Review: Smallville Season 11 #6

You know my biggest complaint with the Smallville comic? It is so good.

I know, on the face of it, that statement makes little sense. But the truth is, this is a very good comic. And it makes me wonder just how good Smallville the show would have been if the abandoned the 'no tights, no flights' nonsense of the early years and let the show mature to a Superman show. Because frankly, what I am reading in this comic is solid writing with great plots, characterization, and action. And I don't think I was always able to say that when I was watching the show.

Smallville #6 concentrates on the Superman/Batman crossover story including the near-mandatory fight between the heroes. But writer Bryan Q. Miller continues to let the other plot lines percolate in the background, moving things along. We also get to see Miller write Steph Barbara and see how her upbeat attitude plays off the grim Batman.

As if the story wasn't enough, this issue is a special treat because old friend Jamal Igle provides the art and really brings it. And we get to see Igle draw Steph Batgirl Nightwing again.

Despite the last issue ending with a prison brawl between Superman and Batman, Miller opts to start the issue away from the battle. We haven't seen much of Chloe lately so I was glad to catch up with her and Oliver. Remember, these two know about the imminent Crisis and are trying to figure out just what is happening.

Remember, the Earth 2 Chloe was shot and killed in that cornfield. And seeing that has clearly effected this Chloe greatly. I love how the picture of her corpse is in the background, looming. It helps the reader know just how big this is for Chloe, how it is literally always in the background. That pained face on Chloe in the second panel is just wonderful expressive work by Igle.

As is usually the case when two heroes meet for the first time, Superman and Batman fight. They both have an interest in talking to Bruno Mannheim. Supes want to question him about weapons in the city. Bats wants to know about Joe Chill.

But Miller does a great job here showing the different approaches the heroes have.

Superman is absorbing blows but basically doesn't want to fight. And he is so polite about it, even adding 'if you don't mind.'

Meanwhile Batman shows he has researched Superman extensively, studying Kryptonian glyphs, studying Zod's solar tower plans, and building a red sun generator into his bat suit. It is that attention to detail that borders on paranoia that makes Batman Batman.

But he also knows strategy. So while they fight Steph Barbara tries to corner Mannheim.

Green Arrow arrives to help out and squares off with Nightwing.

Seriously, this is Steph 'she-who-can't-be-named.' I absolutely love it.

Realizing that Batman is Bruce Wayne and hearing why Batman wants to talk to Mannheim, Superman takes matters into his own hands. He stops the hero-on-hero skirmishes and takes Mannheim for a conversation several thousand feet up.

Another great moment. Miller has always infused just the right mix of humor into his books. First he has Superman voice how he will be in trouble for using such crude interrogation methods. Then he has Superman drop him.

Such a great moment with Steph Nightwing adding the quip and Batman dead-panning his response. Fantastic. Moments like these are sprinkled through the book at just the right times.

Mannheim admits that he pointed criminals towards Chill so that the criminal element could arm themselves appropriately against the explosion of super-heroes in the world. Chill decided to make a deal with the Feds and so is in custody.

It's Lois who figures out that the weapon maker is Oswald Loomis, a savant like the Toyman. Loomis is, of course, the Prankster.

As I have said before, I love the Lois in this book. She is strong and independent and has a 'guy everywhere' for information. You are right Lois ... you are awesome.

Batman and Nightwing try to find Chill's safe house leading to this great exchange.

I love how Steph Barbara teases him about his 'Bale-voice', a mix of whiskey, cigarettes, and razors.

And I love his retort that she can always join the super-team as Supergirl. She remarks she wouldn't use that name (she didn't want 'Batgirl' either) and besides there already is a Supergirl.

We better see that Supergirl in this book soon!

The safe house is located and both Superman and Batman have reasons to head there.

What I love about this is that Miller doesn't have Superman back down to Batman. Superman says that Metropolis is under jurisdiction and that Batman has to play by the rules. 'It isn't our job to determine justice, only to make sure it exists.' That's Superman.

A begrudging team-up emerges from the conversation. Again Igle shines here. Superman's country boy grin shows he thinks he has made a new friend. Batman is basically frowning and just seems so rigid. This isn't an easy alliance.

My favorite subplot in the book is Tess' possession of Lex. She is gaining more control over his body, taking him for walks in the night, and trying to email Oliver (although it is gibberish she is sending).

Unfortunately, Lex hears about the emails from Oliver who thinks he is being punked. Luthor knows his body is being used. I wonder where all of this will go.

As I said it isn't an easy alliance. At the safe house, Batman tries to go solo and confront Chill on his own. This Batman seems even more unhinged than the usual version. He kicks the elderly Chill forcing Superman to physically put a stop to it.

It is so refreshing to see Superman actually not be outsmarted or beaten up by Batman.

Unfortunately, the heroes probably led super-villains to Chill's safe house as well. Mr. Freeze and The Prankster arrive. Nice cliffhanger.

There are a lot more worthwhile, funny, and powerful moments in this issue ... probably my favorite of the run. Seeing Ollie get bruised up from Nightwing, Steph's Barbara's constant quips, Batman's straight man responses and one good zinger about why Superman must like him ... it's all there and more. I would watch this show ... I wish I was watching this show.

And Jamal Igle is the perfect choice here, bringing great expressions to add to the words and plot, filling in so much subtle information by his art choices.

Another month ... another very good Smallville issue. Just the right mix of action, seriousness, and humor. Wow!

Overall grade: A

Review: Smallville Season 11 #4

Smallville Season Eleven #4 came out in print form this week and wrapped up the Cyborg Superman storyline while opening the doors to lots of new plotlines.

In some ways I am a little surprised to see how quickly the end of the Cyborg plot happened. I thought for sure there would be more to mine here. And yet, I wonder if we won't end up seeing more of Hank Henshaw before this comic wraps up.

And yet, the promises of the future plotlines, including one that made me shiver a bit, made me glad to see that the punch-em-up with Henshaw ended now. There is a lot hinted at now that I want writer Bryan Q. Miller to explore.

And through it all, the Smallville Superman continues to have the air of the pre-New 52 Superman in many ways, enough to make me appreciate this book much more than I thought I would (given my problems with the show).

Pere Perez' art in the issue is the strongest I have seen of him on this book. This is the Perez I know from the Nightwing/Flamebird issues of Action and Batgirl. He just shines here.

Last issue General Lane witnessed a potential attack on Lex by Superman and responded with military force.  When property damage and civilian risk started to outweigh the mission, both sides stand down.

There were a lot of good moments in this issue but this one is near the top. It is pretty clear that Lane knows that Clark is Superman. So to have him pause when he says they need to make their relationship work is telling. How can they co-exist if Superman's goals and Lane's orders are in direct conflict. Maybe this will open up some sort of grudging version of the Gordon/Batman relationship. Solid stuff and very effective work of the pause mid sentence and the new panel.

In the meantime, Henshaw has basically become unhinged by his condition, vacillating between a blue-faced sadness over his condition and a red-faced rage. In an uncontrollable fury he actually vaporizes his comatose flesh body.

But he seems tangential in his thought pattern and in his ire. He initially is angry at Lex. Then his wife tells him Superman could have saved him and that violent rage becomes focused squarely on the now-arrived Superman. As I noted before, Henshaw is a guy tuned into his senses so a sterile robot existence wouldn't be a comfort for him. In fact, he anger aimed at Superman makes him 'feel again'. Nice consistent characterization of Henshaw here.

Much like Captain Comet is a foil for Superman in Action, Henshaw is a good mirror for Superman here. During their fight, Henshaw wonders how Superman can act at all knowing he will never save everyone. And then when subdues via decapitation, the Henshaw head says he meant well but lost his himself. He wonders how Superman holds it together.

Remember, while Clark has been in action for some time (as the Blur, etc), the Superman persona is still young. So this discussion on being a hero in the open, trying your best and knowing you will fail, reining in your emotions for the better of others, it all resonated.

As for Henshaw, knowing what we know about the Cyborg Superman how long do you think he will be content in just that head? How long before his consciousness spreads over the wires into other places?

The mysterious traveler in the Queen Pod turns out to be Chloe ... but not from the future. Instead she is from another Earth.

It looks like some weird reaction happens when our Chloe tries to touch this one. It looks like she is killed by a shadowy figure in a small rift. Maybe the Lex of this other Earth? Maybe this one is a super-scientist in a power suit?

With the Henshaw crisis over, Superman goes to finish his conversation with Lex, albeit in a calmer mood.

One thing I like here is the overall optimism that Clark has. He remembers a Lex that struggled with evil and tried to move away from his family's legacy. He keeps hoping that this Lex has some good in him, that he has a desire to do good.

But this Lex is too far gone.

This Lex did purposefully sabotage his shuttle launch, threatening the crew's lives and damning Henshaw to his fate.

And all this to coat Superman with a radiation that Luthor can easily track. Lex will know exactly where Superman is from now on. That means no time as Clark. No time with Lois. No Kent farm. He has to be Superman and above it all from now on. It is a cruel blow by Luthor.

But here is an actual representation of that restraint that Henshaw didn't have. He could brain Luthor. But instead he flies off.

It leads to a tender goodbye scene between Lois and Clark/Superman. There is no easy solution. No zapping of satellites. No easy scrubbing off of the radiation. Instead it has to be goodbye for now.

Lois is as strong and feisty as expected first threatening to go and punch Luthor before saying goodbye.

Look! It's a Lois/Clark relationship in comics! And it works!

The 'other' Chloe, said to be from Earth 2, dies. But not before she gives Oliver a warning. Superman needs to know that The Crisis is coming. Very nice use of the red background here, evoking blood, fire, and the red skies of Crisis on Infinite Earths.

But knowing that Miller already said that Supergirl will be making an appearance in the book, it also gave me a chill.

My favorite subplot in the book is Tess' consciousness being buried in Lex. With Henshaw experiment having failed, Lex had nowhere to safely download his sister. I guess putting his sister into a killing machine wouldn't be safe for Lex more than for Tess.

This last scene implies that Tess is trying to usurp control of Lex's body, trying and apparently succeeding in making him move his finger (while he is sleeping). Excellent. How fantastic would it be for Tess to take control of Lex, making him ride along helpless in his own body!

Again, nothing to complain about here. The story moves along quickly. There is solid characterization everywhere. And now the hinting of the Crisis. Add to that the sharp art and it is a winning combination all around.

That said, the 'Vandervoort' Supergirl better not die in this Crisis!

Overall grade: B+/A

Review: Smallville Season 11 #3

The print version of Smallville Season 11 came out last week and continues to be a fun read picking up where the series left off. In some ways, this book is coming off as a more 'traditional' Superman book, more like the past comic incarnation than the current DCnU Superman. And for those who miss the Clark/Lois relationship, it is an oasis.

Of course, this isn't necessarily a Superman book ... it is a Smallville book. That means that the supporting characters from the series are given decent screen time here. That means personally, I have to take the good (Lex and Tess) with the bad (Green Arrow, I never really cared for the Smallville version).

Writer Bryan Q. Miller does a good job on the book infusing the right amount of action, drama, and humor to keep the plotlines moving along nicely. And Pere Perez art is smooth and silky, a nice fit for the book.

So there are some steps forward on some of the mysteries that have cropped up so far in this 'season'.

For one, the spaceship that came into Earth's vicinity via a space-time rip and crash landed in Smallville turns out to be something built at Queen Industries. So it looks like my guess last time that the female occupant is not Supergirl but instead Chloe from the future is still a possibility!

There is a lot of banter between Chloe and Oliver here, about their marriage, about moving to Star City, about their passion. I don't know ... I just never have been able to warm up to Oliver or this relationship.

As for Hank Henshaw, he seems to be in a 'locked in' medical state, unable to do voluntary movements (such as speak, move, etc) but with an active brain state.

Despite Henshaw's heroic sacrifice having Superman save his crew while he piloted the ship, Henshaw's wife blames Superman for not saving her husband. I understand grief but it is clear she has heard tapes of Henshaw saying to save everyone else first. She should be proud of her husband's heroism rather than curse Superman's inability to save him 100%. Or she should be upset at the engineering failure of the ship.

Seems like it is common in comics for folks to blame Superman for the imperfect world we live in.

Doesn't take Superman long to deduce that Lex sabotaged his own ship. And when he angrily confronts Lex about it, Luthor seems smug. I know ... shocking.

It is one more disaster that Superman has been in the vicinity of! Now he is seen attacking Lex. It is all a plot for Lex to discredit Superman, make the Man of Steel look dangerous. It shows just how warped is that Lex would demolish his own billion dollar investment in hopes of sowing seeds of distrust.

I did like that Lex asked if he knew Superman from before because he only gets deeply under the skin of people who he interacts with often.

And, as this is a comic published after 2000, the military arrives and attacks Superman for talking to Lex (albeit after smashing in the skyscraper's windows). General Lane is all to eager to light things up.

I think every plot since New Krypton has had the US military attack Superman at some point. Here the attack goes a little off plan. An army helicopter crashes into the street almost killing Lois. General Lane almost killed his daughter. Seeing that he calls off the attack.

I am expecting some drama with  General Lane here. I think he basically knows Clark is Superman. So how will he respond?

My favorite subplot so far has been the Lex/Tess dyad. Who is she? How is she?

Well, it turns out she is neither ghost nor figment of Lex's psychosis. She is actually the consciousness of Tess living inside Lex's body courtesy of the nerve gas she used to wipe out his memory.  That explains his ramped up brain activity and her intact personality.

I am sort of bummed that the mystery was solved so quickly. I was hoping to see Lex suffer a bit more with the concern that he might be insane. Still, it does leave the door a bit more ajar for an actual return of Tess.

As I said before, this place has been a haven of hope for all the Clark/Lois fans out there. Despite all the chaos surrounding everything that happened, the two realize that this has been the first quiet moments alone they have had.

I miss this  romance. At least I have a bit of it here.

And as I said above, I think Miller has some nice comedic moments in this book, keeping some lightheartedness infused in the more dramatic overall arc. I think this was the magic of his Batgirl.

I love that Miller has included a bumbling Otis henchman for Lex here. That wordless last panel after Otis 'talked' to Tess is priceless.

But Lex has a decent idea how to get Tess literally out of his head. He will download her consciousness into another receptacle. As a dry run, he convinces Mrs. Henshaw to try it on Hank, a way of giving the astronaut a second chance.

I knew it wasn't going to end pretty. Sure his consciousness does get downloaded into one of the Hazardous Environment Drones but Henshaw doesn't seem happy. As I said last issue, this is a guy who loves the senses of touch and taste and smell probably isn't happy in a robot. I thought we would see these drones in action much later in this arc so I was surprised to see it used so soon. That's a good thing.

So no complaints about this economical issue. Things progress nicely with the appropriate mix of action, drama, romance, and humor. In fact, things seem to be moving so quickly that maybe Henshaw isn't the big bad of this season but more of a mini-boss?

Overall grade: B+

Review: Smallville Season 11 #2

Smallville Season 11 #2 came out last week and continued to be an interesting read. I had plenty of problems with Smallville the show. But my biggest problem with that show was the hemming and hawing Clark did before finally becoming Superman. Now that that problem is behind us, and Clark is actually acting like Superman should (at least so far), things are much better.

A lot of that praise needs to be heaped on the shoulders of writer Bryan Q. Miller who has grabbed some of the more interesting remnants of the show and continued to pull them forward into this book. It might limit the audience for the book as it might be hard for non-show fans to grasp what the heck is happening in some places. With some recaps behind us last issue, we can move forward not only on the plots that were initiated last month but also new ones here.

And Pere Perez continues to being a smooth line to the book making it a slick read.

I talked about Miller keeping some of the more interesting parts of the show moving forward here. The best example of that in this book is the character of Tess. Despite being killed by Lex in the show's finale, she is here ... either as ghost or (more likely) a hallucination in Lex's mind.

Lex has more than enough reason to be a bit off kilter. He is a flawed clone. He is a sort of blank slate, having been robbed of his memories by a nerve gas Tess exposed him too. And a side effect of that gas has been to 'speed up' parts of his brain as seen on PET scan. With all that behind him, a hallucination is not too hard of a stretch.

The 'amnesia' was a simple of somewhat cliched way of explaining how Lex can't see that Superman and Clark are one and the same.

Meanwhile, we get an inside peek in STAR Labs and the work that Professor Hamilton is doing and the wishes of Dr. Swan.

I show this panel for one reason. I am sure this isn't the last time we will see these Hazardous Environment Drones. There is the old saying in theater "If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired. Otherwise don't put it there." 

I don't think we will see this rampaging in the second act. But I expect to see them running amok at some point ... as you will see.

As for Lex, his paranoia about alien invasions has taken form in LexCorp's latest project. He will launch Guardian Defense Platforms into space, weapons looking outwards to protect the Earth from incoming threats.

Of course, nothing Luthor can be so magnanimous. And guns pointed one way can be turned around. Weapons pointing down towards Earth under Luthor's control? Chilling.

The pilot of the Lex-shuttle is Commander Hank Henshaw.

Now a lot of my thoughts about this spring from the fact that in the comics Henshaw becomes the Cyborg Superman. So bear with me.

First off, sure Luthor wants to project Henshaw as a great American hero. But this struck true. Henshaw isn't inherently evil. In fact he is a courageous guy.

Here Clark interviews Henshaw and he talks like a 'regular guy' and humble. He seems very likeable.

But all this talk about the senses of taste and sensation and how important it is to Henshaw ... why is it there? Well, when he becomes the Cyborg Superman, when he forms a body for himself out of machinery, he probably will be able to see and hear. But taste? And touch? Those are probably going to be denied him.

This is Miller planting the seeds of why Henshaw is going to become warped and inevitably the villain of the piece.

But for now he remains a hero, even when the rocket booster firing the shuttle explodes threatening the ship and crew.

As for the ship that slipped through a wormhole last episode, it crash lands (where else) in Smallville. And the female pilot knows that an explosion like that (seen nicely in the reflection of her helmet) is a job for Superman.

Could this be Supergirl? Returned from the future? I hope so.

But my guess? It's Chloe from an alternate future come back to warn Clark about something.

In the mean time, Henshaw really is a hero.

He continues to fly the shuttle, endangering his own life, asking Superman to save his crew first.

Again, Miller does a good job here showing how Henshaw is a good guy. This will make his slow descent into villainy that much more interesting to watch.

Luckily Henshaw is able to keep the ship together in time for Superman to save the crew. He also tells Superman that the shuttle disaster was no accident. Unluckily, Henshaw gets doused with radiation.

We know where this is going. Henshaw's body will die but he will be able to inhabit machinery. Chances of him possessing and attacking the the Hazard drones above? 100%.

And, it is implied that Lex sabotaged his own tech. What is that all about?

Overall, there is enough good stuff here to keep me happy. Henshaw as reluctant and eventual villain. Lots of powerful tech showcased, basically showing us Henshaws future arsenal. Lex plagued by paranoia and hallucinations. Tess sticking around. Clark as Superman. And a potential Kara sighting. It's all good.

I do worry that Green Arrow might be a bigger presence in this title that I would like. But that is a quibble. So far so good here.

Overall grade: B+

Review: Smallville Season 11 #1

Smallville #1, the print copy, came out last week after being initially submitted digitally. And with me being a paper sort of collector, I had waited to read the book until in print.

I have reviewed some Smallville here on this blog (pretty much the episodes with Kara in them) and have discussed my problems with the series in those posts. In short, I felt that this Clark/Superman dragged his feet a little in the series, moping and being reactive rather than proactive. In the later seasons, as the Blur, he seemed to be stepping up his game but never quite reaching his potential. In fact, Supergirl out-shined him so much in her episodes as a go-getter, as a hero, that they needed to eliminate her as a comparison. So she was mind-wiped in one season and then 'instructed to go to the future' in the last so that she wouldn't stand in the way of Clark's destiny. Finally, in the last episode, Clark dons the blue and reds and saves the day pushing Apokalips away from Earth. Still, that was 10 seasons of Clark sulking, brooding, and being awkard.

So why get the book? Well, the two biggest reasons are the creators attached. Bryan Q. Miller wrote the Steph Brown Batgirl series, a book I stumbled upon by accident and immediately loved. Pere Perez drew the Nightwing/Flamebird arc in Action Comics, he drew a bunch of Miller's Batgirl books, and he has a smooth organic style that is really engaging.

So with Clark now Superman and the right people on the book, I had to try it. It really felt like old times again catching up with this version of Clark and Lois, Oliver and Chloe, and even Lex. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would and that is always appreciated.

It's been six months since the Apokalips invasion and the first appearance of Superman in this world. And he has become a fixture in Metropolis. His flying through the city in the morning has become something people expect and wait for, even Lex (although he does it with more disgust than admiration). Lex even has a doddering yes-man with him named Otis (shades of the Donner films).

Clark seems to have embraced his role as Superman flying into space to save a Russian science satellite which has been damaged by some brief phenomenon in space, an odd red 'northern lights' explosion.

This is pure Silver Age goodness here as Superman says he is no more of a hero than the Cosmonaut looking for an autograph to bring home to his son. In fact, as he flies off Clark is smiling widely saying he is 'just doing his job'. We never really saw this sort of passion, this embracing of his role, on the TV show. It's about time!

With the Superman introduction out of the way, it is simply time to go around the cast and see what everyone has been doing for the last 6 months.

Clark and Lois are happily living together although not yet married (sounds like a great event for the season finale!). Lois is still as feisty as ever, putting herself in harm's way to get stories. And she continues to support Clark 100% telling him how he is inspiring.

It looks like the hero-hate from last season might be replaced by a xenophobia plotline as Superman being an alien has not been disclosed.

As for Lex, he is still recovering from memory losses and setting himself up as the oily megalomaniac he has been on the show and in the comics. One thing that Smallville did right was the 'villain's journey' of Lex. Much like the hero's journey, it was great watching Lex slowly make his way down the path of evil.

Here he is conniving with General Lane about trying to get military contracts to set up Earth defenses against other alien invasions. So, more of that xenophobia plot is taking shape.

Finally Lex and Clark meet again ... for the first time. Lex has no recollection of Clark and can't believe they were once friends. It shows how far Lex has descended that he can't imagine interacting with someone like Clark in a meaningful way.

There was too much water under the bridge for Clark to be out in the open as Superman and not have Lex recognize him so the amnesia bit helps.

You know what else I like? The movies playing in the background, a shout-out to Batgirl again - the 24 Draculas Supergirl issue and Unsinkable, the last issue.

But this is my favorite panel.

Lex sees his dead half-sister in the street talking to him. Is it a ghost? Is he insane and hallucinating? Or something else all together?

I liked Tess in the show as she was a complete jumble, both good and bad, although in the end siding with the heroes. She was complex and interesting so I am very happy  to see her back in some capacity.

And Oliver and Chloe are happy. Oliver is still fighting crime as Green Arrow even though his identity is known. I'm not sure how that would effect Chloe other than to put her in harm's way. At least initially it sounds like the two are moving to Star City.

There is some funny banter between Clark and Ollie as they compare war stories and life in the trenches. Clark says Superman isn't squeaky clean and hasn't kissed any babies. Clark meanwhile did kiss and exploding baby once (did that happen on the show?). Look at the exasperated Ollie, bemoaning the lack of exploding babies in Star City. Funny.

In the end, Chloe uncovers that the 'northern lights' from the opening scene was more like a portal through which a ship has emerged. Hmmm ... who could that be.

On twitter, Miller told me that a Supergirl/Legion appearance is going to happen. Could this ship be them? Or some villain from the future they are tailing? Nice hook to end the first issue on.

So overall, this was a pretty good episode of Smallville ... at least that is what it felt like. And there was something interesting about reading this Superman again, now that he has donned the S-shield and become a symbol of good.

Add to that the inclusion of Tess and a promise of Kara and the Legion and I guess I will stick around for more.

Perez does his usual solid work here and clearly has a grasp of the actors from the show as I can see them in the renditions.

Overall grade: B+/B

2011 Year In Review Part Two: Top Supergirl Moments: Honorable Mentions

I have to say that these end of the year reviews are both a lot of fun to put together and some of the more difficult posts to put together.

2011 was an interesting year for Supergirl. There were 2 creative teams on the old volume. There was the relaunch and the DCnU. She was the muscle in the Justice League and suffered through another bout of 'Dark Supergirl'-ness. She was a member of the Superman Family as it fought through the Reign of Doomsday. And she continued to pop up in other places like Tiny Titans, DC Retro-Active, and even the DC Universe Online Legends comics. It's great that Supergirl has been such an active character in the DCU.

And that made it unbelievably tough to cone down to just the Top Ten Moments. As in the past, I have some Honorable Mentions, the events that almost made the cut to Top Ten.

# 5 - 'Red Skies' - DC Retro-Active Superman 1980s
With the DCnU around the corner, DC put out a number of Retro-Active books, a look back at some of their key characters in the prior decades. Superman got a Retro-Active treatments for the 70s, 80s, and 90s and Supergirl appeared in the first two. It was great to see those older versions of Supergirl, both in attitude and costume, one last time.

Marv Wolfman wrote the 1980s Retro-Active and the story revolved around the Monitor testing Superman's will, his resolve to continue to fight when faced with overwhelming despair. Superman is shown all the parts of the grim and gritty DCU that would happen in the near future. And then he is shown the death of Supergirl in the Crisis. That was the key moment in testing Superman. Would the Man of Steel wilt in the face of Supergirl's death. It did the opposite, making Superman want to fight even harder.

In this scene, Superman calls Kara to talk after waking from the visions the Monitor barraged him with. I have to say, it was interesting to see Wolfman, the man who killed Supergirl, acknowledge that her death would be a monumentally huge event for Superman. And it was fun to see this Supergirl again, albeit briefly, hanging out in her pajamas and petting her cat.

#4 - 'Affection For Humanity' - Action Comics #904
The Reign of Doomsday was the last story arc for the old Superman and the old Action Comics. And I will admit, I enjoyed it more that I thought I would. It was a wild, action filled story with crazy fight sequences even if some of the plot points were muddled.

Supergirl had some very nice moments in Paul Cornell's issues, enough to merit a couple of honorable mentions. Throughout the arc, and in this scene, Supergirl is shown to be extremely strong and a leader. And she often voices her feeling about how she is fighting for more than just herself. She cares about her family and the people of Earth. She isn't going to let anything hurt them ... not if she can help it. And that includes even unstoppable villains like Doomsday. Just pure heroics here.

#3 - 'The Meaning Of Heroism' - Action Comics #904
Reign of Doomsday was also picking up on some of the aftermath of Grounded (which was churning to a close in Superman). In Grounded, Superman was constantly questioning himself ... his role on Earth, his duty to the people of Earth, his purpose. I love how Supergirl can see through all that nonsense and set Superman straight.

When Superman wonders if he should continue to be a role model to people if it sometimes leads to tragedy (like the death of the Eradicator). Supergirl states the obvious, personal sacrifice for the betterment of all is a good thing, it is what it means to be a hero. Of course that's a good thing!

The student has become the master here. Superman needed to shake off the angst he was carrying and move forward.

#2 - 'The New World's Finest' - Batgirl #23
In a short period of time and over a couple of key crossover issues, Steph Brown/Batgirl and Supergirl became very good friends. There was something pretty magical about their crossovers. They seemed so natural together, easy pals still learning the ropes of super-heroics and willing to team-up and learn together. There was joy in these issues. What a great new World's Finest.

In this scene, Batgirl was trying to break up a prison riot and interact with her father and knew she needed help and called on all her friends, including Supergirl. Supergirl wonders out loud if their teaming up should be a regular thing. I would have loved to see an annual cross-over between these two but sadly it won't happen in the DCnU, at least not anytime soon.

This scene was the favorite of blog friend Gene.

#1 - 'Know The Risks' - Supergirl #62
James Peaty had a tough task ahead of him, following Sterling Gates on Supergirl while trying to pick up the pieces of Nick Spencer's plots.  And yet, he and artist Bernard Chang put together a great arc. For me, the best part of this arc was just seeing a more mature Supergirl understanding what she needed to do and then going out and doing it. Yes, she was still her own worst critic in this arc, a part of still being on the hero's journey, but that didn't stop her from being a hero and being recognized as a leader by others.

This scene seemed to encapsulate so much of that. She understood that there was a major threat out there, she knew she needed lead other heroes against it, and she knew that there was some risk in facing off against this enemy. And yet, despite that, she forged ahead. Knowing the risk isn't belittling it. It means going in with open eyes against the threats ahead. This was a calculating Kara ready to do what was right no matter what. And that showed a more mature hero. One with an unshakeable resolve. This scene almost made the top ten.

And those are the 5 honorable mentions for the Top Supergirl Moments for 2011. Tomorrow, the year wrap up and the Top Ten Supergirl Moments in 2011!