villain.

No big surprise, I am pretty tired with the whole darkening of good characters. I don't know how this infection happens. But it would be nice if DC recognized that Kara has gone through these dark periods before and it never seems to work. How I would have loved it if somehow Kara rejected this evil turn. Or was considered too good for the Batman Who Laughs to even try on her.

Instead we once again get this dreck played out. Even if it is temporary, it feels wrong.

SUPERGIRL #36
written by MARC ANDREYKO
art by EDUARDO PANSICA and JULIO FERREIRA
acetate cover by DAN MORA
card stock variant cover by DERRICK CHEW

Supergirl—the infected! Brainiac-1 attempts to contact Supergirl at the Fortress of Solitude, but for what nefarious purpose? No matter what he has planned, things are about to go from bad to worse as Supergirl heads on a collision course with the Batman Who Laughs! He’s targeted Superman as part of his plan to infect heroes and transform them into their twisted Dark Multiverse counterparts—but Supergirl gets caught in the crossfire, and the Year of the Villain stakes get even higher! 

I don't even care if somehow she sacrifices herself to the infection to save Superman from going dark (as may be implied here). I am sick of this take on Supergirl. 

I wish I know who to blame for continuously picking this scab. 

On to the rest of the books.

Review: Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #2

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #2 came out this week and was another delightful hodge podge of Silvr Age silliness, Mr. Action mystery, and Metropolic history and politics.

I am really amazed at how effortlessly writer Matt Fraction and artist Steve Lieber are able to weave all the different tones and styles into one book and have it not read like a muddled mess. From the Olsen ancestry to solving his own murder to being ostracized by his family to being a horse and hanging out with Comet, Jimmy is everywhere and everything. And that's just how it should be.

Despite some of the darker or seedier storylines though, the predominant feeling here is fun ... or maybe joy. I found myself smiling throughout the entire read, a different feeling (it seems) than those who read Alfred getting his head turned backwards by Bane in Batman. Frankly, I think comic needs more joy. And this book delivers.

I also think it is a wonderful companion book to the Lois maxi-series also coming out. Lois is all noir and shadows and heaviness. This is light and silly and sweet.

Hopefully this leads to a monthly, or a new super-anthology, or even an annual special. But Fraction and Lieber have the Olsen pistons pumping. There are still 10 issues of this and already I want more.

On to the book.