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!

Review: Superman Wonder Woman #4

Superman/Wonder Woman #4 came out last week and as usual, I have some problems with this issue.

It does what it should, moving the two major plotlines in this comic forward. And it does it in an interesting way, splitting the issue into two separate stories with two different artists. In that manner, I think the book works. I was glad to really concentrate on the two plots individually rather than have to transition from one to the other every couple of pages (not that that would be easy as one is Superman in the Arctic and the other is Clark in Metropolis).

But while that format works, there are pieces of these plots that still don't work for me and progression of the plot won't help that. Boiled down to its core, I still don't quite get why these two would be together outside of an immediate physical attraction. Every interaction seems to just hammer home why the don't work together. Writer Charles Soule seems to want to show how different the two are as a source of interesting stories and plot development. But instead, it just makes me think that these two would be happier of they broke up.

The art on the book continues to be excellent. While there are a fair number of 'romance novel' shots of Superman and Diana embracing, Tony Daniel and Paolo Siqueira really shine here. Daniel handles the Superman/Zod portions in the Fortress. Siqueira sparkles on the Cat Grant celebration party in Metropolis.

The book opens with our title characters still reeling a bit that the news of their romance has hit the airwaves.

And then we have this dialogue exchange that once again makes me think that these two just aren't fit for each other.

Diana asks Superman why he continues to be 'Clark'. Why not get rid of that identity and be just Superman and use his powers all the time, something that brings him joy.

Uhh ... Clark IS Clark. Superman is the mask. I can't imagine Diana not understanding that! And I am surprised that Clark doesn't look at her incredulously. How could someone who says they love him ask him that? Plus, isn't she just now enjoying the whole Diana Prince thing, as laid out by Geoff Johns.

But I didn't exactly like Clark's response either. He remains Clark because it is 'hard' and that reminds him of the lives of regular people. But I'd rather him say 'I choose to be Clark because I am Clark.'

The rest of the Tony Daniel portion of the book takes place in the Fortress. I talked last month about how Zod's murderous rampage when he came to Earth went uninvestigated and how I thought that didn't make much sense.

Here, Superman talks to Zod about Doomsday. Zod states that he volunteered to go into the Zone to fight Doomsday eternally. Now, you might think that Superman would actually try to look into the databases in the Fortress to do some research on who Zod is before believing this lie.

Or ... maybe he should ask his cousin who was alive back on Krypton to see if she knows anything about Zod. Remember, she was tormented by him in her youth as seen in the Doomsday book in Villains Month. But having Superman talk to Supergirl seems to be forbidden in the New 52.

But moreover, it just shows badly on Superman. He is too busy smooching Diana to figure out who this Kryptonian is?

Instead Superman is surprised when Zod is very interested in the Phantom Zone projector (as seen in panels above) and states outright that Superman should fear him.

Zod understands the Kryptonian technology better than Kal and is able to use a phrase to open all the cages in the menagerie (including his own) and fly to the projector.

Beautiful art here as the two fight amid the crazy zoo. Daniel really draws a great Superman.

Diana does the voice over here, talking about how they are truly mythological beings which usually means a tragic ending. Then she says that she and Superman will split for some time fighting their personal enemies. I guess that means Superman will face off against the Phantom Zone villains while she will fight more classic enemies from her rogues' gallery.

It turns out that Zod is heading to the projector to free Faora. He asks if Superman wouldn't do the same thing if Diana were on the other side.

I suppose this Zod/Faora relationship could be a nice reflection of the Clark/Diana relationship. Maybe we will compare and contrast these two couples to see the depth of love and loyalty, the problems of a power couple, etc.

So I am willing to give this a bit more time to see how it plays out. Will Zod immediately go 'despot'? (Hard not to when you tell Kal he should be feared.)

And the fact that the projector lens is cracked isn't lost on me. A detail like that has to have a reason for being there. My guess ... the machine breaks at the end of this arc, sealing the Zone off 'forever'.

Nice cliffhanger. The problem is getting to this point required me to swallow some odd characterization.

The second half of the issue takes place in Metropolis at a party that Cat Grant is throwing over the success of ClarkCatropolis now that they broke the Superman/Wonder Woman romance. My guess is it takes place between the apartment discussion between Clark and Diana and his heading to the Fortress.

It is an inclusive look at the response to the relationship as we hear what the party-goers think. And we also get a bigger scope as we get a two page spread of the heroes kissing while surrounding them are people -both known and unknown - responding to the news. I did like the construction of the page with Superman and Diana in bright color surround by the muted green of the 'Matrix', people seeing the news on-line.

And Steve Trevor's is the most cutting. He 'knows' Diana is going to dump Superman.

I will say if there is a Cat Grant comic one day, I want Siqueira to draw it. He seems to have a handle on both her and her mannerisms, whether it is being the center of attention (as here when she is simply eye candy while the conversation happens below) or lounging on the couch as the party wraps up.

Her boyfriend is some dunce. He is working on some sort of Absorbascon like device where all knowledge can be downloaded into someone's mind, a way to give humanity their 'edge' back over super-humans. Sounds like a super-villain waiting to emerge. New Brainwave? Seems odd that this party takes place in Aaron's lab though. One 'rum and coke' spilled onto the control panel and the Absorbascon could be broken.

I do like that Clark states that being 'super' doesn't automatically mean someone wants to rule. My guess is Zod is going to challenge that notion.

And what about the rest of the world.

Well the continuity nut in me is trying to figure out when this story takes place.

Lex is imprisoned and scarred. That means we are pre-Forever Evil.

And Lex isn't happy about this relationship either. I guess if he hates a super-being over him, a super-couple is twice as scary.

Meanwhile, as in last issue, Diana is confused about her relationship and goes to her friend Hessia to talk things out. At least Diana has someone to talk to. In this book she feels alone, concentrating only on her mission. This Diana feels so different from the Azzarello one who is surrounded by her own version of Modern Family.

And you would think if every time she is with Clark she is so confused she needs to talk about her relationship with a friend, she might wonder if this romance will work.

I suppose having two women talking in the comic and talking about a relationship fails some sort of test. At least Soule gives us this moment where Diana inspires some girls who are studying self-defense under Hessia's tutelage.

With the girls out of the dojo, the two Amazons have a workout to relieve some stress, fighting robots. I don't know where this takes place. Is it in Hessia's gym?

Happily, Hessia reminds Diana that there is more to her life than simply this relationship. She isn't defined by Superman. Whew ... thank goodness someone tells Diana that. I don't know if this Wonder Woman reads like the Wonder Woman I know.

And Dian decides that maybe she should ... I don't know ... try to figure out a way to save the Amazons instead of making out all the time. I'm not saying that you can't have a relationship and do all this personal stuff (research Zod, save Amazons). In fact being in a stable relationship should help them with these personal quests. It just seems this book makes the two heroes seem infatuated with each other, interested in only the physical components of a relationship, and ignoring everything else. I guess when smitten that stuff can happen.

Lastly, the big mystery remains. Who sent Cat those pictures?

This is a beautiful book to look at with really fantastic art by Daniel and Siqueira.

But the relationship this book is built on still reads all wrong, like two people who don't understand each other at all, who are on opposite ends of the spectrum on some basic ideology, and who just seem uncomfortable with each other when they aren't embracing.

I do think the Zod/Faora relationship at least allows some sort of foil to be set up, some sort of mirror for the main characters to look at and wonder. In some ways, while malevolent, I bet Zod and Faora have truer feeling for each other.

Overall grade: B (raised a bit by the art)

Bullet Review: Suicide Squad #27

Welcome to a bullet review for Suicide Squad #27.

This is one of those books that I started collecting solely on the strength of the creative team. I came on with Suicide Squad #20, written by Ales Kots with art by one of my favorites Patch Zircher. Kots left the book shortly thereafter but was replaced by Matt Kindt (another writer whose work I like). So I have stuck around. I hear that Matt Kindt is also leaving the book so maybe my days on the book are numbered.

Suicide Squad #27 continued a Forever Evil crossover in which the Squad has been sent in to procure OMAC from a facility in the Rockies. At the same time, a group of heroes - led by Power Girl and Steel - are on the same mission. Both believe that Amanda Waller has mobilized them. But the heroes have been duped by the Thinker.

This is a great character driven issue. Sure there is action. But the story unfolds in vignettes of each of the characters and what drives them to do what they are doing. It is amazing how much can be told in a couple of pages.

For example ... Power Girl.

I keep hoping we will get more stories of her time as Supergirl on Earth 2. So even this brief glimpse is appreciated.

And how she talks. Really great stuff. This just sounds like Power Girl. And it sounds like a bit more classic Supergirl. On Earth 2 she was a 'true hero', would 'never be stuck in a hole with a bunch of suicidal criminals.' Life was simple there ... she was a hero. Amazing that that sentiment is so foreign in the DCU right now.

That first panel is great ... she was a 'Mystery Wonder', an almost homage to the 'Emergency Secret Weapon' time period of classic Supergirl. She was loved; she had a family; things were good.

How interesting how the Earth 2 panels are Supergirl saving lives and chilling out with family. The first panel of her Prime Earth time ... being shot at by machine guns. Her action shot? A clenched fist and an angry face.

And as Power Girl on this crazy DCnU world she doesn't know who she is anymore. She doesn't consider herself a hero anymore, at least not as easily as she did before. There is an edge to these words, passion. This felt like the 'old' Power Girl.

Kudos to Kindt for capturing the duality of a Supergirl/Power Girl character. And I also feel like this read more like a classic Power Girl determined personality as opposed to the wishy-washy Karen we have seen in Worlds' Finest.

Looking for an impulse buy and love character driven super-hero stories? Pick up this issue. While all the vignettes are very good, the Power Girl, Deadshot, and Unknown Soldier ones stand out as excellent.

Sales Review: December 2013

December 2013 comic sales were announced last week.

Head to ICv2 for the details here: http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/27625.html

So was it good news or bad news for Supergirl?

The Michael Alan Nelson 'era' of Supergirl was over. The prior issue was part of a super-book crossover which gave the title a modest boost in sales. Tony Bedard and Yildiray Cinar were taking over the book, talking about a new direction, and discussing the book on lots of comic book sites. And the book starred the 'new' Lobo, a hot button character.

The Red Lantern announcement also was already out there when this book was published, an even newer direction for the book that was controversial.

Depending on your viewpoint, elements of the above list were either good news or bad news.

The question therefor is 'In regards to sales, did Supergirl #26 represent a jumping on point or a jumping off point?'

Interestingly enough, it looks like it was neither. Instead it was status quo.

Supergirl #26 was ranked 97th overall. I was glad to see Forever Evil Argus nearby in sales.

Those sales numbers look bad in comparison to Supergirl #25 which sold 25377. That means Supergirl #26 was down 9% in sales. But Supergirl #25 did get a bump from 'Krypton Returns' (as crazy as that sounds).

But if you compare sales to Supergirl #24 (which sold 23321), it looks more like a natural attrition of sales.

Still, we are approaching the dreaded 20K 'cancellation watch' level. And the fact that the title hasn't had a Scribblenaut variant, a Steampunk variant, or an Annual, it makes me worry that the book is something of an afterthought for DC. It makes the Red Lantern storyline that much more interesting to watch closely.

Supergirl In Justice League United!

 

So let's talk about some Supergirl optimism after months of some hand wringing.

It was announced yesterday that Jeff Lemire's proposed Justice League Canada book is actually going to be called Justice League United. It is going to have both Earth-centric stories and cosmic level adventures. And one of the member of the League is going to be Supergirl! The book starts in April.

Here is a link to the announcement in USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2014/01/16/justice-league-united-comic-book-series/4529613/   It is well worth reading the whole article.

Now there is a ton of stuff to like about this. Supergirl being in the Justice League is a great boost for the character. I enjoyed her stint as the muscle in James Robinson's JLA a while back.

And look! She is in her costume. She isn't wearing a Red Lantern ring! She isn't vomiting blood!

Maybe her Red Daughter period will really be 'a moment'.

This makes me very very happy. And as a big Lemire fan, I can't wait to see how he writes Kara!

I also like the line-up. Martian Manhunter! Looks like blog friend Diabolu Frank and I are both going to be pumped. I don't mind the new Adam Strange look. And the idea of having some adventures on Thanagar and the like sounds great. And Stargirl might be a nice friend for Supergirl to have!

And assuming nothing drastic, it means we will have Kara in at least 2 books a month for the foreseeable future.

Art on the book is going to be done by Mike McKone. I like McKone's smooth style. I can't wait to see his take on these characters.

It also provides an excuse to repost my McKone Supergirl commission from several years ago.

This is great news on many levels!

Review: Worlds' Finest #19

It was announced several months ago that Huntress and Power Girl were going to finally reveal their presence to the Prime Earth Batman and Superman in a crossover event. I was very happy when it was announced as I thought it made more sense for the Worlds' Finest to seek out the counterparts of their E2 mentors than to hide from them for nearly 5 years. And, after some time of this book feeling like it has been on auto-pilot, I thought a crossover with Batman/Superman and Greg Pak and Jae Lee might invigorate the this title.

Worlds' Finest #19 is the prelude to the First Contact storyline and, like almost every Worlds' Finest issue, this was an okay issue. There was nothing that stood out as being great. But there is also nothing that stuck out as awful either. There have been rumors that there will be a new creative team on the book soon and I don't think it is a bad idea.

One thing that troubles me a little on this title is writer Paul Levitz difficulty in putting Huntress and Power Girl together in adventures. The two are most often seen together in their civilian identities or out on the town. But we don't often see them fighting a villain together. Maybe their disparate power levels are tough to bring together in a fight.

Artist RB Silva continues to be rough around the edges in some places as his style continues to evolve. I can't help but think this book would thrive a little more with a clean look like we see on the excellent cover by Emanuela Lupacchino.

There are a couple of outstanding plots which mostly effect Power Girl.

The first is that Starr Industries was under the control of DeSaad/Michael Holt secondary to a hostile takeover. While DeSaad has disappeared, Karen still isn't completely in control of her own company and is fighting through the legal system to get it back. That sort of legal battle isn't cheap. So to fund it, we start the issue out with Power Girl mining some deep sea diamonds as some liquid assets.

I am still trying to wrap my mind around this version of Power Girl and her personality. The old PG was fiery, opinionated, and very much about the job. Even in the more humorous Palmiotti/Conner title, Karen never seemed frivolous or silly.

So in this scene we see Power Girl long toss an inquisitive squid out of the water. And then after mining the diamonds, she talks about heading home to join a pub crawl. After 19 months, I don't know if I could easily describe this Power Girl's character. There is the more innocent 'Supergirl from E2' parts. There is the more socialite/party girl aspect of her character. There is the serious 'missing her family and needing to get back home' person. There is the fierce fighter. And those different parts of her personality don't always jibe with each other. Who is this Power Girl?

The other part of Power Girl's story are her on again/off again powers. I don't know if we exactly know the origin of this problem although it is implied that DeSaad has something to do with it.

But here we have some more of that impetuous almost immature Karen. Trying to prove to Helena that her powers have been less wonky recently, Karen grabs her friend and decides to go for a fly around the city.

These are heroes that just recently were on the run. They are people who have basically been hiding the last 5 years on this Earth. And Huntress is, of course, more secretive and Bat-like. So this seemed a little extreme, even for Power Girl.

And I wasn't surprised during this morning flight that it is at this time that Power Girl's abilities go on the blink. The two crash in the middle of a park filled with joggers. Helena, appropriately irate, storms off.

Wouldn't this be a little too conspicuous? Don't you think someone would have a cell phone and take a pic or film the two together, exposing Helena. Isn't Karen Starr a public figure, gracing magazine covers. Wouldn't someone recognize her?

And then to have Karen not recognize the seriousness of the situation also seems off.

Good thing her powers didn't fade when she was on the ocean floor. (This 'timely' loss of powers is one of my biggest pet peeves about these storylines.)

Unfortunately, this is the only scene with the Worlds' Finest characters together.

At least Levitz has her lose her powers at an even more inopportune time.

While in a board meeting discussing her reclaiming Starr Tech, her heat vision involuntarily fires, setting the place ablaze. But isn't this also a pretty obvious exposure of her as a super? I don't think that this could be easily swept under the rug.

By the way, isn't there something evil looking about Irv the lawyer. Even his quick explaining away of her heat vision as 'something exploding' makes me think he is some villain in waiting. Maybe some flunky of DeSaad? Even the slicked-back hair and goatee gives him a devilish feel.

I truly wish that these characters, who are supposed to be best friends and dedicated to each other, would be written as being close.

Here, alone, Helena decides that she needs to help Karen even if Karen won't help herself. After seeing some father/child interactions in the city, Helena decides that she needs to contact her 'father' Batman. (I include this panel to show how she easily thwarted a pickpocket by throwing a fork into the girl's shoulder.)

My point is ... after five years of hiding and avoiding ... Helena decides to contact Batman, I would hope she would tell Karen. Yes, she is doing it slyly because she doesn't think Karen wants help. But this is a huge decision these two characters have talked about for years. If they are so close, Helena should share that decision.

It is bad enough that Helena, on her own, decides to seek out Batman.

Across town, Karen decides the same thing. Without talking to Helena about her decision, Karen decides she needs help and is going to ask Superman for it.

It is Helena who has seemed more adamant in not seeking out this Earth's version of their mentors so this decision cuts a little deeper. I would hope Karen would share this decision with Huntress before just flying off.

But she doesn't.

It is this separation of these two characters that really bothers me the most about this title. This is supposed to be their joint adventures. Instead it feels like 2 solo books for the most part.

Helena thinks the best way to meet her 'father' is to break into the Batcave as Huntress.

Knowing Batman as she does, you would think he wouldn't be happy about this. Seems a little odd.

One part of this multi-Earth dynamic that I do find intriguing is the age difference in the Batmen. As Helena says here, she and Batman will be pretty close in age. Imagine meeting your dad when he was really young!

So I hope that the differences in the Batmen will be a big part of this story arc. How is this Bruce similar? Different?

Helena eventually gets into the cave (Bruce lowers some defenses so she can get in ... he must be curious). But before she can explain anything, the ever prepared Batman traps her in an energy cage.

I suppose this makes sense from a Batman viewpoint. But I hope this 'caged Huntress' is brief. We know he has been semi-aware of Huntress for a while. I also hope that this sudden gain of a 'daughter' has some emotional response from a guy who just lost his son.

So we have 2 heroes, mostly working on divergent missions, not talking to each other about a major decision they have been ruminating about for 5 years. We have a Power Girl who seems immature at times. It just doesn't feel right.

And yet, it isn't horrendous. It just ... is.

I am hoping this crossover injects some energy and continuity into this book.

Overall grade: C+

The Future Is Now Artwork

 The future seems to be now as images of the new Red Lantern Supergirl are starting to be posted.

The first one I saw was on Twitter when artist Yildiray Cinar posted this character study of the newest Red Lantern. I might not be too sure about the direction of the book but I have always known the art would be fantastic. There is a raw power feeling to this picture that I like.

And then Cinar also posted this, character studies of Siobhan. I am glad that Siobhan is sticking around as a supporting cast member. I hope she doesn't immediately go the way of the villain. I know there is a cover out of Supergirl and Silver Banshee battling. Hopefully Siobhan is holding the demons at bay.

Really lovely stuff here.

Cinar is unfortunately only on the book through Supergirl #29. Too bad. He is a wonderful fit for the character.

So let the guessing games begin for who the next artist should be.

More interesting are the pages from Green/Red Lantern #28 posted over on the DC website. Here is the link: http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2014/01/10/talking-green-lanternred-lanterns-28-with-robert-venditti-and-charles-soule  This art looks to be the work of Billy Tan.

I think this is probably just as Kara puts the ring on, maybe not being aware of what it does to it's wearer.

Here she is holding the wrist of the ringed hand as if it is a separate part of her, as if she is fighting it and what it is trying to do to her. And she doesn't necessarily look pleased here.

And I don't think she is attacking this guy here.

I am going to bet that this is her asking this poor Green Lantern to help her. I bet the energy is just eating her up here.

And here, my guess is she doesn't realize her own strength and has knocked the Lantern out.

His friend probably assumes she is attacking so decides to toss some asteroids at her which she will vaporize.

If I am right, I am glad that Kara doesn't immediately embrace the ring. Of course, we know in the end she gives in.

We are a month and a half away from finally seeing how this thing really plays out.