December Solicits

A while back, Newsarama posted their complete DC December solicits ( http://www.newsarama.com/comics/090921-dc-dec-09-solicitations.html). In reviewing the month, it doesn't look like there are too many surprises. Outside of a couple of trades (one being a must buy) and World's Finest, it looks like December will have the standard dose of Super-titles.

Here are the solicits and some comments.




SUPERGIRL #48
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Matt Camp
Cover by Joshua Middleton

Uh-oh! The Silver Banshee is back in Metropolis! This time she’s after an artifact that could finally break her family’s eternal curse. When Inspector Mike Henderson gets involved, Supergirl is pulled into the conflict! Meanwhile, Lana Lang’s mysterious condition takes a turn for the worse. Will the Girl of Steel be able to save her only two human friends? Join fan-favorite writer Sterling Gates and guest artist Matt Camp (SUPERMAN: SECRET FILES 2009, Zero Killer) to find out!

After a near monthly dose of Reactron, it will be nice to read about another Supergirl rogue. Silver Banshee seems like a perfect addition. I hope this story cements her place as a Supergirl villain rather than a Superman villain.

I also like that we already hear that Inspector Henderson and Lana play big parts in the issue. This solicit reads like a Supergirl comic and not another chapter in the bigger Superman storylines. I like that.

I also like how Sterling Gates is now officially a fan-favorite! It will be interesting to see how Matt Camp handles the art.


WORLD’S FINEST #3
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Jamal Igle
Covers by Phil Noto

The Toyman has crafted the ultimate killing machine to protect himself from the Kryptonian menace, and Oracle has sent Supergirl and Batgirl to stop it. But when Supergirl faces off against the Kryptonite Man while the new Batgirl takes on Catwoman, they both find themselves in over their heads.This looks like a job for... Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers, both by Phil Noto, that can be ordered separately. Cover A will feature Supergirl. Cover B will feature Batgirl.

Let's see ... Sterling Gates, Jamal Igle, Phil Noto all involved in producing a story where Supergirl teams up with the new Batgirl.

Yeah ... that reads like an early holiday gift.

On top of that you add Catwoman, The Toyman, and the Kryptonite Man? Not that sounds great. I loved how Supergirl took out the Kryptonite man in the Up,Up, and Away arc in the Superman books.

ACTION COMICS #884
Written by Greg Rucka; co-feature written by James Robinson & Greg Rucka
Art by Pere Pérez; co-feature art by CAFU
Cover by CAFU

When Lois tries to run the story that will clear Flamebird and Nightwing once and for all, she finds herself blocked at every turn. With the world’s anti-Kryptonian sentiment escalating to a near-frenzy, not even being General Lane’s daughter will keep her safe! Plus, to the shock and horror of Flamebird, the problems with Nightwing’s uncontrolled aging reach a critical juncture! And in part 6 of the new co-feature, Captain Atom squares off against his old adversary Major Force just as some troubling memories start to resurface – one word: Monarch!

I do like that Lois is getting pro-active in her attempts to uncover Project 7734 and its propaganda machine. As I mentioned before, I like the look on Cat Grant's face in the background.

I keep waiting for the eventual Sam and Lois reunion. I doubt that Lois will hug her Daddy the way Lucy did when they were reunited.

Plus, I am glad that Chris' aging problem didn't magically stop once he was in his 20s. The Flamebird/Nightwing legend always ends in tragedy. Could Nightwing die of old age?

Since I like Pere Perez' art, I was glad to see he is sticking around as the artist on Action Comics.

SUPERMAN #695
Written by James Robinson
Art by Fernando Dagnino & Raúl Fernandez
Cover by CAFU

Part 2 of Man of Valor! Metropolis gets a chance to see the new Mon-El in action. But now the stakes are raised even higher and the action escalates as Mon finally goes mano-a-mano against the Parasite! This is a battle that’s been brewing since Mon’s emergence on Earth and now it explodes into the streets and skies of the city. Plus, with Mon-El’s secret identity publicly known, how will the Science Police react to him now that they know he’s been living among them all this time? All this plus the return of Natasha Irons and the fate of Steel!

Sounds like a lot is happening in the Superman comic. Mon-El's identity revealed? Will his being Jonathan Kent somehow link back to Ma? I forget if they explained that he was a relative to the Smallville's Kents.

And I hope the 'new' Mon-El means something other than a new suit. For me, I would be pretty happy if the 'powers blinking on and off' part of the storyline went away.

Superman, for me, has been the weakest of the super-titles since the post-New Krypton stories began. I hope these changes help shake the book up a bit.

SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #10
Written by Greg Rucka & James Robinson
Art by Pete Woods
Cover by Gary Frank;variant cover by Dustin Nguyen

New Krypton is a planet so fresh, it’s experiencing countless things for the first time. Its first spring. Its first blooms. Its first birth of a child. And now its first homicide. When an important figure in Kandor is murdered, the suspect seems obvious to everyone but Superman. But can he make Zod or the Council believe this is more than an open-and-shut case? And can he uncover the real killer in time to save the life of the accused? It’s a dark mystery, but R.E.B.E.L.S. star Adam Strange arrives in time to help find answers...even though the truth may blow apart the civilized trappings of Kandorian society in the process. This action-packed arc leads all the way to the series’ final issue, which itself sets the stage for huge happenings in the DC Universe next summer!

It was good to read in the solicit that DC realizes that this series is almost over. There is a lot to digest in this preview which makes me interested in seeing how this issue plays out.

First off, I am glad that some of the more space-themed DC characters are showing up in WONK. Thanagarians, Jemm, and now Adam Strange are welcome sights showing how a New Krypton would shake up the galaxy/universe. But I didn't know Strange was a star in R.E.B.E.L.S.

Next, an important figure on New Krypton is murdered? I wonder who it could be. I am going to cross Zod, Ursa, Non, and Alura off the 'potentially dead' list. I don't know if any other ancillary character has stood out enough to be considered a significant character loss.

Third, since Zod is listed in the solicit, he clearly does not die from his wounds. I hope we see a shot of General Lane being ticked off that Zod survived his assassination attempt.

And lastly, this series leads into next year's big event. Could it be that next summer is the Earth/New Krypton war we all have been expecting?

SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #4
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank & Jon Sibal
Covers by Gary Frank

While everyone wants something from Metropolis’ first Super Hero, Superman must fight his first Super-Villain – someone who wants everything – the Parasite! Meanwhile, Lex Luthor turns his attention toward The Man of Steel... Geoff Johns and Gary Frank continue their bold reinterpretation of the origin of The Man of Steel for the 21st Century!

While the covers of this title are majestic, they don't have a lot of punch to make the average shelf peruser interested in picking up the book. And this shot of Superman with his Kryptonian parents doesn't seem to have anything to do with the solicit about the Parasite.

But I was so blown away by the first issue, I think I am nit-picking here. I think I am going to love this series.

ADVENTURE COMICS #5
Written by Geoff JohnsArt by Jerry Ordway; co-feature art by Francis Manapul
Cover by Jerry Ordway; variant Cover by Francis Manapul

Concluding the 2-part BLACKEST NIGHT tale of Superboy-Prime! The Black Lanterns have forced Prime to face his deepest and darkest fears, but what - and who - are they? And how will Superboy-Prime strike back after this devastating attack? Plus, Conner Kent faces off with Superman's greatest enemy in an exciting co-feature by Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul. That's right: Superboy confronts Lex Luthor!

I think Superboy-Prime is really a polarizing figure in the DCU. There are people that love his power, his insanity, his threat to the universe. Others, like me, find him pretty tiresome and wish he would go away. I don't know anyone who thinks Prime is 'okay'. You either love him or hate him.

Could this cover really mean Prime is dead? Could Johns be still trying to rehabilitate him? Should I care? Nice cover homage to Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 though.

I am more interested in the Conner story with him confronting his 'dad'. I still can't believe Johns and Manapul are off this title after issue 6.

SUPERMAN/SUPERGIRL: MAELSTROM
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art and cover by Phil Noto

The 5-issue miniseries that pitted Superman and Supergirl against Maelstrom, the would-be bride of Darkseid, is collected! It's a battle that ranges from Metropolis to Apokolips and beyond – Don't miss it!

So Maelstrom is being collected in a trade form and I am on the fence if I am going to buy it.

I reviewed each issue of this miniseries as it came out and in the end I thought the book was overall average. The thing is parts of this book, some scenes in this book, were really great. Other parts, specifically the first issue, fell very flat. Were the high points high enough to warrant buying the book?

And yet, there is that gorgeous Phil Noto art throughout, almost reason enough to buy the book for easier reading than pulling out the floppies.

I think it will depend on how much money I have in my wallet when it is released.

SUPERGIRL:COSMIC ADVENTURES IN THE EIGHTH GRADE
Written by Landry Q. Walker
Art and cover by Eric Jones

It's an all-ages extravaganza as young Supergirl meets Belinda Zee, a new junior high adversary, in this title collecting the 6-issue miniseres. And that's just the start of the fun that includes super-powered pets and cosmic adventure!

And here is the must buy trade of the month!

At their request, I have been rereading the individual issues to the Supergirls recently and I am again struck about what a great series this was from beginning to end. This just clicked on all cylinders for both the Johnny DC crowd and the more grizzled Supergirl and DCU fan. I can't believe that we haven't heard about a sequel.

Anyways, this would make a great holiday present for any young reader. Given the nature of the book, this is one where I would talk to my local comic book store to pre-order.

I wonder if DC is waiting on trade sales to decide about a sequel. I hope Landry Walker and Eric Jones still have their love of the character and would still jump at the chance to bring this Supergirl into the 9th grade.

An announcement for a Cosmic sequel ... that would be the best Christmas gift.

November Solicits

The November DC solicits have been released ( http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?dat=20091107 ) and it looks to be a typically busy month for the super-titles.

No major surprises in the solicitations but it strikes me that November will mark just over a year since Kandor was enlarged and the overlapping storyline of New Krypton started. That's a year with Supergirl being linked more tightly to the Superman stories and having a bigger role in the DCU.

With 'Codename:Patriot' and 'Hunt For Reactron' over, November looks like a breather where the titles can re-establish where they are individually going.

SUPERGIRL #47
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Jamal Igle & Jon Sibal
Cover by Joshua Middleton

Supergirl has finally brought Reactron back to New Krypton so he can be held accountable for murdering her father, Zor-El. While the debate about what to do with him rages among the people of New Krypton, the planet’s ruler – and Supergirl’s mother – remains unsure. Should Alura have Reactron executed? And will Supergirl allow it to happen if her mother decides to go that route?

We finally get to see the 'Hamlet' cover that Joshua Middleton posted on his blog long ago. I hadn't seen it in a while and had forgotten how great it looked. I forgot how chilling it was seeing Alura use Reactron's helmet as a mirror as she teases out her hair. Supergirl's expression in the background is great.

It will be interesting to see exactly what decision gets made about Reactron on New Krypton. I can't imagine Kara condoning an execution ... but we'll see.

While I love Reactron, I hope he disappears from the title for a bit. He has been near omnipresent. I'd like to see some new rogues.



ACTION COMICS #883
Written by Greg Rucka; Co-feature written by James Robinson & Greg Rucka
Art by Pere Pérez; Co-feature art by CAFU
Cover by CAFU

Since “Codename: Patriot,” Earth’s hatred for Kryptonians has only escalated – which is what makes it so odd that Nightwing and Flamebird pick now to become public Super Heroes! Meanwhile, Lois Lane finally meets with the man she thought long dead – her father, General Lane. But he has a message to deliver to his journalist daughter: “You’re either with us or against us.” And in part 5 of the new co-feature, Captain Atom, now back on Earth and knowing the truth about his mission, must face an old foe – his archenemy, Major Force!

Since we are 3 months away, I suppose it could be revealed to the public that Flamebird and Nightwing are Kryptonians. Certainly their new costumes, sort of a mythical riff on Superman's, doesn't seem to hide the fact. Heck, Chris has a Superman belt buckle on. I don't know. I kind of liked the body armor look.

Anyways, the big draw for this issue will be the Lois meeting up with her father! That is going to be good!


SUPERMAN #694
Written by James Robinson
Art by Javier Pina
Cover by CAFU

Kicking off a new 5-issue storyline that will rocket readers all the way to the monumental SUPERMAN #700! Mon-El makes his triumphant return to Metropolis with a new look and a determined manner just in time to combat the unstoppable fury of Bizarro. But with his powers phasing in and out, will the new Mon-El be able to save his city even with the help of the Guardian and Metropolis’s Science Police?

Hmmm ... this is the first clue that the 'World Without Superman' run in the main titles will not end with World of New Krypton #12. A new five issue storyline starring Mon-El takes us into next spring.

Now don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed the ride so far. But a year and a half without Superman in his own titles might be pushing things a bit. If you asked me if I would ever buy 18 months of a Mon-El/Guardian comic, my answer would probably be no. I guess as long as the stories are of high quality I should just be quiet and enjoy the ride.

I don't know if I really like the new costume either.



SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #9
Written by James Robinson & Greg Rucka
Art by Pete WoodsCover by Gary Frank; Variant cover by Mark Buckingham

Humans and Kryptonians are the only two races in our solar system, right? Wrong! Jemm, Son of Saturn, ruler of the super-powered Saturnian race, arrives in Kandor demanding answers to New Krypton’s recent actions – answers he intends to get even if he has to fight his way through Commander Kal-El and the entire Kryptonian army!

A tough Jemm, Son of Saturn? Truly outrageous!

And no mention of Zod in the description or the cover. Maybe he does die ... although I doubt it.

But it seems like this is another chapter. There is no feeling here like we are 'careening towards the pulse-pounding finale'. I wonder if WONK will be a 15 issue mini-series like it was originally solicited as. That would align more with the 5 issue Mon-El storyline.



SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #3
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank & Jon Sibal
Covers by Gary Frank

So long, Smallville; hello, Metropolis! Join Geoff Johns and Gary Frank as they explore a very different Metropolis from the one we currently know – one that has yet to experience life with Superman as its protector. Witness the transformative power one person can have on a city as young Clark Kent joins The Daily Planet, and Superman takes to the skies and gives everyone a reason to look up. Over the years, Superman has come to mean everything to Metropolis, but be here to learn why Metropolis means everything to Superman!

I can't wait for this mini-series!

Johns and Frank could do no wrong in Action Comics. And as a fan, I trust them with reinvigorating the Superman origin. Johns seems to be able to take the more imaginiative pieces of the Silver Age and then adapting them to the 21st century. Even the small things, like seeing Perry White puff on a cigar, feel right.




JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE #5
Written by James Robinson
Art and cover by Mauro Cascioli

Supergirl and Shazam join the team as Prometheus is finally captured! His evil machinations are revealed, but even so, the League may be unable to stop the villain’s disturbing plans as he cuts down one of the members! Don’t miss this shocking new issue that’ll have everybody talking.

Supergirl and Shazam 'join the team'? Is that in an official capacity because both are already involved in issue #2.

And this is the issue that will have everybody talking? People have been talking ... first the bad reviews of issue #1 ... then the three-way tempest from issue #2. I hope they are talking in a positive way.

I have said it before that I loved the Prometheus I saw in Morrison's JLA and it looks like DC is doing their best to make him into a real threat again.

This picture, while posted on the DC website doesn't seem like the cover to me. I hope beyond hope that DC isn't waiting for this art. Given the lead time Cascioli was given before the release of this comic, you would think it would be already done.




ADVENTURE COMICS #4
Written by Geoff Johns; Co-feature written by Geoff Johns & Michael Shoemaker
Art by Jerry Ordway; Co-feature art by Clayton Henry
Cover by Jerry Ordway and Francis Manapul; Variant cover by Francis Manapul

The return of Superboy! Superboy-Prime, that is! The grasp of BLACKEST NIGHT knows no bounds, and it is now at the doorstep of Superboy-Prime. Believe it or not, Prime has met his match. The Black Lanterns know his deepest, darkest secrets and force Prime to feel emotions he's long discarded. Plus, in the Legion of Super-Heroes co-feature, Dawnstar is on the trail of the person – or people – who have been causing so much trouble for the Legion. But does she get too close to the truth? Her Legion teammate Wildfire comes to her rescue, but are the duo able to discover just who is behind this villainous plot to destroy the known universe?

Yeesh.

I am pretty much sick of Superboy Prime. And he is back already?

Now if Legion of Three Worlds had come out on time, it would probably be a year since he was sent back to Earth Prime. But even with this issue being 3 months away, it seems awful quick.

I am sick of Superboy Prime.

Ahhh ... but the second feature is a Wildfire/Dawnstar story! Wildfire is my favorite Legionnaire so it is nice to see him back in continuity!

WORLD’S FINEST #2
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Ramon Bachs
Covers by Phil Noto

Following a trail of experimental equipment that was stolen from WayneTech, the new Robin finds himself in Metropolis and face-to-face with the straight-laced Guardian. But when Parasite and Mr. Freeze appear, the two heroes will have to band together to capture the villains and retrieve the missing tech. What are the villains really after, though, and who is pulling their strings? Cover A will feature Guardian and Mr. Freeze. Cover B will feature Robin and Parasite.

This miniseries sounds like it will be a fun read. I can't wait for the Supergirl/Batgirl team-up next issue.

But this issue's team-up might be even more intriguing. The Guardian is a straight shooter, a 'letter of the law' kind of guy. Damien is a complete wild card. So that has to be as uneasy a partnership as there could be. Should be some good interaction here.

And now the trades ...

SUPERGIRL: COSMIC ADVENTURES IN THE EIGHTH GRADE TP
Written by Landry Q. Walker
Art and cover by Eric Jones

It’s an all-ages extravaganza as young Supergirl meets Belinda Zee, a new junior high adversary, in this title collecting the 6-issue miniseres. And that’s just the start of the fun that includes super-powered pets and cosmic adventure!

Hurrah hurrah!

But couldn't DC have released it a little earlier?? It is being released on December 23. Wouldn't this have been a great holiday gift idea? But it is being released too late.

I doubt there will be any bonus material but I would love to at least see a foreword by Walker and some of the concept sketches by Jones.

SUPERMAN/SUPERGIRL: MAELSTROM TP
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art and cover by Phil Noto

The 5-issue miniseries that pitted Superman and Supergirl against Maelstrom, the would-be bride of Darkseid, is collected! It’s a battle that ranges from Metropolis to Apokolips and beyond – Don’t miss it!

I reviewed this mini-series and deemed it sort of hit-or-miss. There were some great scenes and some great dialogue. There were some scenes that just fell flat. And the characterization of Kara seemed just a little off in some places.

And there is the absolutely luscious Phil Noto art. That alone might be enough reason to buy this.

Overall, November looks like a strong month.

December Sales - Supergirl #36, Cosmic Adventures #1, Malestrom #3

It is that time of the month, when ICv2 posts sales from the month before. Here is the link: http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/14111.html. December was an interesting month for sales. Despite the gloomy economic landscape in America, overall sales increased 12%.

Just a reminder about November sales for the main Supergirl title.


In November, Supergirl #35 sold 45,518 issues and ranked number 34 overall. This was, of course, the first Supergirl chapter of New Krypton and had a variant cover, all of which helped spur sales on.

Now on to December ...

Supergirl #36 also was a chapter in the New Krypton arc and also had a variant cover. This issue sold virtually the same number of issues as the last one (45,491 as opposed to 45,518). So everyone who bought in November came back in December. The overall rank dropped from 34 to 49 but that is not as important to me as units sold. Comic readers can be fickle; no one who read #35 found it so lacking as to leave. That is excellent news.

I am most intrigued in seeing how sales are this month. We are officially out of New Krypton. There is no variant cover. But everything going on in the title - the New Krypton planet, Superwoman, Alura's rule - all of it is born from the crossover. How many readers will stick around for the ride?

Cosmic Adventures #1 sold a solid 9281 which I think is relative gold for the Johnny DC line. The Billy Batson title sold 9800. The Super Friends sold 5500. Again, I think seeing how the title does next month will be important. I think the title has received a lot on on-line praise. Maybe 'word of mouth' will keep sales robust for an all ages title.

The middle chapter of Superman/Supergirl: Maelstrom sold just under 18,000 issues, although that was done around 15% from the second book. I wonder if sales for this mini were good enough to warrant a trade down the line.

The bottom line is that the main Supergirl title and the Cosmic title both did very well in December. Hopefully all the character interest from the end of 2008 will continue through the new year.

Review: Superman/Supergirl:Maelstrom #5

Superman/Supergirl:Maelstrom #5 came out this week and ended an 'up and down' mini-series that had both good moments and bad. One thing that has been consistent throughout the series has been the absolutely stunning art by Phil Noto. In fact, there are lots of scans in this post simply to showcase the delicious art.

The mini-series started out at a low point with a dedicated Supergirl getting soundly thrashed by a no-name Apokoliptian woman named Maelstrom. One thing that went right with that first issue was the fact that Supergirl acted heroic and always had the welfare of the people around her in mind. After Superman saves the day, he takes Kara away to a red sun planet to better train her to use her powers.

The middle 3 issues improved from this opening chapter a bit. Somewhere along the way, and in no way hinted at or justified in that first issue, the training shifted significantly from mere physical training to Superman preaching self-sufficiency, telling Kara she needs to open her heart to humanity and stop being so distant. While the dialogue in these issues was crisp, I still could not wrap my head around why Superman felt he needed to preach this to Supergirl. It is not as if Supergirl was partying or not paying attention during Maelstrom's first attack. Indeed, when Kara struggles to rise after that first battle, her first words are about saving people.

But for some reason, the plot took a left turn and became Superman trying to convince Supergirl that she needs to act like a hero. I didn't quite understand why that left turn happened ... but it did.

All of this recap is important as I try to review both this finale and the series as a whole. Because the story simply doesn't flow easily from point A to point B.

But on to issue #5.

The cousins arrive back in our solar system and take a quick yellow sun bath to regain their powers and heal up. But while they are energizing, Superman hears cries from Earth. The Female Furies have been tearing up Metropolis.

Now let's say that the Furies were in Metropolis for a couple of days and killed the Daily Planet staff ... would Superman have still thought a trip to the red sun planet was worth it? We already have seen them off some nameless citizens. Could those deaths have been avoided if Superman was around? I mean does it make sense for Superman to be telling Kara that she needs to be a hero and protect people from extraordinary threats when he has taken her away from Earth to a dangerous place? Okay ... okay ... I won't harp on that point again.

Returning to Earth, Superman and Supergirl rescue Lois and Jimmy respectively and confront the Furies. Supergirl seems eager to square off with Maelstrom again.

There is no honor among thieves however. The Furies, despite purportedly being on Earth to help Maelstrom fight Superman unhindered, press the attack wanting a piece of the glory. There are a couple of pages of street level brawling including this nice 2 page spread by Noto.

To Kara, this seems to be mirroring the first battle too much ... too many casualties, too much property damage, too clustered a battlefield.

She says she needs a plan!

I guess that time on the red sun planet has taught her that she can't simply rely on her powers. But for some reason that line didn't sound quite right to me. Does that mean Kara wasn't thinking about the people around her when she engaged Maelstrom the first time?

The plan is a rather simple one ... appear like she is running away when actually she is circling the globe and grabbing the Furies from behind at super-speed. Here is another nice splash page by Noto. That is one ticked off Kara.

And look at this panel of Supergirl. Man oh man ... I love Noto art. That is one strong healthy beautiful looking Kara.

That said ... she knocks out three Furies by throwing them into a rock wall? In the first issue, Maelstrom shrugs off a right cross to the jaw by Kara. In this issue, Stompa gets sandwiched between halves of a car. Doesn't this seem a bit too easy of a defeat of the Furies? Isn't it the polar opposite of the ease with which Maelstrom defeated Kara?

That said, maybe Maelstrom is more powerful than we surmise. In the issue she gives Superman a kick to the gut which completely incapacitates him. (Huh?) Maelstrom approaches him with a Apokoliptian buzzsaw with plans to decapitate him when she is suddenly scooped up from behind and flown into space by Kara.

While there is a nice symmetry to Kal's rescue of Kara from issue #1 (including the bear hug ending move), doesn't this also seem a bit too easy? And this is the one piece of Noto's art that I think is sub-par. Doesn't Maelstrom seem a bit too passive in her body language as she is being carried? Shouldn't she be doing everything in her power to break the hold? Shouldn't Kara look like she is struggling more to hold this hellion still?

The bottom line is Maelstrom needs to breathe and so falls unconscious in the vacuum of space.

Unfortunately, I felt this brawl was a bit too brief and neat for me.

And now that I have read the end of the Maelstrom storyline, I don't know if I necessarily needed to have so much of her backstory. She is, in the end, a rather static character. I thought this series would end with growth by both Kara and Maelstrom.

Instead, Kara puts the Furies and Maelstrom on the spaceship she and Superman used and sends them to the very red sun planet she was just on.

Despite being reminded by Superman that they have Boom Tube technology and will be able to leave that planet shortly, Kara think they might learn something while there the way she did.

Hmmm ... what did she learn?

Superman applauds Supergirl on her fight with the Furies and Maelstrom. He tries to contrast Kara to Maelstrom by saying "people like Maelstrom cannot begin to comprehend the impact they have on other people's lives and the danger of being so devoid of these emotions." I guess that means that Superman is trying to say that Kara was sort of like that prior to their little camping trip.

Huh?

In this very series (as seen above), Kara is seen crying on the moon because she failed to save people!! Doesn't that show she has never been like Maelstrom? Doesn't that mean she is not 'emotionally bulletproof' as Superman calls her? (Maybe Palmiotti and Gray are channeling the angry angsty rave-dancing Supergirl from their story in Supergirl #12?)

Anyways ..... (sighs) ....

Superman tells Kara that she should do something fun; she deserves it for her victory.

In a scene which thematically mirrored a similar scene from the film 'Superman Returns', Kara floats above Earth and listens to all the terrible things happening. Most of the blurbs she hears are about political unrest resonating around the globe. This isn't the police band she is listening to.

When Superman catches up with her again, Kara says she couldn't have fun with everything that is going on.

Superman tries to tell her that she shouldn't interfere with the political issues on the planet. That her role as a hero is to save people from the unexpected (I suppose like alien invasions). He tells her that political problems aren't their business.

I like this ending though ... Supergirl teaching Superman something. She tells him that today political issues are their business.

She tells Superman that they should go do some good. He agrees and they fly off together.

So what is left to say?

Well, the first thing is that it is hard to reconcile the last 4 issues with the set-up established in the first. As a result, the mini-series seems somewhat disjointed. As I have said before, the lesson Superman taught Supergirl was that she should open herself up to her emotions and to her place in humanity. But it did not appear she needed that lesson. And the locale of that lesson, given the inherent danger there, seems unwise.

The second is that there were some intriguing possibilities that could have been done with Maelstrom, a slave wanting to advance on Apokolips, but none were explored. As a result, all the scenes on Apokolips showing her torture, etc. don't seem warranted now. I don't know why we needed multiple scenes of her being imprisoned and tortured; what did they add to the story that could not have been said in just one scene.

And some parts of this story seem to have been wrapped up a bit too easily. Things like Supergirl obtaining the cure for the poison, the defeat of the Furies.

All that negativity aside, there were some nice parts here. The conversations between the cousins did snap a little bit. Certainly the 'big' talk had some nice exchanges. But I also liked the lighter conversations ... Aquaman's diet, Earth idioms Superman doesn't know.

The Noto art is just spectacular throughout the series. In particular this issue had some very very nice panels and splash pages. I cannot gush enough.

And if I just tell myself that this is an early adventure in Supergirl's career which isn't even in continuity, I guess this mini-series was fine.

Overall grade (issue #5): C

Overall grade (mini-series): C

Review: Superman/Supergirl:Maelstrom #4

Hope everyone has a hapy and safe New Year's Eve.

The Superman/Supergirl: Maelstrom mini-series continues to gain momentum as it approaches it's finale next month. Issue #4 is the penultimate chapter and again showcases the relationship between the super cousins. After a lackluster opening, each issue has improved on the last and this issue continued that trend.

One thing that does seem to lower the grade overall are the occasional deus ex machina moments or events that seem forced to simply move the plot along. For example, the impetus to go to the red sun planet was an improbable complete thrashing of Supergirl by Maelstrom. The creative team probably needed a reason to get the cousins off Earth and alone so that somewhat forced scene accomplished that.

This issue's moment? Well, don't ask me how Supergirl is able to communicate enough with the scavenging aliens from last issue to get them to stop pillaging the ship *and* to give her the antidote for the poison dart they hit Superman with last issue. But somehow her gesticulations get the message across.

In fact, doesn't it seem strange to poison Superman on the last page of last issue to only have him so easily cured on the second page of this issue? Well, this issue is about Supergirl going out on her own and succeeding. To accomplish that Superman needs to be near incapacitated. So poisoning him and curing him but having him need to 'sleep it off' allows Kara to show some independence.

But that cure seemed somewhat contrived.

Indeed, Superman has been unconscious for the better part of 4 days leaving Kara in charge to guard him and fix the ship. Thanks goodness Batman told Superman to bring schematics. I like Kara's eye rolling over Batman's obsessive personality.

Throughout this trip, Supergirl has shown a little bit of a willful streak. She is young and opinionated. But one thing that I have liked is that she has never really gone over the line. Sarcastic ...yes. Bitchy? Close-minded? Immature? No, no, and no.

It is hard to jibe *this* Kara with the one from the first issue. It thankfully is definitely not the bitchy immature Kara from the Palmiotti/Gray penned Supergirl #12.

Superman passes out again forcing Kara to finally risk leaving him alone to scrounge for food. She battles a flying jellyfish-like bird and kills it with a spear. Actually, she sort of pops it covering herself in goo.

It's a funny scene. I love the 'gross ...oh wait dinner' moment of clarity.

When Kara returns, Superman is awake and looking a bit better. She again calls him to the carpet for taking them to this dangerous planet. She should call him on it! Despite his reminders that there has been personal growth, it does not take away any of the dangers Kal and Kara have confronted. They truly are lucky to be getting out alive and relatively intact. Kara again states she prefers to be bulletproof. Superman counters with she wants to be emotionally bulletproof. While, at times, she has acted this way on the planet, Kara certainly wasn't emotionally bulletproof as she cried on the moon in issue #1. Not falling for the bait, Supergirl tells Superman she doesn't want to talk about anything 'touchy-feely'.

What follows is a pretty funny conversation as the two struggle to come up with something to talk about. Superman brings up boys *and* Jimmy Olsen. Kara shoots that down. She asks what Aquaman eats for dinner. It can't be fish. Wouldn't he hear them in pain as they are being cooked?

I don't know about you, but I have been in situations where I have been alone with someone struggling to end the silence and struggling to find a topic of conversation.

It was pretty funny.

But eventually 'the big speech' happens.

Superman tells Kara that they have a choice of being a hero but it often means doing things you don't want to do. For example, Kara most likely did not want to repair the ship, hunt for food, and protect Superman, but that was heroic.

Just look at Kara's face. You can almost hear her sighing.

Superman continues that despite their best efforts, people will still die. But it is better to have tried to be a hero than not try at all.

Again, the whole reason for this trip was Kara's interaction with Maelstrom. Didn't she try to save people in that encounter? She didn't sit back. She did everything she could, even trying to rescue people while in pretty bad shape.

So I don't know why this lesson needed to be taught now, but the actual conversation felt natural and flowed nicely.

The camping trip comes to an end as repairs are finished. Kara tells Kal that she will miss spending time with him and he says they can work on that.

Dispersed throughout they issue are fairly pedestrian scenes of the Female Furies wreaking havoc in Metropolis. Stuff gets destroyed, citizens get killed, and Lois and Jimmy end up in the mitts of Maelstrom. Hey ... wasn't Power Girl supposed to be watching Metropolis during the camping trip? I guess that was conveniently forgotten to lead into the showdown next issue.

I have to admit, I actually didn't like the Metropolis pages because I was enjoying the cousins' conversation so much.

If you put this series in it's proper place, as an early adventure of Supergirl, then all that conversation makes perfect sense. Of course Supergirl would need to learn to be independent, not rely on her powers too much, and understand the pitfalls of super-heroics. And her responses, while a bit biting, also made sense for an adolescent who thinks they understand things but really still needs the wisdom of experience.

The problem is trying to corroborate that interaction, those conversations, with the events of the first issue. It is very difficult to reconcile the first issue with the need for these lessons. If the reason for the trip was physical training, so be it. But clearly Superman had more on the agenda. I almost wish I hadn't read the first issue. It would make this an overall better read.

I also don't see the need to go to such an obviously hostile planet to get a point across. Let's face it, there were plenty of ways that either Kara or Kal could have died out there. You think Superman would have the fortitude to admit that this trip was more dangerous than he thought it would be.

All that said, the scenes where Superman and Supergirl chat were well done. That is how I think their voices and interactions would sound like. It almost makes me feel like the inevitable brawl next issue in unnecessary.

And, as stated before, I just love Phil Noto art. He simply does a fantastic Kara. She looked great this issue.

This was the strongest issue yet of this mini-series, each issue an improvement on the last.

Overall grade: B+

Review: Superman/Supergirl Maelstrom #3

Well, all I can do is say I am sorry for the recent lapse in blogging. I consider myself still a newbie to this. It is amazing what a tough week of work and the impending holidays will do to free time usually spent on Supergirl reflections.

I had just such a week and as a result I am reviewing a comic that came out last Wednesday on this week's Wednesday! And with both Action Comics and Final Crisis coming out today, I knew I needed to catch up.

So here we are with Superman/Supergirl: Maelstrom #3, a mini-series which I think is slowly improving with each issue.

You may recall that last issue, Superman forced Kara to go with him to a red sun planet and face some dangers while de-powered so she could learn some life lessons. Not the best idea, especially when Supergirl wanders off and is surrounded by some aliens.

She calls out for Superman and again hammers home the point that taking them to a inhospitable planet while they are without powers isn't the best idea. Despite Superman saying he has visited the planet countless times, the two seem constantly surrounded by serious threats, like these gorilla-like creatures.

The whole reason for Superman bringing Kara there was to teach her 'not to rely on her powers' in a fight. Supergirl then reminds him that she doesn't just rely on her powers, that she was trained by Amazons. So maybe this trip wasn't necessary.

Of course, if she was trained by Amazons then how was Maelstrom able to so easily wipe the floor with her in issue one?

Superman continues to play the role of obnoxious older brother. After Kara reminds him yet again how idiotic this trip was he scolds her for being sarcastic and childish.

In a moment of honesty, Kara tells Kal that she might act like a child because she spent her 'entire childhood trapped inside a space ship'.

Hmmm ... I don't necessarily agree with that. She entered the space ship as a 16 year old and left it as a 16 year old because of the suspended animation. It isn't as if she aged in it. So I don't quite understand what Palmiotti was going for there.

That said, the overall characterization of Supergirl in the last 2 issues has been much better than that in the first issue. This Kara, the one that seems self-confident and strong, is a far cry from the little girl crying on the moon at the end of issue #1. This Kara will challenge Superman if she thinks he is wrong.

In the meantime, Maelstrom is surprising all sorts of people on Apokolips. Despite significant torture, she remains unbowed, continuously chanting Darkseid's name. Darkseid himself is intrigued by her resilience and asks that she be brought to him.

After telling Maelstrom that he is not looking for a concubine nor that he feels she would survive the initiation process of his concubines (!!), Darkseid makes a deal with her. If she brings him the head of Superman, he will make Maelstrom his personal slave. And he promises her that Supergirl will not interfere.

As we continue to compare/contrast Supergirl to Maelstrom we see that Maelstrom continues to impress her alpha male figure, while Supergirl is just getting a sniff of respect from Superman.

Listening in to the deal, DeSaad asks Darkseid why he would send Maelstrom off on a suicide mission. The icy evil Darkseid says that when her hope is crushed from her loss that it will cause Maelstrom more mental pain and suffering than any torture device. He will have robbed her of her dreams of being at Darkseid's side.

That guy is pure evil!

Things on the red sun planet move from bad to worse. Superman is knocked into some rapids by a giant toad thingy and subsequently breaks his arm and nearly drowns. Without a moment's hesitation, Supergirl jumps into the river to save him, suffering a minor head injury during the rescue.

As a physician, I had to include the above scene of Kara giving CPR to Kal. Luckily, he begins to breathe again on his own and seems no worse for wear.

His broken arm has a bit of a silver lining though. Kara now takes control of the situation stating that enough is enough and it is time to go home. As they leave for the ship, they encounter some more aliens. These ones appear intelligent, as they are clothed and armed. Interestingly, they have little interest in the Kryptonians and simply walk by the super-cousins.

It's a good thing that Superman and Supergirl are returning to Earth too. Maelstrom has been armed and is going to be sent on her mission to kill Kal-El. Granny Goodness seems a bit put off by the attention Maelstrom is getting and tells Maelstrom in no uncertain terms that she will kill her if Maelstrom fails ... or maybe even before Maelstrom begins the mission.

And who better to run interference with Supergirl while Maelstrom battles Superman? Granny's Female Furies. They also might kill Maelstrom just for the fun of it.

Well, after all that has happened and been divulged on this camping trip from Hell, it seems Superman is finally willing to admit that he may have been too hard on Kara. He tells her that if she feels she did not have a childhood that she could always live with the Kents as a teenager.

I love Kara's response. She says she is a 'big city kind of girl', a little statement of independence and self-realization. Supergirl isn't simply 'Superman in a skirt'; she is her own person. She might be family with Kal ... she might learn from him ... but she is not him, nor is she beholden to him.

But just when it seems that things are on the right track ... that Superman and Supergirl have a new understanding and respect for each other and are heading home, they discover the sentient aliens they ran into before crawling all over their ship.

When confronted, one fires a poison dart into Superman's chest. Boy ... this trip to a red sun world was definitely not a good idea!

Again, I think each issue of this series has been a slight improvement over the last. It seems to me that Palmiotti's idea was to have the cousins explore their relationship in a place where they are on a bit more even ground, a place where they both can be hurt and therefore need to count on each other. A red sun planet makes good sense to move the story along but might not have been the best idea for the characters.

And I also think that Kara's dialogue (outside of the 'lost childhood' comment) and reactions on the red sun planet are actually in line with how I think her character should act. She is smart, resourceful, strong, opinionated ... but also inexperienced and something of a hothead. If only Kara had acted this way in issue #1! That said, the creative team needed a reason to send the cousins to a red sun world to explore their interactions and a disastrous showing by Supergirl was an easy impetus. I still don't like it, but it served its purpose.

I have to say that I am glad the action is moving back to Earth. Two issues of a bad nature walk is enough. My only hope is that in the end Supergirl squares off against Maelstrom and avenges the prior loss.

And I really really like Phil Noto's take on Supergirl

Overall grade: B