Frank Cho Cover Girls Of The DCU Supergirl Statue

It has been quite some time since I have purchased anything for the Supergirl shrine I have. For one, I have no room on my current shelves for anything new. Plus, with the dismantling of DC Direct, it has felt like Supergirl merchandise has sort of slowed down. 

One item that has been on my radar for a while has been the DC Cover Girls statue designed by Frank Cho. I have always liked Cho's art. He doesn't draw Supergirl often so this had a lot of appeal.

This last June was something of a monumental one for me for a couple of reasons so I decided I needed a little gift to myself. And when I saw the statue on sale for 50% off at Big Bad Toy Store, I jumped. 

I love this statue.

The box is pretty slick with close-ups of the statue as well as a full figure shot.

But I honestly don't get excited about the box. 

So onto the statue itself.

DC Comics December 2019 Solicits

The DC Comics December solicits came out last week and there are a lot of interesting things to comment on. I am surprised that a couple of these were almost stealth announcements rather than trumpeted in the usual manner.

Here is a link to Newsarama's total coverage:
https://www.newsarama.com/46928-dc-comics-december-2019-solicitations.html

One thing that I didn't see much of was some fallout from Event Leviathan. It looks like the plan is to move on. That isn't a knock. More an observation. I also suppose that with the ending unknown, any announcement might be tipping their hat.

On to some books.

SUPERGIRL #37
written by JODY HOUSER
art by RACHAEL STOTT
cover by BENGAL
card stock variant cover by DERRICK CHEW

Infected Supergirl strikes! After Supergirl protects Superman from getting infected by the Batman Who Laughs virus, she gets infected herself...and accepts this new version of herself with pride! With Batman and Superman claiming to want to “cure” her to cover up that she had to protect Superman, and the Batman Who Laughs wanting to use her in his own plans, which side will Supergirl choose? Or will she forge a whole new alliance?

All right. First stealth announcment.

A new Supergirl creative team.
Gone is Marc Andreyko and gone is Kevin Maguire.

In is Jody Houser (who co-wrote the back end of Steve Orlando's run) and Rachael Stott.

I found Marc Andreyko's run an uneven mess. I didn't quite know his take on Supergirl as her emotions swung like a pendulum. She was often too dark. And it never seemed like it was Kara's book. So I won't necessarily be grieving here.

You think DC would really be promoting an all female creative team on Supergirl in some fashion. But I guess it is classic DC to not take advantage of something positive.

I also have to say good luck to Houser who comes onto the book when Supergirl is possessed by evil. I am glad to see Bengal back on covers. I hope this isn't a one-off.

On to more books.

Baltimore Comic-Con: Adam Hughes Commission And Other Tid-Bits

Well, I went to the Baltimore Comic-Con with a list of commissions I wanted to get, comics I wanted to get autographed, and questions for some creators I was hoping to get answered. I think I did quite well with all of those hopes. But one thing I never expected to get was an Adam Hughes' commission even if it was a quick head sketch. It is unreal how much grace he can convey here.

Hughes runs a tight ship with certain times blocked out for issue signings and head sketches. I was first in line for his last session of the con, and got in line at 3PM for the start time of 4PM. While in line I watched him finish a Jean Grey Phoenix commission that was fantastic. Earlier in the day, while walking by his booth, I watched him finishing a Supergirl commission that was eye-popping. In fact, Hughes' booth always has a crowd around it, people just soaking in his ability as he works his way through his commission list.

This quick sketch cost me a $20 donation to an English Sheepdog rescue charity (there is a minimum $5 donation but I threw in the extra because I was pretty pumped). I thought that was a nice thingfor Hughes to do. I still might try one day to get a 'real' commission from him.

Supergirl and the LSH #23 autographed by Mark Waid, Barry Kitson, and Adam Hughes

I was also happy to get this issue signed by Hughes as well as Mark Waid and Barry Kitson. That Supergirl cover is just iconic.

As for some other tidbits ...

It was sort of crest-fallen to find out that Amanda Conner was not doing any commissions in Baltimore. I was so hoping to get something from her. She shared a booth with her husband Jimmy Palmiotti and that booth had to be one of the busiest ones at the con. There was always ... I mean ALWAYS ... a line to get up to them for some face time. As a result, there was also a little bit of pressure to 'keep the line moving' so I didn't have much time to chat with either of them. One thing I did find out is that Conner is using the cover of Supergirl's first appearance in Action Comics #252 as the template for the DC 75th Variant cover of Supergirl # 58. It is a safe choice for the variant and I am interested to see her take on it.

I also was able to ask J.G. Jones what emotion he was trying to invoke with this cover of Final Crisis #3 which you may recall was vilified by some as showing an overly sexualized or stupid Supergirl. You may I also recall that I loved the cover thinking it showed some fear on Supergirl's face, the finger to the mouth an homage to Jim Mooney.

Jones was surprised by the reaction to the cover. He tried to paint what he thought Supergirl would look like if she saw Darkseid 'falling through the universe' on the horizon ... a mix of shock and fear.

Supergirl Movie Adaptation autographed by cover artist Jose Luis Garcia Lopez

I made my pitch to Frank Cho for a 'quick sketch' ... a $50 dollar donation to the HERO initiative for a five minute commission. Alas, and not surprisingly, he said no. I will keep asking every time I see him though.

Lastly, I was able to ask Marv Wolfman if he was surprised that the cover of Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 has become the image of Crisis. He admitted 'yes' but quickly added that it is a great cover, a great image.

But the best part of this convention was being able to meet and talk all things Supergirl with Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle.

So overall, it was a tremendous experience at the Baltimore Comic-Con, one I hope to enjoy again some day.

Baltimore Comic-Con Wishes

Well, a week from now I will be standing in line to get into the Baltimore Comic-Con. I cannot tell you how pumped I am to be heading there. This is one of those conventions where I don't even know if I will be looking at the dealers. There are so many creators to rub elbows with.

I have posted about the primary targets I have for commissions as well as questions I hope to pose to some of the creators there.

Now I figured I would post some of the things I wish will happen although they are highly unlikely. May as well have a game plan just in case.

1) A third Jamal Igle commission:

I have never met Jamal Igle but I already have 2 commissions by him, both obtained when friends of mine went to conventions he was attending. They are both Supergirl in the Matrix style costume I prefer, although one appears older and sterner than the one posted above.

I actually am hoping to get a Linda Lang commission from him figuring that is both unique to my collection and sort of a celebration of the current run of the book.

The best scenario would be that one of the other commissions I obtain finishes relatively early so that I can give Igle one of my sketch books late Saturday or first thing Sunday.

Of all the wishes, this one probable will happen.

2) A Frank Cho commission:

This is highly unlikely as I don't think Cho does commissions. I really love his work and getting anything from him would be a coup.

I am trying to think of ways to get something ... even if it is a '3 minute sketch'. Maybe by donating to the HERO initiative or the CBLDF in his name?

This is a pipe dream ... I know.

3) A Matt Wagner commission:

I love Wagner's classical look in his art. I loved Mage. I loved Trinity. I loved his writing in Sandman Mystery Theater and Madame Xanadu. I think he is a legend in the field.

I have no idea of Wagner does commissions but at the very least it will be extremely cool to meet him.

So those are the wishes. The con is a week away and I hope to do some live blogging there!

Final Destination of the Frank Cho Supergirl

Kudos to comic book fans everywhere who helped saved Jerry Siegel's childhood home by donating at http://www.ordinarypeoplechangetheworld.com/. The total dollars collected was twice the goal.

As you may recall the above piece of art by Frank Cho was one of the many excellent items up for auction to raise money and went for a hefty $7500.

Well, I had wondered who exactly ended up with such a great piece of art and Newsarama had the answers. Here is the link about Robert Erwin who works at Pi Studios, a computer game company: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/100812-SiegelHouseWinner.html

He bought a bunch of stuff and is giving most of it to his employees. Here is a quick blurb.

I was already impressed with Robert Erwin for being the no-one-even-came-close biggest booster of the auction. He just about saved the house himself with almost $50,000 on the biggest items.

So I contacted him to see what he was going to do with all the fantastic art and special items he won and was blown away. Why?

He's giving them to friends and his employees at Pi Studios in Houston, a computer game software development company.

The one piece Erwin is keeping for himself is the Supergirl drawing by Frank Cho ($7,500.) "I'm a big fan of Frank Cho," he said. "I think Frank is one of the most talented artists in the industry. I love Liberty Meadows, and all Frank's work. I have a Ms. Marvel piece he did that looks exactly like my ex-girlfriend."

Now if I had a spare $7500, I might have thought about bidding. No chance of that though. Glad it went to a fan!

I did have a spare $20 and got this nifty mug.

Supergirl Does Her Part To Save Siegel House

Last week I talked about Brad Metzler's efforts to save Jerry Siegel's home including great items being put up on Ebay.

The EBay auction for the Frank Cho Supergirl ended with the winning bid being $7500!!

Auctions are going up weekly and this item garnered about 5 times the money as anything else put up in week 3. Supergirl fans are sooo generous!

An nice Amanda Conner piece of Supergirl, Power Girl, and Superman also brought in a nice amount, $1081.

Again, the link to donate and help save the Siegel home is http://www.ordinarypeoplechangetheworld.com/

Frank Cho Supergirl to Help Jerry Siegel

For those who aren't aware, Brad Metzler ( of Identity Crisis and Justice League fame as well as best-selling novelist) is running a campaign to re-furbish Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel's childhood home, the Cleveland house where Siegel dreamed up the Big Red 'S'. Let's face it, this is the place that Superman was born. It deserves to be in tip-top shape and adorned with a plaque or monument and it is apparent that the local government isn't interested in helping.

Metzler, God bless him, decided to help. Feel free to go to Metzler's web-site (http://www.ordinarypeoplechangetheworld.com/) to read about this effort in-depth and find different ways you can donate to save the place.

One of the things Metzler has done to raise funds is commission famous comic artists and writers to donate items for EBay auctions. They are all beautiful and fantastic and include too many big names and too many drool-worthy items to even start a list. But for fans of this blog, the Frank Cho Supergirl above just takes the cake! I have always wanted to see how Cho would draw Kara and I am not disappointed. I love the playful look on her face. I also don't mind the short shorts she's sporting opposed to the usual skirt.

Here is the Ebay link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Frank-Cho-Original-Supergirl-Artwork-10-x-17_W0QQitemZ250291433174QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item250291433174&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

As of this writing bidding has reached $3150. Ah well, as much as I think it is beautiful, I can't afford it. The auction closes on 9/23 for any readers with deep pockets. Hopefully they will make more affordable prints of these items which might garner more contributions.

Still, there are lots of other ways to donate, from purchasing shirts and mouse pads to just pledging money. Every little bit helps! I bought a nifty big coffee mug.

Frank Cho signs exclusive with Marvel

So maybe not specifically Supergirl news but Newsarama has an interview with Frank Cho about his re-upping his exclusive contract with Marvel. Here is the link:

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080729-FchoExclusive.html

Cho is 'deliberate in his pace' and is most famous for drawing bodacious women in various stages of undress. Still, I think his art is beautiful and have always wished he would work for DC. I have even wondered what his take on Supergirl would be.

Then I read this quote in the interview.

Frank Cho: My exclusive contract with Marvel ran out in March and Marvel was happy with my work on their characters, so they offered me another exclusive contract when the old contract ran out. It's funny, I was in talks with DC Comics to do a prestige Wonder Woman/Power Girl/Supergirl team-up mini-series which I was going to draw and co-write with my good friend Jimmy Palmiotti, but Marvel came around with an incredible offer that I couldn't refuse.

Now Jimmy Palmiotti wrote, in my opinion, the worst issue of Supergirl ever written in her near 40 yrs of existence ... the odious Supergirl 12.

So I don't think this mini-series project would make anyone forget Watchmen.

Still ....

Still ...

Still ....

Okay, that's enough.

Suffice it to say I would probably buy it just for the art. And hopefully this post will be the closest I get to the stereotypical fanboy lusting after super-heroines.

Still (guess it wasn't enough) ...

I have to say I am disappointed this project won't happen.