My Adventures With Superman S3E2

My Adventures of Superman S3E2 came out last week and continued to push the overall storyline of this season forward. It is clear that the showrunners are going to lean into two areas. The first will be the concept of identity, especially in Supergirl and for plot, the idea of the Reign of Supermen, probably looking at what it means to be Superman, or an evil version, or a clone, etc. Meanwhile, it continues to be amusing and cute in just the right measure.

This episode brings the super-crew to, of all places, a fan con. Most of that plotline revolves around Supergirl coming to grips with being new to the world and wanting to have a partner. From Jimmy's noble worries about Kara's affection to Cat Grant becoming a foil (leaning into Sterling Gates' run), we are going to get a lot of Supergirl dealing with her past and future this season. After last year's rough run of her as Brainiac's weapon, I hope we will see her get to a happy place.

As for the other theme of Superman's identity, we already had a version of Bizarro introduced. In this episode, we get Hank Henshaw's Cyborg Superman. Perhaps the thing that pleases me the most is that Luthor is really deep in that mess. I want to see Lex sort of emerge as the arch-villain here.

Despite the heavy topics, there is still the humor I love in the show. A super-villain wanting to date Superman. Jimmy Olsen's self-made comic books. Lois losing her mind. Cat Grant cackling like a Disney evil queen. It all made me smile between the action.

Love the series. On to the episode.

Review: Superman Unlimited #3

Superman Unlimited #3 came out last week and felt like a bit of a pause on the ongoing plot of El Caldero rising in the world power rankings because of their access to massive amounts of Green Kryptonite. Instead, this seems like an issue designed to bring Krypto into the present day and take advantage of all the pro-Krypto buzz of James Gunn's Superman. 

The issue fills in some of the history of Superboy and how hard it would be to have Krypto around. It nudges some of the subplots forward. It does add another interesting wrinkle to the Green K problem. And we get the S:TAS Toyman with that creepy big toy head.

Perhaps the biggest thing that happens in the issue is the apparent soft reboot de-aging of Jon Kent. He looks much more like an early high schooler than a college kid. He is even dressed like he did in Super-Sons. This comic is firmly set in current day so this is either error or DC correcting a mistake after a long time, giving us a young Jon, or at least younger. I can be hopeful. 

But overall this seemed more a silly issue than a solid one. 

Rafael Albuquerque's rougher art doesn't help matters. Most people look like they have gone a few rounds with a professional boxer. Krypto looks more shaggy dog than usual. 

The issue starts with the early days of Clark as Superboy, getting used to his powers and generally being clumsy until things get smoother. 

But then he has Krypto around to help him. A good friend with similar powers who he can romp around with.

I have to say this reminded me a little of the sentimental discussion about Krypto that Superman had in Action Comics #500. And I am definitely glad that we have Superboy back in a big way!

It isn't always easy. This isn't a super-intelligent Krypto. This is a dog with super-powers. So we see Krypto breaking things and chasing/shooting heat vision at critters. 

It is up to Clark to train Krypto to care about the little guys, protect the weak, and generally be a good boy! How great that Clark already has that ingrained into his system.

But there are more dog hijinks - super-howling at the moon and even stopping some robbers who are embarrassed to have been stopped by a dog.

Fun sequences perhaps leaning into the out-of-control Krypto we got in the movie. 

And then this revelation!

Clark is being sent to a science expo where El Caldero is showing some of their new Green K tech. Even though it is potentially deadly, Lois gives the assignment if only to stave off 'Clark is Superman' thoughts if suddenly he never is near Kryptonite. 

If Clark is busy at work, someone needs to walk the dog. 

Look at that Jon! Wearing the hoodie! And looking more like a 15 year old than a grown man. And what parent would talk to their college-aged adult child in such a way.

Is this a 'behind the scene' soft reboot of Jon, returning him to a more tween age???? I can only hope so.

We see Tee-Nah again, the Gorilla City Daily Planet correspondent who is heading to Metropolis but first stopping at Gotham City.

I had to laugh at her parents' response. Gotham isn't safe!

And the things they mention - big heads, obesity, cavemen - all are classic, famous Silver Age Flash covers and stories. Funny. 

After a run around the world, Jon and Krypto stop into Smallville. 

Jon looks and acts young here. Ma says Lois has a 'plan' for Jon in Smallville so Jon decides to stick around sending Krypto back on his own.

What is the plan? To become a new Superboy for Smallville?? Also, what mother would dictate 'plans' for their college-aged grown man?? 

I mean it. This could be the sort of soft continuity, unexplained reboot that used to happen all the time in the Bronze Age. Remember when Kara was suddenly and softly de-aged to be a grad student again? Maybe this time I'm right?

On the way back, Krypto suddenly gets a snoot full of a familiar scent ... the Toyman. In fact we get a few faded panels, showing snippets of past adventures where our super-dog fought the villain. 

I would read this story. Supergirl and the Super-Pets fighting the Toyman and Red Kryptonite kites? That sounds like fun.

I have liked Albuquerque's Supergirl in the past. But that Streaky looks rough. 

Sure enough, one of the Expo attendees has hired a 'Schott' and the Toyman shows up in a massive K-powered Giant Robo. 

Krypton engages and Superman joins in and the whole thing is a giant battle. 

In the end, the robot is smashed but Krypto get a pretty bad slug of K-energy.

Decent splash page here with Krypto as the focus but also shot from behind ... interesting set-up.

I have always wondered where this doll-head Toyman fit into the continuity of Toymen.

Well, we finally have an answer. This is an AI robot built by Schott but with good intentions. A Pinocchio.

So what do we think of this? We already have the younger, Otaku Toyman. And Schott. Do we need another Toyman? Does this being a robot make it more special? Or less?

Still mulling that over.

And then the Toyman uses an inertron goop gun to douse the Green K, shielding Krypto from its rays. Of course, Superman could have scooped him up and raced away from the K. Or rushed him to the Fortress or the sun. 

But this Toyman brought the giant robo to show how Kryptonite can be used as a safe energy source. Can Superman deny the world this? Nice new wrinkle. 

But we heard earlier Steelworks is working on a way for Kryptonians to resist Green K energy. Now we have this inertron gun. And there's always good old lead. I worry that there is going to be too much Kryptonite and too many defenses to Kryptonite that wiping all this stuff away when this arc ends will be too tough. 

I mean if Steelworks creates a K-defense, will Superman use it all the time forever? Or will it be forgotten? If Toyman has gun that creates synthetic Inertron, why won't everyone use it?

Look at the art in that second panel. That is rough Superman. 

This seemed more like a diversion albeit a sort-of fun one with a focus on Krypto.

And seriously, is that a de-aged Jon???

Overall grade: B-

Supergirl Episode 511: Back From The Future Pt 1

Supergirl episode 511, titled 'Back From The Future Part One' aired earlier this week and was another interesting chapter in this season. Two things have been a constant so far in season 5. One is that the overall big stories of the season have been moving forward at a very brisk pace. The other is that the writers are really looking back at the history of this show in the earlier seasons and bringing that continuity into play.

This episode we get a lot of Winn history and his legacy as son of the Toyman. It is a great way to bring Jeremy Jordan back for a couple of episodes. Here he has gets to play two versions of Winn and it is a wild ride. It also makes me feel like Supergirl as a show has a foundation and a timeline that it can draw from. I like that.

Add to that some fun action sequences, a couple of comic/Legion of Super-Heroes name drops, a hinted new romance for Kara, and the (now standard) delicious Luthor interactions and you get a solid episode.

This episode was also directed by David Harewood and I like that e got two great little moments for J'onn as well.

On to the particulars.

The Albatross

In Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Coleridge, a sailor who shot an albatross which had given the ship good fortune is forced to wear it around his neck as the boat sinks into a hell. The word albatross subsequently has become synonymous with a burden on someone, especially in the context of some sin or ill fortune that has fallen on them.

A rather literary start to a post on Supergirl Comic Box Commentary but bear with me.

Because today I thought I would comment on characters who have had an albatross placed in their continuity and how difficult it sometimes is to move past that burden, even in a genre where resurrections, retcons, and reboots are common. In comics, it is often a dark moment for a character where it is simply too hard to move on.

And I wonder if, when such a story element is being pitched, if the creative powers that be realize that such a plot point might be extremely damaging moving forward.

Let's start with the impetus for this post, Doomsday Clock #8 and poor Firestorm.

I have been sort of underwhelmed with Doomsday Clock as a whole. Time delays within each issue and a sort of plodding pace so far has made it difficult to embrace. While moments have been interesting (old green lanterns, Johnny Thunder, Rorscach II), I have read and bagged and haven't revisited. Even the back matter, which I am sure is filled with goodies has been skimmed and been mostly forgotten.

And then Doomsday Clock #8 happened and it just seemed to matter. Geoff Johns made the whole thing click. It didn't hurt that the issue basically revolved around Superman, something Clock was supposed to do from it's inception. It also helped that Superman was portrayed perfectly, from an implied beat down of an obstinate Black Adam to a friendly and inspirational voice to Firestorm and people in general. I was happy. But not everybody was.

Supergirl Episode 314: Schott Through The Heart

It’s been two months of long hiatus since the last new episode of Supergirl aired. For me, it was a mistake, a lull in the middle of an intense season, it slowed momentum. The season restarted this week with a Winn centric episode which built on the foundation of his character from season one. There are almost no mentions of World Killers or Reign or Purity

In some ways it isn’t the best episode to return with. The main plot is on the back burner for another week. We get no Sam or Ruby. That’s one more week for memories to fade about  the particulars of that plot.

In other ways, it seemed right. We get good character moments from all the main players. Certainly Winn takes center stage.  But there are scenes with J’onn and Alex and James that remind us what we love about them while enriching their stories. And Kara gets great moments both as Suoergirl and Kara Danvers. So no better episode to reintroduce to the cast and remind us what we live about th m.

But also this episode continues the thread of loving and humanity as being a strength for people, not a weakness. I have said all along that Sam’s humanity and hr love for Ruby will win over Reign’s wickedness. That more than punches and heat vision will end the threat. And this episode shows how all the characters are dealing with family obligations and loving responsibility.

The bottom line is this was a fun chapter in this season,  very much a live action comic book with strong emotional beats.

And apologies for clunky writing, rough screen shots and any typos. This review was done on the fly while on a mini-vacation and away from usual tech. Onto the episode!

Supergirl Episode 10: Childish Things

Supergirl Episode 10, titled 'Childish Things' aired this week and was the equivalent of a break issue in a comic run. Yes, the long-running plots of Hank being J'Onn and Maxwell Lord's villainy continued to move forward. But the bulk of this episode focused on Winn Schott and his father the Toyman. While this plot wasn't crucial for the overall arcs of the season, it did add some significant depth to Winn, the one character who still seemed a bit too two-dimensional for me. This was an episode where Justin Jordan got to shine. And his scenes with Melissa Benoist were wonderful.

Now to get this story out, Supergirl has to overcome some rather mundane threats from the Toyman. In fact, she should have easily handled these threats. But I need to look over these action scene quibbles because I felt the character bits of this episode were really strong.

I'll concentrate on the Winn/Kara plot and touch on the Hank/Alex/Max stuff here as well. There is a Lucy/James plot I'll touch on at the end.

The episode starts with the Toyman breaking out of jail, killing his security guards ruthlessly with a yo-yo armed with a circular saw blade. This was a pretty grim scene and nicely set up how crazy Toyman, played brilliantly by Henry Czerny, would be in the episode.

This horror scene was countered nicely with the publicized scene of Kara and J'onn flying. We learn that J'onn is reluctant to show who he is or openly use his powers. Earth won't accept him because he is a monster. Kara's response resonates far beyond commenting on J'onn and his powers. She talks about how after she  'came out' and 'embraced who she was meant to be' that she has never been happier. That can be an empowering statement about anyone who feels they are hiding a part of themselves out of fear.

The FBI and agent Cameron Chase come to CatCo to question Winn about his father. It is only then that the staff, including Kara, learn that Winn's father is the Toyman. (You would think that Cat would know given background checks. I mean, here he is Winn Schott Jr.!)

Winn lets it be known how much he hates his father. Winn loved his dad, a person similar in personality, until his life changed when his father murdered 6 people. Toyman wanted to kill his old boss Dunnholtz, who stole Schott's toy designs. (This mirrors the John Byrne origin.) Unfortunately, the Toyman bomb killed Dunnholz assistant and some co-workers. Jordan plays Winn's emotions well, showing the hate he has while trying to keep it controlled.

I have to say, I love the Toyman Easter Eggs, riffing on both the Super Friends version and the Superman:The Animated Series one.

 The Toyman doll leads Winn to a boardwalk arcade, complete with creepy dolls, robotic stuffed animals, and a feel of antiquated grime to feel creepy. Toyman is there and tells Winn that they share a genius which lesser people call madness. Brrrr ...

The FBI storms the arcade and open fires on Winn Sr. Unfortunately, this isn't the real Toyman but some simulacrum which triggers a counterattack of poison gas. This seemed like a pretty quick use of force.

Kara flies in as Supergirl and takes in all the gas with vacuum breath and disperses it in the sky. Hey, any time a new power is used, I'm happy.

This scene ends with Kara telling Winn how much she needs him in her life. She can see how Winn's past could make him feel isolated and alone (much as she sometimes feels), but they can help each other move beyond that.

 Meanwhile, Alex bullies Hank into using his Martian powers to infiltrate Lord Industries and Room 52. She'll keep the real Max Lord away by wining and dining him. I like that Lord has Alex in his speed dial as 'Mata Hari'. Alex admits that her organization has a partnership with Supergirl.

Lord is pure Lex here, talking about how Alex has accomplished all she has through hard work and grit, not because of alien physiology.

 Meanwhile, Hank has shapeshifted into Hank and walks through Lord's compound. He has some fun with an administrator, stating that his (that is Lord's) 'narcissism and unkempt facial hair' cut his date off with Alex early.

Inside room 52 Hank sees BizarroGirl, basically braindead and being infused with some chemical concoction.

Unfortunately, a security guard comes in, questions Hank/Lord about 'Codename Phoenix' forcing J'onn to mindwipe the guard. He robs the guard of years of memory. Later, Hank is curt with Alex, saying she made him do something he vowed he would never do again. I am calling it now, he mindwiped the real Hank who is still alive in South America.

 Winn figures out his father is probably holed up in his old factory. Supergirl heads over and confronts the Toyman. Somehow she is trapped in thermite quicksand hidden in a giant building block. She is being sucked down to her death. Meanwhile, as another distraction, the Toyman has put a child in a steamer trunk headed towards an industrial shredder.

This seems like a simple trap for Supergirl to have avoided let alone escape. Using her super-breath for the second time this episode, she freezes the sand and shatters it.

 The 'child' in the trunk is a Supergirl doll. In fact, Toyman used creepy Supergirl toys in this scene twice. I said it before, Czerny's understated acting, playing this as if he is perfectly normal to feel the way he does, is chilling.

 Back at Kara's apartment, Winn talks about how he worries that he will snap one day like his father. He was so like his dad that he thinks his genes are time bombs.

I like Kara's response, saying that Winn's dad killing those people is similar to her losing all of Krypton. Both of their lives ended that day. But rather than giving in to rage and hate, they both strive to give back.

Kara didn't let Krypton's destruction make her wallow in hate and rage. DO YOU HEAR THAT JEPH LOEB, JOE KELLY, and SCOTT LOBDELL???!!!!

Unfortunately, Winn thinks is the right moment to lean in and try to kiss Kara, a kiss she recoils from.

#PoorWinn

 Embarassed, sad, or both, Winn leaves only to be kidnapped by his father. Toyman Sr.has come up with a truly insane plan. He knows that Dunnholtz will be at a Toy Convention. Toyman has planted 10 bombs around the convention floor. Unless Winn goes and kills Dunnholtz, Toyman will detonate the bombs killing hundreds. It is up to Winn. That is madness!

Perhaps more chilling is that Toyman says that this murder by Winn will bring them closer together. In fact, throughout the episode Toyman talks about how Winn is 'the best thing he ever made'. Could Winn be a robot???

Winn refuses to kill Dunnholtz. Toyman activates the bombs, a move which would kill Winn as well. But Supergirl girl arrives. She activates the sprinklers in the convention center and uses her super-breath (again) to freeze an ice wall between the crowd and the bombs. That's using her brains!

Just like that the Toyman is captured.

 But the relationship between Winn and Kara is damaged.

He finally confesses his love for her (how could she not know??). And he can't be with her when it hurts him to bottle up his feelings. It was his father bottling up his feelings that turned him into the Toyman.

Is it a little immature of Winn? Yeah. But this is the first time he is dealing with this stuff openly. I suspect he'll come back a wiser and more mature friend after.

The episode really sticks the landing though.

Alex and Kara share TV night where they talk about how the Danvers sisters should 'come with a warning'. Kara has hurt Winn and she can't live with herself. Alex pressured Hank into doing something terrible. At least they have each other.

They also have Maxwell Lord who planted a camera on Alex's purse. Now Max knows Supergirl is Alex sister. Brilliant turn.

Also, Cat and Lucy continue to be catty about Lois. Cat says Lucy is too smart to pine away for James without an identity. Lucy is hired as Cat's lawyer. And James initially seems cool to the whole thing but it has nothing to do with not wanting Lucy around and everything about him wanting to be Mr. Action and not an art director behind a desk.

There are a lot of nice little moments in this episode. But this is really Jeremy Jordan's show. His scenes with Henry Czerny are tense and gut-wrenching. His scenes with Melissa Benoist are compelling and tear-inducing. I don't have words to convey how I thought those scenes shined. They were the highlight, surpassing super-breath and creepy dolls.

I don't think this was any where near the best episode of this series. But it made Winn something more and did keep things moving forward. Plus, Toyman Easter Eggs!! And two new Anj theories. The real Hank is mindwiped and alive in South America. And Winn could be an automaton.

New Supergirl Trailer

Last night was the beginning of the new CBS season with the airing of several premieres including Big Bang Theory and Scorpion. But for me, the big CBS news was the release during Scorpion of a new 'sizzler' reel for Supergirl! And boy, was I floored. Here is the link, you may as well bookmark it as you are going to be watching it a ton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQASIzTNHHw

But there is a lot to review about this preview. And here are a 'few' of my thoughts. We start of with Melissa Benoist in costume, walking to the screen and looking up hopefully.

Next we learn that Fort Rozz, a space prison for the worst criminals has crash landed on Earth. The person walking away is Vartox (we know that from the prior footage released). So we have an explanation for the 'villain of the week' premise as well as why these disparate characters are all on Earth at the same time.

Of course, Fort Rozz in the comics was a Kryptonian military base that at one point was in the Phantom Zone. So I wonder if somehow Kara (whose rocket we know languished in the Phantom Zone in the show) coming to Earth dragged the prison to Earth.

And then we get the villains.

Check out the absolutely frightening Hellgrammite, who sports a rather Predator-y grin!

And then Reactron!

I mean .... how awesome is this shot. The nuclear powered villain! There is a great shot here of Supergirl holding back a beam with her hand that looks straight out of the comics!

I can't believe what I am seeing!

That is a live action Reactron!!!

Fantastic!!

But we also see Supergirl fighting a flying female.

We know that Livewire is going to be on the show. But this doesn't look like Livewire. No lightning effects. So who could this be? Black Flame??

Any thoughts??

We also see the whole gamut of Kryptonian powers.

We see heat vision. We see super breath. And here, I think we see super-hearing, Kara listening and tuning into something before streaking off to the rescue.

I also loved that we got to see a lot of the supporting cast. We see Cat Grant with Maxwell Lord. We see Adam Grant.

I loved this brief scene where we see Alex training Kara, tossing her around an octagon style fighting arena. This Kara has hidden her powers all this time. She has lived as a gopher for Cat. She shouldn't know how to fight. So I thought this made perfect sense. And I love it is Alex doing the training. It shows the sister relationship.

The preview ends with Jimmy and Win learning that both know Kara's secret.

I love the shock on both of their faces.

Throughout the preview, Benoist just radiates. She smiles. She seems hopeful. She grits her teeth in determination. She tosses punches and kicks. Benoist *is* Supergirl in these shots.

We are a short 34 days away. I can't wait.

Supergirl Casting: Jeremy Jordan As Winslow Schott

The casting news for the Supergirl show continues to impress. Greb Berlanti and Ali Adler and Andrew Kreisberg are really keeping me optimism high. The latest announcement was that Jeremy Jordan will play Winslow Schott. It looks as if The Wrap broke the story here: http://www.thewrap.com/cbss-supergirl-casts-last-five-years-star-jeremy-jordan/

Included in that was this blurb:
Jordan is set to guest star on the pilot (with the potential to recur on the series) as Winslow “Winn” Schott, a tech genius and superstar IT whiz who works alongside Kara (“Glee’s” Melissa Benoist) at Cat Grant’s (Calista Flockhart) company, CatCo.

 Jordan has been on Broadway in Newsies and Bonnie and Clyde. That means there will have to be a musical episode in the future sometime. He also was in the movie The Last Five Years.

I also find it interesting that he is listed as only a guest star in the pilot. I thought he was supposed to be more of a recurring character.

This was the initial description of the character:
CatCo programmer Winslow Schott is described as a twentysomething genius and "Comic-Con stalwart." He will be Kara's next door neighbor and develop a crush on her, which could lead to some awkward encounters should he ever give into the villainous tendencies of his comic book counterpart, Toyman.

So while still a tech whiz, Jordan skews older. He isn't described as a neighbor to Kara anymore. Nor is there the description of him as crushing on her.

My initial concern on the original description was that it seemed almost too analgous to Chloe on Smallville, a geeky tech genius with unrequited love. It sounded a bit cliche. So I am actually pretty happy with the new description. 

What do you all think? 

Review: Batman/Superman #5

Batman/Superman #5 came out last week, the second arc in this title, written by Greg Pak and drawn by Brett Booth with inks by Norm Rapmund.

After the dreamy, surreal, flashback Earth 2 crossover in the first arc, the book is literally and figuratively turned on its head. The literal aspect is that the issue is drawn in a horizontal fashion. Turned on its head this way allows Booth and Rapmund to use wide screen panels as well as use overlapping smaller panels to connect one idea. I don't know if the story *had* to be told in this manner but I think it augmented some of the aspects of the story as you will see.

Figuratively, this is a very different story than the first arc. This seems like a "rock 'em sock 'em" action driven wild ride of a story. There is something sort of 'summer blockbuster movie' about this opening chapter, maybe aided by the horizontal view. I felt the first arc was character driven with some nice action on the side. I think this story is going to be the opposite, infused with crazy fight sequences with some sprinkles of characterization here and there. It shows the versatility of Pak. Even the art by Booth lends itself to this story which would feel very different if Jae Lee was back.

In the end this was a fine opening chapter.

The book opens with Superman in space smashing some small meteors which are falling to Earth and could cause some damage.

As he is busy, it is up to Batman to take down Metal-Zero who is stomping around. Despite Metallo being a 'super-villain', Batman is able to eliminate him pretty quickly, relying on his preparation, something he admits he is good at.

It is a nice opening sequence immediately giving me the 'feel' of the story. The opening pages are splashes including a 2 page split-screen splash in that 'horizontal' plane making the panels feel huge. And the art, as seen here, veers to 90s Image-y style, giant teeth in darkened faces. There is a sort of Liefeld-feel here, right?

So right away I knew to pop some popcorn and enjoy the show.

As I said, there are some moments of character here. Superman congratulates on taking out Metallo, a villain who is 'big' for the Bat. I thought that was probably meant as a true compliment by Superman. Of course, Batman thinks it is trolling, maybe mocking Batman's 'weakness'.

Even Superman using their familiar names when talking shows the difference in the two. There wasn't much 'old chum' here by Batman. This felt a little cold for heroes that are supposed to know each other the best and are friends.

After Batman takes off, Metallo simply disappears.

I turns out that Metallo was some projection being controlled by Hiro the Toymaster, who has created a video game where you link to the character, controlling them with your mind. Sort of a true virtual reality.

Unfortunately, it is clear that he thinks it is a game and not something manifested in reality. His tech person Agnes seems to be aware, even smirking a bit when Toyman wonders if Superman and Batman will fight. I smell foreshadowing.

I did like the t-shirt he is wearing, a take on the breast plate of this Toyman's giant robot from way back in the first arc of Superman/Batman.

It turns out that the 'smashed' meteors still land on Earth, albeit in smaller forms. The asteroids then sprout into odd flowers and spread glowing spores over the land. Some even get into the batcave where Bruce inhales them while working out. The next punch breaks the heavy bag chain.

Hmmm ... a request for Batman to fight Superman? Then Bruce displaying super-strength? This place reeks of foreshadowing.

As I said, the horizontal format allows Booth some latitude with smaller overlapping panels which don't distract from the overall plot. Here the Toy Master has recruited some more players to beta-test his game. With more characters who need to comment on the action, the wider format allows Booth to get them into the story. One of those beta-testers in Jimmy Olsen? Interesting.

Anyways, the players still think they are in true video game and so snark away, commenting on 'real life' action as if it is simply virtual reality. They provide some good comic relief to the book.

The first 'match' is Nightwing vs. Batman. The players are all mentally tied into Nightwing, controlling his moves. Of course, they aren't the Batman. Bruce is able to quickly defeat the projection of Nightwing.

One thing I liked, in that I thought it was a commentary on the comic world, is Jimmy gleefully smiling at playing the villain in the book. Earlier they say that the purpose of the game is to kill Batman.

This is where we are in comics. People want to be the villain.  People are happy to be the villain. People want to read about the villain.

It is base wish fulfillment. Let's do whatever we want and crush those who stand in our way.

Somehow Batman is able to figure out where the signal is coming from and brings the fight to the Toy Master's lair. Suddenly Hiro is himself in danger as the fight rages around him. He gives Batman the 'cheat code' to defeat Nightwing who dissipates.

Suddenly Hiro realizes that he is being played. His video game has broken through to the real world.

But the best thing about this scene is the grousing of the beta-players who think this is still a video game, a self-referential 'boring' game. Fantastic!

And then the real villain of the story appears - Mongul!

Turns out that Mongul realizes that the millions of people playing billions of hours doing on-line battle games are soldiers he can use. If they can fight for themselves, why not fight for him? What better army to upset super-heroes? And if you can juice people up with alien spores, then you are really talking!

Despite this serious plot twist, Pak still throws in some humor. The gamers are sooo bored by this, even though it is really happening. They want this 'cut scene' to be shorter. That sort of slacker humor really increased my enjoyment of the scene and issue.

But this game, despite the Toy Master's protests, is real. And we will be seeing Batman throw down with Superman at some point.

This isn't the slick, dream-like first arc which I thought was superb. It seems to be a sillier action piece with the nice wrinkle of the video game players being put into the mix. The art and sideways presentation and story all complement each other nicely.

I suppose I would like this issue more if I wasn't comparing it to the heady brew of the last arc which was just spectacular. This is a fine comic book, a fun action-packed diversion. But it isn't the strong character piece of the earlier issues. And that's okay. Not every arc needs to be some deep delve into the characters. Sometimes I need to see some cars thrown around as range weapons.

Overall grade: B

Review: Superman Family Adventures #7

Superman Family Adventures #7 came out last week and was another fun issue to read. While prior issues have skirted a more normal Superman adventure with some silliness on the periphery, this one reverses that, embracing some silliness while a standard super-hero story just happens to occur. In many ways, this issue felt much more like a Tiny Titans issue. I'm not saying that's a bad thing.

Another thing to note about this issue is that the family gets the spotlight for most of the story with Superman only arriving at the end. I liked seeing Supergirl and Superboy engaging in some shenanigans away from battling super-villains as it establishes who these characters are in this 'continuity'.

And lastly, creators Art Baltazar and Franco continue to work some DCU and DCnU references into these stories much as they did in Tiny Titans. Moreover, unlike Titans, here they seem to be working on a bigger story, weaving some subplots into these issues.

On to the story!

The issue starts with Supergirl, Superboy, Beast Boy, and Starfire having a snow ball fight near the Fortress. During the fight, it is discovered that Superboy has a loose tooth. And, in a new twist, we discover that on Krypton a lost tooth means a party ... a Tooth Fairy party.

Okay it seems a bit of a stretch, but look at how excited Supergirl is to throw a party!

And it turns out to be a 'wild' party with everyone donning fairy wings and antennae. Even Comet gets a makeover, dressing up like a unicorn. He doesn't particularly seem happy.

The Fortress is stuffed with toy ponies, teddy bears, and action figures ... all delivered without a return address.

I have to say the Titans here look more like the Tiny Titans style of art than the SFA style. No noses, simpler, etc. I wonder if Franco and Baltazar simply miss these characters so much that they like getting them into this book.

Lastly, I love just how elated Supergirl looks here.

The toys are part of a revenge plan by the Toyman. He feels belittled by Superman who kept nagging him to buy extra batteries at the toy store.

In some ways this reminded me of the Silver Age Superman who seemed a bit haughty in how he doled out advice or acted towards people. Sure, he is trying to be helpful ... but it is also a bit annoying, no?

And as this is a revenge scheme by the Toyman, you can guess what happens. The toys 'come to life' and attack.

The Super-family attacked by some ersatz My Little Ponies? Silly and fantastic. And when Superman returns from a lunch run, he is also swarmed by toys.

As I said, there has been some internal continuity in the book and some intrigue. One of the ongoing bits has been the appearance of the 'Brainiac' 3 circles here and there. Here we see it in a 'Brainiac' bug which shows up at the Fortress. And it's speaking Kryptonian!

"Must find Super-family."

Is it friend or foe?

The Toyman isn't just bringing little toys to the fight. He has brought a life size T-Rex.

In a nice little side-brawl, the Super-pets get into the fray. Fluffy, Comet, and Beppo join Krypto and Streaky in battling the robot.

In what should have been an anticipated turn of events, the lack of back-up batteries ends up hurting the Toyman. He cannot activate his ultimate attack because he has run out of juice.

I love the annoyed look on all the heroes. I said it was silly!

Toyman takes a quick trip to jail.

And the Super-pets give the T.Rex robot to the Bat-pets! So now we know how the giant dinosaur found its way to the Bat-Cave. Again, it is a small homage to the DCU but appreciated.

Again, these Bat-pets are similar to those in the Tiny Titans book, right down to the Bat-cow!

But this was the most intriguing part of the book. The 'bug' has signaled some aliens to come to Earth and find the Super-family.

No doubt that these aliens mirror the alien forces, the nanites which attacked Superman in the George Perez story arc in the new 52 Superman book. It is these references to the DCU which makes this more interesting to me. They are often witty or self-deprecating. So will I understand the Superman Family Adventures version of this story more than the Perez version?

It is these flourishes that make this book 'all ages'.

And the other brewing storyline? Luthor is slowly gathering up a cadre of villains and a collection of kryptonite. Is a Legion of Doom or Superman Revenge Squad story approaching.

As I have said before, this book is sort of the cupcake of my comic collecting. It is sweet and simple and enjoyable. The supergirls at home love it. And I think it is wonderful.

Hard to grade these. But a happy Supergirl in fairy wings, some Silver Age annoying Superman, and the usual DCU homages all make for a fun time.

Overall grade: B+