Supergirl:Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade has been an absolute delight on too many levels to list. Great story, great characterization, great art ... I know, I am gushing.
For the long time Supergirl fan, one true treat has been combing through the issues to look for all the homages to Supergirl and DCU tales past. These Easter eggs might be lost to the newer readers but I have loved them.
Let me say again, I was absolutely giddy with the Krona 'universe hand' in Cosmic Adventures #6. Giddy!
Anyways, both Landry Walker and other posters have told me about some Easter eggs that I missed, some of which are so obvious I am kicking myself. For the sake of completeness, let's take a look.
Here Supergirl shatters Kryptonite chains that Mxyzptlk tries to trap her in. Clearly, this harkens back to the famous Neal Adams cover of Superman #233.
In this storyline, all Kryptonite on Earth has been changed to harmeless iron after an experimental power plant explodes. The explosion also releases an extra-dimensional being who takes the form of a sand Superman and begins draining Kal-El of his power.
I cannot believe I missed this one! First off, I love that storyline so much that I have hunted down the creators at conventions. That is my collection's Superman #233 above, autographed by Denny O'Neil, Neal Adams, and inker Murphy Anderson. Secondly, the 'sand Superman' is my Blogger picture!
I can't believe I missed this. Thanks to frequent poster John Feer for pointing it out to me and making me feel silly.
At the end of the 10th dimensional battle with Mxyzptlk, Supergirl immolates him after sprouting flame wings.
To be honest, I couldn't quite make out they were flame wings, especially with the cape still present.
But flame wings was an homage to Peter David's Earth Angel Supergirl. As I have said countless times, I think the first 50 issues of PAD's Supergirl is one of the best runs I have ever read, a really heady read about religion and redemption in a world of super-beings.
After the battle with Mxy, Lena is in rough shape. First she talks about 'bewaring red skies', a reference to Crisis on Infinite Earths.
But she also talks about the 'space brains singing'. Of course, it was an interaction with a space brain that gave the Silver Age Lena her ESP powers.
Here from Action Comics #295, Supergirl (having travelled back in time), sees Lex show a young Lena a space brain he found.
Lena then touches the brain, receiving telepathic powers but destroying the brain in the process.
Sorry about the B&W scans; these are from the Supergirl Showcase TPB, vol. 2.
Thanks to Landry Walker for pointing these out to me. I can't believe I missed these as well.
Sorry about the B&W scans; these are from the Supergirl Showcase TPB, vol. 2.
Thanks to Landry Walker for pointing these out to me. I can't believe I missed these as well.
Lastly, when Mr. Mxyzptlk reveals his big plan, he says it feels like 1958 all over again.
Of course, the first Supergirl was magically created by Jimmy Olsen in 1958 in Superman #123. This was not Kara but a construct made by a wish Jimmy made while holding a magical totem. This was the prototype for the Supergirl we all love who was introduced a year later in 1959.
Thanks to frequent poster Gene for tipping me off to this Easter egg.
From what I read, the trade for Cosmic Adventures is solicited for December. I wonder if an Easter Egg index should be included in the back?
Either way, I can only hope that this isn't my last post reviewing a Walker/Jones Supergirl comic. Hopefully DC will announce a sequel.
