Supergirl And Robin In Superman/Batman #77

When the October DC solicits were released, I was happy to see yet another version of World's Finest turning up in Superman/Batman #77. Supergirl and Damien working together on a case certainly seems loaded with potential.

Over on Newsarama, writer Joshua Williamson was interviewed about the upcoming issue. Here is the link:
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/supergirl-damien-robin-100806.html

As usual, the whole interview is worth reading, but I have pulled out some blurbs to add a little commentary.

Newsarama: Josh, how did the opportunity to write Superman/Batman come about?

Joshua Williamson: After I did some short stories with Adam on the DC Halloween Special and JLA 80-Page Giant last year, Ian Sattler pulled me aside at a convention and asked me, “What do you want to do? Superman or Batman?” and I said “Both! I want to write the Justice League! If I can’t write Superman and Batman saving the day together, what the (expletive deleted) am I doing here?” This led to me doing some inventory and rewrite work on Superman/Batman. The DC editors and I talk on a pretty regular basis, so eventually, when a spot opened up, I got the call.

I always think it is important that creators like the characters they are writing. They should be as excited about writing the stories as we are as fans reading them. I haven't read anything by Williamson but he certainly says the right thing here. He is aiming high to write Batman and Superman.

Nrama: This seems like a story that will have a youthful energy about it. Is that the idea?

Williamson: This is definitely a fun story. Being a Halloween issue, naturally it has a creepy tone to it with a bit of darkness here and there. They even go to a party dressed up in Halloween costumes.

Don’t get me wrong, there will be a few dead bodies, but really it’s the banter between Supergirl and Damian that makes the situation light. The banter is both their ways of dealing with the horror. The constant back and forth between Supergirl and Damian was a blast to write.

It was a year ago that we got the Green/Johnson/Alberquerque issue of Superman/Batman where Supergirl teamed up with Tim Drake. That was a pretty dark book as the two scoured Arkham. This sounds a little bit more lighthearted and the cover certainly has that feel. It will be interesting to contrast the two issues.

As for Damien and Supergirl's banter, I don't know if they would easily mesh in both attitude and actions so I am not surprised that they are like oil and water.

Nrama: How do you see their attitudes and personalities right now, and how do they clash?

Williamson: Damian is a little jerk; a headstrong smartass. It’s kind of funny writing Damian... I pretty much just wrote Batman. It’s like the kid is Frank Miller’s Dark Knight. He talks like him and is condescending like him, but because it’s coming out of Damian’s mouth, he comes off as a little brat. If Batman said half the stuff Damian says to Supergirl, no one would say anything.

Supergirl is at turning point in her life. She was feeling really down after the destruction of New Krypton, and is mentally recovering from it. She is just now coming out of her funk. But those scars run deep, and the crime that happens in Metropolis in this issue puts her back there again.

I think people forget that she learned a lot from Batman during the first issues of her appearance in Superman/Batman. She is already a detective in her own right, but because of everything that has happened in World of Krypton, she has a certain level of doubt that is settling in. When she sees something so horrible, an evil human crime that happened right under her nose, she goes to find Dick Grayson for help. She has built this friendship with him in James Robinson’s JLA, so she thinks if anything he can help her or be someone to talk to. Reluctantly, Damian ends up being that person. 

Again, Williamson impresses me. It is clear that he has read recent Supergirl issues and has a grasp of the character. Nothing is worse than reading a Supergirl appearance in another title where she is still written as the angst-ridden angry teen from the Loeb/Kelly issues. So to hear Williamson acknowledge not only the current events of New Krypton but her past education with Batman makes me think he is going to write her the way I want her to be written.

I will say that the Damien in Morrison's Batman and Robin isn't so much of a caricature of Batman but has more depth. Before it seemed people were writing Damien as a spoiled kid who thinks he is owed the mantle of Batman. Morrison has toned that down making him sound more like someone who thinks he is going to eventually earn the name. So I hope he isn't too bratty here.

Williamson: At the beginning of the story, Damian and Supergirl definitely don’t get along. The last time they saw each other was during Sterling Gates awesome World’s Finest series where Supergirl was holding Damian up by his collar and yelling at him for calling Batgirl fat. That wasn’t forgotten by Damian... or Supergirl.

And another reason to be optimistic. I think all the Supergirl and Batgirl fans out there loved this panel, so to hear Williamson talk about it is great!

Nrama; What can you tell us about the threat they face together in this issue?

Williamson: It’s a familiar one to both Supergirl and Damian. It’s a mystery, so I can’t say much without giving it away. But I will say it ties into Blackest Night and World of Krypton.

Someone wants revenge from something that happened in Blackest Night and is building “the long con” with some new tricks to get it...

Hmmm ... any ideas out there? Because I am empty. I just hope it isn't Zombie Zor-El. That would seem off in a issue that might veer to the humorous.

Revenge ... a long con ... familiar to Supergirl and Damien. The Penguin?

Nrama: Is there a chance of true love between these two? After all, one of these characters thinks he's invincible and the other pretty much is. It's almost a match made in heaven...

Williamson: Hahaha. No.

Well... you never know. I always thought Ravager was more Damian’s speed, but Supergirl has qualities that Damian might eventually come to admire.

Some might mistake their witty banter for flirting but really it’s all distrust and awkward. Sometimes those kind of relationships lead to something romantic but I don’t think Supergirl would ever forgive herself if she let it come to that. Also the age difference is huge.

Yeah. I don't think Supergirl would ever be attracted to Damien, even without the age difference.

I have to say, I wouldn't mind it if 'Supergirl and Bat-family member X' starring in an issue of Superman/Batman became an annual tradition. It's been 2 years in a row now! Let's start a fan petition!

Review: Superman:Last Family Of Krypton

Last week, Superman:The Last Family of Krypton #1 came out, the first official 'Elseworlds' title in quite some time.

Certainly the Superman origin story has been nice fodder for Elseworlds. Whether it be Red Son, or Speeding Bullets, or even JLA:The Nail, all it takes is a nudge of a rocket for Superman to end up being someone very different.

Last Family adds a new wrinkle. What if Jor-El and Lara also survived Krypton's destruction?

Perhaps most exciting for a gray beard like me is seeing Cary Bates' name on the cover. Bates wrote many of the Superman stories of my youth, so I have some nostalgic fondness for his work. But nostalgia only goes so far. Is it a good story?

The book drops you right into the story. Jor-El and Lara land outside the UN Building and ask for acceptance from the citizens of Earth.

Their ship has an artificial intelligence called B ('A is for apple, B is for Brainiac') and looks like a warship. Heck, it even has a slightly skull-like appearance consistent with Brainiac too. I am a firm believer in the old rubric 'if you see a gun in act one, it will be fired in act three'. I doubt we have seen the end of this armament nor do I think 'B' will always be a benevolent operating system. But I am already getting ahead of myself.

When the ship lands, it also emits an EMP spike shutting down all of the American military's weapons. Well, shuts them down or shorts them out. Some mortars accidentally get shot resulting in some friendly fire. Luckily, Jor-El and Lara show their good nature, making Brainiac holster the space-guns and flying to save the endangered infantry.

The couple are suddenly heroes ... and a hot story.

They not only become darlings of the media but become super-heroes. We see the 'space family' stopping disaster after a disaster. As the acts of good will pile up, Earth welcomes the Els with open arms. The decision gets made to set up a permanent home in Metropolis.

With a little bit of help from B's nanotechnology, their ship literally puts down roots into the ground and forms a grandiose skyscraper, looming over even the Daily Planet.

One thing that always always amazes me is just how much the Donner films has insinuated their way into the comic's mythos. There is no denying the 'crystal' appearance of the El tower. But even more, Jor-El repeats the very speech he tells Kal-El in the movie here. It is so interesting that the film is considered such dogma by many creators.

But, somewhat ominously, Jor-El ends that famous speech by saying that the light that will show humanity the way will be him. Sounds like he might be thinking about of setting himself up as a leader/god. That doesn't sit well with me.

And all is not rosy within the family even if they are celebrities.

Jor-El is completely obsessed with the destruction of Krypton and trying to make sure that Earth doesn't suffer the same fate. While the respect for life is noble, obsession is always scary.

And Lara seems unable to help assuage his fears, especially since he is keeping things from her. Things like the creation of a think-tank called Jorcorp (nice little word play there). While upset over this secret, she is hopeful that other problems handled by the Corp will make him less likely to ruminate over Krypton's destruction.

And Kal-El is having as many problems.

He is the ultimate childhood star, hounded by paparazzi and unable to live a 'normal' life. We have seen what indulgence and fame has done to our own young celebrities so imagine if they had powers! Lara realizes that it will be unhealthy for Kal to grow up under the microscope. And with Jor-El distracted with Jorcorp, she decides on a bold plan ... she will let Kal be raised by an Earth couple as a 'normal boy'.

Hmmm ... I suppose it makes some sense. Although if you survived planetary destruction as a parent, would you really want your child out of your sight? This seemed like a bit of an stretch. It does follow the well traveled road of 'What if?' and other Elseworlds ... the road where no matter the circumstances, fate will happen.

Lara goes about an exhaustive search to find the perfect surrogate parents for Kal.

I love the names considered and crossed off the list. Thomas and Martha Wayne ... fantastic. But Julius Schwartz? The classic Silver Age Superman editor. Heck, 'Julie' was a real foster father for Superman guiding his life's story. I also like that a Dan Didio-like man is rejected.Okay, I admit ... I giggled.

And fate does show up, as the Kents are chosen by Lara to become Kal's Earth parents. I suppose Kal would go along with this masking of his powers if it means a moment's peace. But I am somewhat surprised that Jor-El caved on this.

With 'Clark' now safe, Lara can go about living her life. As much as Jor-El is preaching the power of science, Lara begins promoting 'Raology', preaching the Kryptonian religious beliefs and tenets on Earth.

Again, we are just meeting these parents so I suppose Lara can be a very faithful person willing to proselytize. But we didn't see this degree of religiousness earlier in the book. So this felt like it came a bit out of left field.

As for Clark, he is finding it a bit hard to reign in his powers. Why should he simply let himself be tripped and teased?

Jor-El continues to be a stern rigid figure in the book, telling Kal that if he stops being Clark Kent because of taunting then he will be bringing shame on the house of El! Whoa! How about a smidge of compassion Dad? I suppose that this is part of the book, setting Jor-El up to be something of an extremist, thinking mostly in black and white rather than gray.

All that said, I do hope that this slice of the plot, Clark's difficulties living life as a 'normal boy' is explored more. This isn't a Clark brought up since early on by the Kents, instilled with their virtues. This is a Clark who just a few months earlier was a superstar, a powerhouse. I just think it would be harder for him to soak in the Smallville experience.

But the Kents show why they are so perfect for this role. Pa tells Clark that he is here for a reason ... and it isn't to settle scores with bullies. If only he said it wasn't to 'score touchdowns' ... it would have been a Donner-palooza!

Even worse for Clark, Lex Luthor is embraced by Jor-El, invited to join the Jorcorp.

Lex is pure Lex here, already smarter than everyone in Smallville and definitely filled with pride. He talks to Jor-El as an equal and Jor-El seems to admire it a little.

Does anyone else smell a Luthor/Brainiac team-up?

Finally, the conflicting life paths of Jor-El and Lara reaches a head. They argue ... they disparage each others' careers ... the yell and scream ... they fly off.

Is there any better way to stop a fight and get back into the groove then a little nooky in the sun? That's right, we see some of the passion they have had for science and Rao redirected to each other. I can only imagine the emotional turmoil roiling within them having survived Krypton's destruction. And what better way to deal with that trauma then by immersing yourself in 'cures' for that ... whether it be religion or science. I think they just needed to be reminded why they love each other ... and sometimes it takes a little passion to reignite the fire. I thought this played out well ... and I usually question whether or not the sex scenes are too long or even necessary for the story. Here it was handled well.

And that little stellar tryst does seem to refocus Jor-El and Lara. Suddenly they aren't buried into their careers and are spending more time with each other. And that tryst also leads to the birth of twins! Jor-El even seems to be softening. Although maybe that is a bad thing given that Luthor and Brainiac are on his payroll. He needs to be keeping a close eye there.

I thought this was a solid opening chapter in this mini-series. It certainly got my attention and had a number of interesting ideas. I am looking forward to seeing where this is all going . That said, this didn't knock my socks off.

Renato Arlem's art has a sketchy/scratchy feel to it that I thought might not work for a book looking at the sterile science of Krypton. But there is enough chaos here that it worked well, adding to the atmosphere of the book.

Overall grade: B

Baltimore Comic-Con Commission List #1

Well, in 20 short days I'll be winging my way to Baltimore to take in the 2 day Baltimore Comic Con.

While the Boston Comic-Con has grown over the last couple of years, this is the biggest con I will have ever attended. Here is the link to the convention's website: http://www.comicon.com/baltimore/

The guest list is insane. There are lots of people who I want to meet, talk to, and grab signatures from. But, as always, there are also artists who I am hoping to get a commission from. I could rattle off a long list of names who I would love to get a piece from but I have found it is always best to make a game plan ... a top tier of artists that are your main targets. Anything obtained afterwards is gravy. At some point, if people are interested, I could get into finer detail of how I pick my commission targets, etc.

So here are the two top targets for commissions in Baltimore: Amanda Conner and Terry Moore.

I tried to get on her list back in 2007 back when she had just done the Power Girl arc in JSA:Classified. Unfortunately, I tried to get on her list at some point on the second day when she was done taking new names.

I have always been enamored of her style and think she would do a great Supergirl commission.

But after seeing her work on Supergirl in Wednesday Comics (and subsequently her absolutely stellar work on Power Girl), I really think I *need* a commission from her. So I am definitely making a bee-line to her table first.

As for Moore, I have to admit I have never read Strangers In Paradise, the book he is most noted for. You know when you feel there is just a gap in your comic knowledge? I felt like I had one with Moore, someone who I had heard great things about but had never read.

So when Echo came out a couple of years ago, I picked it up. I have to say I have loved the book. And Moore's art is wonderful. I am very curious to see just how great a Supergirl by him would be. So he'll be next on the list.

So those are the top two targets. Hopefully I'll get on their lists within the first 20 minutes of the con so I can relax thereafter. However, you always need a back up list, so I'll probably post some thoughts on that next week. I'll also post about the creators I am most interested in meeting and some questions I hope to ask.

Jamal Igle Off Supergirl?

Over on Bleeding Cool, Rich Johnston has a brief piece that Jamal Igle is off the Supergirl title and moving to Birds of Prey. There isn't much more to that story but here is the link:
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/08/04/three-birds-in-the-hand

What's worse is that over on his blog, when asked about it, Igle gives the dreaded 'no comment'.

If true, I suppose it simply the way of things. The 'band' couldn't stay together forever. Instead of feeling morose, I suppose I should celebrate all that Jamal has brought to the book. It really has been a golden couple of years for Supergirl fans and Jamal Igle was a big part of that.

That said, I will publicly say that I hope it is all hogwash and that Igle isn't going anywhere. And if fan sentiment factors in at all, I hope he realizes how much Kara fans love his rendition of her.

I can only hope that Sterling Gates is sticking around.

Review: R.E.B.E.L.S. #19

Fresh off the word from the SDCC that R.E.B.E.L.S. "wasn't going anywhere", I eagerly read R.E.B.E.L.S. #19, the second part of 'The Sons of Brainiac' story arc. Despite the persistent excellence of the title, I have been worried about the titles viability in the face of lackluster sales.

That said, I also have been worried about Tony Bedard pandering a bit to try to drum up sales. Last month's Starfire/Captain Comet tryst is a good example ... did it deserve the page space? Wouldn't I rather see the team more?

These complaints on this title have been more like quibbles, to be honest. Overall, this has been one of the better books I read month in, month out.

The book opens with a short scene at the R.E.B.E.L.S. headquarters on Rann. This is the only time we see any team member outside of Brainiac in the whole issue. And again, it seemed to be a 'lowest common denominator' scene in which we see Hakk watching Khundian porn.

Sure, maybe it is some insight into Khundian sexuality but I don't know if it added to either character's stories. I don't know. It just seems like we haven't had a 'team' issue in a while and I like these characters. I'd rather see something of more importance than this.

Both Comet and Hakk seem oblivious to the events on Colu: Lyrl's attack with Pulsar Stargrave and the original Brainiac's escape.

This story has great potential, showcasing the Dox family and all their faults. It also allows Bedard to delve a bit into Coluan culture. One of the things I loved about early R.E.B.E.L.S. issues was Bedard's ease with the galactic races he was dealing with: the Psions, the Citadel, etc. This seems to be in his wheel house as a writer.

One thing I didn't like was Brainiac being a lumbering physical threat. Remember in the Brainiac storyline by Geoff Johns where we first met this Brainiac. He hadn't left his 'bio-shell' in years, let alone his ship. That Brainiac was incapacitated by physical contact with the environment around him. It seems as through New Krypton and Last Stand, Brainiac changed to relish using his muscle. It just feels a bit wrong.

With Lyrl and Stargrave laying waste to the landscape, the Coluan ruling council order a counter-attack which is easily squashed. Suddenly the brain trust of Colu doesn't know what to do.

Vril Dox has an understanding of these sorts of gambits. The best weapon they have against Lyrl is simply eliminating the thing he is asking for, removing his impetus for attack. Of course, this means that Vril is asking that the Coluans destroy the Central Data-core, the very history and knowledge of the planet. I have said before that Dox is the most compelling reason to read this book. This scene gives the reader some insight into Vril. In his mind, a pyrrhic victory is still a victory.

After a short discussion, the council see the 'wisdom' in Dox' advice. They actually plan on stripping the people of Colu of the most most valued prize ... knowledge!

Unfortunately, the short discussion to reach this conclusion is still too long. The original Brainiac is able to link to the datacore and suddenly has control of all of Colu.

I love the hubris of the Council, thinking they had made the Core completely safe. With his gambit removed, Vril realizes there is little left to do except bloody their knuckles. It is time to launch nukes at Lyrl.

But even that is out of their hands now. Brainiac 1 is in control and thinks that lobbing nuclear weapons makes great sense. His target is different though. He erases the Ruling Council from existence. Luckily Vril's force field is able to keep him safe and sound. This is another thing I like about R.E.B.E.L.S. ... the canvas Bedard can write on is large. He can destroy cities and planets alike. Between Pulsar Stargrave and Brainiac, there might not be much of Colu left to claim.

It is time for the sons of Brainiac to team up to eliminate the original. Vril knows that neither he nor Lyrl are safe here. The original Brainiac won't rest until his progeny are destroyed.

In a surprise move, Lyrl agrees to team up with Vril, who claims to have a plan to defeat Brainiac.

The first part is easy, Stargrave needs to destroy the central data-core! How slick is Brainiac 2! He is able to convince Lyrl to destroy the very thing he was hoping to claim just moments earlier. I am surprised that Lyrl falls in line so quickly. I guess fear is a great motivator. But it definitely shows the guile of Vril to get even those who hate him to do his bidding.

But this battle of super-intelligences changes in micro-seconds. Brainiac is able to bottle Stargrave in a force field before the core can be attacked. While Vril leaves to procure a 'secret weapon'. Lyrl fights his grandfather alone.

And in a brilliant twist, Vril simply leaves the scene.

I wondered if this was his great scheme ... to set his father against his son and let them destroy each other and his home world. I certainly wouldn't put such a plan past Vril. My guess is 'scorched Earth' is in his playbook.

This is again why I love this book. I actually thought the 'hero' was willing to let his family and planet be destroyed.

But in the end it looks as though Brainiac 2 is going for a secret weapon.

Although it must gall Dox to go crawling to Lobo and ask for help.

I can only imagine the carnage that will ensue if a Lobo vs. Brainiac 1 vs. Brainiac 3/Pulsar Stargrave fight happens. Will there be anything left standing on Colu?

This certainly was a Vril-heavy issue, showcasing his character and why I love him as a protagonist. And the Dox family feud makes for great reading. Despite his 'superior' intellect, I think Lyrl is the weakest of the Brainiac as he seems much more motivated by personal affronts. I think that part of his psyche will allow him to be manipulated, made to make a mistake.

Claude St. Aubin continues to do a solid job here. The panels of the war on the planet surface are big and splashy, accentuating the destruction that is ongoing.

Still, I hope when this arc is over we see a R.E.B.E.L.S. mission where we see Ciji, Xylon, Bounder, etc. Seeing Dox work with his teammates is as much fun as seeing him thwarting his enemies.

Overall grade: B+

Review: Outsiders #31

With New Krypton plowing forward, I was lured into buying The Outsiders when the Eradicator was added to the team. As a 'fan' of the Eradicator, I was interested to see exactly what he would add to the mix. Where would his loyalties lie? How did he come back? Who does he serve?

As I have said before, I have had little interest in the Outsiders as a group before. In some ways, I welcomed the lure. I hadn't read the comic ever. Maybe I was missing something.

With War of the Supermen over, and the impact of the Eradicator maybe lessened by the end of the War, would the book still interest me. Each month I have said that this book seems destined to be dropped by me. The question is when.

Outsiders #31, written by Dan Didio and drawn by Philip Tan, sort of nudged me one step closer to the drop date. I just don't know if enough is happening here to have me craving more. And with Superboy and Speed Force coming out soon, something might have to give.

As seen last month, Metamorpho was tricked into be absorbed by Chemo by Java, most likely at the behest of Simon Stagg. This absorption seems to be ripping Rex apart, killing him. However, in those death throes, Metamorpho's love of Sapphire Stagg surges in him, allowing him to take control of Chemo. However, the pain must be too much for Rex to keep his thoughts together; he goes on a mindless rampage, maybe with the thought of killing Simon.

I suppose that it is a nice moment for Metamorpho, showing how deep his love is for Sapphire.

After a verbal shoving match, Freight Train and Owlman nearly get squashed by Chemo and agree to stop the monster.

Freight Train is one reason the book is nearing the axe. He is such a caricature. I don't have much interest in reading the adventures of someone who keeps saying how he is going to 'kick ass'.

Meanwhile, Katana, the most interesting of the Outsiders, does not appear to be walking in lock step behind Geo-Force as she has before. While she stuck by him when he sided with the Kryptonians, she now seems to be questioning Brion's decisions more. Her story ... the conflict between personal ethics and loyalty as a samurai ... is the most compelling.

Just when it seems that Katana is going to break away from Geo-Force, he gives her something to keep her in his sway. He brings back an old ally, using a machine to 'find' Halo and bring her back to Earth.

This was a nice scene; I wish Katana was in the book more. That said, I am new to the characters. Where was Halo? Does she need rescuing? What is her story? I don't need the whole run-down of the character but a smidge of exposition might have helped make the moment more powerful (although it might seem cumbersome to old Outsiders fans).

With Chemo wrecking the countryside, Owl-Man and Freight Train find a bag of weapons that Stagg has appropriated and plan to use them. That's right, the 'crap' they find are clearly modeled on Thor's hammer, Daredevil's cane, Captain America's shield, etc.

If any moment fell flat, it was this one. This is the classic joke that bombs (at least for me). If you are Dan Didio, an embattled editor-in-chief, the target of many fans' ire, would you joke using the trademarks of the rival comic company that routinely has trounced you in sales during your administrative tenure? This just felt all wrong ... all wrong.

When the Marvel weapons don't work, Freight Train takes matters into his own hands, running full speed into Chemo's feet and bowling the monster over and into power lines. Defeated (I guess), Chemo regurgitates Metamorpho and goes inactive.

I don't know if I clearly understand any of what happened ... Train's ability to stop Chemo, Chemo's shutting down, or Chemo's vomiting up Rex.

Needing some help with the clean-up, Owl-Man is surprised to see the Ray show up. The Ray even knows that Rex was trapped. It is pretty clear that Stagg is somehow involved.

I don't know if the Ray has a history with the Outsiders or not.

The issue ends with a new subplot. The 'fan' of Jack Ryder, seen a couple of issues ago, turns out to be a demon of some sort. She says that the Creeper is the last of his race and she plans to procreate.

This seems like a new wrinkle to the origin of the Creeper (although I admit I did not read the Niles mini-series). As a Steve Ditko fan, and therefore someone always interested in the Creeper, this worked as a cliffhanger.

There seems to be more downs than ups in this book. And the Eradicator, the entire reason I buy the book, wasn't even in this issue. And that marvel joke just made me shiver.

One thing that is solid is Philip Tan's art. I don't know if he will be everyone's cup of tea but I have come to like his highly stylized stuff more and more.

Overall grade: C-

Apocalypse Storyboards

You know, waiting the next 2 months for Superman/Batman Apocalypse to come out is going to stink. I want to see it now.

Apparently there is a 'first look' special about the movie on the Batman:Red Hood DVD which just came out which at least gives a little sneak peek at the film. During this piece, storyboard images of the movie are shown and some of the actors and creators are interviewed.

EDIT: First Look is currently on YouTube here.

While I haven't had the luxury of seeing it yet, good friend Gene forwarded me some images to whet my appetite even more. And, of course, I have to give some commentary.

Sadly, it looks as though we are going to see a naked Kara parade around Gotham City. This was one of the things from the story that I hoped would be left out of the movie. It doesn't add much to the story and therefore feels gratuitous.

This looks like a scene from the batcave where Superman first learns that Kara is his cousin.While just the storyboard pic, I like how close the cousins seem to be here.

In a scene not in the original comic, Clark takes Kara out on a shopping trip.

I am torn about this idea and will need to see how it plays out. I suppose it has some comic potential. I just don't want Supergirl to come across as some vapid mall rat.

I am not a big fan of the 'corrupted Supergirl' or her Female Fury-like garb. Still, this picture of an enraged Supergirl looks pretty cool, even if she is under Darkseid's control and fighting Superman.

This image looks almost directly lifted from one of Michael Turner's panel at the end of the comic story.

It is going to very cool to see Supergirl in costume at the end of the movie. I hope it will lead to other animated appearances for her.

The most intriguing storyboard images for me are of Supergirl's origins, being rocketed away by Zor-El and Alura. This scene was not in the original comic arc. You may recall there, Supergirl didn't remember much of her origins. She barely remembers Alura's name. So I will be interested to see where this scene gets fit into the movie. And exactly which of her origins are they going to use ... is it going to be the 'rocketed from Krypton to take care of Kal-El' or the 'rocketed from Argo City after Krypton explodes'?

But seeing Alura on screen? Fantastic.

September 28th can't get here fast enough! Thanks again to Gene for sending the images to me!