Back Issue Box: Superman Family #165

I am rapidly approaching my 15th anniversary here on the site. That is a loooooong time and that means that I have reviewed a lot of books! It also means that I sometimes forget what I have reviewed and what I haven't reviewed. 

So I have to admit that I was shocked when I discovered that I have never reviewed Superman Family #165, the first original Supergirl story in the Superman Family anthology book. 

This is a crazy time for the Superman books. Back in February of 1974, Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen was 'canceled' with Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #163. The numbering for the book was assumed by Superman Family, an anthology book with a rotating original story (noted by the larger image on the cover and the top spot of the character role on the left). Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, and Supergirl would rotate that original story spot during this bimonthly 'reprint' era of the book. 

Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane was still being published when Superman Family came about but it only had a few more issues before it was canceled and rolled into anthology. Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane #137 was the final issue, in the September/October 1974 schedule. 

The first solo Supergirl book was still on-going, but nearing the end of its 10 issue run. Supergirl #10, the last issue of that volume, was also on the racks in that fateful September/October 1974 shipping window.

Here we have Superman Family #165, on the rack in the June/July 1974 shipping window, meaning for a couple of months folks were getting an extra original Supergirl story to read and enjoy!

Put in the historical context, Supergirl had been part of a mobile news team in her Adventure Comics run, which ended with Adventure Comics #424. That story, cover dated October 1972, had her quit the journalism racket. The next month in Supergirl #1, cover dated November 1972, Linda enrolled in Vandyre University as an acting student.

Now semi-headlining Superman Family, it was time for another change. Talk about a character being a bit in the blender. And things get even crazier. So let's dive in!

Back Issue Box: Adventure Comics #412

Philip Kennedy Johnson is about to send Superman off to Warworld, reimagined as a place where Mongul has coliseum style barbarian battles. 

With that storyline starting soon and having already covered Supergirl's fight against the actual Warworld in DCCP #28, I thought it would be fun to review Adventure Comics #412, in which Supergirl is brought to an alien world to fight gladiator style. 

Like many of these stories in Adventure, which slide from the Silver Age into the Bronze, it is a wild ride. There are more twists and turns in these 22 pages than in a year's worth of today's comics. Just when you think we are cruising to the finish, we take another swerve.

Despite the odd plot turns, Supergirl shines throughout. Whether it is fighting for what's right or teaching compassion or even giving folks the benefit of the doubt, she really shines. Writer John Albano really does a wonderful job giving us a true hero.

Art Saaf and Bob Oksner are on the art. Their art is beautiful, veering closely to cheesecake but not too much. From the compelling cover to the action scenes, the art is fantastic.

On to the book.

A Little Bit of Kandor: Supergirl #2

We are in a new world with the COVID-19 pandemic, with no new comics and very little comic news coming out. With no new reviews in the queue, I will start doing some back issue reviews, trying as best as I can to lean into recent storylines or plot points. That has always been my M.O. here at the site, not doing index reviews but celebrating the rich history of the DCU.

Recently, I covered Batman/Superman #8, a story reintegrating Kandor and setting up the Kandor Compromise. It is definitely a fun issue.

With that book in my mind, in particular the rather rapid reintegration of Kandor in current continuity given that Rogol Zaar had just smashed and stomped it to bits about 2 years ago. So why not take a little look at Kandor?

This won't be comprehensive at all. 'A Little Bit of Kandor' will be like 'Matrix Monday' was here, a side look at some stories that intrigue me or that build a little history. And I thought I'd start with 1973's Supergirl #2,

Now I am a fan of Supergirl. And I tend to be a tad forgiving for her stories.

But this story is crazy.

I mean 'did the creative team drop acid' crazy.

I know that late Silver Age/early Bronze Age stories are stuffed with story elements. How often do I say that a 10 pager in this time period has as many plot elements as current 6 issue arcs. But this story is filled not only with plot elements but significant inconsistencies to continuity, odd off-the-cuff major details, and insanity that I am surprised everyone agreed to do it.

In the end I wonder if the writer basically asked people what they wanted to see in a Supergirl story, got a list of things, and fit a story around those elements. It is the only explanation I can see.

Let's not forget the reason I am reviewing this now. Kandor is a huge part of this story. But I also feel like the rules and landscape of the bottle city we see in the tale are just a bit off as well.

At the very least, I also have to tip my hat to the medicine in the issue. We get a brief message of sickle cell disease. I suppose that is the educational element that was sort of demanded at the time in comics.

On to this story. Strap in!

Digest Cast: Supergirl

You all have read my thoughts about Supergirl over the years here.

Have you ever wanted to HEAR my thoughts on Supergirl?

Over on the Fire and Water Network of podcasts, I was invited onto the DigestCast to discuss The Best of DC Blue Ribbon Digests #17 - The Many Lives Of Supergirl.

Here is the link for DigestCast so go and listen!

We review this great digest from 1981 showing the different periods of Supergirl's life.
There is orphan and secret weapon Supergirl in The Great Supergirl Mirage from Action Comics #256 (by Otto Binder and Jim Mooney).
There is revealed super-hero in The World's Greatest Heroine from Action Comics #285 (by Jerry Siegel and Jim Mooney).
There is college student Linda in Supergirl Goes to College from Action Comics #318 (by Leo Dorfman and Jim Mooney).
There is reporter Linda in Crypt of Frozen Graves from Adventure Comics #424 (by Steve Skeates, Tony DeZuniga, and Bob Oknser).
There is drama student Linda in Trail of the Madman from Supergirl #1 volume 1 (by Cary Bates and Art Saaf).
And finally there is Guidance Counselor Linda in Princess of the Golden Sun  from Superman Family #165 (by Elliot S Maggin and Art Saaf).

Whew ... a lot of great stories, many covered on this blog.

Not only do I help with the reviews, I talk about Supergirl's history and my love of the character.

But there is more.

Wonder Woman Day! Review: Supergirl #9

Happy Wonder Woman day! It is hard to believe but today marks the opening of the Wonder Woman solo movie, the DCEU movie I have been most looking forward to. And I figured I would join in the fun of celebrating the Amazon and her universe.

Surprisingly, there hasn't been a ton of Supergirl teaming up with Wonder Woman. There is the zany Haney Brave and the Bold #63 (a book I will cover at some point I'm sure), the wild massive crossover in Wonder Woman 291-293, her training with Diana in her re-introduction of Kara Zor-El to the DCU in Superman/Batman #8-13, the fight in the New 52 Supergirl #17 (booo!), and the occasional odds and ends of meeting in panels like in Wonder Woman #600. I am sure there are more but I wish that the two would run into each other more.

Today, I will look at Supergirl #9 from the 1972 Supergirl solo series. While the issue doesn't have Diana, it takes place on Paradise Island and includes Hippolyta and Nubia! What better way to help celebrate Wonder Woman's history on a Supergirl blog!

And like many stories in the Bronze Age, this won is an overstuffed, fast-moving, rather insane story and that is without counting Supergirl's swearing off men for good! So settle in for a wild ride with some great moments of 70's comic telling and Kara becomes 'The Super-Amazon'!

Back Issue Review: Supergirl #8 (1972)

This week I re-watched the Supergirl show episode titled 'Medusa', the mid-season finale for the show. Thankfully, the show returns in a couple of weeks.

But the idea of Supergirl and Medusa in the episode reminded me of Supergirl #8, from way back in 1972. This is a story where Supergirl fought the literal Medusa, not a virus named after the Greek gorgon of myth. And it is such a ridiculous story, I felt that I needed to share.

And trust me, this is pure 1970's comic zaniness. The plot doesn't make 100% sense. It is moves at a rocket pace. More happens in this issue than two years worth of comics these days. We travel the world. And the action is insane. Sometimes you just need to sit back and immerse yourself in the crazy. If you do, you will love this issue.

At the very least, we get to see Hawkman, Batman, and Green Lantern turned into statues. I mean, how can you look at this beautiful Bob Oksner cover and not want to read this!

Get read ...

Supergirl Digest

One of the things that I love about social media and even this blog is that I have met great people over time, people I may never meet in person but who I count as friends.

One of the first was Mart Gray, from across the pond, steward of the Too Dangerous For A Girl comic review site, Supergirl fan, and overall great guy! I have talked comics with Mart for a long time and think he is a wellspring of comic knowledge. If you are looking for great comic reviews for a multitude of books, you should head there!

Mart sent me a gift recently, something missing from my collection. The Best of DC Comics, Vol 3, No. 17, better known as the Supergirl digest! I have been looking for this book for a long time so this is truly a wonderful present.

The digest sports a nifty George Perez cover, Linda Danvers in the background switching to Supergirl, flying towards the reader. She looks outright graceful there.

The supra-title is 'The Many Lives of Supergirl' and it shows how varied Supergirl's life was back then.

 The back cover is just as wonderful with a playful and casual Supergirl leaning on the panels showcasing the stories on the inside. And what I love about it is that it concentrates on the Linda side of Supergirl's life. There is action in all these stories. Instead we see the different points in Linda's life they occur. From orphan to revealed super-hero to college student to reporter to acting student to guidance counselor, Linda was trying to find her place. This is a Linda cover!

I have reviewed the last 4 stories in this digest here over the years. Perhaps most surprising is that I haven't covered the second story, Action Comics #285, in which Supergirl's existence is revealed. How have I not covered that issue here??

The back cover does a nice job writing about how Supergirl's life meandered over the years at this point.

It was 1981 so she was starring in Superman Family. This was two years away from another turn in her life, as grad student in Chicago.

It is a shame there were no footnotes or issue references in this blurb. This was well before the internet. I might have liked to know what issue she discovers her family, etc.

Since I haven't covered Action Comics #285 in depth, I had to include this panel.

This might have to become a t-shirt.

An absolutely huge thank you to Mart for sending this my way! I owe you one, my friend!

Back Issue Box Review: Supergirl #10

The new DCYou initiative is a widespread effort by the company to try to diversify their line of titles. Rather than painting the DCU with the one grim, dark brush, DC has decided to broaden their horizons. We have been told that we will laugh with some heroes. We will see deadly determination. We will look into the future.

One of the titles coming out in the new DCYou is Prez. And as I try to look back at Supergirl's history and make it relevant to current events. With that in mind I thought I would take a look at Supergirl #10 from 1974, a brief and weird team-up between Supergirl and Prez. This also marks the last issue of Supergirl's solo title from this era.

Now the Prez that is part of the new DC run is a young woman, elected to office via Twitter, and trying to make change in the world. It is written by Mark Russell, someone whose work I haven't read before. The art is by Ben Caldwell, who did the beautiful and dreamy Wonder Woman story in the Wednesday Comics strip a few years ago. And, to be honest, I don't think I'll be picking it up.

The first Prez was a short-lived 4 issue title in 1973. Written by Joe Simon and drawn by Jerry Grandenetti, the book looked at a teenager elected president. I haven't read any of these issues but in looking on line it looks like Prez brought some of the elan of the 70s with a flower power, liberal look at politics. Prez was a young man of the people, fighting the establishment from the White House.

"Death of a Prez" came out months after the cancellation of the Prez comic. Writer Cary Bates making Prez be president in this book I suppose establishes the teenager as President on Earth-1. I don't think this presidency was embraced by the entire run of titles back then. And there is definitely a lot of political messages here. This is a 10 page whirlwind of a story, with plot feints and unexplained turns. It is a bit insane.

Still, here we are, with Supergirl holding Prez off the top of a skyscraper, vowing to kill him, while planes buzz around her. This whole opening splash page has a wild 'King Kong' feel to it. I suppose that if Supergirl does drop Prez off the building, we can say 'twas Beauty that killed the Prez. (Sorry, I couldn't help quote the Kong movie.)

And I can say beauty because the art by penciller Art Saaf and inker Vince Colletta is beautiful. Saaf drew all these issues and brought a sort of pin-up girl curviness to Kara. She is the epitome of a bombshell here.

The issue starts with Linda Danvers, currently a student at Vandyre University, watching a Presidential speech with her fellow students. We are firmly entrenched in the 70s. I am totally digging those groovy vertically striped bell bottoms Linda is wearing!

Throughout the issue, we get to hear some of Prez' s political crusade. Here, speaking at a supermarket, he rails against the high price of food. The poor need to afford food and if prices keep spiraling upward, a hot dog will cost as much as a steak.

It is a good thing that Linda is watching because she spots something that makes her think Prez is in danger.

Flying to the rescue, Supergirl steps in front of an assassin who has a gun hidden up his sleeve.

We never learn just why this guy wants to kill the President. But her is taken away.

Supergirl tells Prez that he needs to be careful. People want to hurt him.

But Prez isn't too concerned. He decides to walk among the people, talking to Supergirl.

They are stopped by a young boy whose father has died in Vietnam. The boy hopes that Prez can fix his father's watch. Prez tinkers with the watch using only a dime as a tool and get the watch to work again.

This is a little side scene which isn't needed for the plot. It does let us meet a young boy left fatherless because of the war. That sentiment would fit in nicely with the leanings of Prez.

Apparently, Prez worked with clocks in his own series.

Prez promises Supergirl that he will try to be safer. He is heading back to the White House to battle air pollution!

Supergirl isn't going to take any chances. She will follow along to make sure Prez remains safe. Kara js bought into Prez's optimism. She says that 'love can steer this country back on track'. And Prez is the man to do it!

On the way back to the Oval Office, Prez sees an auction of rare antique clocks. Prez loves clocks and so makes the Presidential caravan pull over.

As Prez likes to fix clocks, he is fascinated by the one broken piece in the auction. He buys the clock.

Supergirl streaks in when she detects that the clock has a bomb in it. She again saves Prez's life.

Okay, this is a bit nutty. It is one thing for a nut to be in a crowd where the President is expected to speak.
It is another to plant a bomb in an old clock assuming the Presidential limo will drive by, stop, and the President will buy said clock.

Thanks goodness Kara is a guardian angel sort.

But then things get even weirder.

A man calling himself the "Master Killer" moves forward with his plan to kill Prez. He used the first two assassination attempts to lure Supergirl close to Prez. Now using a mix of science (a 'cranial cannon') and magic (an old crone named Hepzibah using a Supergirl voodoo doll), he places a thought in Supergirl's head to kill Prez. And it is a thought she cannot resist.

If I thought the clock attempt was crazy, this is even crazier. How did he know Supergirl would show up for either? Why does he need her close? How does the cranial cannon and simulacrum work?

I suppose I shouldn't be asking these questions.

After nearly dropping Prez off the skyscraper as seen in the opening splash, Supergirl does fly him over a river and dump his body, killing him.

But then we see that this was a ruse of her own.

She arrives at the Master Killer's headquarters and melts his cranial cannon. Then she mops up him and his cronies.

But what about Prez?

Well his righteousness was enough for her to shrug off the evil thought, even though it was magic based. "Right is mightier!"

We learn she flew Prez to the Fortress of Solitude, left him there, made a Prez mannequin to throw into the river.

Her solution seems as crazy as the plot. If she shrugged off the mind control and could track the beam, why go through the deception of flying Prez away and 'killing' the doll. Why not just put Prez down on the street and fly to the lab?

This is a crazy, kooky, wild ride of 10 pages. I don't know if much of it makes sense out of the general tone that Pres is trying to do what's right and help everyone. Heroes like Supergirl should be defending people like this.

Other than that, this is a pretty forgettable tale. It is kicked up a notch because of Saaf's luscious art.

For a Supergirl collection, this is of low importance. Outside of the rare Prez appearance and it being part of her short-lived solo book in the 70s, there isn't much here.

Overall grade: B (too bizarre to grade lower)

1970s Supergirl Patch

I was relaxing the other day, reading Sword of Sorcery #2, a fantasy book from 1973 starring Fritz Lieber's Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser, written by Denny O'Neill and drawn by a young Howard Chaykin. (I do love me my early 70's DC fantasy books - Stalker, Beowulf, Sword of Sorcery, Starfire, etc).

And what do I see at the back? An old ad for patches of DC characters ... including Supergirl!

For a mere $1, you could be the owner of any of these! If only I had a time machine.

This is pure 70s Supergirl - hot pants, ballerina slippers, puffy sleeves. Who wouldn't want this on their backpack or hoodie zip-up sweatshirt.

And I am pretty sure I know the source material.

Art Saaf's splash page from 1972's Supergirl #1.

I wish I could find a picture of the actual patch. But the ad will have to suffice.

Back Issue Review: Supergirl #1 - Supergirl Heads To Vandyre University

 

In anticipation of Supergirl joining the Crucible Academy in November, I  have been making my way through the back issues looking at the times Supergirl entered a new school.

In the 1960s it was Stanhope College.

In the 1980s it was Lake Shore University.

In the 1970s it was Vandyre University. And that new school was introduced here in Supergirl (vol 1) #1, from 1972.

This was Supergirl's first self-titled solo book after almost 4 years of ruling the roost over at Adventure Comics. Interestingly enough, it was released one month after Adventure Comics #424, her last story there. I wonder what spurred the movement to her own title. Did they think Supergirl deserved it after such a long run? Was the plan to turn Adventure back into an anthology book so she needed to move?

Regardless of the reason, this was something of a mini-reboot for Supergirl. She had just quit her job as a reporter/cameraperson for a San Francisco television news crew. It was time for a new start. Despite having graduated from college, it seems that it was time for some more schooling.

And, as this was a new direction, Supergirl got a new creative team. Cary Bates wrote this issue and the bulk of this whole 10 issue run, with a few Arnold Drake and Bob Kanigher stories thrown into the mix. But, the real star of this series is artist Art Saaf who drew the most bodacious, curviest, most va-va-voom Supergirl to date. She really is stunning under his pencil.

There is no better panel to illustrate Saaf's approach to the character than this opening splash page. Kara is radiant as she soars above the Golden Gate Bridge.

But there is something very much cheesecake in this pose, a semi-brokeback view of both her pulchritude and her posterior, a teeny tiny waist. And I am still trying to figure out what is happening with her legs. Still, Saaf is a master of the bombshell Supergirl.

Her life as news reporter is over. So Supergirl is able "to pursue my real ambition ... at last".

Her "real ambition"? As a long time fan, I don't recall Linda pining to be doing something else.

Her real pursuit turns out the be acting? Acting??

And despite her time and degree at Stanhope, Linda hopes to learn her chops at Vandyre University, a school with a Drama major.

Suddenly Supergirl realizes that she needs to move in today! I don't know about Vandyre U. Writing a letter on September 13, sending it out via postal mail, to tell them they need to be in by September 15! Sounds dicey.

Of course, having superpowers makes moving a breeze. In moments, Supergirl has packed up all her stuff and moved it into the school's Delta Zan house (maybe a sorority).

Bates does a good job of setting up a supporting cast. Here we meet Aunt Rosie, the house mother. She seems like a kindly and motherly figure.

And Linda sees the stuff from her roommate Wanda Five, who Rosie call strange ... but nice.

Later, Linda heads to the drama class and is nearly run over by a woman running from the auditorium.

And then we get the first mystery of the book. Linda walks into the class, run by Basil Rasloff, a famous leading man from times past. I have to assume Basil Rasloff is a take off on Boris Karloff.

The scene involves a student 'dying' on stage. But it turns out the student has actually died!!

With no other lead, Supergirl decides to track down the girl who ran from the auditorium. She heads to the dean's office and superspeeds her way through the student files and discovers the person who ran from the scene is none other than Wanda Five!

There is a brief side plot where it turns out the student was being blackmailed. But the blackmailer is not the killer.

Later, Supergirl is drawn mentally to head to a graveyard where she meets Wanda.

It turns out that Wanda has some form of ESP. She was able to mentally concentrate on Supergirl and bring her to the cemetery. Wanda's ESP had kicked in right before the student died. She had rushed there to try to save him.

While talking, Wanda gets another surge of negative energy. Someone else is going to die.

In the goofiest scene, Supergirl streaks with Wanda to the scene. Another drama student is tied to a log heading into a buzzsaw at a lumber mill, like something out of a 1930's serial. Supergirl scoops up the log and makes two shocking discoveries. One, the giant buzzsaw is a plastic prop ... it isn't real. And two, the student is already dead.

Heading to the police station, Supergirl, Wanda, and the police review the crimes.

The first student, a drama major, was killed by poisoned face cream.

The second student, also a drama major, was killed by fear. He had an underlying cardiac condition and the fright of being on a log heading to a buzz saw killed him.

Hmmm ... two drama students killed in odd ways. What could the connection be?? Come on Supergirl, you're better than this.

Well, the connection is discovered. Both were planning a starring role in an upcoming project. And both plays are one which Basil Rathloff starred in.

And, incredibly, the school is planning a third big production of another play Rathloff was famous for. It is clear that Rathloff is killing off young actors doing his plays.

As if on cue, Wanda gets negative thought waves again. Someone is about to be killed. Supergirl begs Wanda for some clues to where it is happening. Luckily, she gets the clues of a crane on the construction site of the new math building.

At last we hear Basil's reasoning. He curses method acting, long hair, and mumbling voices. Hmmm ... I guess Rathloff would really really hate Marlon Brando!

You can tell that Rathloff has a flair for the dramatic in his murders.

The first student died from poison makeup. The second died from fright after being put in a classic hollywood death trap. And here, he is going to drop the last student from a crane onto a bed of nails! Did he make that bed of spikes? Because I can't imagine a reason for something like that to be anywhere like a construction site.

Luckily Supergirl shows up in time to save him and then take out Basil.

Overall, Basil is no threat to Supergirl in any way. This was really more of a mystery tale.

The book ends back in the Delta Zan house where in the last panels we meet the other housemates Sheila Wong and Terry Blake. That is a pretty diverse household for a comic from 1972. Love that about this book.

I love the last panel of Linda, her finger to her face in a classic Supergirl quirk when she is deep in thought. That is a truly lovely Linda.

And Wanda Five... who is she really?

Unfortunately, the Vandyre setting and these characters are never really the focus of this brief series which is more of a one-and-done random adventures.

This issue also had a page of Supergirl fan-designed costumes. Look at those bellbottoms in the lower right.

But more importantly, is the Paul C Ryan design from now famous veteran comic artist Paul Ryan??? The world wants to know!

For me, the big draw to this issue is the art by Saaf which really pops. I mean, a deranged actor isn't exactly Mongul. But it is fun to see Supergirl slightly de-aged again, set up in school, and learning to be an actress. I always kind of felt that her being a reporter in San Francisco was a little too close to Superman. I want Kara to be part of the family but not a clone of him.

This is a book of major importance for a Supergirl collection as it is her first true solo book. While this book lasted only 10 issues, it stands out for the Supergirl collector as her first time as a headliner.

Overall grade: B/B+

Happy Valentine's Day - Supergirl #7

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone out there! I hope romance is in the air for everyone.

Unfortunately for Supergirl, love has never come easy for her.Yes, she had relationships with Brainiac 5 and Dick Malverne but for the most part her romantic endeavors have ended up as failures. There are almost too many stories of failed romance to mention, especially early on in her history.

But, as it is Valentine's Day, I figured I would show one of them. And so, as a sort of anti-Valentine, I present Supergirl #7 from 1973, 'The Sinister Snowman'.

Now you might think from the Bob Oksner cover that Supergirl and Zatanna are vying for the affection of a Yeti. Luckily, that isn't the case. Instead, writer Bob Kanigher and artist Art Saaf give us a crazy story with the two heroes falling head-over-heels in love at first sight and the leading man acting like a cad. 

The book opens with a peace rally at Vandyre University where organizers are asking the students to donate to a prisoner of war fund.

I always find scenes like this historically fascinating. It is clear that the creators are talking about the Vietnam War. How interesting to see some political commentary in comics in this time period.

Linda 'Supergirl' Danvers doesn't get one of the bracelets bearing the name of one of the missing soldiers. She already is wearing a bracelet with the name Tony Martyn, a young man in the Peace Corps lost in the Himalayas for months.

Earlier in the year, Tony was rescued by Supergirl when his car careened off a mountainside road. When Supergirl sees the Tony she becomes immediately smitten. While the two never went out, Tony wrote to Supergirl (c/o Vandyre University) almost every day. His letters never seemed to let on whether he shared the same feelings that Supergirl had.

Unfortunately, Tony went missing soon after his Peace Corps assignment in the Himalayan mountains.

At the same time, Zatanna is also reminiscing about Tony who she met when he volunteered in one of her shows. She also was fall for Tony after just one look.

Unlike Supergirl, Tony has a bit more of a relationship with Zatanna. She describes her time with him as an 'enchanting romance'. But then Tony needs to go away to Himalayas leaving Zatanna heart-broken.

With Tony suddenly in the mind of both heroes, Supergirl and Zatanna each decide to fly to the distant mountains to try to find their missing man. They don't know that both love Tony. They don't know they both are going to rescue him. Uh oh ...

Supergirl arrives first and saves a small village from being flattened by a huge boulder tumbling down the mountain.

Grateful, the villagers tell Supergirl how they are forced to serve a demon named Orgox, a demon that lives higher on the mountain. Tony tried to help the villagers and set out to prove that the villagers are being duped and that Orgox isn't really a demon.

Supergirl also thinks that Orgox probably isn't really a demon. But more importantly, Supergirl knows that when she finds Orgox she'll probably also find Tony.

Pretty quickly, Supergirl discovers that Orgox may actually have some power. As Supergirl cruises around the mountain she is attacked by two Neanderthals. But these cavemen possess tremendous strength, grappling with Supergirl and forcing her deep into caves of the Himalayas. Showing some savvy use of her powers, Supergirl freezes the cavemen, stopping them in their tracks. With the caveman paralyzed, Supergirl can continue her search for Tony.

By this time, Zatanna has also arrived and run into some magical opponents as well. She is briefly captured by a giant ice eagle before using her sorcery to escape. The escape has worn her out though and she is about to succumb to the cold conditions of the mountain when Supergirl comes upon her and revives her.

At that point, the two heroes realize they are chasing the same man. At first they act catty to each other, but then realize they need to team up to save Tony from whatever has him.

After some searching, Orgox approaches with Tony. Just before Zatanna lashes out against Orgox, Supergirl stops her. Kara realizes that Tony's heart rate is too slow for someone running away from danger. Orgox has used illusions to make himself look like Tony and Tony to look like him. With the spell broken, Orgox stands before the two women.

Realizing he probably can't beat the combined might of Supergirl and Zatanna, Orgox decides his only chance at survival is to bring the entire mountain down around them. Zatanna's uses her magic to protect Supergirl, Tony, and herself. Orgox perishes under the weight of the rubble, in essence killing himself. Zatanna realizes that Orgox was indeed one of the 'old ones' who still walked the Earth.

Now why a powerful sorcerer/demon like Orgox would want to live on a high cold mountain getting offerings from poor villagers, I don't know. And speaking of those villagers ... did they also die when the mountain fell down?

So with Tony saved, who will he choose to share his love with: Zatanna or Supergirl?

In classic Supergirl-romance-style, the answer is neither. Tony can wait to get back to his 'new' fiance. How did he meet someone new up in these mountains? And didn't he have a romantic lunch with Zatanna the day before he left? Maybe the clue behind this whole thing is the spelling of fiance here, although I don't know if comics in the 1970s would be open to such an idea.

The bottom line is Supergirl is once again thwarted in her hopes for love.

This is a silly story without much long term impact on Supergirl's history so has a low importance for a Supergirl collection. I have always enjoyed Art Saaf's version of Supergirl; he draws a very nice Kara. I am not a fan of the slippers though. I like Supergirl in boots.

Anyways, Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Halloween!

This "Supergirl as Monster" moment, as drawn by Art Saaf, is from the 1972 series Supergirl #8. Not only does she have hair like a real medusa in the issue, but she has the petrifying gaze too!

Hope everyone has a happy and fun-filled Halloween!