Review: Ame Comi Girls #6

It was recently announced that Ame-Comi Girls was being cancelled and I have to say I felt a bit down when I heard that news. I picked up the first issue because of the Amanda Conner art. I stuck around because I knew Supergirl was going to be featured. But around the Power Girl solo issue I was hooked. One thing that I always say is that comics are supposed to be the fun part of my life. And part of that means that I occasionally want to have a book in my folder which is pure fun, something without the albatross of 'continuity', something funny and filled with action and written and drawn with zest. Ame Comi Girls has been a book like that.

Ame-Comi Girls #6 came out this week, ending the first long arc that book has gone through. And this would have been a wonderful last issue, a way to end the series with a massive opening for a sequel. I suppose I should be happy there is a little more to come after this.

Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray write a fun wrap-up, bringing in elements of the DCU from Crisis on Infinite Earths to New Gods, but always with the popcorn fun feeling that has been synonymous with this book. Art is handled by 2 teams, Eduardo Francisco pencils and inks the bulk of the book and brings an elan to the proceedings. Hector Domingues and Ruben Gonzalez finish the book and bring a very polished look to the book.

Given this is a Supergirl blog, I might lean towards covering the story through her actions. But I felt I needed to showcase her efforts given that she was either evil or comatose for most of this book.

With Brainiac defeated, the book opens with the Girls relaxing a bit.

I liked the interaction between Supergirl and Power Girl on the opening page as Karen talks about saving the environment of Eaeth naturally. But before they can get too settled, they are zipped away.

Another thing I liked about this book was the personality that Palmiotti and Gray have given each character. This could have been a superficial book done solely for cheesecake. But instead we get a bit of depth for each of the characters. Sometimes that can be accomplished with just a couple of lines.

Hearing that Batgirl is attracted to Tim Drake lets us know something about her. Hearing that Robin is attracted to Kirk Langstrom and thinks he is a 'badass hottie' tells be volumes about her.

The characters who have had some time devoted to them - Wonder Woman, Power Girl, Hawkgirl, Supergirl, these two, Jade, even Duela - they felt three-dimensional. That is pretty impressive.

But all the characters are whisked away like Power Girl and Supergirl were. They are 'needed' and find themselves on Rann where Alana Strange and Hawkgirl tell the heroes about the upcoming universal threat of Sinestra.

I am a sucker for these 'united against a common threat' storylines. But this scene, while a bit smaller in volume, reminded me of another famous comic scene.

With the title of 'Earth in Crisis' and heroes teleported to discuss a threat to everything. It reminded me of this famous scene from Crisis on Infinite Earths #5 when the Earth's heroes are brought to the Monitor's satellite to discuss the Anti-Monitor's plans.

Anything that reminds me of Perez Crisis art is a good thing.

Alana has a plan. With Sinestra speeding to Earth, Alana is zeta-beaming all life from Earth to 'Eden', a world she created to temporarily house all of Earth's life while the planet is defended.

And she has a back-up plan. Metra, a new god, a powerful 'sentient big bang' lies in waiting.

Hey, this is Ame Comi ... I can roll with the fact that Strange could create such a thing. That's the freedom of living outside the DCU, a place I monitor more closely.

And in an homage to Blackest Night, Metra's power (even while she stays in a sort of hibernation) spills forward converting the heroes into White Lanterns, powered up to fight the yellow and black lantern troops of Sinestra.

I also get a kick out of these sort of scenes, showcasing each character as they power up. The difference in pose and proximity is a nice touch. I like Hawkgirl's the best. Perfect for her character. I see this page playing out on a big screen in a movie style showing each character.

Sinestra arrives on Earth only to find it empty of all life except the heroes. The zeta beam rescue effort worked.

The Ame Comi Girls split into two factions, half taking the fight to Sinestra's fleet into space. The other half stay on the ground to fight landing troops.

It was great to see Supergirl in action here, focusing her efforts on disabling the troop ships. It is hard to get Hawkgirl's respect so I liked that she recognized Kara's efforts.

But this is a losing battle. The girls are massively outnumbered. And if a Yellow Lantern falls, it simply rises as a Black Lantern. Slowly, one by one, the heroes all fall, becoming zombie minions of Sinestra.

I did like this moment near the end of the battle when Supergirl is glad that she isn't going to die alone, that the fight was worth fighting. This is so different from recent interpretations of Supergirl where she has wanted to isolate herself.

All this self-sacrifice finally spurs Metra to action.

In a classic yin-yang, 'there can be no life without death', 'there can be no light without shadow', Metra fights Paralactic (the fear/death demon inside Sinestra), embracing her and realizing that both are necessary components of the universe, but equals. Paralactic cannot dominate as she has. The scales need to be reset.

I really like the Kirby-esque design of Metra. And given the nature of this book, this design is almost dowdy.

Sometimes small things in comic art make huge difference in the story telling. This is the only panel where one of the characters breaks the borders of the panels. Even that slight breakthrough, just the tip of Metra's hair, lends her power, makes her feel bigger and more powerful. That wouldn't carry that much clout if it was happening throughout the book.

With Metra and Paralactic now merged or realigned, the universe is recreated! There is Earth, a planet of good. And there is another planet, one of darkness. While not named New Genesis and Apokolips, it has that sort of feeling.  It also feels like Crisis on Infinite Earth 11, where a new Earth is formed from the
many.

I wonder if the 'new universe' is an excuse for Palmiotti and Gray to put the characters into any variant Ame Comi costumes they have been dressed in for the merchandise line?

So fast, fun, and surprisingly strong on character development, Ame Comi Girls has been way way way better than I anticipated. Kudos to all the creators.

Overall grade: B+/B

Bullet Review: Ame-Comi Girls #4

Ame Comi Girls #4 came out last week and continued the high-octane high-fun look at a different sort of DC Universe, one where only women have super-powers, be they heroes or villains.

Writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray seem to be having a lot of fun with this book. There seems to be a lightness to the book since it isn't laden down with either significant continuity or angst/seriousness. This is a popcorn movie, not Ingmar Bergman film. And in this world of overly dark comics, this is a welcome treat. I just get the sense that these creators just don't take this book too seriously and that makes it a blast to write.

Now I do have some issues with the book, in particular the treatment of Supergirl in this universe. In her own issue, she was immediately brainwashed by the villain and fought the heroes. In subsequent issues, she has been put into stasis. Here, we see she still is in Dark Supergirl mode. I can only hope that sometime soon in this book Palmiotti and Gray let Supergirl shine. As of now, it is clear that Power Girl is the lead character. In fact, I almost feel like the book should be called 'Power Girl and the Ame Comi Girls'.

The art in the issue is split by Eduardo Francisco and Derec Donovan. Both carry the right style for this book. 

Last issue ended with Star Sapphire trying to brainwash/seduce Jimmy Olsen and taking him away from Power Girl. It is a brawl which ends with Star Sapphire tossing Power Girl to her apparent death in deep space. Luckily the new Green Lantern, Jade, is able to come along and save Power Girl.

I really like this Jade. Remember, she is blind so I like that all of her sensory descriptions have to do with hearing. She 'heard' Star Sapphire's 'music' and investigated. It reminds me just a little of Rot Lop Fan, the blind Lantern/Bell created by Alan Moore.

I also liked the description that the Sapphires can corrupt some beings, making them emotionally unstable. At least we know Carol here doesn't have all her faculties and therefore is this lustful jealous Star Sapphire.

The fight ends without much drama. Green Lantern simply grabs the sapphire, removing it from Carol. Carol then reverts to her human form. Interesting that she already is asking for it back. That must be a heady feeling to be flush with that much power and emotion. I don't think we have seen the last of her.

This part of the book ends with the warning that Parallax is coming to Earth. I love Jimmy's response. On these Earths, it must get pretty tiresome to be invaded over and over.

The middle part of the book deals with Power Girl's efforts to cure Supergirl. Her solution is a classic ... injecting the Atom to swim through Kara's blood stream to cure her from the inside. How Silver Age!

The root of Supergirl's evil is a chunk of Black Kryptonite wedged at the base of her brain and guarded by Brainiac antibodies. I love how the Atom denies being a hero and has to use the 'just in case' guns Power Girl gave her. That whole banter was great.

The efforts to cure Supergirl awakens her from her coma/slumber.

And, of course, she is still Brainiac's thrall and immediately attacks Power Girl.

Seriously, can't Supergirl catch a break in this book?

Luckily, the Atom is able to disable the Black Kryptonite chunk with a focal EMP.

So Supergirl can stop beating up super-heroes. At least for now.

Maybe I am sensitized but even back in control of herself and dressed in the right colors, she still looks and sounds vapid.

I suppose I should be happy that she isn't dressed in black and praising Brainiac.

Still, I would love it if Supergirl actually is shown in a positive light in this book ... and soon.

The remainder of the book delves into the origins of Sinestra. And in this universe she sounds unbelievably powerful and terrifying. She wields both a yellow and a black ring!

Loud, fast, and fun, this book continues to be entertaining. I am loving the Jade character. And Power Girl is written with the same strength and wit that Palmiotti/Gray brought to her solo title.

If only Supergirl could be a hero!

Overall grade: B+

Review: Ame Comi Girls #3

With Superman Unchained and the digital Adventures of Superman print copies looming in the near future, my review schedule might become a bit bloated soon.

So the big question is ... should I continue to review Ame Comi Girls here?

Ame Comi Girls #3 came out in print last week and, as always, it was a very entertaining read. I guess the promotion to a monthly book has given writer Jimmy Palmiotti the opportunity to expand this series, opening it up to the entire DC universe (albeit the Ame Comi) one. So it is interesting to see new heroes and villains crop up. So to meet Jade and Star Sapphire is fun, especially Jade's origin. If only the costumes weren't so ridiculous. I mean it, I feel semi-embarrassed taking this book of the shelf sometimes.

Also, since this is a world without male supers, it is a fun read to see the interactions of 'normal guys' with these powerful women. So seeing Jimmy Olsen act as the human love interest of Power Girl is a great read, probably my favorite moment in this issue.

Santi Casas provides the art here and he seems to be a natural for the book. His anime influenced style is perfect here.

This being the Ame Comi world, the Green Lantern equivalent is nicely shunted into Jade. She is Jade Yifei, a blind rock climber. If not having fear is a necessity to be a Green Lantern, Jade Yifei has it. I like the fact that she is blind, showing that everyone can be a hero. And this isn't innate green powers like the classic Jade; we see her given the ring and is sworn to protect sector 2814.

Jade's father is prosecutor who has taken down organized crime in China. As a result, the family is attacked by 'The Flying Guillotine' a flying super-villain with a great costume design.

And I even like Jade's costume, especially the lantern-like head band. Despite just getting the ring, Jade utilizes it well, fending off the guillotine.

Since this is a new universe and the heroes have just formed a team, Power Girl and Wonder Woman announce to the UN and the world their intention to form a League of sorts, to help fight immense threats.

It is a good scene with the world reacting mostly in panic, wondering what rules the League will follow and who will they feel free to attack. I like how Power Girl, usually a bit edgy and fiery in the DCU, comes across as the 'Superman' here, trying to calm the leaders that the team will only be there to help.

I do worry that the 'warrior' aspect of Wonder Woman is a bit too prevalent in Ame Comi. Diana instantly turns on the crowd saying that the League could end all war if it wanted to. She also talks about the evils of man's world. I sometimes miss the Ambassador of Peace and Love parts of Diana's character. Recently it seems she is much more eager to wield the sword rather than say that they should be converted to plowshares.

And with China now boasting it's own hero in Jade, the country states it doesn't need the League's help.

In fact, the Chinese government wants Jade to turn over the ring so they can study it, maybe even mass produce it. Jade's father even seems on board with the plan.

So I loved this scene were Jade shows some internal strength and stands up for herself. She not only tells them she isn't going to give them the ring, she flies off.

How great is that? I like how this new hero has already found a moral compass to guide herself.

As I said above, Palmiotti and Gray are starting to expand this universe and so this issue seems to concentrate a bit on the Green Lantern Universe. First we meet Jade. Then we get some cryptic snippets about a fear based villain, someone we know from a future solicit is Sinestra.

And then we meet Star Sapphire!

I mean it. I wish the ridiculousness of the costumes was even just a smidge less. This costume takes the Ame Comi score to 11. I feel icky.

What I do like about this is that this Carol Ferris is a sort of Hal Jordan herself, a pilot and astronaut. We get to see her meet the Abin Sur equivalent Star Sapphire on a moon mission. Now Violet Lanterns tend to sway more towards the lust/passion side of love and it is hinted at that maybe it is our human nature that can't control the sapphire energy. Maybe the other Sapphires here are less obsessed.

As I said before, it is fun to see DC relationships under the switcheroo aspects of this universe.

So to hear Jimmy Olsen talk about his feelings of inadequacy in trying to be interesting enough and good enough for Power Girl, an 'angel who fell from the skies', was great. It is clear these two love each other as even his feelings are stated in a playful almost flirty way. But I can imagine that it must feel strange to be 'normal' and try to romance a super-hero.

This whole conversation (this being a snippet of it) was the favorite part of the issue for me.

As feared by the alien Star Sapphire, it seems that Carol can't handle her power and her ideas of love seems to veer towards obsession and possession. It seems that Jimmy is a 'Mr. Action' and has dated Carol in the past before a rough breakup.

Carol shows up at some sort of function and uses her powers to enslave Jimmy. And that doesn't sit well with Kara.

It leads to a nice brawl between Power Girl and Star Sapphire, punctuated by this choke slam by Kara. Nice! As noted in prior reviews, it is clear that Palmiotti and Gray have a soft spot for Power Girl. She really carries this book and is given the best moments.

In fact, Supergirl isn't even in this issue and is only mentioned once by Kara (at least she acknowledges she needs to save her cousin). Kind of a bummer.

I have to say Ame Comi Girls is a guilty pleasure for me. It is fun ... something that seems to be rare in super-hero comics these days. And it is always entertaining. I really hope that somehow Supergirl gets pumped up a bit in the book and treated the right way.

And I would not be against Santi Casas always being on art on this book. Perfect style for this story.

Overall grade: B/B+

Bullet Review: Ame Comi Girls #2

Ame-Comi Girls #2 came out last week and concluded the first overlying story arc of 'Rise of the Brainiac'. It also marked the second issue of the 'monthly' title meaning that digital sales must be brisk enough for DC to make this an ongoing series rather than a string of interconnected character specials.

The series has been fun and entertaining so far as writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray immerse us deeper and deeper into this world where only women are super whether that be hero or villain. While I have had to come to grips with the more inane and 'barely there' costumes, I have enjoyed seeing the roles these heroes have on this planet. In fact, the most satisfying part of this issue is the aftermath of the battle where we get to see the true formation of a super-team, the difficulties of being a teenage hero, and some familial love between the super-cousins. It is that fleshing out of personalities and world-building that I find as satisfying in comics as big brawls.

That doesn't mean I don't have a couple of quibbles with the issue. 

For one, this is yet another issue where Supergirl spends the entire time trussed up in Wonder Woman's lasso and basically off-panel. I understand that with a cast this size someone has to melt into the background. I also understand that her lack of participation is part of the story, her being turned evil by Brainiac. But it feels like poor Kara just can't catch a break.

I mean, when the opening page sports Steel and Duela Dent and not Supergirl as a part of the roll call, something is amiss.

I also worry ... just a bit ... that this series will somehow morph into Power Girl and Ame-Comi girls. It is clear (and appreciated) that Palmiotti and Gray have a soft spot for Karen. And I love how they write her, even here. I was a huge fan of their Power Girl series.

But in this issue, she is clearly the star, disconnecting Brainiac from her mainframe, convincing Brainiac's drones to reverse the 'anti-intelligence' attack, and saving the day. She even has a dramatic splash page all to herself. Yes, the other characters are in the mix but even they all need to be saved from suffocation by Karen.

I love Power Girl but in this ensemble book I hope everyone gets some face time.

Power Girl does come to the defense of Supergirl, demanding that Wonder Woman release her from the lasso and taking her to the Fortress.

So Supergirl just really has suffered a bit in this book so far. In her own issue she is easily brainwashed and attacks the heroes. She is thrashed in combat by Wonder Woman, hog-tied, and left on the battlefield while everyone else, including the villains, go to save the day. And then we learn she is poisoned, dying, and needs to be held in suspended animation.

I know I am looking at this from a Supergirl-centric viewpoint. But really, no other character in this book has been treated this shabbily. Heck, even Cheetah was treated better.

I hope Supergirl gets a chance to shine here eventually.

As I said before, the real sweet spot for this book is the aftermath of the battle. The women decide that the world needs them to be a team in desperate times. But that isn't as easy a decision to make as it seems. The U.N. needs to get involved. They are Americans and the country disapproves of vigilantes. Where will there base be ... the Fortress, a Kryptonian embassy? Themyscira? Wonder Woman thinks she should lead. Robin and Batgirl are minors. And when Power Girl informs their parents of their other identities they are basically grounded.

There is a lot of details to work out before they can hand out communicators and set up a mountain HQ in Happy Harbor. It is these small details which feel real which elevate this book away from being just 'scantily clad manga girls fighting'.

As I said, this is a fun book, always well drawn, and has a nice mix of action and story. And it is an interesting world I am looking forward to learn more about.

But throw me a bone and have Supergirl actually be a hero for a little bit!

Overall grade: B

June 2013 Solicits

The June solicits for DC Comics were recently released and boy, it looks like it might be an expensive month for me as new titles are being introduced and some great trades are coming out.  And there is one spectacular surprise this month. Well, an expected surprise if there is such a thing.

Here is a link to CBR's listing of all the solicits: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=44222

SUPERGIRL #21
Written by MICHAEL ALAN NELSON
Art and cover by MAHMUD ASRAR

It’s Supergirl vs. the mysterious Mekka—but what is the secret of this new menace? And what is Lex Luthor’s envoy Alphina planning against Kara?

The cover for #19 has Supergirl crushing the world. The cover for #20 has her dying. Now the cover for #21 goes back to the 'angry Kara' genre again. Can't we at least get an action shot of something that happens in the book.

This is the second issue of Nelson's tenure on the book. The addition of a new menace and a Luthor derivative as a nemesis sounds like a good direction for this book to be going in. Not much more to comment until I actually read what Nelson is going to do. This cover doesn't convey Supergirl looking for joy.

ACTION COMICS #21
Written by ANDY DIGGLE
Backup story written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art by TONY S. DANIEL and BATT
Backup story art by PHILIP TAN
Cover by TONY S. DANIEL
1:25 BandW Variant cover by TONY S. DANIEL

Superman is betrayed by his own DNA! And in the backup story, learn The New 52 origin of The Parasite!
 

One thing that I have noticed is that DC is getting pretty sparse with their issue descriptions. I suppose his DNA could have been used to make the monster on the cover? Or maybe it has a weakness to be exploited?

My instincts tell me Diggle will be very good on the book so I remain hopeful.

SUPERMAN #21
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art by AARON KUDER
Cover by TYLER KIRKHAM
1:25 BandW Variant cover by TYLER KIRKHAM

Witness the horror of Hector Hammond as Metropolis burns! What happens when a city is taken over by a nightmare?

This looks like an homage cover to a Green Lantern/Hammond book seen recently. I think telepathy/mental attacks have always been an underutilized strategy against Superman and at least is different from magic and Kryptonite.

I like Aaron Kuder's art. It has a Frank Quitely feel to it which should look good here. But where has Kenneth Rocafort landed?

 SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #1
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
Backup story art by DUSTIN NGUYEN
1:300 BandW Variant cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS

When thirteen satellites fall from the sky in one day, the logical suspect is Lex Luthor—even though he’s still locked up in prison! But a stranger question remains: If Superman didn’t stop the last satellite from falling, who did? There’s a mystery hidden where even Superman can’t see it—Can The Man of Steel drag a decades-old secret into the light? Don’t miss the debut of this red-hot new series from two of comics’ brightest superstars: SCOTT SNYDER and JIM LEE!
This debut issue also includes a bonus two-sided, tipped-in poster measuring 11.6875” x 18.875” that is part of the reading experience and can be easily removed for display!
 

I suppose this is the biggest mega-star creative team on a Superman book since Morrison/Quitely on All-Star Superman. The thing that I like about this solicit is the plot sounds very retro to me. Superman catching falling satellites. Luthor pulling strings from behind bars. And yet, you just know Snyder is going to knock this out of the park.

Superman needs some buzz ... desperately. I don't know what could be bigger.

ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #2
Written by MICHAEL AVON OEMING, BRYAN J.L. GLASS, JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV and J.M. DeMATTEIS
Art by MICHAEL AVON OEMING, JOELLE JONES, GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI and SAL BUSCEMA
Cover by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI

Comics’ finest talents have assembled to bring you all-new, non-continuity short stories featuring the Man of Steel himself — SUPERMAN! This month’s issue features a super artist lineup featuring the work of Michael Avon Oeming (Powers), Joëlle Jones (FABLES), and Giuseppe Camuncoli (Superior Spider-Man) with Sal Buscema (The Incredible Hulk)!

With the Orson Scott Card debacle behind them, Adventures of Superman can now be recognized for what it is ... wonderful mixture of great talent. To be honest, they had me with Michael Avon Oeming. The rest is gravy!

And the old school costume appears on another cover of this book. Fascinating!

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #1
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by JAE LEE
1:100 BandW variant cover by JAE LEE
1:25 BATMAN variant cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
1:25 SUPERMAN variant cover by GUILLEM MARCH
“We Can Be Heroes” blank variant cover available

A new epic begins with the debut of this new, ongoing series! Don’t miss the first fateful meeting of Batman and Superman in The New 52!

To be honest, I am on the fence about getting this book on a monthly basis. I didn't get Superman/Batman regularly when that came out. I think the team of Pak and Lee is astounding and I would like to read more of the 't shirt' Superman so I will be in for the first arc.

I will try to get a blank variant cover in hopes of one day having Mike Maihack do a Batgirl/Supergirl commission on it.

SUPERBOY #21
Written by JUSTIN JORDAN
Art by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN
Cover by KEN LASHLEY

Krypto comes to the rescue as Superboy is on the trail of Dr. Psycho and the new, mysterious H.I.V.E that has infested Metropolis.

I am glad that Krypto has some role in the DCnU. I actually wouldn't mind it if he became Superboy's pet, reminiscent of Kon and Wolfy on Young Justice. I don't know if I like this new Dr. Psycho as a villain (having just read Superboy #18). So I hope he doesn't become the main baddie.

WORLDS’ FINEST #13
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by ROBSON ROCHA and WAYNE FAUCHER
Cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO

As DeSaad’s Hellhound hunts Power Girl and Huntress, the duo must struggle with how far underground they’ll have to go before they can turn the tide and take the fight back to the man who’s been impersonating the missing Mr. Terrific.

I was hoping that Dr. Bedlam was impersonating Mr. Terrific. This implies it is Desaad.

This 'going underground' piece of this arc is interesting. It seems that the two have been trying to be low-key in their costumed lives. But how will Karen Starr run Starrware if she is on the run.

This book seems to be heating up after a somewhat slow start.

I don't know Robson Rocha at all. We know Kevin Maguire is leaving the book. Is Perez off as well?

SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 #14
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by DANIEL HDR
Cover by PETE WOODS

Reunited with Supergirl, Clark must find a way to keep the peace between EarthGov, the Legion, and all of…New Krypton?! Plus, Booster Gold and Skeets struggle to find their place in a world that doesn’t want—or need—their help. Superman’s 31st-century adventure continues in “Argo” part 2 of 3.

Since the word 'Crisis' was mentioned in the first issue of this book, I have been waiting for Supergirl to appear. In the show she was shoved into the future so Clark could ascend. So what has Kara been doing with the Legion? This was the expected surprise but I have to admit I was giddy when I saw the cover. Bryan Q. Miller treated Supergirl well in his Batgirl book. I don't expect anything different here.

And I love this Supergirl costume, designed by cover artist Cat Staggs. There is some Kingdom Come Supergirl in there. There are the new boots from the current incarnation. It has a sort of military feel to it. It even has a whiff of Gates/Igle Alura. Just fantastic.

AME-COMI GIRLS #4
Written by JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by EDUARDO FRANCISCO and DEREC DONOVAN
Cover by JONBOY MEYERS

In this epic issue, Power Girl and Green Lantern battle Star Sapphire while The Atom goes inside Supergirl’s brain to remove the last vestige of Brainiac! Plus: Prepare for the origin and coming of…Sinestra!

I have to say that Supergirl has been treated oddly in this book. But as I recently said, it is a fun book, crazy and loud. So I am still in. Plus, this issue will be the rare instance to literally get inside Supergirl's mind. Nice cover by Jonboy Meyers.

SUPERGIRL VOL. 2: GIRL IN THE WORLD TP
Written by MICHAEL GREEN and MIKE JOHNSON
Art by MAHMUD ASRAR, GEORGE PEREZ and others
Cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
On sale JULY 10 • 144 pg, FC, $14.99 US
The last daughter of Krypton has a friend: a young woman name Siobhan. Too bad she carries the curse of the Silver Banshee—and Siobhan’s father, the Black Banshee, isn’t far behind! Don’t miss these stories from SUPERGIRL #0 and 8-12!

Hard to imagine that these issues might be considered 'the good old days' for the DCnU Supergirl. This trade includes some good stories. Supergirl makes a friend in Siobhan and rushes to help her. She fights the Nanite suit sent by Tycho and is recognized as a hero by the bystanders. And the zero issue is filled with some great moments, including Alura on her knees crying as Kara is rocketed away.

Fare thee well Mike Johnson.

SHOWCASE PRESENTS: DC COMICS PRESENTS SUPERMAN TEAM-UPS VOL. 2 TP
Written by MARV WOLFMAN, LEN WEIN, GERRY CONWAY and others
Art by RICH BUCKLER, JIM STARLIN, JOSE LUIS GARCIA-LOPEZ and others
Cover by JIM STARLIN

Superman battles for justice alongside heroes including Supergirl, Black Canary, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Starman and more in these stories from DC COMICS PRESENTS #27-50 and DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL #1!

As a younger reader, I loved the team-up books like The Brave and the Bold and DC Comics Presents. In many ways, those books were what exposed me to the DC Universe. There is no other place I would have learned about Kamandi, Ragman, The Unknown Soldier, The Creeper, etc. I used to love the one-and-done style of these adventures. This Showcase volume of DCCP includes the great three-part story introducing Mongul and the Warworld to the DCU. I covered the second two parts of that story here for those that want a sneak peek. First DCCP #28 with Supergirl: http://comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-dc-comics-presents-28.html And then in conjunction with Diabolu Frank we cover the finale with the Spectre (over on the DC Bloodlines blog): http://dcbloodlines.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-dc-comics-presents-29.html

I know Frank covered the opening chapter with the Martian Manhunter in DCCP #27 over on his Martian Manhunter blog somewhere but I can't find that link! Sorry!

Anyways, this will be a fun book and cheap. So I will probably need to grab it.

SUPERMAN: PHANTOM ZONE TP
Written by STEVE GERBER
Art by GENE COLAN and TONY DEZUNIGA
Cover by GENE COLAN and DICK GIORDANO

Explore the history of Krypton and the origins of The Phantom Zone, Krypton’s otherdimensional prison, in this new title that collects PHANTOM ZONE #1-4 and DC COMICS PRESENTS #97.  

And then this goodie showed up. Finally Stever Gerber and Gene Colan's fantastic Phantom Zone mini-series is being collected. This was a wild hallucinogenic trip through the Zone with bizarre images and fevered dream sequences. It also includes the Phantom Zone villains running roughshod over the Earth. And yes, there are some great Supergirl moments. I briefly ... briefly ... cover it here: http://comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com/2011/06/rip-gene-colan.html

And it also includes the even more bizarre DCCP #97, which is a pre-Crisis story told in a post-Crisis world. It includes the wild scene of Mr. Mxyzptlk throwing Argo City onto Metropolis like a K-missile, scattering the Kryptonian dead. Unreal. I reviewed that issue here:
http://comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com/2012/03/argo-city-silver-age-part-2.html 

I guess I have been doing this blog for a while when I can post links like that. Anyways, I am definitely going to get this one!

So lots of stuff to buy in June!  

Bullet Review: Ame Comi Girls #1

After a series of character driven one-shots that collected the digital first episodes, all of which were connected into one big story, DC (it seems) decided to make Ame Comi girls an ongoing team book. And so last week we had Ame Comi Girls #1, the beginning of the Rise of the Brainiac story.

As I have said before, I had no plans to read this book mostly because the costumes are so ridiculous I felt they would detract from any story that was being produced. Enough people whose opinions I respect recommended the book as a fun and wild ride, showcasing heroic women (even if they are barely dressed). And, somewhat surprisingly, I have agreed with their assessment. This is a crazy book which is very entertaining.

Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray continue a breakneck pace bringing all the heroic women and villainous women of this Ame Comi Earth together to save the world. The art this issue is by Eduardo Francisco and he takes advantage of the Ame Comi dress to show lots of half-butts right smack dab in front of me. I know I shouldn't be surprised ... this is Ame Comi. Outside of that, his art is very good. He is called upon to draw wild big action shots with many characters as well as some quieter moments and does both with a nice anime flair.

The big loser in this issue? (sigh) Supergirl. She spends the issue brainwashed by Brainiac, tossed around by Wonder Woman, and eventually hog-tied. I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Here is a brief review.

The Dark Supergirl arrived last issue and sort of wiped out the lower tier heroes. That explains Steel, Flash, Catwoman, and Robin all unconscious or trapped on the background.

With the undercard out of the way, the main event starts: Wonder Woman versus Supergirl. This is pure warrior Diana as she vows to bury her sword in Supergirl's chest.

Meanwhile, Batgirl sneaks onto Brainiac's ship in hopes of shutting things down. Since the computer has organic components, Batgirl realizes she can shut this thing down the same way she would shut down a human's nervous system. A jolt from a taser does the job, temporarily short circuiting Brainiac and her drones.

It is a nice moment and pretty smart and brave of Babs.

As I said, Supergirl gets treated pretty shabbily here. Screaming her death threats, she gets tossed around by Wonder Woman for several pages. I was hoping Supergirl would be the hero here somewhere.

With the pause in the fight, the others regroup. In a nice moment, Catwoman confesses she is probably down to 7 lives after this.

And, as I said above, after getting tossed around by Wonder Woman, Supergirl is tied up and remains helpless for the rest of the issue. Should I be surprised with this treatment by Jimmy Palmiotti?

And there are Diana's cheeks! I don't know if I needed to see them.

And I shouldn't be surprised that Power Girl is the main hero in the story either. Palmiotti loves Power Girl. Heck, I love his Power Girl.

At the center of the Earth, she meets Brainiac's central core drones. Their mission is to start the destruction of the Earth. The Brainiac towers (as seen in the above panel) will suck all the knowledge from humanity, giving Brainiac the information she craves while reducing mankind to neanderthals.

Of course, Karen can reason with the machines, convincing them maybe they should stop this needless act of mayhem.

And there are Karen's cheeks!

One part I did like was the core drones downloading Karen's memories. We see some important moments from her life including a classic Superman-esque shot of her lifting a tractor.

What caught my attention was this kiss. Who is this guy on Ame Comi Earth? Have we met him?

And I shouldn't be surprised that seeing her life convinces these things to break their programming and agree not to destroy the people of Earth.

It is a heroic act and shows how a life helping people can inspire.

Despite the revolt of the her drones, Brainiac isn't done fighting. She thinks she can still win. And she ends up capturing Power Girl with the transfer of information ongoing. Hmmm ... maybe Power Girl doesn't get to do all the heavy lifting in this story.

And we get an even closer look at Karen's cheeks!

I am of two minds with this book.

This issue continued a very fast pace with lots of action and fun moments. I finished the book and was entertained. Power Girl is treated very well. And Wonder Woman also has some nice moments showing her strength and her unwillingness to admit defeat. So that is the good.

Those nice moments contrast sharply with Supergirl's treatment. She is a villain in this book. Maybe I could look that other way a bit more easily if this wasn't happening as the H'El on Earth debacle happened. And, unfortunately, comics are a visual medium and reading this book with these skimpy outfits and gratuitous shots makes me feel just a bit icky. The fun aspect of the story so far has outweighed these downsides. And I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by either of these things.

I think Franscisco's style perfectly fits this book.

Overall grade: B