Review: Supergirl #60

Supergirl #60 came out on Wednesday and I have to say ... I was worried.

It was the first issue in the post-Sterling Gates era.

It had a pink S-shield.

It was plotted by Nick Spencer who has jumped ship.

I went in with low expectations.

Surprisingly, I thought this was a good to very good issue, setting up the premise of this story arc and introducing us to a new villain. Now I have a caveat about my overall grade here, something I will need to see happen in the upcoming issues to feel even better about this. But I'll admit, I liked it.
The writing is credited to both Nick Spencer and James Peaty, although I bet this is more of a plotted and scripted sort of thing. I'll talk more about the writing in a bit, but I think that Supergirl was portrayed in the right manner, something I wasn't sure was going to happen.

The cover by Amy Reeder (outside of the pink S-shield) is a nice one, showing a flying Supergirl turning to the camera.And Bernard Chang seems comfortable with the characters here. I was very happy with the art in the book.

The book opens at Harvard University where a student named Alex is talking to one of his buddies about how man evolves. It is often through conflict and being conquered. He talks of the evils of the Roman Empire, how they mistreated much of society, but also how the Romans brought civilization dramatically forward.

He wonders if super-heroes are doing humanity an injustice by stopping Earth from being conquered by alien races. Maybe these new masters would elevate mankind just as the Romans did.

We don't know Alex yet, but  he is obviously bright, cocky, and self-assured. He is quick with the turn of a phrase. But he already seems very creepy.

The next scene jumps to Lois having lunch with Catherine Devereux, a former Cadmus employee who left her job to be with her child who is battling leukemia.

Catherine tells Lois of a project at Cadmus, a project which could threaten the world. She needed to tell someone so her conscience would be clear. Lois assures her that it is the right thing to do. And it doesn't matter if Superman isn't around, someone else is protecting Metropolis.

So first off ... this is Lois Lane. Not what we saw in Superman #707.

But more importantly, how great is it for Lois to talk about Supergirl protecting the city so easily, so confidently. It was a small moment but it struck the right chord of how Supergirl is viewed now, like a hero.

We then see Supergirl, flying over the city, acting as guardian angel.

I really think Bernard Chang draws a lovely Supergirl. She looks lithe and agile here. She does seem to be a bit long in the torso in this panel, invoking a sort of midway between Michael Turner and Jamal Igle.

She sounds and looks sure of herself as she patrols the skies. She even catches a young man who has fallen off a skyscraper. In a nice role-reversal from many Silver Age issues, the man tells Supergirl he did it so she would save him. He even hopes she'll give him her number. There is a great panel where you can feel Supergirl rolling her eyes at him. It is a nice little introduction for her to this new team.

But before we get more of Supergirl, we are back to the Harvard commissary where Alex is talking about his latest smart-phone app called Flyover. He created it so people could document when and where they have seen young super-heroes. It ends up being a sort of GPS to find out where heroes are, a way to triangulate their location.

Already on the grid live, the app is accumulating hits. Even the young man saved by Kara has downloaded her position.

The concept is interesting, social media being used for ill will. We recently saw it in Matt Fraction's Iron Man where people thought they were playing a smart-phone game but were actually piloting drones and fighting the real live Tony Stark.

But again, we are treated to a whole page of dialogue between Alex and some new students who arrive. Their talk isn't really important to the story, more small talk among friends. In the end, I wonder if there was too much talk ... but more on that later.

Presumably, based on her Flyover position, a small team of Superman villains gets teleported to Supergirl's area, ready to fight her.

This isn't Riot. These are some heavy hitters (although Kara does notice that Silver Banshee is there and doesn't usually associate with other villains): the Parasite, Metallo, the Kryptonite Man, and Silver Banshee. Supergirl shouldn't be able to last long against all these guys. She would probably struggle with one.

But like a hero, she doesn't fly away.

I love these two panels. Supergirl asks the villains who hired them. The Kryptonite Man reminds her they would gladly kill her for free.

I really liked the second panel. Supergirl succinctly asks them 'battle?' We see her open hand close to a fist. And as if to bring our focus onto her fist, we see the villains blurred in the background. If this was a Matrix movie, it would be a force ripple obscuring them when she balls up her hand.

It was panel progression that worked for me.

And, amazingly, she actually gets the upper hand, tossing the K-man aside and bashing Metallo.

I liked seeing her reflection in Metallo's mask.

But again, before we seem much of that fight, we cut away.

First we see the Daily Planet where Perry is asking for stories. Jimmy talks about a gorilla in a local zoo who is adopting stray cats.

Then Lois bursts in with the news that Devereux gave her. Cadmus was, once again, experimenting with Kryptonian DNA. My theories about this later.

Dispersed within the Planet scene is more from the Harvard Cafe.We learn that no one can remember when they first met 'Alexander the great', or how long they have been friends. He simply was in their heads. It is clear that Alex is more than a smart kid; he must have some sort of powers. I think I got it figured out ... but we'll see at the end.

And suddenly we are having all the scenes shown to us, one panel at a time.

Supergirl's success in battle is short lived as the 4 villains gain the upper hand.

Devereux goes home to her ailing child.

And Alex talks more. We finally learn what he is trying to do. He wants to eliminate super-heroes so the next wave of conquerors will be successful. But he'll eliminate Supergirl, not Superman ... because she is the future.

It is an interesting plot tied in to the plugged in community. But it does take us a while to get there. And we again get more panels where Alex and his friends are talking about girlfriends and dating. It seemed like wasted space.

It isn't just Supergirl he wants to kill. It's all the young heroes. And Flyover is just the way to find them.

Nice panel showing the scope of Alex' psychosis.

When his friends all call him on it, saying he's crazy, Alex tells them they won't say a word or he'll reveal a deep dark secret they all have - secrets he lists including cheating on tests, killing someone while drunk driving, and having an affair with a Dean.

And with that, Alex says he is done with college.

In a sick twist, Ms. Devereux comes home to find her child is dead, a note from Alex written in a book nearby, chastising Devereux for talking to Lois. It shows just how diabolical Alex is.

So what do I think about all this.

First off, clearly Alex is the project from Cadmus. He must be a clone who has been rapidly aged. Given Spencer's hints from before, I would have initially said it was the Luthor/Brainiac clone from Adventure. But the wrinkle about Kryptonian DNA has me thinking differently. Maybe, like Conner, Alex is part Luthor (get it A-Lex) and part Superman, only he's more Lex than Clark ... like 75% to 25%. Remember, in Supergirl Annual #2, Brainiac 5 talked about Supergirl's major adventures including 'Luthor's other son'. Alex has to be it.

Secondly, my caveat about this arc and the writing in this issue. I thought this was a good first issue because it showed us all the key pieces of the puzzle and gave us some insight into the villain. But this was told in a Nick Spencer style. There was a lot of talking going on, maybe tangentially concerning the main action of the story, but keeping us away from the action. This is the same pattern I have seen in 3 issues of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents. I think it worked here because we were just getting to know Alex. But I don't know if I want to see this style every issue ... or even one more issue. I am about to stop reading T.H.U.N.D.E.R. because it feels like it has been spinning its wheels. Let's face it, Supergirl was only in a small part of this issue. That's fine to set the table, to give us the info we needed about the upcoming conflict. But I don't want her pushed to the periphery of her own title so snappy dialogue and meaningless repartee can happen. I mean, we learned a decent amount about the students Alex was friends with, their romances, their sins. Will we see them again? Did I need to hear all I heard about them? Or was that page space wasted?

I don't mean to sound negative. I know I am talking about a potential problem in the next issues. To be honest, I think that Spencer leaving might be the right thing here. I have more trust in James Peaty, that he'll keep Supergirl front and center.

Lastly, I wonder if its Banshee who will save Supergirl from her current predicament, payback for Kara helping Siobhan get a family talisman in Supergirl #49.

All in all, I thought this was pretty good. I hope the next issues can build on this, showcasing Supergirl more.

Overall grade: B+/B

Review: R.E.B.E.L.S. #24

I'm just catching up with reviewing the comics released last week. And some big issues came out yesterday. So I better finish up last week's books with R.E.B.E.L.S. #24.

This book has been on a slow decline in my mind. I loved the earliest issues that were a mix of the DC galaxy and superb characterization of Vril Dox. I also like the 'Legion in the present' feel we got from the make-up of the team ... a Wildfire/Dawnstar amalgam, a Validus like creature, a Bouncing Boy equivalent,  a Blok type.

The initial story, the R.E.B.E.L.S. facing Starro was a great read. Tucked in distant corner of the DCU, it showed that all big stories don't involve Earth. I thought the Starro story went just about as long as it should, the threat ending before the comic became stuck on that one note.

Since that story, the book has gone off on a bit of a tangent, leaving the new characters behind and trying to become more relevant, more involved with the larger DCU. So now we have Green Lanterns, Lobo, Adam Strange, and Captain Comet instead of Wildstar, Bounder, Ciji, and Amon Hakk. That change is obvious when you look at this month's character driven cover. Outside of Vril, none of those original R.E.B.E.L.S. are there. Frankly it was the original team that I found so compelling. Only the dominating character of Vril Dox could keep a team made of a Dominator, a Khund, and a Durlan work together. We haven't seen those REBELS in a meaningful scene in a long time.

Frankly, I don't know if I would have picked up this title with the team seen on this cover. As a result, my passion for this title has waned a lot. It isn't an ultimatum, but I am hoping writer Tony Bedard and artist Claude St. Aubin find that early magic again or I might leave the book after this next arc.

This issue concentrated mostly on the relationships of the team members, looking at their romances in this rare time of tranquility. With Starro defeated, Rann and Tamaran sharing a planet, and the rookie Green Lanterns gone, even Dox has time to take a deep breath and enjoy a night out.

The idea of a Vril/Komand'r romance is an interesting idea. Both have totalitarian ideas, think they should lead, and are willing to do just about anything to make sure their will is done. I can understand why they might be attracted to each other. I also think it would be a highly combustible relationship.

Here they act coy,talking about their dinner date being a diplomatic meeting when clearly it is a bit more.

Would Dox really try to have a romantic relationship with the recent galactic upheavals? It feels a smidge out of character ... but even he needs some down time. And right now it feels like a victory party for him. So much has gone his way recently.

As I said before, in this calm before the resurgent Starro storm, we get to see how all the new REBELS are dealing with their love lives.

One scene that didn't feel right was this scene between Adam Strange and his wife Alanna. It reads nice with the two of them restating their love for each other, a love that spanned galaxies. Alanna is glad Adam is back home with her and not in space with Starfire.

But there was just some discordance between Alanna's dress and the fact that she is parading around in that lingerie in front of her child. Trust me, I am no prude. This scene and her attire would have been fine (if a bit over the top) if daughter Aleea wasn't there. There should be some passion between the husband and wife after such a long time apart. And it would have worked fine if Alanna was in a more subdued robe in front of her child. But those two things ... mom's see through negligee and her school age child ... just shouldn't be in the same panel in my opinion.

Starfire has started a more physical relationship with Captain Comet in the last few issues.

While that might be fine with Kory, the Captain is having a harder time with it. He wants something more. And in his despair, he tries to drown his sorrows.

Leave it to Lobo to sum things up succinctly. Starfire is 'playin'' Comet; there aren't any dates, only booty calls. (I can't believe I am reading a comic where the term 'booty call' is actually used.) While that sort of thing might be fine with Lobo, it clearly isn't working for the Captain. He storms off rather than being ridiculed by Lobo.

In a clear mental lapse, Dox divulges to Komand'r that the implant on his head is what allows him to control Tribulus. Maybe love has lowered his defenses? It really isn't like the always calculating, always keeping the upper hand Vril Dox to just offer up information like that.

I don't trust Blackfire as far as I can throw her. How long before she removes the control pod and takes control of Tribulus herself?

And let's not forget Lobo's love life. A long time ago, some time when she was first introduced, I commented how Astrild Stormdaughter looked like a Czarian. She gets close enough to Lobo for him to see her and get her scent, both of which are suspiciously Czarian.

He chases her down the streets of Ranagar finally catching up to her. And in that back alley, she kisses him deeply.

Of course, Astrild is not Czarian. She was sprayed with Psion-created Czarian pheromones (I love comics!) to lure Lobo into her arms. What Stormdaughter can do is absorb life energy and give it to others. And Lobo has a lot of life energy. She drains him to the point that he collapses.

She then turns around and shares her new energies with the main Starro symbiote allowing it to not only shed face huggers but to feed the little starfish, speeding up their growth. Suddenly Starro has the ability to form an army.

I am interested to see if or when Stormdaughter will accept another Starro starfish. She clearly is loyal.

Of all the villains in the book, of all the Starro related characters, Stormdaughter is the most complex. There is a lot of stories that could probably be written about her and her damaged psyche.

With things progressing nicely, Starro decides that the time is right to attempt his revenge on Dox.

The first step is for Smite to smash Dox's ship and grab hold of Tribulus. A Starro-controlled Tribulus is a scary thought. What would have ultimate control of the monster - Dox's implant or the starfish?

With Starfire flying nearby, it looks like the battlefield is set.

The presence of Starro and the intriguing Stormdaughter echoed enough of the early issues of this title to keep me engaged with the story. And the Vril/Komand'r scenes crackled as you wonder how much of their attraction is a ruse to obtain a favorable power position. For all I know both Vril and Blackfire are faking their romantic interests, both scheming behind the polished smiling exteriors. That is the beauty and the appeal of Brainiac here ... you feel like you are always a step behind him.

But the rest of the issue read a bit like fluff. While adding some depth to the Strange and Comet characters, I don't know if they added enough to warrant their page space especially when other characters have been completely ignored.

I'll ride out this Starro story ... but after that, I guess we'll see.

But I still keep thinking that a character driven cover for R.E.B.E.L.S. should look more like this than the one above.

Overall grade: B

News From Blog Friends Part 3

Last post about recent news from blog-friends is a Twitter petition from ealperin, who hopes to get a new Linda Danvers series from DC. Here is the link:

http://twitition.com/7wwff

I love the Linda Danvers character and so support this initiative. At least let's get Linda out of the hell she was put in during the Reign in Hell mini-series. She deserves better than that.

Thanks ealperin!

And thanks to everyone in the Supergirl community!

News From Blog Friends Part 2

Continuing today's theme of news shared from the Supergirl community, I thought I would share information from Valerie21601, a Supergirl fan who appreciates the Kara/Querl relationship immensely. Here is her news about the Querl and Kara fan club site she co-runs over on Deviant Art.

Take it away Val!

It's the Querl and Kara fan clud dedicated to the Brainiac 5 and Supergirl pairing!

In just a little over 3 months, the club has grown to 366 members/watchers!

http://querl-and-kara.deviantart.com/

So far we have quite an assortment of pictures and fan drawings, some fan fiction on it. We even have an folder for XTC.

We're starting up an snail mail and email campaign to DC Comics to have Kara and Querl have more adventures together (like them going out on that "date" Kara asked Brainy to take her out on) and encourage DC to formally make XTC their daughter too.

Also through the Q & K club, the B5/SG shippers can easily find and exchange email other Q & K shippers who love the pairing too.

You don't have to be an active member on it. You (or anybody) can simply join it as a Watcher (in other words an lurker) and make comments or post pictures (commissioned ones are allowed, just acknowledge the artist on it) when you feel like it.

SaintAsh and I are hoping to grow, unite and strengthen the group where we can help get and keep Kara and Querl together through fan power (and dollars). Even if DC Comics decides to "KILL" her off but allow her to find a way to stay in the 31st century for a "second life" with Brainiac 5 and the Legion of Super Heroes.

One loop hole I can think of, of getting Kara to survive her "death" is that the older Brainiac 5 finds a way to save her but has to hide it from his younger self to keep the time line intact. In front of everyone she "dies" but later she is resurrected/saved by him.

I noticed no one in the 31st century, the Legion nor B5 knows what happened to her body nor where it's final resting place is, at least so far.

I hope you'll take a peek and take a good look at the Q & K club

As always, I appreciate any support for the Supergirl character. This is a great site, definitely worth looking at and exploring.

Thanks for the news Val! Cheers to you and SaintAsh.

News From Blog Friends Part 1

I really appreciate it when folks who frequent this blog share their Supergirl news with me. It really makes me feel like there is a community here.

So I figured I would spread the news that some blog-friends have forwarded to me recently. There will be several posts today spread out over the morning. We'll start of with Gene who recently went to the 2011 Amazing Arizona Comic Con and met a couple of creators from the initial story that brought the Kara Zor-El Supergirl back to the DCU: writer Jeph Loeb and colorist Peter Steigerwald.

As usual, I'll have some comments. Take it away Gene!

Jeph Loeb said that he had not seen the Superman animated episode "Little Girl Lost" before he wrote Superman/Batman: Supergirl. Loeb said that the late Michael Turner played a big part in making the story what it is, and that his artistic contribution made DC Comics more supportive in reintroducing Supergirl as the hero they grew up with.

When I asked him why Wonder Woman did not just ask Superman to take Kara to Paradise Island instead of forcibly taking her in the park, Loeb explained that in his view Wonder Woman is like Thor. As a near god like hero, Wonder Woman does not feel she has to ask anyone for something she feels that has to be done.

After I asked Loeb if there was any interesting behind the scenes stories about writing Supergirl, he said that before drawing the story, Michael Turner had zero knowledge about the DC Universe. After reading "Crisis on Infinite Earths" and other research, Turner actually surprised Loeb by telling him that Harbinger was still alive, was living on Paradise Island, and was the same age as Kara.

Loeb loved the recent Superman/Batman: Apocalypse movie and noticed how they changed Harbinger's part in the story by having her share her premonition before Wonder Woman took Kara to Paradise Island.

How interesting that having Michael Turner on board is what may have nudged DC into re-introducing this Supergirl to comics.

I don't know if I completely buy his Wonder Woman explanation. Diana is also a friend of Superman. I still think she could have talked to him. And I am glad that Loeb like the recent movie adaptation of the story.

I then went to the Aspen Comics booth where I talked to Peter Steigerwald about coloring Supergirl. He was very happy to help bring back the Supergirl he remembered as a kid, and enjoyed coloring the environments of Gotham City and Metropolis. He said that Superman does not belong in Gotham the same way that Batman does not belong in Metropolis. There is no blue in Gotham, and that Superman was the only thing that was blue when he was in that city. Batman always stood in the shadows when he was in Metropolis. Paradise Island was always covered in rainbows. He dirtied everyone's color when they were on Apokolips because they were diminished in Darkseid's dark aura.

Steigerwald says that coloring the Supergirl story was the highlight of his career and that he can't pick a single favorite part of it because he has so many favorite scenes from the story. Although he has not had a chance to see the recent animated adaptation, he is pleased to see Michael Turner's style come to life from the movie trailers that he has seen. Michael Turner was completely responsible for the style and color of Supergirl's new costume, he always consulted DC Comics about it, and that he had a good time making his version of the new Supergirl. 

As an added bonus, Teen Titans writer J.T. Krullwas sitting next to Peter Steigerwald. When asked if Supergirl will appear in Teen Titans soon, Krull replied that there are no immediate plans, but nothing is impossible. Supergirl is one of his favorite characters, and he really enjoyed Sterling Gates' recent run. He has only seen the first episode of "Young Justice" and that he thinks it will be a great show.

Nice insight in the coloring process, something I think I know too little about to always comment on.

And how great that Krul loves Supergirl and Gates' take on her. I would love to see Supergirl interact with the Titans now and then.

Thanks again Gene for sharing!

Review: Superman #707

Superman #707 was released last week, the first chapter of 'Grounded' that is scripted by new writer Chris Roberson from a plot by J. Michael Straczynski.

I am trying to be patient with 'Grounded' and hope that Roberson might be able to improve this arc. So far I just haven't enjoyed 'Grounded'. Superman is portrayed in an almost negative light, condescending at times, aloof or apathetic elsewhere.  And when there has been opportunity to use the title to talk about social issues within the country, it has been handled in such a heavy-handed way that it borders on unintentional parody. And I haven't even mentioned the 2 interlude issues which only delayed this story coming to a close.

I don't exactly know what Straczynski was thinking with this arc and I guess I'll never know since he has flown the coop. But that abandonment of the book gave Roberson the opportunity to right the ship. I don't know how much autonomy he has since he is working from JMS' notes. Unfortunately, this issue was the same old 'Grounded' for me; another issue where Superman comes off as 'wrong'. This isn't the Superman I grew up reading. This really isn't a Superman I want to be reading.

Eddy Barrows didn't pencil this issue. Allan Goldman steps in and does his best to channel Barrows style. But there are some missteps on art this issue as well.

The issue opens with Superman walking through Iowa and pitching in to foil some robberies and save some lives. Despite doing this, he seems mired in emotional fatigue, questioning who he is. He calls Lois on her cell phone (he says using the phone will further connect him to the plight of the common man) and vocalizes how he doesn't know who he is anymore. 'Truth, justice, and the American way' are just words. Is he doing any good at all? My guess is the policeman we see him shielding from gunfire and the girl he saves from being run over by a train would emphatically say 'yes'. This doesn't sound like the man that Ma and Pa raised to use his powers to inspire.

It is interesting to see the Iowan crowds around Superman. In a panel from his perspective, the townspeople see angry or suspicious. When we see the same scene from the citizens' viewpoint, they are smiling, pointing, and taking pictures of Superman. It is a subtle hint that perhaps all this angst is in Superman's mind ... maybe thrust there as mind control?

Perhaps the most glaring art faux pas in this issue is Goldman's portrayal of Lois. What exactly is she wearing here? This just doesn't look like anything Lois Lane would be caught dead in, especially when we learn she is doing hard-core investigative journalism, researching environmental infractions in a factory in Kansas. And never has Lois had such ... ahem ... pulchritude. It is so off-putting that she distracted me from the story every time she is seen.

Lois is standing outside the factory when chemical drums within explode. Superman springs into action, flying immediately to the facility, saving all the workers. After extinguishing the blaze, Superman realizes that the very structure of the plant has been compromised. He needs to prop the walls up and uses some steel rods from a local transport truck to do the job.

But again we see this rather cranky response to Superman by people. Here the truck driver call him Super-jerk.

Lois begins explaining the story to Superman. A worker from the plant has noticed multiple violations of environmental standards. This is an older factory which has passed inspection through a series of bribes. The smokestacks put pollutants in the air and chloride compounds are being dumped into the ground water nearby.

No matter who he talks to about the problem, the worker gets the run-around. The bribes stop local inspectors from blowing the whistle.

In fact, it is these same safety issues that lead to the recent explosion.

Lois thinks a high profile expose in the Daily Planet might lead to solutions.

The workers of the plant are nearby ... remember Superman just had to save them from dying in a chemical fire ... and begin to defend the plant.

Well ... they can't defend the lapses in their environmental safeguards. Instead, the workers talk about the economic crisis the town is facing, how the plant is the only place which continues to hire and pay, how without that paycheck these men can't continue their idyllic existence of Sunday's in the park.

So even if the chloride is killing plants and local wildlife, it isn't effecting human life. And does Superman really want to bankrupt a whole town and its citizens?

What would Superman say to this?

Well this Superman can't really make a decision instead commenting on how things aren't always black and white. This is gray.

Lois is rightly outraged. But ... ugh ... look at that Lois. It's ludicrous.

The truth is Superman would probably worry about the local plant and wildlife. But more importantly, there is more going on here that just leaky chemical drums. This place almost went up in a ball of fire just seconds ago. Its structure needed to be propped up with steel beams. Would Superman think a paycheck was worth endangering these people's lives to the point that it is worth sending them back into a sort of OSHA minefield?

Listening to this from afar is the possessed school teacher from a few issues back. When hearing Superman say that it isn't always easy to tell right from wrong, she smiles.

But Superman not telling right from wrong? That isn't Superman. Ever.

I have a theory about this woman and the direction of 'Grounded' but more about that at the end.

In the end, Superman demands that the plant get up to code and he is going to come back and check to make sure it is going to happen. But the plant can remain open. Superman won't blow the whistle about the infractions.

It seems a little naive. Certainly the fire will bring in other reporters besides Lois, other organizations besides the local crooked inspectors. Can he just sweep this all under the rug with a couple of sentences?

And wouldn't he at least try to bring those officials who took bribes to justice? Remember, their illegal actions led to the explosion that almost killed all these people. How can Superman just overlook that near loss of life? Somehow he does.

And what's worse, he demands that Lois kill the story.

When she refuses, he actually grabs her and emphatically repeats that she can't run it. It has a feeling of physical intimidation, doesn't it? Would Superman ever ever do that? Would Superman ever tell a reporter to hide the truth? Bury a story? Would he ever grab a reporter, let alone his wife, and demand that? It is perhaps the most unsettling, the most distasteful part of the issue. Superman doesn't do this. He doesn't.

And look at Lois, all cleavage and short shorts here.Ugh.

Fed up with Superman's actions, she storms off.

Not surprising, she refuses to answer his calls. Why should she? Why would she?

As he bemoans his inability to see the right path, he is interrupted by the Superman Squad, a group wearing S-shields and promising to help answer his questions. At least this is an interesting ending.

But this whole issue just read completely wrong to me. Completely .... wrong.

Superman is supposed to be the role model, supposed to be what everyone ... superhero or common person ... inspires to be like. I don't like this Superman.

Now maybe this whole thing is supposed to be some telepathic, some emotional warfare on Superman, breaking him down. Maybe I am supposed to not like this conflicted guy so that when he defeats whatever is doing this to him, whenever we see him regain his resolve, we'll be happy to have him back. But is painful to read this.

So if this is some attack on the Man of Steel, who is behind it? Well, this instability of Superman reminds me of the this storyline from the late 1990s where a villain named Dominus controls Superman, making him paranoid about his ability to safeguard the world. That Superman creates an army of super-robots to patrol the Earth 24/7 and sets himself as king of the world. Could this be Dominus again?

My theory is that the school teacher has been possessed by one of Zod's men in the Phantom Zone. Remember, War of the Supermen ended with all the Kryptonian soldiers being banished to the Zone. Could they all be so evil they deserve that fate? Or was there some 'gray' in their actions such that putting them in the Zone could be construed as 'wrong'. What if this story actually is a counterpoint to War of the Supermen? What if this is to teach Superman the lesson that putting 'innocent' Kryptonians in the Zone was the wrong thing to do?

Theories aside, it is getting more and more difficult to read this book. All I want is a true Superman book again. And 'Grounded' isn't it.

Overall grade: D

Bullet Review: Red Robin #19

In 2009, my friends and I decided to start a 'comic book cultural exchange program'. One of us would pick a title that we felt the other two wouldn't typically collect and the three of us would buy the book and discuss it each month. The plan has been to have a set time period of 6 months at which point the book would be re-evaluated. If it was found lacking, the next person would pick a new title for the others to try.

It has been successful so far because the four of us are somewhat different in our comic foci. One collects mostly Marvel and loves the X-Men. Another is a DC fan but focuses mostly on Batman and Green Lantern. The third was a purely Marvel guy in his youth but has become more well-rounded. And I am clearly a DC guy with a super-family passion. Those different backgrounds mean that there is always a book that could be nominated for the program.

The first book in the program was nominated by the Marvel fan. He has a side passion for Spiderwoman. The three of us collected the Bendis/Maleev comic for the 7 months that it was produced. When it was cancelled (put on hiatus?), it was time for a new title.
This is a long way to explain why I have been collecting Red Robin for the last several  months. Red Robin was the title picked by the Batman fan. I will admit that I would never have picked up this title if it weren't for the 'cultural exchange program'.

Written by Fabien Nicieza and drawn by Marcus To, the book really does a nice job of showing just what a hero Tim Drake has become. Unlike many 'teen hero' books where the main theme is 'becoming a hero', it is clear that Drake is already there despite his youth. He comes across as a polished, complete, and capable hero ... not someone still learning the ropes. He reads so much like Dick Grayson when he was leading the Marv Wolfman/George Perez Teen Titans ... you could sense that he had climbed to the next level.

One thing that I think is a nice wrinkle is that Drake is coming to grips with the fact that he is his own man now. He is deciding on what he wants to do next, making goals to accomplish, and being satisfied with the identity he has made for himself.

This last issue had Red Robin entering a virtual world in the criminal 'UnterNet', a land where thoughts can become reality, a odd sort of mental safe haven for villains to enter. The place is a chaotic and dystopic mess, a place without heroes. Tim realizes he needs to change that.

And now you know why I am reviewing this issue.

Since this is a malleable world, Tim creates a group of heroes to make the UnterNet a safer place, foiling villains' desires. He creates a sort of future JLA, made up of more mature looking younger heroes. And right there in the middle is Supergirl (Superwoman?) wearing what appears to be a modified original Silver Age costume. Surrounding her are older versions of Conner, Cassie, Bart, etc.

But it's Supergirl front and center. Does that mean anything in terms of how Tim sees her?

It is such a beautiful rendition of her by Marcus To.

In the end, Tim realizes he needs to leave the world and return to reality. His friend Anarky, who is near catatonic in real life, decides to stay within this computer realm to keep it tidier.

This was a different sort of issue for this title which typically is more about street-level crimes rather than flights of fancy. Overall this is a nice title, always entertaining, as we watch Red Robin embrace his role within the DCU. Even if Red Robin gets voted out from the 'cultural exchange program', I'll still be buying.

Overall grade (issue): B/B+
Overall grade (title): B+/B