Review: Smallville Continuity #3

We are closing in on the end of the print run of Smallville:Continuity and as we near the finish line I feel more and more depressed. This is such a good comic ... such a good 'universe'. It will be missed.

Smallville Continuity #3 came out last week, the second to last issue of the arc and book. And as usual, it has big moments with a very classic Superman defying the odds and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Spectacular.

But as this is a swan song for the entire continuity, writer Bryan Q. Miller does his best to let us have moments with the characters who really define this book - Clark, Lois, Ollie, Chloe, Tess, and Lex. Yes there are super-heroes in abundance. But those characters were the backbone of the book.

The art for the issue is split between Ig Guera and Marcelo Di Chiara. Both do a great job of giving us the big action sequences and the smaller character moments, bringing a lot of energy to the wrap up of the book. And Cat Staggs gives us a great team action shot for the cover.

Last issue had our heroes battling with the Monitors to a standstill. The Monitors decide to bring in their ultimate weapon, the Omega Monitor, to head to the planet and bring about the end of days.

This Monitor flies to Earth in a massive ship, planning to simply ram it into Metropolis to add to the collateral damage. It is up to the strongest heroes to try to stop this thing.

This is a big challenge as the ship is huge and moving fast. It is scary enough to make Supergirl feel a little queasy.

I'll miss this Kara.

Turns out that even Superman, Supergirl, and the Martian Manhunter aren't strong enough to stop this thing. It careens through the city, demolishing the Watchtower. For a second I worried that Chloe (who was in the tower) might have died in the crash. After all, we began this whole series with the death of another universe's Chloe.

In a nice turn, Miller has Tess create a robotic body and become this universe's Red Tornado. And with her new powers, Tess is able to whisk Chloe away.

This could be the only incarnation of Red Tornado that I might actually like! And she'll be gone next issue! But it makes sense, from the red hair to the T on the costume (for Tess and Tornado) to the character progression of Tess deciding to risk harm to herself again by becoming solid.

I'll miss Tess.

And then we get a dramatic team shot as this group of heroes come together to try to take out the Omega Monitor.

It could be chill worthy to hear this Trinity lead the group.
"We stand together."
"We fight as one."
"Now and forever."

Meanwhile, Chloe and Lois, the two 'normal' people left on the planet, need to be protected.

I thought this was a fabulous little piece of characterization, almost lost amid the battle. Ollie asks Batman to protect Chloe and Lois ... because Batman is better than him and they have a better chance at survival.

It shows just how much Ollie loves Chloe. It shows his self-awareness. And his humility.

My favorite arc in this title was Olympus as I love Miller's Wonder Woman. (In fact, why isn't Miller writing Wonder Woman??)

I had to spotlight her attacking the Monitor just so I could say this.

I'll miss this Diana.

As always, it comes down to Superman. A version of him has led similar battles on other Earths. He is the leader. His death will demoralize the others. And so the Monitor orders all the orbiting deconstructing satellites to aim at Clark.

I like the idea of Superman always being Superman, always leading the last battle, on countless Earths.

Let's not forget that Lex has been a big part of this book. He has always veered to villainy. But he has seemed a reluctant villain. There has been a sense of fatalism with him, as if he feels his destiny is to be the bad guy.

Otis, who has been both a lackey and a friend, dies protecting Lex. And Otis says what we all have been thinking. This Lex doesn't need to be a villain. He can decide to be something else.

That last panel is perfect. Lex is small, in shadows, kneeling over Otis, and wondering how Otis can know that if Lex doesn't know it himself.

This Lex has been complicated and devious. And conflicted. I have found him fascinating.

I will miss lots of characters who have starred in this book. But people who have read my reviews know who I will miss the most.

Steph Brown. Babs Gordon Nightwing.

In a perfect turn of events, she inherits Saint Walker's Blue Lantern ring and becomes a beacon of Hope in this universe.

Just fantastic, right down to the blue-energy bats tearing apart the Manhunter drones.

It also opens the door for the unseen 'gymnast' to become Nightwing.

Awesome.

And then, the climax.

The Monitor deconstructing ships are all aimed at Superman. He feels himself being unmade. He sees his memories flashing before his eyes.

And then, in defiance, and inexplicably, he is able to turn the tables. He refuses to be unmade and turns the beams back onto the satellites.

He's Superman. He'll always win the never-ending battle.

But for me ... most importantly ... he says he's Clark Kent and he won't let his reality wiped away. He didn't say 'I'm Kal-El'. He didn't say 'I'm Superman.'

He said 'I'm Clark Kent'. For me, Superman is Clark Kent first. So that tiny little line made my day.

I'll miss this Superman.

And just like that ... it's over. The Monitors have never had anyone actually reverse things on them. They have never had anyone make them blink. And so, they will let this world live.

All that's left is the wrap-up next issue. I suppose the world will need to be rebuilt. I hope we'll see Chloe deliver. And I hope we get a drippy, sugary, sappy ending. This world deserves it.

Overall grade: A

Young Kara On The Supergirl Show

The audition tapes for the Supergirl show have been cropping up on the internet so often I have to wonder if it is planned publicity ... either by the show or the actors. For me, the go to site is www.supergirl.tv

As a long time, sometime suffering, Supergirl fan, I am floored and thrilled by how many websites devoted to Supergirl are cropping up.

The latest audition tape is for a young Kara. Here is the link. http://www.supergirl.tv/young-kara-a-scene-on-krypton

Whether this is solely in the pilot or whether or not these flashbacks will be sprinkled throughout the show is unknown. But we clearly have two snippets here.

The first is a talk with Zor-El prior to the destruction of Krypton. There are a couple of things that stuck out to me.

First was the fact that she is being sent from Krypton (not a floating Argo City) to "take care of [her] cousin". This means that we are in the post-Crisis and New 52 origin as seen above where Kara is technically older than Kal. She somehow gets delayed on her path to Earth.

The other part is that Zor-El notes that Kara is "so like [her] mother". In an earlier released audition tape, we heard Supergirl state proudly that she is the daughter of Alura. So it looks like the mother/daughter relationship is going to be a strong one in the show ... as it has been shown in the past, mostly in the Gates/Igle Supergirl.

The second scene is Kara talking to a family member. My guess, based on the tone of the lines, is that this is Mrs. Danvers. If true, that means that Kara's adopted mother is also a great role model, a genius who got her masters at 19. (It is this line that made me wonder if this was older sister Alex.)

The idea that her adopted family would want Kara to hide her powers until she learns the culture and how to 'fit in' makes some sense in the current world. I don't think they are holding her back. They are just being careful.

Anyways, thanks to Supergirl TV for the clip. And I have liked everything I have seen in regards to this show. Looks like it will be a winner!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

Enjoy the hugs and kisses and ups and downs of everyone's favorite comic couple ... Supergirl and Brainiac 5!!!

Throughout their history, Brainy has always had a hard time dealing with his emotions and therefore sometimes clams up, seems distant, or awkward. But it is clear that he loves Kara.

He fell in love with her on first sight way back in Action Comics #276!

There was some crushing and hand holding. But back in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #204, Supergirl decides to leave the Legion for some time. But maybe ... maybe ... if she returns they will pick up where they left off!

Grell drew a beautiful Supergirl and there is passion in that kiss!

Paul Levitz brought Kara back into the Legion for a couple of adventures where Kara tries to reignite the romance. Here in Legion of Super-Heroes #303, they fight the Dark Circle and Emerald Empress. And there is a lot of tension and some quick smooches ...

But this was all too brief ...

She later returns in Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes #314 and seems much more open about her feelings for Brainy. And he, as usual, has a hard time talking about his feelings

And the story ends in Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes #315 where Kara again seems confused about this relationship and her place in time. As in SLSH #204, she decides to leave.

The Crisis happened shortly thereafter.

But you can't keep them apart for too long, even if the incarnations change!

In Supergirl Annual #2, a new Brainiac 5 gets smitten with the Linda Danvers Earth Angel Supergirl!

And in a different Supergirl Annual #2, a different Kara has feelings for Brainy and decides it is up to her to make the first move. That's a super-kiss!!!

We haven't seen a Brainy/Kara romance with the New 52 Supergirl. But with the Legion and the JLU teaming up, we'll need to see if the sparks fly!

Hope everyone has a love-filled day!!!

Review: Justice League United #9

Justice League United #9 came out this week and was a very very entertaining and satisfying penultimate chapter to the Infinitus storyline. I am absolutely sure that I am enjoying this arc more than many because I am such a Legion fan. And frankly this has been one of the best Legion stories I have read in the last 5 years. This just feels like the Legion.

Writer Jeff Lemire clearly understands how to write the Legion, making the lack of a Lemire Legion as a title in the soft summer DC reboot that much more glaring in its absence. We see a lot of the Legion and even get a feel of their personalities. But Lemire also walks the line nicely making sure that the stars of this book ... the JLU ... aren't forgotten. Neither team dominates this issue. Both add a lot. Maybe 50/50 isn't what Justice League fans want. But I ate it up with a spoon.

And artist Neil Edwards' handles everything spectacularly. The cast of characters in this issue is insanely long. I don't know how easy a task this was for him. But we get a nice mix of large and small panels. We get emotion from the characters. And everyone looks great.

Best of all is that this feels like a second-to-last chapter. The story has been paced such that I think we will get a satisfying ending. Nothing irks me more than when I am heading into a final chapter with too much in the air, wondering how the writer will be able to wrap things up in 20 pages. Lemire gives us cliffhanger. But he wraps things up enough to tee up next month's conclusion.

As I said, we get a nice mix of splash pages and multipanel pages that make the issue progress in a visually appealing way. Unlike the recent Superman which was all big panels, we get the story we need and we get big art for big moments.

And nothing says big story like a splash page of a team heading into combat! We get the JLU and the LSH all heading to fight Infinitus' wraiths, trying to stop him from forming.

This page made me feel some sympathy for Neil Edwards. That's 38 characters in the role call! And that's just the heroes. Whew!

Despite the action which worms it's way through the book, for me it is always the character moments that I enjoy the most in mash-ups like this. Yes, seeing Legionnaires and Leaguers fighting wraiths is cool.

But seeing Animal Man mock Green Arrows rallying cry of 'Justice League Attack!' gold.

And seeing Brainiac 5 match wits and personalities with Dream Girl is also good. These two have sparred in the past, usually when Brainy underestimates Dreamy. But having him make a doomsday bomb seems like flirting with disaster.

One panel which fell flat for characterization was seeing Phantom Girl seem almost scared about Infinitus manifesting. Tinya has been treated pretty rough the last couple of years.

On the other side of the bleed, Supergirl and Byth battle it out.

I have liked the strength of Kara in this title. I was worried that she was going to be dark and bitter (based on early Lemire comments) but she has really just been pro-active and the muscle of the team. Here I love how disgusted she is by Byth's attempt to be with her. She's sixteen!

Love it!

In response, Byth shows his 'true face', becoming a monstrous tumorous mass akin to The Thing at the end of Carpenter's film.

With the Wraiths streaking towards Rann, the teams split up. Some will head to the planet to defend it from this invasion. The others will stay in space to battle Infinitus.

Again, it is small details that deepen these books and make me love them. Mon-El activates the 'Legion Planetary Defense Squad' of Wildfire, White Witch, Lightning Lass, Element Lad, and Bouncing Boy. That is one tough squad, even if Chuck is the weak link.

But inter-team squads like the Legion Espionage Squad are nice little flourishes that make love the Legion. Is this the first naming of this squad?

But it is also important that everyone get a little moment to shine. Even someone like Bouncing Boy. When Animal Man gently mocks him, Chuck shows his stuff, bouncing to smash the crystalized wraiths. It's completely ridiculous.But I love it.

One of the difficult things about writing the Legion is giving everyone a purpose, a moment.

But this isn't just a Legion book. Remember, the title group is the Justice League.

And team leader Martian Manhunter has some great moments in this book.

I love this page breakdown of J'onn entering Hawkman's mind to wipe away the Byth brainwashing. There is a puzzle-like feel to it as J'onn puts together the pieces. And even the half-faces, the two heroes looking in different directions, gives it a sort of unique feel. We have seen pages like this before, but usually the faces line up. This shows they aren't quite in synch yet.

Luckily it works and J'onn, Hawkman, and Dawnstar streak into the rift. They hope to get their friends out of there before Brainy fires his bomb.

While the heroes bash on Byth (that toothy thing in Colossal Boy's hand), Dawnstar communicates their coordinates to Gates who is able to open up his own rift.

Colossal Boy is able to grab Byth and his friends and pull them free of the bleed.

Byth seems to be much much more than a shapeshifter. He seems to have some sort of psionics. And he seems particularly strong. But alone and facing the entirety of the Legion, even Byth has to surrender.

It happens relatively fast ... but some bruisers from both teams have been pounding on him for about 3 issues. So I can believe that he finally was overwhelmed.

Alas, the cute little multi-alien we knew from the beginning of this title is gone. In his place is this suddenly ultra-intelligent, supremely self-aware Ultra. And he thinks he's God.

Despite some frank talk from J'onn, it looks like Ultra is going to manifest as Infinitus.

I wasn't expecting this! I thought for sure there would be some twist where Byth was Infinitus.

Nope.

Ultra becomes a villain and is becoming Infinitus.

That is until J'onn lobotomizes him.

Since the beginning, J'onn has been Ultra's biggest defender. He has been something of a father figure. So this is pretty powerful to have J'onn be the one who has to defeat him this way. It must be killing J'onn on the inside. But what choice did he have.

And like that, the emerging Infinitus fades away. Only the damage Ultra is left.

There is some meatiness to this moment, mostly because of the relationship between the two characters.

You would think the story is over. Infinitus was the big bad and he's been defeated.

But Lemire throws in a nice classic Legion twist.

Brainiac 5 didn't trust his friends to beat Infinitus. He launched the Infinitus bomb. And with no huge cosmic being to take the brunt of the bomb, it simply explodes and opens up a black hole right above Thanagar!

Brainiac 5 accidentally creating something deadly is a well-worn path. Computo! Omega! Computo again! Having him potentially make things worse is classic Querl. But with Infinitus and Byth out of the way, having the teams deal with this threat can happen in the finale. This ending can happen in one issue.

In fact, I anticipate that somehow, something happens with Byth and this black hole. Remember, Byth has said all along that he has done all of this before. I bet that Byth is thrown back in time via the black hole and has to relive everything we have seen again. He is stuck in a time loop.

I am pretty happy with this title and with this arc. Great Legion stuff ... truly. Nice characterization for the Leaguers. A feel of DC Cosmic. And very good art to boot!

Overall grade: B+

Sales Review: January 2015

The DC Universe is going to dramatically change ... again ... in 4 months. We'll get new takes on characters, story will trump, continuity, and a whole swath of new books will hit the stands. That also means many books will be canceled, including Supergirl.

And with that as a backdrop, it is very interesting to look at sales for last month, January 2015. As usual, I advise everyone to head to ICv2 for coverage. Here is the link: http://icv2.com/articles/news/view/30825/top-300-comics-actual-january-2015

Now if you are here, you know my biases towards Supergirl. But this is fascinating ...

Supergirl #38 came out last month, the third issue in the Perkins/Johnson/Lupacchino 'Crucible' run on the book. For the most part, it seems as if the new direction has been well received. DC even pumped up the book in the back pages of all issues a couple of months ago. And

Now Star Wars and it's umpteen variants ruled the roost last month, selling nearly one million issues. And Squirrel Girl sold 41K.

Supergirl #38 sold 22,677, down a shocking 14% from last issue. After 4 issues of holding greater than 26K, I wonder exactly what happened that made sales plummet. Could different titles have lured readers away?

Maybe that drop made DC think the time was right to pull the plug?

But look a bit closer. Right below her is Gotham Academy and Catwoman, selling less but spared the cancellation axe.

And then even farther down the sales chart, we see more books selling less, sometimes significantly less, which also survived DC's cuts. Gotham By Midnight, Justice League Dark (reborn as Dark Universe),  Green Arrow, Red Hood and the Outlaws (reborn as Red Hood/Arsenal), Justice League 3000 (reborn as Justice League 3001),  and Constantine (reborn as Constantine:Hellblazer).

All told that, that is eight titles which are selling less but DC thought enough of to keep around.

I am not commenting on the quality of those books. I am not condemning them. What I am trying to wrap my head around is why these books were looked at differently by DC. Does DC think that JL3001 is going to do better?

I keep hoping that some greater discussion about the decisions will come out somehow. What about Supergirl made DC decide to cancel? And, while I feel it is true, the fact that a new Supergirl TV show is coming out isn't a good reason ... at least for me.

Supergirl Radio Episode #2

The second episode of Supergirl Radio is up and running.

This is a look at Supergirl's origins and a tour of Supergirl's media representations - movie, TV, live and animated!

Head over and listen!

This site even gets a little shout-out! Thanks so much!

http://supergirlradio.com/episodes/supergirl-radio-episode-1-supergirls-origins-2/

Superman's "New" Power

It was big news!

Superman was getting a new power!

Something we haven't seen before!

Incredible! Amazing! Astounding!

In Superman #38 we see Superman release all his solar energy into a 'super-flare', a solar flare which incinerates a quarter mile of land, defeating Ulysses in one blow.

But new?

Maybe for him.

Supergirl has been doing this for a while.

During the initial period of the New 52, writers Michael Green and Mike Johnson talked about Supergirl's unique power. They noted that male and female Kryptonians might process yellow sun energy differently. We were all waiting to see what they meant ...

Well in Supergirl #7, the wait was over. In her fight with the World-Killers, Kara unleashes her energy as an attack. I called it the 'corona wave'. But it was basically a flare.

Later, in Supergirl #9, while battling the Black Banshee, she unleashes her energy to try to defeat him.

It is clear that Kara seems to be able to vary her flare power. She never incinerates a quarter mile of land. But here, Silver Banshee is able to survive despite being close by. And the city block is not razed.

That said, she seems to dial it up in Supergirl #17 when battling Wonder Woman. And are those atomic rings around her? Downright Firestorm-ish.

She also seems to be in more control of this power. In Superman #38, it seems to explode from Kal. Here, Kara is standing, in a position of power, and speaking.

Nice panel here by Mahmud Asrar. Beautiful.

In my favorite use of the power, in Supergirl #20,  Supergirl unleashes her flare to destroy Sanctuary, her fortress which was self-aware and trying to kill her.

This is as close to Kal's version that we have seen. This is a huge explosion which does wipe out Supergirl, leaving her depleted and unconscious. So she can apparently dial it up. And if she expends enough energy, she can become vulnerable like Kal.

Again, beautiful page. There is something akin to the end of All-Star Superman to that top panel. Incredible.

I am fairly certain that the last time we have seen Kara use this power was in Supergirl #21 when she uses it to free herself from an I'Noxian defense system. This looks pretty dramatic too.

We have gone a year and a half since the last Supergirl flare. I wonder if Johns' was aware of it?

And will we see Supergirl use it again? Or is this power now solely Superman's?