Review: Superman Unchained #9

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And then this moment right after.

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

But then she doesn't ....

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It is why Lex is Lex and Superman is Superman.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Not a bad little sequence.

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

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

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

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

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

So how do I grade this?

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

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

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

Overall grade: B/B+

Review: Superman Unchained #8

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

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

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

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

On to the issue.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'Dig deep' sparks an idea in Clark.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lois.

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

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

But what about the Earthstone, the voice inside it?

What about Lex?

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

What about the origins of the Wraith?

Can it all be wrapped up?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall grade: B

Review: Superman Unchained #7

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

So was it worth the wait?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nice characterization!

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

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

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

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

She refuses to let him 'protect' her.

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

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

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

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

Perfect.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Well, except one.

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

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

Overall grade: B+

Review: Superman Unchained #6

It's only been just under 3 months but Superman Unchained #6 finally came out last week. I have enjoyed this book a lot so far, a more classic take on Superman and especially Lois with a multilayered plot. But there is something about delays that seems to sap momentum.

Thankfully, the delay didn't diminish writer Scott Snyder and artists Jim Lee and Dustin Nguyen's abilities to put out a high quality book. As much as a Superman shines and even Batman has a moment of glory, this is really Lois' issue to shine. She really is brilliant in this book. 

It is unfortunate that this book is disappearing with issue #9. Snyder seems to get Superman. And if Jim Lee can't keep the deadlines, they could have put another artist on the book. Wit that information, we also know that this is one big storyline that needs to stretch to fill three more issues after this. Despite that, there is significant progression in this issue, probably ending one of the plot threads and even starting a new one. Incredible!

Suffice it to say, I'll be sad when this title disappears.

If any book needs an extra page reminding the reader where they left off, it is one that is 2 months late.

But to catch everyone up, the Ascension movement used the Earthstone, a crystal that can communicate with technology, to launch every nuclear missile that exists on Earth. The Wraith and Superman are in the Fortress when the rockets launch.

This book just has the feel of being 'out of continuity'. There is something more classic about the character interactions here. Superman's relationship with Lois and Batman seem pre-New 52. And we see that again when Superman calls the league to figure out the best way to clear the air of the nukes. There isn't a whiff of romance with Wonder Woman. And Hal is on Earth. I actually like it.

But the League can't stop them all, or enough of them to stop armageddon. Another solution needs to happen.

A major part of this story is comparing and contrasting Superman from the Wraith. What are their motivations? Where are their loyalties?

Superman wants to save the world. If there is a way to stop all the missiles, it lies with Ascension, the root of the evil. While he streaks there, Wraith remains tied to his orders and rank. He decides that he is best served by heading back to the United States to defend America.

That last panel is a nice shot. These two are heading in opposite directions. Nice way to marry words and art, thoughts and images.

Meanwhile, over in the Ascension headquarters, Lois decides to open up a can of butt-kick. Remember last issue, Ascension had finally had it with Lois, deciding to kill her rather than have her report their story.

Instead of Lois quaking in fear, waiting for Superman to save her, she takes matters into her own hands, and skull, and feet.

I love a strong, independent, fierce Lois doing what needs to get done. Just fantastic.

Superman crashes into the site to help mop up the bad guys. But Ascension isn't exactly forthcoming with how to stop the missiles. They want the world destroyed to restart with a clean slate.

Again, Lois comes to the rescue. She knows the Earthstone can connect with technology. If it is how they launched the nukes, maybe it can be used to stop them.

I'll say it again, a strong Lois makes for a stronger Superman family. It is a shame she has been pushed into the background in the main books. At least Lois fans have Unchained and Smallville.

And I have to admit, Lee does draw a pretty great Lois.

When it seems that Superman might actually be able to stop this nuclear winter, Ascension resorts to a classic villain device - a self-destruct mechanism.

The whole headquarters goes up in an explosion but Superman is able to grab Lois and the crystal and fly away. There is something so wonderfully classic about Superman wrapping Lois in his cape to protect her!

So is this the end of Ascension? Is that plot thread over now? I'm not sure.

Luckily, Superman is able to access the crystal (I assume with his super-brain) and use it to defuse/destroy the nuclear missiles before they bring their atomic payload to bear. It is a bit of a deus ex machina ... but that crystal power has been set up throughout this series so maybe it isn't such a surprise.

But look at this great panel showing the power of the Superman and Lois team. She congratulates him for saving the world. And he congratulates her for the same. If it wasn't for Lois, he wouldn't know to use the crystal and things would have been a whole lot messier.

Now Wraith said early on that eventually Superman would cross the line and the two would need to fight.

I'm not sure exactly why the Wraith is so upset that Superman saved the world. I don't know why the military would think this crossed the line. But the Wraith shows up, ready to throw down.

In another of a bit of deus ex machina, Superman pulls out a radioactive ring made of a substance that is a Kryptonite equivalent for the Wraith. It turns out that Superman scanned the Wraith in the Fortress, sent the info to his 'paranoid friend' Batman, who made the weapon.

Armed like this, Superman mops the floor with the Wraith who needs to withdraw.

Again, this is a just a bit of a simple answer. We saw Batman way back in Superman Unchained #2
working with some material as an 'anti-Superman' weapon. And back then I guessed we might see this when I said:

But this completely feels like the loaded gun seen in the first act of a movie. You know it will be fired by the end. I won't be surprised if Superman ends up using some of these anti-Superman devices himself as he fights his dark reflection Wraith. So presumed nice foreshadowing here.

So maybe this shouldn't come as a shock as it was seen back then.

If the Ascension plotline is closed, another opens. The Earthstone crystal seems to be a communication device. There is a presence within it. That is an interesting new wrinkle.

But what I did like is seeing Lois in the Fortress, hanging out with Superman. Bandaged from her fight with the Ascension troops, she is drinking in the experience. This is, I guess, her first Fortress visit in the New 52. She looks around, shocked that it isn't more homey and comfy.

In my least favorite part of the book, it turns out the attack on the Wraith is an actionable offense by Superman. The US military shows up in the Arctic circle, outside of the Fortress, and armed to the teeth with their anti-Superman ordnance.

I am soooooooo sick of seeing Superman fighting the American military.

Please stop this.

But I also find it odd that the military knows the Fortress' location so much they can roll up to the front door. And I also am surprised Superman doesn't have long range scanners to warn him of their proximity.

I don't know, I am just sick of seeing this. Nice cliffhanger though.

The book ends with the typical Dustin Nguyen back up pages. The Wriath, upset at the Wraith-K shows up in the Batcave.

Again, we have seen Batman in this book showing off his anti-Superman armament. We'll probably see it again ... the cloak suit from Superman Unchained #2 and more of the "Kryptonite".

I still wonder if the Wraith would want to be so up close and personal. Wouldn't he just blow up Wayne Manor from space? Drop himself on the area like he dropped himself on Nagasaki? I suppose he thinks himself unstoppable so maybe he wants to relish things.

So overall, I thought this was a good but not great issue for this title. The Lois scenes are fantastic and the Earthstone plot is fascinating. But a couple of easy answers (even if foreshadowed) and a cliffhanger with Superman fighting American troops knocked things down just a bit.

I also think the wait between issues slowed down momentum such that I might not roll with minor quibbles as I otherwise might.

Overall grade: B

April 2014 Solicits

The times they are a-changin' in April with DC Comics making some pretty significant changes in their lineup. I usually don't cover the solicits the day after they come out ... but there was too much news to wait.

New titles coming out include Batman Eternal, Secret Origin, Aquman and the Others, Sinestro, and Justice League United. I will be getting JLU. But Secret Origins (if a monthly) will only be an occasional purchase for me. And I won't be getting Batman Eternal. And I doubt I'll get Future's End either.

But a half-dozen books are getting canceled: Superman Unchained, Suicide Squad, Nightwing, Stormwatch, Teen Titans, and Justice League of America. I am sad to hear about Unchained. I have enjoyed the last few months of Suicide Squad. But I have no attachment to the others. Hopefully the next Teen Titans book will be something more classic.

Bottom line, the slow erosion of DC titles I am getting continues. While I don't comment on it here, Aaron Kuder is taking over writing Superboy. That is interesting. But until I hear it isn't JLK being evil, I am staying away.

Here is CBR's list of all the solicits.

And here are the super-ones I'll be getting. Amazingly, this is a great month for Supergirl, at least given the tone of the solicits.

SUPERGIRL #30
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
In “Red Daughter of Krypton” part 2 of 3, the newest, most powerful Red Lantern finally meets her match! Worldkiller-1 is a cosmic menace from the darkest recesses of Kara’s past, and he will gladly destroy every one of her crimson teammates to get to her…

While the cancellations and new titles might be getting the widest coverage, this solicit is the one that grabbed me the most. At last we learn the length of the 'Red Daughter' storyline. Three issues!

Maybe it was always supposed to be three issues. We may never know if DC originally thought it would be longer. But if it was originally going to be more protracted, I would like to think that some of the backlash from this idea, some of it recorded here, made the powers that be rethink it.

Of course I could be reading this all wrong. "Red Daughter" might be the name of the first arc of Supergirl as a Red Lantern. Maybe I am being overly optimistic.

But the news of her latest Rogues Gallery addition was just as big for me. Supergirl fights World Killer #1. This is the first step in Tony Bedard's rehabilitation of Supergirl because this means Kara isn't World Killer #1, something hinted at before.

In the 'toot my own horn' section of this post, I will remind people that I guessed Kara would fight World Killer #1 here when I said " And an new villain with a connection to her roots. It better not be Alura! Maybe it is the last World Killer, absolving Kara of that tag!"

RED LANTERNS #30
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art and cover by ALESSANDRO VITTI
 
 Guy Gardner’s got a missing comrade, a red-ring-wielding Supergirl, and a deeply pissed-off Atrocitus to deal with! The last thing he needs is another new Red Lantern – especially when this one may be the deadliest Red to ever wear the ring! But whose side will this new Lantern join? And will Rankorr survive his close encounter with Atrocitus and Dex-Starr?

I am assuming that Supergirl's part in the Red Lantern book will end when Red Daughter ends. So maybe this is a short guest-starring stint. Of course the same caveat as above exists. If Red Daughter goes longer, she will be here longer. This solicit makes her sound like a background character in the book as opposed to a driving force.

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #0
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art and cover by MIKE McKONE
1:50 Variant cover by MIKE McKONE
 
 Top comics writer Jeff Lemire teams with superstar artist Mike McKone for the all-new monthly series JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED, starring the new team of powerful heroes Earth calls Justice League Canada!
In the aftermath of FOREVER EVIL, Adam Strange is caught up in an adventure across the far reaches of the cosmos that will unite an unexpected team of heroes including Supergirl, Hawkman, Green Arrow, Stargirl, Martian Manhunter and Animal Man – but if they’re on the team, who exactly is Canadian? Plus: Don’t miss the debut of a new Canadian hero who will have a huge effect on the group!

I covered this comic earlier. But the fact that Supergirl is on the cover in her usual costume and not all Red Lantern-y makes me think that Red Daughter may, in fact, just be 3 months long. 

I like this team as it is a nice mix of legacy heroes, classic JLA heroes, and some Strange Adventurers. If anyone can tie all this together, it's Jeff Lemire. Lemire talks about the book being a mix of Earth-bound and cosmic storylines. I wonder if Kara will come on board in the second arc, giving time for the Red Lantern stuff to run its course.

And I love Mike McKone's work.

SECRET ORIGINS #1
Written by TONY BEDARD, KYLE HIGGINS and GREG PAK
Art by PAULO SIQUEIRA, WILL CONRAD and others
Cover by LEE BERMEJO
1:25 Variant cover by ANDY KUBERT
 
 At last, the SECRET ORIGINS of the World’s Greatest Heroes in The New 52 can be revealed! This new series gets off to an awesome start with the origins of The Last Son of Krypton and Kara Zor-El, Supergirl, plus the first Robin, Dick Grayson.

I am assuming this is a monthly book. As a younger reader, I really loved the post-Crisis Secret Origins book. I sampled the characters I liked or was interested in. I bought books by interesting creative teams. And it worked for a post-Crisis world where some origins were new or updated.

So maybe this will work in the New 52 universe where I have no idea, for example, about Stargirl's origin if Starman never existed. 

And this issue includes both Superman and Supergirl. So I am on board. So, in theory, Supergirl appears in 4 titles this month. Not bad for a Supergirl fan. I hope in the future DC limits the issues to 1 or 2 heroes. Shoving three in seems like too much.

ACTION COMICS #30
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by AARON KUDER
 
Following the events of FOREVER EVIL, Superman confronts Lex Luthor – but the world has turned around for these two. The hero has become the villain and the villain the hero as forces beyond these two gather to destroy the Man of Steel, beginning with a dormant Doomsday who has crossed over from the Phantom Zone!

You know, as much as the Supergirl news is great news, a cause of celebration, the Superman news is kind of depressing. Remember, this month Lex Luthor becomes the leader of the Justice League. So of course, Superman has to be hunted now.

And it is apparently Doomsday month. Remember that in the Doomsday villains month issue, we saw a mythic scene reminiscent of Death of Superman and Reign of the Superman storyling.

SUPERMAN #30
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art by KEN LASHLEY
Cover by ANDY KUBERT
 
 Every man, woman and child in Smallville has suddenly fallen into a coma while the citizens of the Bottled City of Kandor begin to rise again. Meanwhile, Superman has his hands full as Doomsday cuts a swath of destruction through the heart of the earth itself!

So this isn't the cover as that is a Rocafort picture and this states Andy Kubert is the artist.

I keep forgetting that Kandor is around and in stasis. I shouldn't forget given I love Morrison's run on this book. 

And we still have Lobdell on the book. We did hear that a new all star team with JRJR was coming. Guess not this month.

SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #9
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and wraparound cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
Backup story art by DUSTIN NGUYEN
This is it – the extraordinary finale of Scott Snyder and Jim Lee’s Superman saga, surrounded by an epic wraparound cover! It’s a battle in the sun as Superman and Wraith accept their destinies…and Lex Luthor pulls the trigger on his ultimate weapon!

In more bad news, Superman Unchained is ending as a title! This is the final issue of this storyline.

I am sad about this. I really enjoyed this book.

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #10
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by JAE LEE
 
Following the events of FIRST CONTACT, witness the last days of Batman and Superman of Earth 2 from a new perspective.

We have seen their 'deaths' in Earth 2. We saw them in action earlier in this title. Now we get to see those last moments again. Given the First Contact reference, I am hoping we see some Supergirl and Robin.

SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #7
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art and cover by PAULO SIQUEIRA
 
 Doomsday has awakened and the Earth and heavens tremble! And discover how Superman and Wonder Woman survived a nuclear blast!

I don't even know if I am going to be around for this title at this time. But again we hear Doomsday is around.

While I don't mind Paulo Siqueira on art, I don't like this cover with a skeletal Superman. A bit too much like the nuked Superman in The Dark Knight Returns for my blood.

SMALLVILLE SEASON 11: LANTERN #1
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by MARCIO TAKARA
Cover by CAT STAGGS
 
 The Green Lantern ring for space sector 2813 was inactive for years after Krypton’s end, until the creation of the Argo colony recalled it to service. As none of Zod’s followers are suitable candidates, the ring’s search brings it to the nearest Kryptonian it can recruit! SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 continues in “Lantern” part 1 of 4!

Now this is a great solicit. I am pretty interested in the concept of this arc. We have seen Superman don the GL ring now and then but this sounds a little more permanent, at least 4 issues worth. So Kudos to Bryan Q. Miller for keeping this 'season' moving forward. 

But hearing Marcio Takara is on art is an added treat. Seeing his commissions on line makes me hope I'll run into him at a convention. And his Supergirl is so spectacular I hope she at least has a cameo in this arc.

And lastly, great cover by Cat Staggs.

ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #12
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by AGUSTIN PADILLA
Cover by ED BENES
 
 Superman has always stood for “Truth, Justice, and the American Way,” but when a new vigilante known as the Demolisher starts cleaning up the streets of Metropolis in a way that Superman never could, the Man of Steel wonders if this new brand of hero is what his city truly needs.

Sounds a bit too much like 'What's so Funny about Truth, Justice, and the American Way'. I mean, it really does. Hopefully Milligan can put a spin on it.

WORLDS’ FINEST #22
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by R.B. SILVA and JOE WEEMS
Cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
 
 Following their team-up with Batman and Superman, Power Girl and Huntress have some difficult choices ahead. What’s next for the Worlds’ Finest...and what world will they choose?

And now this little gem. Could this be the issue where Power Girl and Huntress head back to Earth 2? We heard there would be a new creative team on this book. Maybe this is the last issue before 'a bold new direction'!!

I do think this book could thrive with the heroes back on their home Earth.

So overall a very interesting month of solicits. Red Daughter is only 3 issues. Kara isn't the World Killer.  Kara on a Justice League. Kara in Secret Origin. It's all good!