DCSHG: For The Girl Who Has Everything

I have been remiss in recent times to review all of the Supergirl appearances in DC Superhero Girls. Perhaps I am falling into a 'comic continuity' funk, knowing that Shea Fontana's version is going to be replaced by Lauren Faust's soon.

Thankfully, I stumbled upon the most recent episode, a Supergirl-centric tale available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJWCG4ZyTm4

It is a shame I lost track of this because it is a ton of fun.

The title is 'For the Girl who has Everything' and comic fans know that title as a riff on 'For the Man who has Everything', the classic Alan Moore/Dave Gibbons Black Mercy story from Action Comics Annual #11. We know in that story the Black Mercy flower shows Superman his fondest desire, that Krypton did not explode and he has a family. Of course, he realizes (with the help of this friends) that this is a flawed 'perfect reality' and breaks free.

And this isn't the first time we have seen a Supergirl take on this story. It was part of Supergirl season one on CBS:
http://comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com/2016/02/supergirl-episode-13-for-girl-who-has.html

So what is the DCSHG Supergirl's perfect world?

Review: DC Superhero Girls Wonder Woman Day Special

Last Saturday was Wonder Woman Day at local comic stores, a brilliant addition by DC to last month's Free Comic Book Day. The FCBD DC books were Wonder Woman and DC Super Hero Girls. But given the buzz of the Wonder Woman movie, I love that DC gave us another day of free stuff. And I love that they doubled down on Diana. If DC knew that they were doing a Wonder Woman day with a free Wonder Woman comic and a free DCSHG book, they could have looked elsewhere for FCBD. Instead, we get 4 Wonder Woman focused freebies. And that makes me happy!

DC SuperHero Girls Wonder Woman Day #1 is just the second chapter of the upcoming Summer Olympus graphic novel which is being released around the corner. The creators are writer Shea Fontana and artist Yancey Labat, the two most linked to the Superhero Girls. I do love this cover though, something of a badass Diana with Kara and Babs ready to throw down right behind her. This is the fiercest I have seen this version of these characters. And I love Ares appearing in Diana's bracelets.

And while the focus of this issue and this OGN is Diana, we get to see the other superheroes in action. So glad we got to see some hijinks on the Kent farm.

The two DCSHG freebies have grabbed my attention! I'll probably buy the graphic novel when it comes out.

Free Comic Book Day 2017: DC Superhero Girls:Summer Olympus

I wasn't sure if I would be able to make Free Comic Book Day last Saturday but luckily I was able to leave work on time and hit the store before the doors close.

My story allows 2 free comics per customer and I decided on Dragon Ball Z and DC Superhero Girls. The  Superhero Girls book 'Summer Olympus' was written by Shea Fontana with art by Yancey Labat (the usual creative team). And, as usual, this was a lot of fun.

I am relatively certain that Summer Olympus is the next DCSHG graphic novel so this is probably the opening chapter. Similarly, last year's FCBD DCSHG book was the opening chapter of Finals Crisis. So this is a nice way to grab new readers and give them a taste of the bigger product.

I was definitely glad to get this because there are moments that should be shared and enjoyed!

On to the book!

DC Superhero Girls: Tales From The Krypto-Mites Part 1

DC Superhero Girls has entered its third season of shorts on their website. As I noted in past posts, it seems this season will be something more of an ongoing show with running plots as opposed to silly one and done episodes.

And we didn't have to wait long for this to be apparent. The third episode of the season is called 'Tales from the Kryptomites, Part1'. The very fact that it says part one shows the website is thinking more long form while not heading more into feature length DVD films.

I also love that Supergirl seems to be a central part of this arc. The main bad is Lena Luthor (or perhaps here Lena Thorul)! And clearly that history of being a Luthor is part of the plot. I also like some nods to the past within the episode (although I admit that I might be reaching here.

And we end on a nice cliffhanger, making me want to come back.

Go ahead and can watch the episode here.

In the meantime, here are my thoughts.

DC Superhero Girls: Batnapped

The first two 'seasons' of the DC Superhero Girls video shorts seemed intent on introducing us to the characters and giving us an overall sense of this particular incarnation of the characters. I enjoyed this new universe for what it was, a fun look at the foibles of being a super-heroic high schooler.

But with success and a following behind them, as well a couple of feature-length films and graphic novels behind them, it was time to take a step forward. The 'trailer' for the third 'season' makes it seem more like a long form story told in chapters as opposed to humorous one-offs. There are sentient Kryptonite chunks playing with the emotions of humanity. There is a Female Fury invasion. And what looks to be plenty of battles. The trailer really had a sort of Super Friends vibe to it.

A last week, the first episode of the season dropped. 'Batnapped' was a nice transition. We definitely get great fun with Batgirl, Supergirl, and Killer Moth!! And we get the seeds of a couple of threads which I think will ultimately bear fruit.

As always, I am very happy that this line exists. On to the episode!

Best Of 2016 - Top Ten Supergirl Moments In Comics; #10-#6

We are nearing the end of my Best of 2016 posts, looking at the back half of the Top Ten Supergirl Moments in Comics this year.

Unlike some years, there was plenty of great moments to pick from which means plenty of comics that Supergirl appeared in! In fact, looking at this list, there are moments from 7 different titles. That's pretty incredible.

And, as is typically the case, I had a very hard time picking the #1 moment. The top two moments flip-flopped in the top two slots in my mind so many times I thought I should label them 1a and 1b. But that felt like cheating. So I had to put my mind to it and just choose.

Lastly, I always ask that folks let me know what you think of the list. Is there a moment I completely missed? Is the order wrong? Should something else be number one? And what are your thoughts of the year in total for Supergirl.

I might rank this as one of the best years in her history given how much she has exploded in popularity. But that is really something to look at from a distance. Given how long one post covering the top ten would have been, and based on a fan poll result on Twitter, I split this into two days of coverage. So settle in for #10-#6 ...

DC Superhero Girls: Hits and Myths

I caved in last week and bought the DC Superhero Girls second trade Hits and Myths. I will remind people that all ages books are books for all ages, even old fossils like me. I have been pretty floored with the entire concept of DCSHG as it mixes DC history, empowering messages, and fun! And I have been impressed with how writer/creator Shea Fontana gives each character a unique view on life without making them caricatures or two dimensional.

Hits and Myths continued this streak. Fontana loosely bases the long form story on the Odyssey. She also adopts a tried-and-true storytelling format by having the Girls split into teams to investigate a crime. It is shades of classic Justice League.

And, as usual, artist Yancey Labat brings a bright freshness to the art here. I also love his interpretations of some of the quirkier DC characters we get here. In particular, I love the Silver Banshee! But the whole book is gorgeous!

I'll try to keep this review brief, just hitting on some of the highlights that struck me.

DC Superhero Girls: Dude, Where's My Invisible Jet

I've talked about the DC Superhero Girls in the past and I have sort of gushed a bit about them. I'm afraid I have to gush a bit more. I promise I'll try to keep my posts about this line when Supergirl is involved. But overall, this line of shorts and toys has just been so much fun.

The last episode made me laugh out loud so I felt I had to review it.

And I will admit that I haven't seen the feature 'Superhero of the Year' so I'd love to hear from people if it is worth seeking out.

The last short was titled 'Dude Where's My Invisible Jet', a nod to the slacker movie title 'Dude, where's my car.'

For me, the best of animated kid shows include some homages or jokes that are aimed for the parents or adults watching. Something as simple as this title, which kids will find amusing without knowing about the movie and parents will recognize, can rope in all generations. But on to the story.

Review: DC Superhero Girls Finals Crisis

Last week, the first DC Superhero Girls trade 'Finals Crisis' came out. Written by Shea Fontana and drawn by Yancey Labat, the story is fun one showcasing all the characters nicely and telling a good story of how teamwork can defeat even the greatest villains. I had read Chapter One already when it was released on Free Comic Book Day. And while that meant that Supergirl was removed from the story early on, I was very impressed with this whole book.

For one, I liked how each character got to shine in a solo chapter. This gave Fontana some room to explore each of the Superhero Girls and let new readers learn about their personality. (There is a 'role call' page giving powers and character traits as well).

I also like who the surprise villain is and what their motivation is. Rather timely in an odd way.

Fontana also brings a lot of fun to the book for old timers like me. We hear how Liberty Belle wrote a text book on super-heroes. Starfire has a personality similar to the one from Teen Titans Go! I liked seeing Flash in detention, the only true hero there. Perhaps he has an impulse problem? And even seeing Steve Trevor and Lois Lane as the 'normal' people in the nearby cafe was fun.

But perhaps what I like best is that there is a fun timeline to the chapters that sharp readers can build in their mind. We will see a character in  the background in one chapter and then in a later chapter we see why that character is there. It makes it fun.

Labat brings a clean and breezy style to the book which shines here. Whether the light action sequences or the fun happening in school, the whole book is bright and energetic.

On to the story.

Review: Free Comic Book Day DC SuperHero Girls

I've been pretty remiss in my coverage of Free Comic Book day and for that I apologize. Hard to believe that was already two weeks ago.

My local comic store opens the doors, has a local artist, and runs a big sale on Free Comic Book Day. There is a 2 book limit which is frustrating for a long time customer like me. And yet, I understand the desire to have free books around for new readers.

I was a bit surprised that there was nothing #Rebirth from DC Comics available. You would think that re-designing the DCU could be promoted here. Instead we got a reprint of Suicide Squad to help promote a movie 3 months away.

But let's be honest, the main draw for me was the free DC SuperHero Girls book, a glimpse at the upcoming 'Finals Crisis' graphic novel which is around the corner. Written by DCSHG mastermind Shea Fontana with art by Yancey Labat, the book focuses on Supergirl while introducing new readers to this world.

We start with a look at gym class and Diana sparring with Cheetah. It is a way to let us immediately learn that Wonder Woman is the cream of the crop, the best student at the high.

An overhead announcement tells the students to head to the auditorium.

This was a nice crowd shot letting us see some of the students at the school Sure we see the main characters. But Hawk and Animal Man are there. Flash and Green Lantern look like friends, a nice riff on classic DC. And there is Vixen.

So Fontana has a lot of toys to play with.

Principal Amanda Waller reminds everyone that finals begin tomorrow. Babs tells her AI Oracle to set her alarm. Nice!

But Supergirl seems upset by the announcement.

I love this little lip-bite expression, showing us that she is a bit worried. We see this expression again later in the book making me think it might be a little personality quirk. As someone who loved the classic 'finger to the face' quirk we saw in Supergirl's Silver Age, I like touches like this.

Panicked but the announcement, Supergirl flies away from the school and heads to Smallville. There she laments to the Kents that she is quitting the school. She can't deal with finals.

I love this whole page. Supergirl shouting at the heavens is great. And then saying exams are her Kryptonite is funny.

We flash back to Krypton where Kara is mercilessly bullied by other girls in her class. They tease Kara for riding her horse Comet (!!!) to school. They tease her for having the S-shield sewn on her backpack. They actually push her in the mud! It can't be an easy life for Krypton Kara.

Still, we see she is a great student. In her science class, she shows how she has created a solution that can increase a crystal in size. This scientist Kara is a well-established part of her character from the earliest issues in Action Comics.

Her solution works.

But looking out the window, Kara sees one of the Mean Girls untying Comet and letting the horse free. Kara has no choice but to run out of the class and grab her runaway steed.

The growth solution topples over and suddenly the crystal grows huge, destroying the roof.

How sad to see this mud covered Kara running to catch Comet while her bully laughs in the background.

As a result, Kara gets an 'F'.

Looking at this crying defeated Kara isn't easy.

No wonder Finals feel like Kryptonite.

Thankfully, the Kents give her a chuck in the arm and tell her she can handle this. And with that support, Kara feels she can fly off.

Funny that 'butt' is considered harsh language on the Kent farm. Supergirl is a sort of adorkable sticky sweet character.

On the way back however, Supergirl is shot by a Kryptonite arrow. Someone is gunning for the SuperHero Girls.

Let the guesses begin.

My guess? Ravager. How can you not have Ravager in this book? And who better to be hunting the heroes!

This book was beautiful and fun. And how nice to see some backstory for this Supergirl. So much fun.

It is a great peek into the DC Superhero Girls world. And it was free!

Hope everyone grabbed it. And hope everyone grabs the Finals Crisis graphic novel.

Overall grade: A

DC SuperHero Girls

Back in April, Warner Brothers announced the DC SuperHero Girls Initiative, a multimedia platform introducing a bunch of DC female characters to a bigger audience. I loved the idea.

As a father of three girls and a self-proclaimed Brony, who has watched MLP and 'Equestria Girls', I thought this was a perfect platform to build an audience. We saw the initial characters but I am sure the entire DC catalog is probably available. And Supergirl was wearing Chuck Taylors. So it was all win back then.

Earlier this week, the website for the initiative went live. Here is the link: http://www.dcsuperherogirls.com/

It is a pretty simple site right now. There is the group shot above. Then you can click a link to see the  individual page for each of the characters. These pages include a simple description of the character and then three adjectives that define them.

Supergirl is the 'new girl' at the school and is described as new to the planet. I like the idea that she is learning the ropes at the school. And the description that she's 'powerfully persistent' is great. It might be a way to say she is fierce in pursuing her heroic goals without getting too scary. Maybe this 'school' is the Midvale Orphanage equivalent, the place Superman takes her to become accustomed to the planet.

The adjectives are also interesting. Sweet makes sense and is in line with classic Supergirl.

Awkward seems to be something newer for the character. We have heard Melissa Benoist describe the character as 'adorkable'. And being new to the planet means the writers can play up the 'stranger in a strange land' aspect of the character, a way to make her awkward here on Earth. We'll have to see how this plays up.

Given the last adjective is fun-loving makes me think she'll be outgoing in personality. This won't be a withdrawn awkward.

I'll be watching for more stuff from this site and initiative. But so far, so good.