Review: Superman Unchained #6

It's only been just under 3 months but Superman Unchained #6 finally came out last week. I have enjoyed this book a lot so far, a more classic take on Superman and especially Lois with a multilayered plot. But there is something about delays that seems to sap momentum.

Thankfully, the delay didn't diminish writer Scott Snyder and artists Jim Lee and Dustin Nguyen's abilities to put out a high quality book. As much as a Superman shines and even Batman has a moment of glory, this is really Lois' issue to shine. She really is brilliant in this book. 

It is unfortunate that this book is disappearing with issue #9. Snyder seems to get Superman. And if Jim Lee can't keep the deadlines, they could have put another artist on the book. Wit that information, we also know that this is one big storyline that needs to stretch to fill three more issues after this. Despite that, there is significant progression in this issue, probably ending one of the plot threads and even starting a new one. Incredible!

Suffice it to say, I'll be sad when this title disappears.

If any book needs an extra page reminding the reader where they left off, it is one that is 2 months late.

But to catch everyone up, the Ascension movement used the Earthstone, a crystal that can communicate with technology, to launch every nuclear missile that exists on Earth. The Wraith and Superman are in the Fortress when the rockets launch.

This book just has the feel of being 'out of continuity'. There is something more classic about the character interactions here. Superman's relationship with Lois and Batman seem pre-New 52. And we see that again when Superman calls the league to figure out the best way to clear the air of the nukes. There isn't a whiff of romance with Wonder Woman. And Hal is on Earth. I actually like it.

But the League can't stop them all, or enough of them to stop armageddon. Another solution needs to happen.

A major part of this story is comparing and contrasting Superman from the Wraith. What are their motivations? Where are their loyalties?

Superman wants to save the world. If there is a way to stop all the missiles, it lies with Ascension, the root of the evil. While he streaks there, Wraith remains tied to his orders and rank. He decides that he is best served by heading back to the United States to defend America.

That last panel is a nice shot. These two are heading in opposite directions. Nice way to marry words and art, thoughts and images.

Meanwhile, over in the Ascension headquarters, Lois decides to open up a can of butt-kick. Remember last issue, Ascension had finally had it with Lois, deciding to kill her rather than have her report their story.

Instead of Lois quaking in fear, waiting for Superman to save her, she takes matters into her own hands, and skull, and feet.

I love a strong, independent, fierce Lois doing what needs to get done. Just fantastic.

Superman crashes into the site to help mop up the bad guys. But Ascension isn't exactly forthcoming with how to stop the missiles. They want the world destroyed to restart with a clean slate.

Again, Lois comes to the rescue. She knows the Earthstone can connect with technology. If it is how they launched the nukes, maybe it can be used to stop them.

I'll say it again, a strong Lois makes for a stronger Superman family. It is a shame she has been pushed into the background in the main books. At least Lois fans have Unchained and Smallville.

And I have to admit, Lee does draw a pretty great Lois.

When it seems that Superman might actually be able to stop this nuclear winter, Ascension resorts to a classic villain device - a self-destruct mechanism.

The whole headquarters goes up in an explosion but Superman is able to grab Lois and the crystal and fly away. There is something so wonderfully classic about Superman wrapping Lois in his cape to protect her!

So is this the end of Ascension? Is that plot thread over now? I'm not sure.

Luckily, Superman is able to access the crystal (I assume with his super-brain) and use it to defuse/destroy the nuclear missiles before they bring their atomic payload to bear. It is a bit of a deus ex machina ... but that crystal power has been set up throughout this series so maybe it isn't such a surprise.

But look at this great panel showing the power of the Superman and Lois team. She congratulates him for saving the world. And he congratulates her for the same. If it wasn't for Lois, he wouldn't know to use the crystal and things would have been a whole lot messier.

Now Wraith said early on that eventually Superman would cross the line and the two would need to fight.

I'm not sure exactly why the Wraith is so upset that Superman saved the world. I don't know why the military would think this crossed the line. But the Wraith shows up, ready to throw down.

In another of a bit of deus ex machina, Superman pulls out a radioactive ring made of a substance that is a Kryptonite equivalent for the Wraith. It turns out that Superman scanned the Wraith in the Fortress, sent the info to his 'paranoid friend' Batman, who made the weapon.

Armed like this, Superman mops the floor with the Wraith who needs to withdraw.

Again, this is a just a bit of a simple answer. We saw Batman way back in Superman Unchained #2
working with some material as an 'anti-Superman' weapon. And back then I guessed we might see this when I said:

But this completely feels like the loaded gun seen in the first act of a movie. You know it will be fired by the end. I won't be surprised if Superman ends up using some of these anti-Superman devices himself as he fights his dark reflection Wraith. So presumed nice foreshadowing here.

So maybe this shouldn't come as a shock as it was seen back then.

If the Ascension plotline is closed, another opens. The Earthstone crystal seems to be a communication device. There is a presence within it. That is an interesting new wrinkle.

But what I did like is seeing Lois in the Fortress, hanging out with Superman. Bandaged from her fight with the Ascension troops, she is drinking in the experience. This is, I guess, her first Fortress visit in the New 52. She looks around, shocked that it isn't more homey and comfy.

In my least favorite part of the book, it turns out the attack on the Wraith is an actionable offense by Superman. The US military shows up in the Arctic circle, outside of the Fortress, and armed to the teeth with their anti-Superman ordnance.

I am soooooooo sick of seeing Superman fighting the American military.

Please stop this.

But I also find it odd that the military knows the Fortress' location so much they can roll up to the front door. And I also am surprised Superman doesn't have long range scanners to warn him of their proximity.

I don't know, I am just sick of seeing this. Nice cliffhanger though.

The book ends with the typical Dustin Nguyen back up pages. The Wriath, upset at the Wraith-K shows up in the Batcave.

Again, we have seen Batman in this book showing off his anti-Superman armament. We'll probably see it again ... the cloak suit from Superman Unchained #2 and more of the "Kryptonite".

I still wonder if the Wraith would want to be so up close and personal. Wouldn't he just blow up Wayne Manor from space? Drop himself on the area like he dropped himself on Nagasaki? I suppose he thinks himself unstoppable so maybe he wants to relish things.

So overall, I thought this was a good but not great issue for this title. The Lois scenes are fantastic and the Earthstone plot is fascinating. But a couple of easy answers (even if foreshadowed) and a cliffhanger with Superman fighting American troops knocked things down just a bit.

I also think the wait between issues slowed down momentum such that I might not roll with minor quibbles as I otherwise might.

Overall grade: B

Sales Review: February 2014

I have been eagerly waiting for the sales figures for February to come out. This was something of a big month for the Supergirl character and so I was very interested to see if there was a blip in sales.

Those sales numbers were posted earlier this week and as usual ICv2 has the best coverage. Here is a link to their list of the top 300 selling books: http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/28148.html

I am pretty fascinated by the results we saw here. Overall, ICv2 says that sales were down in February. And the graphic novel sales might be a peek in to the future of the comic world as 10 of the top 11 trades were by independent companies. Only one Marvel or DC cracked the top 10.

Onto the sales.

Supergirl #28 was released in February and was the beginning of the Red Lantern Supergirl story.

This storyline got a tremendous amount of publicity. For many Supergirl fans it was considered one more insane maneuver to bring Supergirl lower. It showed just how dark the New 52 was. And it made Supergirl even more unlikable. Writer Tony Bedard has said that this is a transformative storyline, bringing Supergirl out of the angst and isolation and closer to the heroic light.

Well, people must have found this storyline appealing. Supergirl #28 jumped 14 slots in sales. And it sold 23,567, up 7%. A rise in sales!

Is this a double edged sword? Will DC think that an increase in sales means people want a brutal, angry, insane Supergirl? Will better sales prolong the Red Lantern period? Or will DC let Bedard do what he intends, making her a hero again. Will they trust that Supergirl's fans will stick around ... or come back ... when the ship is righted?

In the past, DC has been more interested in the short money.

I did want to comment that the Lois Lane special did quite well also. If you look above, you'll see it sold over 21K copies, not bad for a one-shot that cost $5. Will this entice DC to do more with Lois?? I hope so.

The opening salvo of the Red Daughter story was in the Green Lantern/Red Lantern flip book which I enjoyed. I thought Supergirl was treated with some respect in this issue and the art by Philip Tan and Alessandro Vitti was beautiful.

I can't comment on past sales, but that book sold a very respectable 49K.

At the very least, I have to say this Red Daughter storyline has grabbed the things I want Supergirl to get: headlines, publicity, and sales.

Be careful what you wish for.

Jeff Lemire Describes Supergirl As A 'Bull-headed Loner'; Stargirl Remains Perfect

Every time I think I am feeling some optimism about the DCnU, the New 52, and Supergirl in general, DC pulls the rug out from under me. And now it seems that something I was feeling very optimistic about might end up being something much worse than anticipated ... and from an unlikely source.

Jeff Lemire is a writer whose work I have really loved. I enjoyed his Superboy. I love Animal Man. And I love Green Arrow - high praise from someone who doesn't like Ollie.  So when Lemire was named as the writer for Justice League United, I knew I would be buying. When Supergirl was named as a member ... and in her super costume no less ... I was thrilled. Surely I could trust him to be on board with (hopefully) Tony Bedard in making Supergirl heroic, likable, and optimistic.

Well, Lemire was interviewed over on CBR about JLU on Comic Book Resources here. And almost any optimism I felt for Supergirl's treatment in the book was diminished and greatly. As always, you should read the interview in its entirety to read about his approach to the book in general. But here are the Supergirl specific questions.

CBR: While a pleasant surprise, the inclusion of Green Arrow and Animal Man were not unexpected as you've enjoyed previous success with both characters, but there are others that leaped out at me. Can you talk about the role of Supergirl on the team? She was not a character I was expecting.

JL: I don't really have much history with that character. I hadn't written her before but I always really like her. It's one of those weird things where I don't really know why I like that character so much. I guess when I was a kid, her connection to the Legion of Super-Heroes was pretty cool. I just always liked that character.

And she represents an interesting take on the Superman mythology for me. She is younger and bit more bullheaded than Superman. That's a fun dynamic to add to the team. And of course, just from a pure power level, she's great to have because she is the muscle of the team.

Lemire doesn't have much history with the character but says he likes her, especially her Legion time. So that seems good so far right?

She's younger and more 'bullheaded' than Superman. I would have liked 'brash' or 'strong-willed' more than bullheaded which has a bit more of a negative connotation. It makes her seem stubborn or immutable. 

Hey, as I always say, I like reading a young Supergirl who isn't perfect. I don't want to read her as a just like Superman. I like seeing a Supergirl who tries to do what's right, occasionally fails, but picks herself up and learns. I want her to be passionate. I want her to be optimistic, seeing the best in everyone.  I want her to be fierce in her pursuit of justice. And maybe that is all somehow stuffed into 'bullheaded' .... but I don't think so.

Because then we got this next question:

CBR: And what about Stargirl, again, a character that I wouldn't have pegged for this team based purely on her relatively shorter history within the DCU?

JL:I didn't plan on the bulk of my female characters being teenagers. It just kind of happened but it also created this interesting dynamic between the three of them: Supergirl, Stargirl and the new character that I don't want to talk about too much yet. They are three very different personalities.

And Stargirl and Supergirl, specifically, are almost complete opposites. Stargirl is this optimistic, positive, almost embodiment of youth across the DC Universe and Supergirl is this alienated, headstrong loner. Putting those two together, you get immediate friction and that's really interesting for me.

So now we go from bullheaded to an alienated, headstrong loner. 

Well so much for me hoping she'd be optimistic, fiercely pursuing justice. 

What's worse is that she is the 'opposite' of Stargirl. And what is Stargirl? Optimistic, positive, and the embodiment of youth across the DCU.

So that makes Supergirl pessimistic and negative.

I am so sick of this representation of Supergirl. And yet DC just can't seem to get away from it, trying to shove it down the throats of comic fans. 

Does anyone in DC remember this Supergirl? "A hero through and through", not carrying a moment about herself or her safety. Someone who says 'we fight to live as long as we can, the only way to live and to be able to live with yourself.'

Don't tell me that is the an antiquated notion of Supergirl from 3 decades ago. Because the Peter David Supergirl, while young and brash, had the same optimism, the same need to do what was right. And ignoring the Loeb/Kelly abominable years, we had 3 years of that heroic Supergirl under Sterling Gates, James Peaty, and Kelly Sue DeConnick. We saw her that way when Mark Waid in the Legion. We saw it with Landry Walker's Cosmic Adventures Kara. 

Why does Supergirl now have to be the pessimistic, negative, alienated loner??

Why does all her history have to be flushed away?

And why does she have to be the dark foil to the bright, optimistic, perfect Stargirl? Why does there need to be friction between the two? Why can't they be friends?

Why can't Stargirl be the moody loner and Supergirl be the optimistic positive young hero?

And why does no one seem to complain about Stargirl as a teenage girl not being dark and moody and broody?

More on that later.

Lemire continues:

And Stargirl also creates a link to the Justice League of America, the last incarnation. I thought that it was good to have a couple of members cross over. She has a really great relationship with Martian Manhunter, as well, which Matt Kindt fleshed out in "Justice League of America" these past few months.

She wasn't on my initial roster and then I started reading Matt's stuff and I really liked what he was going for with Manhunter and Stargirl bonding. I felt there was some really rich ground that I could keep exploring with those two as their relationship keeps getting closer and closer. Manhunter almost becomes like a surrogate father to her in a weird way over the course of my arc, as well. That's something I found really endearing and was a lot of fun to write.

Stargirl also looks to the Martian Manhunter as a father and forms a nice relationship with him. Wouldn't he be a good mentor for Supergirl too? A lone survivor who remembers his alien culture and feels alone on Earth???

But Supergirl can't have those positive influences either it seems.

I will say, on Twitter, Lemire said Supergirl and Stargirl will have more than friction and Kara won't just be a brooding loner and her fans should have faith. We'll see.

When I have complained about Supergirl not being more positive and optimistic I have been told by other fans and even creators that it isn't realistic. That all teenage girls are overly emotional, angsty, 'Hell on Wheels', 'more likelu to fight their friends than their enemies'.  Funny how those same people don't complain about Stargirl

Of course, I think the reason that Stargirl is untouchable as a positive young hero is because she has an incredibly powerful advocate. Remember, she was created by Geoff Johns in his first writing gig ... just 15 years ago. Stargirl to him is what Supergirl is to me. If Johns was a Supergirl fan maybe Kara wouldn't be sullied like she is.

Would Johns allow Lobdell to write her as a jaded pessimistic loner? Would Johns kill off Stargirl like he has with other heroes in Infinite Crisis or Forever Evil? Would he let her be a vapid sex kitten working with Red Hood like Starfire is in the New 52? Would he let her become an art thief like Wonder Girl is now? Would he let her rob banks and become an anti-hero like Superboy?

No.

Because it makes no sense for Stargirl to be any of those things.

Well, I and others might also say ...

It makes no sense for Supergirl to be a bullheaded loner or a pessimistic, negative, angst-ridden alien or for her to be a rage-filled Red Lantern either.

I have said it before. I will say it again:

Supergirl fans don't want to see her dark. 

And fans of dark characters don't want to read Supergirl. 

That's why these takes always fail ... ALWAYS. 

I can only hope that Jeff Lemire and Tony Bedard realize this and right the ship.

Review: Supergirl #29

I don't know if I will ever agree with DC's decision to make Supergirl a Red Lantern or the fact that her story was written in the New 52 such that a Red Lantern ring would actually seek her out.

But writer Tony Bedard has promised to make this Red Lantern storyline be a transformative arc, a way to make Supergirl be more likable and relatable. I guess the lower fall, the higher you climb when redemption occurs.

Supergirl #29 was the second part of Red Daughter arc and, in the end, was a very good issue. Part of that assessment includes that this is a redemption story leading to newer more heroic Kara. I reserve the right to retrospectively pan this if the mindless fire-spewing Red Lantern becomes the long term reality.

But it is clear that Bedard at least sees something other than angst and isolation in Kara. In flashbacks we see her smiling, laughing, and being a good friend. While wearing the ring, she seems to be fighting its influence on her. Bedard sets up Siobhan as a nice foil, a good friend for Supergirl in the future, both of them struggling with the pressures of their lives.

And, in the most excellent portion of this issue, Bedard sets up some subplots! Three of them!!!! Showing he actually has a long term plan with the character! Like he wants to stick around and include elements that usually mark a successful book - hooks for the future and a supporting cast! That is the part of the issue I liked the most!

Sadly this is the last issue for artist Yildiray Cinar. His art has really shined in this book. While the action sequences here are great, I think the quiet scenes, the flashbacks, are were his art sparkles. There is nice expressive work there.

Last issue Supergirl first donned the Red Lantern ring and Siobhan ran out to investigate.

Bedard opens up the book by flashing back to the times when Kara was living with Siobhan, before Kryptonite poisoning, self-exile into space, death at the hands of Cyborg Superman, reconstruction, hoping the universe implodes so Krypton can live, etc. Yes, Supergirl has had very very bad things happen to her for 2 years of stories.

But look at this!

In this flashback, Supergirl tries to toast a marshmallow with her heat vision but burns it. She and Siobhan laugh like old friends! I think this may be the first time I have seen Supergirl smile and laugh since the New 52!

But it shows that Kara isn't so isolated, alien, angry that she can't form friendships, relationships.

I loved this scene for showing a personable Supergirl, a human Kara.

As I said above, Siobhan is a nice character reflection of Supergirl. She is possessed with the demonic Silver Banshee curse of her family, tempted to give in to her dark side, and pretty much alone. Supergirl's parents weren't exactly a loving supportive group. She is also alone. And she also has the whole anger/alienation/isolated thing going on.

It is pretty much laid out on the table by Bedard. Siobhan says they are each battling their demons.

But I like how Supergirl seems to be struggling a bit here. Sure she says she wants to hurt things, but she isn't exactly lashing out here. She's holding back a bit.

Subplot #1: Blaze is free in the Block and has probably escaped. I like this tall, gaunt, gangly Blaze. And she simply says 'Blaze Begins'. I like it. Ominous in its brevity. She turns into a gaseous form and takes off.

Just how big is the staff in the block. That's a whole lot of Shay Veritas's walking around.

If they all live there, is it Chez Veritas?

Eventually Siobhan realizes she needs to intercede as the Banshee to keep Supergirl from killing her or anyone else around her.

Hmmm ... Siobhan, who has many reasons to be jaded, and has a demonic source of power, is somehow able to realize what is right to do and be a hero.

Again, some nice nods to Supergirl here. Even the words of being adrift in power, drowning in it is evocative of the Red Lantern experience, drowning in the sea of blood. If she gives in, only the banshee will exist.

I really like Siobhan here, more than I did in her first appearance.

Subplot #2: Alexa, Siobhan's roommate isn't an innocent young woman. She has some ulterior motives. It seems she knew Siobhan was the Banshee and has been watching her.

She contacts someone named Meg meaning she isn't acting alone.

While Siobhan seems good, her powers are evil. Maybe Alexa is a hero in her own way.

Who is she? Some member of Siobhan's clan? Part of a group that hunts demons?

I will admit when we first met her I wondered if she would be a new incarnation of Roxy Spaulding. We already have Caitlin Fairchild in the New 52. Why not Freefall?

Then I thought, given the magical bend, maybe she was some Equestria Girl style Twilight Sparkle.

Okay, the second one is a joke.

Wisely, the Banshee uses her powers to teleport the two away from the city. In fact, as the Banshee is magical, her attacks are capable of holding Kara at bay. Of course, I think that he fact Supergirl is out of control with rage makes her an easier opponent.

I do like how the Banshee spirit keeps promising  Siobhan greater power, trying seduce her into giving in. Siobhan certainly is showing some strength of spirit to be able to hold this thing at bay. The lure of the Banshee power is similar to lure of the Red Ring.

I do think that Bedard is setting up Siobhan to be a good friend and sounding board for Kara.

We then flashback again to when the two were roommates.

Much like the earlier scene with Kara laughing, I loved this where she says she cleaned up the apartment.

Such a mundane little thing but it shows she is a good friend to Siobhan. It also isn't something that someone who hates the world and everyone/everything in it would do. These were two small scenes that humanize Supergirl, make her more likable immediately. It is like Bedard is starting to scrape off the angry, bitter shell that Supergirl has been encased in for the last 3 years.

This has to be a good omen.

Supergirl is shown to be fighting the influence of the ring throughout this issue, much like she seemed to be in the Green Lantern/Red Lantern flip issue.

Here she grunts that she can't stop the red ring but she seems to be in pain, struggling. And, obviously, in the end, the ring wins out.

Siobhan tells Supergirl that what she is raging against isn't on Earth so Kara streaks into space, bringing us to the present.

As I said, I wish things never got this low for this character. I wish DC had seen the good of this character as she was in the last several years of that DCU, as a leader in her generation of heroes, as the muscle in the JLA.

I just hope from this fire, a new Kara emerges.

But before the issue closes, Bedard starts one more plot thread. That's three plots bubbling away now!

Subplot #3: We see the first WorldKiller out in space, with an army, killing worlds. Nice design here, demonic.

So overall, this was a good character issue for this Red Daughter intro. We learn a lot about the internal struggle that Siobhan fights daily with the Banshee within. We see Supergirl dealing with similar struggles but having let them consume her. At least Kara is trying to maintain control.

We also have Bedard setting the table for future arcs - Blaze, the first WorldKiller, and Siobhan's roommate. Hopefully DC will let Bedard stay on the book long enough to bring about the changes he wants and the stories he is planning.

But the big win were the glimpses into the recent past of Supergirl, cleaning the apartment and laughing with her friend. We simply haven't seen that sort of characterization with Supergirl in the New 52. Tony Bedard has said he wants to rehabilitate Supergirl's character, make her likable and heroic. These scenes were a good way to start the softening of the gruff angsty Supergirl.

And a thanks and goodbye to Yildiray Cinar. Cinar's work was exemplary during his brief stay on the book.

Overall grade: B+

Review: Supergirl #18 - Supergirl Meets Supergirl??

 

I am concluding my look back at time 'Supergirl met Supergirl' with Supergirl #18, the penultimate issue of the uneven Joe Kelly run on the book. I have been dreading this review because I have pretty strong feelings about this back issue. As a long time Supergirl fan, I felt that Joe Kelly was deriding me. But I also felt that Kelly got the whole thing wrong, so his derision, his scornful look at Supergirl fans was off the mark ... making it that much worse.

You see, many many people who drop in on this site and read my problems with a dark Supergirl seem to think that I want a super-sweet, super-innocent, super-perfect Kara smiling her way through life and never having a care. 

And that is simply not true. In fact, as I have said a million times before, it is Supergirl's youth and inexperience, her growing into the role of a hero, her failing and picking herself up and trying again that made me fall in love with the character to begin with. She is striving to be something more. And she has passion and drive. She will do whatever she needs to do to help. But she is an optimist ... and a young hero. She wants to do as much good as she can.

I could not say that about Kelly's Supergirl. This was someone who was trained to kill Kal-El, who gunned down her high school with her father, who came to Earth and began hitting the bars and clubs, sold Kryptonian tech to Batman to set herself up for an easy life, and tried to not be a hero at all. And that was simply unacceptable in my mind.

Many Supergirl fans complained about this direction of a dark, jaded, petulant Supergirl. Those few who liked the direction said that the complainers were 'old fans' who wanted stories similar to the early 60s Supergirl ... the saccharin adventures of a young girl helping orphans and quaking in Superman's shadows. But that wasn't true. We simply wanted a heroic Supergirl.

It amazes me how history repeats itself. Because now we are having the same argument about the new Supergirl. . DC wants a dark Supergirl. Supergirl fans want a heroic Supergirl. And again, we fans are looked at scornfully as being anachronisms.

Okay ... on to the issue - titled 'Little Miss Perfect' by writer Joe Kelly and artists Adam Archer and Ale Garza.

We'll start with the cover, a riff of the other time 'Supergirl met Supergirl' in this book, when Kara met the Dark Supergirl made by exposing Supergirl to Black Kryptonite.

At this point in the book, Zor-El was on Earth. He and Kara were dealing with Phantom Zone spirits possessing people. Supergirl was bleeding crystals, fighting normal people, and generally confused about what was happening. And now she was faced with another Supergirl, dressed in a more classic costume.

It isn't surprising that Kelly calls the story 'Little Miss Perfect.' I think this other Supergirl is his perception of what Supergirl fans wanted to see in the book. So we get this vapid, ever-smiling, overly optimistic, overly sweet, caricature of Supergirl.

I can't think it is a good idea to taunt the fans of your character. I was pretty angry after this issue.

This smiling mockery laughs her way through a fight with the 'real' Kara. But she does point out some of the problems with this version of Supergirl. She did try to kill Superman for a chunk of time in the book.

But ... again ... this other Supergirl is so over-the-top in the other direction. Did Kelly think people really wanted that?

The battle heads through the city and the current Supergirl keeps trying to deal with the possessed humans. But things seems off. She sees people who aren't there.

Here we see Kelly's misinterpretation again. This Supergirl 'does the right thing all the time and does it with a smile'. Yes, I want my Supergirl to *try* to do the right thing all the time. I would rather her try to save people instead of complaining that a disaster interrupted her rave. I don't want Supergirl using a 'tight t-shirt' to get herself into a bar. I don't want her leaning over a pool table, teasing guys in their 20's about her 'nice 'S''.

Look at two of the more popular runs on Supergirl - Peter David's and Sterling Gates'. Were those Supergirl's constantly smiling? Always getting everything right?

This venom about Supergirl fans wanting a perfect Supergirl is wrong ... but Kelly keeps jabbing.

We get a two page layout looking at the problems of ordinary girls. Being teased, in a dysfunctional family, being harassed by a stranger at a bus station, drinking and in an abusive relationship....

Crying alone in bed.

And then Kelly drops the boom. This has to be sarcasm. The fake sweet Supergirl says 'Supergirl is happy. I'm fiery! I'm inspirational! People look to Supergirl to FORGET their problems,  to see someone who can teach them to do it better. Who wants a Supergirl with the same problems they have? It just doesn't make sense."

Kelly is saying that a young woman striving to be better, trying to inspire ... is unrelatable, a joke.

Does that mean he is saying that girls reading this Supergirl should act like her? Avoid her problem? Sneak into bars? Not be a hero?

Is he saying that the PAD Linda Danvers didn't have problems?
Didn't we see Gates and Igle show us a Supergirl dealing with adolescent problems but still trying to do what was right?

These pages irked me. If being a hero is so disconnected from reality, why write these books?

And it amazes me that this is the guy involved with Ben10!

And more perfection talk. More misunderstanding of what Supergirl is.

This phony Supergirl says she is 'perfect, not ugly, not frightened, not selfish ... a good girl blessed with the same disposition as her cousin.'

The Supergirl I want isn't selfish ... that is true. But I don't want a perfect Supergirl, I want a girl with a different take on justice than Superman ... but striving to be as heroic as her cousin. And she is an optimist, seeing the best in people.

If this 'phony Supergirl' is Kelly's response to the complaints, what does he want? Does he want a frightened, selfish, ugly bad girl??

Isn't there a Supergirl in the middle of these two extremes??

After the verbal beatdown, the perfect Supergirl asks the 'real' Supergirl to step aside.

And amazingly, she does, allowing the good girl Supergirl to 'absorb' her.

But it is a fake out. Once 'inside' the 'perfect' Supergirl, the current Supergirl shatters her way out.

Supergirl calls herself a crazy chick! Ugh.

And then she says all the things I like about Supergirl. 'I make mistakes all the time. But I get myself up. I try to do better. I always try again.' Hey ... that sounds like the Supergirl I would read.

But I want that attitude in a different person. I want her to be striving to do good, to be a hero, to help. This Supergirl rarely did that. What did she fail at? Underage drinking and angst?

This was in the Countdown era of the DC Universe. The 'perfect Supergirl' was the Dark Angel, an emissary of the Monitors (and I believe Donna Troy) who is supposed to root out universal anomalies. She was testing this Supergirl to see if she didn't belong. But this Supergirl passed the test.

The Monitor shows up, chastises his herald, and tells Supergirl she does belong. Amazingly, this could have been a reset card for Kelly. He could have made everything ... the crystal blood, the kill Kal-El memories, the Phantom Zone ghosts ... all of it could have been Monitor hijinks. Instead, Kelly says that all that stuff is indeed true. Supergirl still has to deal with it.

Thankfully, Kelly's run only had one more issue. This issue made me think he had absolutely no understanding of the Supergirl character or her fandom. He basically ridiculed her fans with this empty shell of Kara this whole issue, not understanding what it was we wanted to see and mocking us anyways.

And so ends my look back at issues where 'Supergirl met Supergirl'. Sorry to end on a sour note.

Overall grade: D-

Tiny Titans Returns!

I have complained about the darkening of the DCnU. I have bemoaned the 'evil is relative', 'Lex leading the JLA' nonsense of it all.

But every so often, DC Comics gives us a glimmer of hope. Tiny Titans is returning for a 6 issue miniseries this summer!

Details of the comic were posted over on Comic Vine here:
http://www.comicvine.com/articles/exclusive-first-look-tiny-titans-return-to-the-treehouse-1/1100-148301/


And here is the solicit:

TINY TITANS: RETURN TO THE TREEHOUSE #1 Written by Art Baltazar and Franco
Art and cover by Art Baltazar
On sale JUNE 4

The Eisner Award-winning series is back for an all-new six-issue miniseries! Suprrboy and Supergirl return to the treehouse to discover…IT’S MISSING! Or is it just…really small? Who could have done such a thing?! Find out as all your favorite Tiny Titans search for answers!

I always enjoyed Tiny Titans as a true all ages comic, silly enough for little kids, savvy enough for older kids, and filled with DC Easter Eggs for old folks like me. So I am happy to see it back again. And I love that Supergirl and Superboy play an important role in the first issue. I still miss Superman Family Adventures. So this will have to do. Thanks DC!

Review: Smallville:Alien #4

Smallville:Alien #4 came out last week, the conclusion to this mini-arc/episode depending on your nomenclature. I have been effusive with my praise for this title in the past as it showcases a more classic Superman tone, a strong Lois, and a growing universe rushing to a Crisis. And this chapter continues to showcase all of those things.

This episode felt more like a middle episode of a series, or the middle chapter of a long arc. It was odd to think of this as a conclusion as I felt there were so many plot threads happening that none dominated. Writer Bryan Q. Miller has certainly stuffed this arc with them. Clark reveals he's an alien. A monitor crash lands. A dead Clark shows up. Nightwing is dating and worried about sharing her life. Rocket Reds show up! Whew!

We certainly get plot progression here. But I think I ended up with more questions than answers. That isn't a bad thing! This book is getting more complex as the Crisis comes. But I felt like maybe my attention was split a bit too much in Alien. So this 'finale' didn't feel like one. I suppose this is a ludicrous comment. I loved this issue.

And as is typical of Smallville, the character moments are wonderful. In particular, I love how Miller is making Lex a very complex and convoluted character. He isn't all evil. He certainly isn't good. He is obsessed with Superman but doesn't really know why. He is struggling to figure out who he is and it seems he only knows how to lash out. Fascinating.

Edgar Salazar is on art here and does a very fine job. This is a fine-lined detail style that works well in both the big action super-sequences and the more street-level Gotham side of things. And Cat Staggs showing the two main fights in the issue circling a splitting world is perfect.

As I said, there is a lot that happens in this issue on multiple fronts. And I promise I'll get to the Superman, Batman, and Lex stuff soon.

But one thing I felt I had to comment on again is the growth of Otis!

At first he seemed like the standard bumbling henchmen. But over time he has grown. We see Lex relying on him. We see Otis become less inept. We hear of a possible interesting back story. And now we see him become proactive. With Lex missing, at the mercy of the Monitor, Otis decides it is up to him to rescue his boss. And if that means stealing a Red Rocket suit ... so be it.

Character development ... in Otis Berg! Just a tiny example of what makes Smallville so great.

With Clark in the water, the Monitor retrieves Lex only to chastise Luthor for being weaker than his multiverse counterparts. It seems that this Monitor is here to eliminate the planet and anyone he finds wanting. But before the Monitor vaporizes Lex he allows Luthor to ask one question.

What does Lex ask? Nothing about himself. His unknown past? The upcoming Crisis? What other and supposedly superior Lex's are like in other universes?

Nope. He asks 'Why Superman?', why does Superman vex him so. He is so obsessed by Superman that truly it is the first thing he thinks of.

And that makes this Lex interesting. He doesn't seem to relish doing evil. I don't think he necessarily likes doing evil. But he can't move past this obsession. And that leads him to do the wrong thing.

Meanwhile, Clark regains consciousness, charges up in the sunlight, and is able to rescue Lex.

It turns out that the Monitor's energy is from a different universe/dimension so doesn't have to play by the standard rules of Kryptonian invulnerability.

I have come to enjoy the banter between Tess and Emil. There is still some Luthor in Tess. She seems to have a bit of an edge, some sarcasm in her. And he is all straight lace until he gets exasperated. I like them as a pair of techies back home.

Clark heads back to discover the Monitor ship in the air and gearing up to destroy the Earth.

But this story started with a dead Clark from another universe. Last issue we learned it was a Jokerized Batman from that world. This Bruce is clearly insane but equally matches the true Batman. Luckily Nightwing is there to back him up.

Or maybe that is unluckily! My 'Crisis death-sense' was pinging like mad about Nightwing last issue. Figured the 'gymnast boyfriend' would take up the Nightwing mantle when Steph  Babs got injured or killed. Turns out maybe I was thinking to far away. In a very Elektra sort of way, anti-Batman stabs Nightwing. It isn't easy to come back from that wound.

Once captured, the anti-Bruce says that on his world Clark was a human who tried to become a hero. He got killed for his efforts. This Bruce also killed Thomas and Martha. And may have killed his Barbara.

Also, his world is gone, destroyed by the Crisis. he and Clark were able to hop through a portal to get here.

What a weird moment for the real Bruce. How odd it must be to look at yourself who has become so twisted.

And nice take on this human Clark hero. I guess on almost all Earths, regardless of powers, Clark tries to do what's right.

The Monitor is controlling his ship from the ground and is readying its weapons when Superman shows back up. He overpowers the Monitor but the ship continues to rise.

Lex knows the easiest answer it to kill the Monitor. He begs Superman to do it. That death will also scare the other Monitors from coming back to end their Earth. But Superman says that killing isn't his style.

Instead, Superman risks his own life to fly directly into the Monitor cannon, destroying the ship from the inside out.

This is such a classic Superman pose and sequence.

Otis arrives in the Red Rocker armor to whisk Lex away. But the Monitor ends up dying. (It is odd, he stands there, arms open as the ship explodes, not even trying to escape or protect himself.)

But I like this panel sequence as well. Clark looks at the dead body. Then his clenched fist. He might not have directly killed the Monitor, but his actions did. I think it is a moment of reflection, reminding him what his power can do.

Then he closes the eyes of this guy who was about to destroy the Earth and apologizes that he is dead.

That is Superman!

With anti-Batman caught and the Monitor threat ended, there is nothing  left but the wrap-up.

There is a great scene between Clark and Lex. Lex concedes that his need to know about his past endangered the planet. It is a moment of reflection.

But Clark seems to have had enough. He tells Lex that he keeps hurting himself (in this case physically) when he puts his own needs over everyone else's.

I get the sense that in the true Crisis in this book that Lex will be forced to make a decision for right or wrong.

Anti-Batman ends up in a cell with Vandal Savage, being guarded by J'Onn. Steph  Babs ends up recovering from her wound and is able to date 'the Gymnast' some more. I guess my 'Crisis death sense' was wrong. That leaves Batman free to head to Metropolis and join Clark's team to save the world.

You know what I love about this. The fact that Clark's team is Tess, Chloe, and Lois. Sure Emil could be there, and Oliver, and maybe Con and the Titans. But the main team are these three strong women.

I especially love that Lois is completely frustrated by her inability to spread the word about the Monitors and the Crisis.

Despite that nice little moment of self-awareness, Lex just can't help himself. He palmed the Monitor's communicator and is now reaching out in the multiverse to see if there are other Lex's out there. Surely one of them knows Clark is Superman. Will they share that info? But this seems like a bad idea, once again putting his needs above the universe's.

It was good to see Diana Prince in this issue briefly. She is the one that notices that the communicator is gone from the crash site.

So overall, a lot of good stuff happening here. A dramatic fight between Batmen. A fight between Superman and the Monitor. A lot of nice character moments, especially for Lex. Overall, another great issue in this title.

I suppose it is only a matter of time before there is a big enough team to get to the actual Crisis. I don't think Supergirl is going to die. But now I am worrying about Jay Garrick. The old saying is 'you can't have a Crisis without a Flash dying'. Maybe he dies and somehow Impulse returns, dons the Flash guise.

This book is really clicking on all cylinders.

Overall grade: B+