Supergirl Hype Reel

The Flash movie is coming out in under two months from now. The second trailer hit a while ago, really showcasing the two multiverse co-stars of Batman (played by Michael Keaton) and Supergirl (played by Sasha Calle). 

Now I have to admit, I have grabbed me. This movie looks great. And Calle looks awesome in the suit. She says her name is Kara, so that puts her in as Supergirl. The short dark hair makes her the Clark analogue in this Flashpoint universe. She looks all the hero, wading right into battle and reminding people that the symbol she wears means hope.

I mean it sincerely ... I want this movie to succeed. I need this movie to be great.

I think because the guest stars have sort of dominated the trailer and the fan zeitgeist (well, mostly Keaton as Batman saying some very Keaton Batman lines), DC has decided to recognize and celebrate our favorite Supergirl.

So last week a Supergirl hype reel was put together and released by DC. Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIkx6CGrOaA

And some comments.

Rhode Island Comic Con Wrap-Up

I consider myself a con veteran. I prepare meticulously and try to be ready. I often have the experience mapped out mentally as I enter. Yes ... I know ... insanity.

And every so often I am delightfully surprised.

I went to the Rhode Island Comic Con this weekend with very little expectations. There weren't many comic creators on the guest list. And I only had a couple of issues for signature from that limited guest list. I honestly went more because it is an annual trip for me and my brother (he is a huge Star Wars fan so we cover a swath of cons like this).

My plans were simple.

Meet Laura Vandervoort again, have her sign a Smallville comic, and not be a nervous blathering idiot like I was the first time I met her.

Meet Kevin Nash, founding member of the NWO and one of my favorite wrestlers.

Get single issues signed by Kevin Eastman and Bob Layton.

A commission wasn't even on my radar but luck favors the prepared so I chucked my main sketch book into my bag and off I went.

Bear with me because the best stuff happened at the end.

SuperMegaFest And Laura Vandervoort

The spring New England Super Megafest is the unofficial start of my con season. The event is more about celebrities and pop culture than it is about comics. There usually aren't a lot of creators to get sigs from. And commission wants are even rarer.

As a result, it is usually a nice, easy-going day to seek out the few folks I want to see, thumb through some comic boxes, and generally have a non-stress convention experience.

This year was a little different in that the big draw for me was a celebrity. Laura Vandervoort was appearing! Folks hopefully know what a fan I am of hers. She played a strong, proactive, less moping Kryptonian on Smallville, often outshining her more famous cousin. I liked her on V. I thought Elena was a great protagonist on Bitten. And, of course, she was Indigo on last season's Supergirl.

Seriously. How could I not go meet Supergirl?

I got there early enough that I was the first at her table and got to talk a little bit about Smallville and Bitten.

She seemed to agree that Kara having total mastery of her powers made her detract from Kal and so she needed to be sent away. Just think of all they did - amnesia, sent away, and ultimately cast into the future so 'Clark could fulfill his destiny'.

I also talked just for a bit about Bitten.

With no big comic creators to spend my money on, I opted to get a second autograph, this time on Smallville Season 11 #14, a book which spotlighted Kara on the cover. She liked the cover and flipped through the book which was pretty cool too.

I don't often get star-struck but I am pretty sure that my brother who witnessed the interaction would say I was a little bit nervous. Weird. I guess you can take the boy out of the old man, but you can't take the fanboy.

Anyways, I also got some comic signatures from Bob Wiacek.

That means my Uncanny Xmen #171 now has sigs from the main trifecta - Claremont, Simonson, and Wiacek!

Now the big question ... Terrificon or Boston Comic Con or both?

Supergirl Episode 19: Myriad

Supergirl Episode 19 'Myriad' aired this week, the penultimate episode for this first season. It seems like just yesterday we were seeing the poster put on the WB water tower and (not) watching the leaked pilot. And here we are a week away from the finale ... maybe a show finale. We still don't know if there will be a season two.

Now there is a lot to like about this episode. There is some action. There is a great cliffhanger. And most importantly, there is a lot of Supergirl philosophy in the dialogue. Do the ends justify the means? How do you fight evil without becoming evil? What is stronger than fear? And are heroes perfect and infallible? These questions and concepts are what make me love Supergirl as a character. So seeing the writers, producers, and actors showcase these ideas makes me very happy.

That doesn't mean this is a perfect episode by any means. There are a lot of plot holes that you need to just gloss over. If you think too hard about things, you're bound to start thinking about ways this episode could have played out more realistically. But if you can buy super-powered individuals, phantom zones, living internet women, and aliens living among us, maybe you can look past some plot lapses.

As usual, the acting on the show is wonderful. Melissa Benoist really shows range again. She is frustrated, scared, and angry. She is doubtful at time, resolute at others. Calista Flockhart shines as well. As Cat she has to play the cold, distant boss. And yet, we have seen her open up and be vulnerable. A scene where Cat and Kara talk about hope is the high point of this episode.

On to the show.

Supergirl Episode 15: Solitude

Episode 15 of the Supergirl show was aptly named 'Solitude'. Not only do we get to see the Fortress of Solitude, we see each character dealing with relationships which have or are about to splinter. Early in the show, Supergirl learned the lesson 'Stronger Together'. This episode is her learning that lesson again.

No doubt, there is plenty of character progression here for all the characters. Everyone's solo stories and plots are moved forward here nicely. But there is also the progression of the overall arc as well. We learn about some of Supergirl's past. We learn about Fort Rozz and Non. And we see some of Non's plans.

Sandwiched into all of that are a wheelbarrow full of Easter Eggs, homages, and pop culture references. I will try to cover those that resonated the most with me because I don't think I could comment on them all.

If I have had one quibble with this show, it is that occasionally things feel rushed. Again, everybody's plot moved forward here, some more quickly than I anticipated. But with 5 episodes left and no second season announced yet, the writers probably feel they don't have any breathing room to let things simmer.

I may be burying the lede here but it was great to see Laura Vandervoort on the show. She was wickedly delicious as Indigo, a rather passionate living computer.

Supergirl Show News From TCA 2016 - Vandervoort! Master Jailer! Alan Moore!

I haven't covered all the news and casting but when it comes as fast and furious as it did 2 days ago, I feel I need to comment. Especially because this news is so fantastic that I felt compelled to discuss it. At the Television Critics Association tour on Monday, the Supergirl show crew announced some bombshells. This Entertainment Weekly article does a good job of recapping them:
http://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/11/supergirl-laura-vandervoort-indigo-master-jailer

Settle in, there was a lot of news. And of course I have lots of things to say about so many of these. So some blurbs from the article will be followed by my usual banter.

Laura Vandervoort has been signed to star on the show starting in episode 15. She has been cast as Indigo. Indigo was a Titan who started out as an innocent robot but was then revealed to be Brainiac 8, sent back in time to kill Donna Troy. But here is the blurb describing her in the show.

Indigo is described by producers as a living, strong-willed supercomputer who was sentenced to Fort Rozz after turning against the people of Krypton. Now on Earth, Indigo will let nothing stand in her way.

“She’s badass,” executive producer Andrew Kreisberg says. “She’s going to look awesome. Definitely not going to look just like Laura. Being one aspect of the Brainiac program, she comes in through computers, so Winn is actively involved in that episode. She has a very interesting backstory. She was one of the Fort Rozz prisoners, but how she came to be and how she ended up on the prison, and what she’s been doing on Earth is part of the fun and the surprise of the episode.”

I am pretty pumped to have Vandervoort on the show, continuing the nice sense of legacy in the show. And bringing in a Brainiac derivative is great. Can't wait to see more. But let's be honest. We all know what we want.

We now have the chance to see all three actresses who have played Kara all together in one scene! This better happen!!

In other villain news, soap star Jeff Branson has been cast as the Master Jailer. In the comics, the Jailer was Carl 'Moosey' Draper, a brilliant scientist who grew up in Smallville, insanely jealous of Superboy and obsessed with Lana Lang. Here is the blurb from the article.

Jeff Branson will recur as the forceful and unrelenting jail guard on Fort Rozz who showed no mercy. Now on Earth, he is hellbent on catching all of the Fort Rozz escapees and brutally bringing them to justice.

One thing I like about this is that here he is one of the staff on Fort Rozz. I was wondering if there were any good guys on that prison. It'll be interesting to see if he has been hunting (and maybe executing) the Rozz escapees during all these years. Maybe be will play another ethical foil to Supergirl.

Lastly, in what I think is a brilliant move, the show will riff on the famous Alan Moore story 'For the Man Who Has Everything" in episode 13. In that story in Superman Annual #11 (a story everyone should read), Superman is given a vision of what Krypton would be like had it not exploded. It isn't all rosy. Kara has a bit part in the story, maybe something for me to highlight later. As for the Supergirl show:

“There was something about that particular story that, to me, was almost even more resonant for her,” Kreisberg said, noting that it’s a good guess that this will be the episode that features young Kal-El. “For Superman, when it happens to him, it’s his wish for something that he never had. But for her, she wants something back that was taken from her. It really is like her stepping into this fantasy of what life would’ve been like if she had never left Krypton and had grown up there, if her parents were still alive, if she had grown into the person and the life that she wanted to lead. Again, because it’s coming at a time where she’s feeling so low about her life on Earth, it becomes that much more potent… She’s actually getting back everything that was taken away from her and the only way out of it is to reject it. Imagine how horrible that’s going to be.”

Everything Kreisberg says makes perfect sense. She remembers Krypton. She would have an understanding of what life would be like. This is something she would truly want, unlike Kal who has no memories of the place. I can't wait to see this. Given how hard it was for Superman to reject the vision in the story, I am sure it is going to rip out Kara's heart. And this gives Melissa Benoist another juicy emotional scene for us to see.This also is a good explanation for the casting of a young Kal-El, news we heard about a while ago.

I don't know if they will do the 'Black Mercy' flower as the explanation for this dream. Could it be a telepath? Coma?

Lastly, we finally get confirmation that the Jane Doe in 'Blood Bonds' is BizarroGirl. Over on CBR, we get news of episode 12 called simply 'Bizarro'. Here is the article:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/kara-battles-a-bizarro-version-of-herself-in-supergirl-episode-12-synopsis

And the blurb:
"Bizarro" – Kara faces off against her mirrorimage when Bizarro (Hope Lauren), a twisted version of Supergirl, sets out to destroy her. Also, Kara grows closer with Cat’s son, Adam (Blake Jenner), on SUPERGIRL, Monday, Feb. 1 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

I don't know much about Hope Lauren but she certainly looks enough like Melissa Benoist to fool people from a distance. My guess is Max Lord unleashes her to besmirch Supergirl's character. I also bet that she starts out looking normal and slowly 'bizarro-fies' over the episode until she dies at the end. Let's see if I'm right.

Anyways, nothing not to love about any of this news. Laura Vandervoort!!!  

Hollywood Legacy Supergirls On The New Supergirl Show

One of the things I like is that there is this sort of growing Hollywood legacy around Supergirl these days. And the actors who have portrayed her don't shy away from their history with the character.

So it was great in the wake of Melissa Benoist being cast as Supergirl to see a couple of Supergirl veterans step up to discuss the show and congratulate Benoist.

First off, Blastr caught up with Helen Slater to discuss her playing Supergirl in the 1984 movie and her thoughts on the show. Please read the whole interview to hear her talk about the getting the role and how she prepared for it. Here is the link:http://www.blastr.com/2015-1-22/exclusive-helen-slater-reveals-how-she-became-1st-supergirl-talks-cbs-reboot

And here is what she said when asked if she would want to be on the new Supergirl show: 

"I think that would be such a thrill," she exclaimed. "Having been on Smallville and being at these conventions, the fans just love it so much. They love when there's any kind of crossover, or 'Oh my gosh, she was in the original, or he was.' I think the writing has gotten a lot smarter now ... somehow they've cracked the code or something to have a really great sense of humor, but have it still be smart and not pandering to a younger audience. It seems like something has changed." 

Slater believes the new show could reignite Supergirl's legacy. "I just have great faith that they'll figure it out in this CBS world ... they just sound super talented, so fingers crossed." 

Now it would be easy to have Slater play Alura in flashbacks. But I think that might be too easy.

I would rather see her in a different role. And my choice would be as Dr. Jenet Klyburn of S.T.A.R. Labs. Klyburn has a nice history in the DCU and Slater would bring some depth to the role.

And Laura Vandervoort, who last played Supergirl on television, extended her congratulations to Benoist on Twitter.

I love that Vandervoort has a connection to the character. And given how much the Supergirl fandom appreciates and loves Vandervoort, I would love for her to also appear on the show. Maybe as 'Kitty' Faulkner/Rampage? Or maybe Laurel Gand from the future?

Anyways, I am thrilled that there is now a sort of family tree with Supergirl in Hollywood. You can throw Nicolle Tom, Summer Glau and Molly Quinn into the mix. Quite a talented group!

IGN's Interview With Laura Vandervoort At New York Comic Con

There was very little Supergirl news coming out of New York Comic Con. And I have to say that surprised me.

The comic is just about to kick off a bold new direction. Kate Perkins is taking over the primary writing job and is only the second woman to write Supergirl. Emanuela Lupacchino is the artist. Things are going to be very different. You would think that with general comic panel and a Women in Comics panel strictly for DC that the book would have got a little publicity. But nothing.

And let's not forget that CBS has picked up a Supergirl show for next season. Now it is early. But surely there could be something official about the show. But nothing there either.

There was one thing that I did stumble across which was this interview that IGN did with Laura Vandervoort where they talk about her show Bitten as well as her thoughts on Supergirl. Here is the link:
http://www.ign.com/videos/2014/10/09/laura-vandervoort-talks-cbss-supergirl-show-and-fan-encounters-nycc-2014

Please visit the site.

I am a fan of Vandervoort and I love that she feels some attachment to the Supergirl character. So I have a couple of comments about this interview.

I love that she talks about whoever is taking over the role should pick something that resonates personally about Supergirl and bring that to the character. With Vandervoort I think she brought that strive for justice, even a fierce edge about it. She was great as Kara.

But I do like that she acknowledges that everyone has a sense of what Supergirl should be like. As I always point out here, Supergirl is a complicated character. Is she sweet and innocent? Bright and optimistic? Fallible as a new hero? Fierce crusader of justice? All of the above? And there is a subset of her fandom which think she should be primarily one of those categories.

I am glad Vandervoort went with the fierce aspect.

Vandervoort also wouldn't mind guest starring on the Supergirl show if they would have her. As she says, Smallville did a great job with that, bringing in Terence Stamp as Jor-El, Helen Slater as Lara-El, and Christopher Reeve as Dr. Virgil Swann.

For me, I wouldn't mind seeing her as a villain (something she says in the interview). And if I had to pick one that has some Supergirl history, I would pick The Enchantress.

Poll Results: Which Is Your Favorite Non-Comic Interpretation Of Supergirl

In the wake of the Supergirl television show announcement, I thought I would look back at the other non-comic incarnations of the character. And as I like to get a feel for the Supergirl fandom, I thought I would open it up as a poll to the blog's audience.

It turns out that, for the most part, Supergirl has been treated very well in live action and animated features. There is something commendable in almost every interpretation. And as a result, this poll (my most popular on the blog) was a close race. 
 
Do you like the grace, optimism, and innocence of Helen Slater in the Supergirl movie?
The complete hero's journey we see over the years of animated series in the Timm-Verse?
The fierce nature and proactive stance of Laura Vandervoort in Smallville?
The need to protect and mete out justice as portrayed by Molly Quinn in Unbound?

If anything, looking at these versions, it shows me just how complex Supergirl is as a character. That may be why DC struggles and only the finest creators can grasp her. Supergirl can be graceful and optimistic. And she can be fierce and protective. And she can be on the hero's journey. It might be tough to merge all those aspects ... but it isn't impossible. Look at Paul Kupperberg and Peter David and Sterling Gates stories and you'll see.

96 of you voted and I thank you all. As I always say, this isn't a statistically significant number of voters ... but it is a damn good focus group!

The poll was open for a week. The Timm-verse Supergirl jumped out to a quick lead with Helen Slater pushing her for a bit. But as the week closed, the animated features rocketed forward especially the Unbound movie.

The poll closed and the Timm-Verse Supergirl remained on top. But looking at the percentages, things were close and all the versions had their proponents.

I am not surprised by the Timm win. Given the luxury of time, we actually see the whole spectrum of Supergirl in this universe.

In the beginning on Superman:The Animated Series, Kara is an eager young hero hoping to reach past the borders of the Kent farm. This feels like the Silver Age Supergirl trying to get out of the orphanage and into heroing.

Then in the early Justice League Unlimited episodes, she is more established but fierce and proactive. She will jump into the fray earlier than Superman, often to try to bring about justice more quickly. The episode where she flies to meet the returning Amazo in the upper atmosphere shows exactly who she is. While everyone else waits for Amazo to come to Earth, she decides to be proactive and bring the fight to the android. Perfect.

And then, in the later episodes, we see the completion of this Kara's hero's journey. She is mature enough to be her own hero. She isn't stuck in Superman's shadow. She is her own person. And she chooses her own destiny, joining the Legion in the future.

If I ranked them ... the Anj list ... it would go like this.

1) Timm verse
2a) Supergirl the Movie - Helen Slater
2b) Smallville - Laura Vandervoort
3) Unbound - Molly Quinn
4) Apocalypse

Thanks again for everyone who voted.

And soooooo sorry that I left off Lauren Faust's Super Best Friends Forever!

Poll: Favorite Film/TV Interpretation of Supergirl

With the recent announcement of a Supergirl television show we are all wondering exactly what sort of Supergirl we'll see on the new Greg Berlanti/Ali Adler show. The initial blurb says she will become the hero she was meant to be which leads me to think she won't be the angry isolated New 52 version.

Thinking about the new show reminded me that Supergirl has had a handful of other incarnations on the big and small screens. So I figured we could look back at those other versions of Kara, many of them from the recent past. And, to add to the fun, I thought you could vote on which 'outside of comics' Supergirl interpretation is your favorite.

Let's start at the beginning!

1) Supergirl movie starring Helen Slater - I think the Supergirl movie has a special place in the hearts of all Supergirl fans. It is completely campy. The plot makes little sense. The villain feels like she would fit right in on the old Batman television show, crazy with a headquarters at an abandoned carnival.

But the movie is saved by Helen Slater. She just embodies the optimism and grace and determination of Supergirl. She really is Supergirl here. This is the first appearance of the 'Matrix' style costume. And it includes Linda Lee, Midvale High, and a rubbish boyfriend.

Can Slater's performance trump the sheer lunacy of the movie to have this be your favorite Supergirl outside of comics?

2) Timmverse Supergirl - I have to believe that DC Animated Producer Bruce Timm is a Supergirl fan. He made sure to introduce Supergirl in both Superman the Animated Series and the subsequent Justice League Unlimited. This was Kara In-Ze, from the planet Argo, a planet in Krypton's solar system.

And Timm really had this Kara grow over the course of these series. The early episodes of S:TAS show a young, eager, almost impetuous young girl desperately trying to help. We see her befriend Batgirl in a famous Batman:The Animated Series episode. And then in JLU, we see something of an older and wiser Kara. Initially she is still a bit of a hothead. But over the series, we see her mature. We see her confront some demons when she battles Galatea. We see her acting like the veteran compared to Stargirl. And ultimately, she completes the hero's journey, joining the Legion in the future. If people want to see an arc of a character, this is where to go. 

As Timm said (somewhere) and I am paraphrasing "I don't care what people say, Supergirl kicked ass."

I am very partial to this incarnation of Supergirl.

3) Smallville - I have issues with how Clark was portrayed in the Smallville show feeling that he moped and sulked around before finally ... FINALLY ... being a hero!

But I have very few issues about how Supergirl was portrayed on the show. And much of that strength is thanks to Laura Vandervoort. She made Supergirl a strong, proactive, and heroic character. She was the perfect foil to Clark. While he was running around as a blur, she was in your face in her costume.

Unfortunately, Clark was the star. So as a result, this Supergirl had to lose her memory, hang out with Lex, and eventually leave the present time, heading into the future to join the Legion so that Clark would be 'free' to achieve his destiny.

Still, when she was active ... she was fantastic. And I liked the variable 'costumes' she wore. If any one of these non-comic interpretations show that a Supergirl show would work, it is Smallville and Vandervoort's performance

4) Superman/Batman:Apocalypse -This movie made by DC Animation is basically a retelling of the Jeph Loeb/Michael Turner comic arc which reintroduced the Kara Zor-El Supergirl to the DCU.

Visually, this is a great movie. I love the way this Supergirl looks, with wisps of blonde hair and (occasionally) a big smile. She is voiced by Summer Glau who does a great job getting across the young hero. And Glau gives the movie some street cred.

That said, this is the story where she is brainwashed by Darkseid and becomes a dirty girl for a short period of time. She does get in a decent fight with Darkseid at the end. And the movie does smooth out some of the rougher spots of the Loeb plot.

Superman Unbound - This was a movie based on Geoff Johns' Brainiac storyline. There is a lot to like about this version of Supergirl as well. She is a bit scarred by the Brainiac attacks on Krypton. But she channels that into a desire for justice. She is more proactive that the Smallville Kara. She ends up saving the world by stopping Brainiac solar missile. And the performance by Molly Quinn is fantastic.

I also think the overall look of Supergirl in this movie is slick as well.

Okay, those are the other non-comic versions of Supergirl. So let me know which one you like best. And vote on the poll over on the right.

Cat Staggs' Supergirl Smallville Costume And Cover Designs

It has been great to see Supergirl in the Smallville comic.

Writer Bryan Q. Miller has been able to tap into the strength of the character, showcasing the pro-active heroing that we saw on the series, so wonderfully portrayed by Laura Vandervoort.

I love getting behind the scenes stuff about the creative process in comics, so I appreciated seeing these pages in the last print issue of Smallville, looking at Cat Staggs' design of Kara's 30th century costume and a digital cover design.

The idea of Supergirl being the focus of a propaganda poster is fascinating. Seeing this regal, strong Supergirl standing in front of the Krypton flag looking out on to the horizon is a powerful visual.

I would love to have seen a more complete version of the first concept thumbnail up top. That really has a propaganda feel to it.

As for the print cover, I love Pete Woods 'Supergirl rallying cry' which ended up being the final one. But boy, I love concept A, a riff on Action Comics #1. I also love concept D, the super-cousins literally stuck between two worlds. Both would have worked.

I also liked Staggs' military-style costume that Supergirl sports in these issues. The duster overcoat is reminiscent of Trinity in the Matrix. For me, it gives an aura of impending crazy action. It also allows some cape-like movement and visuals without being a cape. Slick. Congratulations to Staggs for adding another variant costume to Kara's history!

I will say the back of the costume without the coat seems needlessly busy.

I do wonder if Pete Woods was thinking of Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People when he drew this cover.

'Supergirl Devotion' By Steve Garcia

Thanks to Bleeding Cool for showcasing the motivational silhouette posters by artist Steve Garcia. Here is a link to that original article: http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/05/06/steve-garcia-silhouettes-the-justice-league/

In heading over to Garcia's website you get to see just how many of these great posters he has made. It is well worth perusing to see if he made one for your favorite character: http://web.stagram.com/n/s_garcia92

I thought this Supergirl poster, like all of Garcia's pieces, was visually engaging, just grabbing the eye. 'Devotion' is an interesting word to describe Supergirl. Devoted to family. Devoted to justice and doing what's right. I like it. I like how you sense that she is looking out towards the horizon, hopeful.

I think the lower negative silhouette is based on this classic photo promoting Laura Vandervoort as she was beginning her run on Smallville as Supergirl.

The main image looks so familiar that I wonder if it was based on anything. The closest I can come to it (and it clearly isn't this) was the cover to Supergirl #50.

Still it is a very nice piece. I am glad he made one for Kara.

Some know that I have a soft spot in my heart for Professor Zoom, one of my all time favorite villains. This is beautiful.

And blog friend Diabolu Frank covers not only the Martian Manhunter poster on his Idol-Head of Diabolu but also has links to a bunch of other posters on other blogs. I like how J'onn's word is Empathy ... maybe a throwback to a kinder gentler Manhunter?

Some More Bullet Points

Just some quick observations and links in this heavy week of reviews.

I have added upcoming Supergirl artist Mahmud Asrar's blog in my blog roll. Here is a recent post of the cover to Supergirl #1: http://www.mahmudasrar.com/2011/06/supergirl-1-cover-bw.html

And here is what he had to say about it:

Here's the cover image to Supergirl #1 without the colours. This is my first official marker cover. The whole book will be rendered with this style.

I don't know if that means his art will be pencil and markers rather than more classic pencil/ink.  I still don't know about the boots. But visuals are the least of my concerns here.

This is a sort of old interview on the great Comic Vine website (I love that place). Here are their questions with DC executives Bob Harras and Eddie Berganza:
http://www.comicvine.com/news/bob-harras-eddie-berganza-reveal-the-reason-for-dcs-revamped-titles/143212/

And this question which interested me:

CV: Part of the revamp is giving characters new identities. I know that in the solicit for the upcoming Supergirl series, she seems like a completely different character...

Eddie: Well she's still the same character, we're just going down to her core. Looking at the characters at their core, looking at them in these new situations that we're creating and seeing how they would react to other characters. We're taking everything back to 'who is this character, how would he or she react to certain situations,' and that's really how we developed some of these new directions.

Bob: We've also been very conscious of making this reality for the real world. Like, what would the reaction be of people coming from outer space with these powers? It's not all gonna be welcomed. So that's the challenge these heroes are faced with and the fact that they continue to be here is the story we're striving to tell.

So, according to these people, Supergirl's core is of an unpredictable teen with no affection for humanity?? That is what they think the core of the Supergirl is?? Have they read any of her stories from 1959 until now?

Outside of the first 19 issues of this current title, Supergirl has always been a hero, striving to do good. Now could she be unpredictable ... yes. Did she fail sometimes ... yes. That was part of the appeal of her, that she was still on the journey. But lacking affection for people and the warning to not 'piss her off' is not the Supergirl anyone knows. Thanks to interviewer Sara 'Babs' Lima for actually asking the question that we all have asked ... why does this solicit for Supergirl not sound like Supergirl??

In all of this DC Relaunch stuff,  here is some non-comic Supergirl news. MTV caught up with Laura Vandervoort and asked her about the Smallville finale. Here is the link to the video clip:
http://splashpage.mtv.com/2011/06/20/smallville-finale-supergirl/

And here is her quote:

"I'm a little upset that Kara did not get to say goodbye to Clark personally. She just kind of watched from afar. But overall, 'Smallville' is fantastic and they did such a great job."

The more I read and see of Vandervoort, the more I get the sense that she loved her time as Supergirl and that she had an understanding of Supergirl's motivations. Much like a Cosmic 9th Grade series, I can only hope that the CW considers doing to Supergirl and the Legion pilot or movie.

Finally, I continue my look at some of the DC 1970s fantasy books over on the DC Bloodlines blog. This week's review is of the entirely insane Beowulf Dragon Slayer #2. Here is the link:
http://dcbloodlines.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-beowulf-2.html

Review: Smallville 'Prophecy'

Last Friday, the second to last Smallville episode, 'Prophecy', aired. The episode, co-written by Batgirl scribe Bryan Q. Miller, moved the main storylines of Clark's ascension to Superman and Darkseid's incursion on our planet forward nicely. But the main draw for me was the conclusion of the Kara 'Supergirl' storyline.

The two words that I thought of as this episode ended were 'hooray' and 'whew'! Because Kara's story ends in a very upbeat way for her as a character. I was worried that she would be killed Crisis-style. I was really worried she would end up as Darkseid's vessel with the series culminating in a Superman vs. Supergirl battle. Thankfully, neither of those things happened. Instead, Kara gets sent away as a hero ... and in some ways that encapsulated all that has been wrong with this series, a series I will admit I have very much enjoyed these last couple of years.

Kara and Green Arrow are both separately hunting for the Bow of Orion, a weapon that was used in the past to vanquish Darkseid when he came to Earth before. The series knows it's audience know so the script is littered with references to Orion as the son of Darkseid, raised by a bringer of light. For those of us who know the New Gods, things like that are appreciated.

In an Indiana Jones like cave, riddled with death traps, Oliver finds Kara trapped by a forcefield tube. Solving the riddle on the walls, Oliver is able to free her. Together, they maneuver through the traps and are about to grab the bow when Kara is called away by Jor-El. So first off, this shows Kara in a very positive light, proactively looking for the one thing that can defeat the oncoming darkness.

In the Fortress, Kara talks to Jor-El. asking him why he called for her. He tells her that this time is Clark's time, that Clark needs to face the darkness and accept his destiny, and that Kara retrieving the Bow and aiding her cousin could actually derail Clark's path to glory. Jor-El also tells her that she has a strong will and doesn't need to listen to him any more but that he knows that Kara's destiny is in another place and another time.

In essence, he tells her to not be the hero and asks her to take off. She should leave and let Clark be the hero he needs to be. As a Supergirl fan, I loved this moment. Jor-El basically is saying that Kara has surpassed Clark. She is strong and strong-willed. She is about to save the day. Unfortunately that would upset the cosmic apple cart which has determined Clark needs to be the savior of the world.

But in many ways that's what is wrong with Smallville. Clark has kind of sleep-walked through a bunch of seasons and has never quite emerged as a great hero. Even these last few seasons, when he is anointed as the savior and is named the head of the League, he still hasn't manifested himself as a Superman-like presence. Now I will say that the last few seasons are light years better than the glum Clark we saw earlier in the show.

And with Clark never having asserted himself, the writers probably felt a bit stuck with Supergirl. She has time and again been shown to be outgoing, powerful, brave, and intelligent. How could they have Clark face Darkseid in the finale alone and defeat him if Kara is still kicking around? In many ways, Kara would be a better choice to fight Darkseid. Clark has almost been possessed once. So the easiest way to get around that problem is to send her away.

The show ends with Kara leaving without even saying goodbye to Clark (another of dysfunctional dad Jor-El's orders), donning a Legion ring, and heading to the future.

We have seen this destiny of Supergirl before, in the Justice League Unlimited cartoon. And kudos to blog-friend Gene who called this way way way back!

And let's face it, it leaves a Supergirl and the Legion spin-off or special out there as a possibility. Are you listening CW? We want it!

But I'll reiterate, despite her listening to Jor-El and taking off (a questionable act for a hero), Kara is treated pretty good in this episode, lauded for the hero she has become.

And she wasn't killed.

And she wasn't possessed, turned into the bad guy.

Hooray! Whew!

And Oliver? He can't get the bow because he is an unwitting agent of Darkseid. Granny Goodness shows up and incinerates the weapon.

The other plot is a well-worn comic plot with Lois given Clark's powers by Jor-El so she can understand what it means to be The Blur. There is a battle with the Toyman (who seems to have set up a Legion of Doom with glimpses of Solomon Grundy, Captain Cold, Black Manta, and Roulette sitting around a big table) who has created Starro sort of drones. That plot ends with Clark regaining his powers and Lois breaking up with him just days before the wedding. In a tear-soaked conclusion, Lois says she fears that the time he spends with her will keep him from saving others. She couldn't live with that. Ahhh .. .Smallville angst.

The truth is I really have enjoyed these last couple of seasons with the immersion into DC lore. And Erica Durance really plays a wonderful Lois. And Laura Vandervoort is just spot-on for Supergirl.

Now hopefully next week we'll see flight and tights! The Smallville finale is only 4days away!

Overall grade: B

Laura Vandervoort And Smallville Finale

My thanks to blog friend Jason for forwarding me this link about Supergirl and Smallville. As always, the whole article is worth reading. Here is the link: http://www.airlockalpha.com/node/8338/fans-will-get-to-say-goodbye-to-supergirl.html

In the article, Laura Vandervoort talks about her role as Kara on Smallville and how she is returning later in this season. Here is the blurb that caught my attention.

But if you are worried that Vandervoorts return will leave things open ended with the character you have nothing to fear as her return this time will include some form of finality and conclusion

.

“The fans will be happy,” she said. “I didn’t really want to have the show end without Kara kind of wrapping up her future. I didn’t want her to be off flying around and no one ever see her again. I return in a particular way or I’m found ... uh, yeah. I can’t really say anything."

So I am glad that she says the fans will be happy. That makes me think she isn't going to be killed off. But how else can you wrap up her story if the show is ending ... unless she says something like she is going to live in Chicago as a grad student and protect the city. But the cryptic 'I'm found ...' sounds a little concerning.

I have been a bit worried about how Smallville will treat Supergirl. I initially thought that she would be the receptacle for Darkseid given all the concern about how someone with Kryptonian powers would be unstoppable if consumed by darkness. But the addition of Conner, a Luthor with powers, makes me wonder if he will be the ultimate bad guy.

Supergirl To Appear On Smallville Again

In what comes as no surprise to me, Laura Vandervoort will reprise her role as Supergirl on Smallville. Here is the link of the scoop from tvline: http://www.tvline.com/2011/01/smallville-scoop-supergirl-returns/

I have gone back and forth on this issue many times. I think Laura Vandervoort does a great job of playing Kara when the script allows her to. She is strong, determined, and heroic when she is written correctly.

The problem is that the show sometimes forgets what to do with her. She has been mind-wiped, duped by Lex, and sometimes acted rashly.

Still, I think that for the most part, Vandervoort has done a great job with the role. I wouldn't mind seeing her reprise the role in other forums - spin-off, movie, etc.

I reviewed the episode she was in this season when it came out (here is that link: http://comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com/2010/10/smallville-supergirl.html ). In that episode, she really was as close as we have got to a live action Supergirl since Helen Slater. Her costume was just missig the S-shield.

But the announcement that she is coming back only adds to my concern that they are setting Kara up to be possessed by Darkseid in the finale. In the episode she was in earlier, it was reiterated over and over that the biggest threat to Earth would be if Darkseid possessed someone with Clark's abilities. And since Clark being possessed won't happen, the threat (to be a viable conflict) needs to have that level of power.

Could it be Supergirl? Sure.

Great ... another rendition of Dark Supergirl, this time the vessel of Darkseid.

But I heard that General Zod is also back for an episode coming up. Maybe Zod returns and gets possessedby Darkseid, making him the big bad.

But then I can imagine him killing Supergirl, letting Smallville ape the Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 cover (I can totally picture that in my mind, the League members surrounding Welling), spurring Clark to finally accept his destiny as Superman.

So I foresee Supergirl as either being the villain ... or killed.

That is the pessimist in me rising to the surface. Maybe Smallville will treat her right. Maybe.

I can only hope.

Poll: Optimism Or Pessimism

For some time on this blog, I have been saying that this is a good time to be a Supergirl fan. In fact, I never felt more optimism over the character than I did during 2010. There was so much to be happy about.

And yet suddenly, now, I have this sort of nagging sense of dread. Why do I feel like we are approaching a cliff? Am I too pessimistic? So I figured that I would open up to a poll ... to get some sense from Supergirl's fans. Are you optimistic or pessimistic about where we are going? Is the glass half-full or half-empty?

I tried to delineate some of what is going through my mind below.

Why should I consider the glass half full?

1) 2 + years of Gates/Igle: Let's face it, this was probably the biggest reason for my earlier optimism. I know that their run wasn't universally loved. But I think most people felt that they brought a sense of maturity and respectability to the character. All the nonsensical and insulting stuff from before ... the crystal spikes, the Daddy issues, the high school shooting, the reluctance to be a hero, the overwhelming angst ... it all went away. And then we had a Supergirl trying to be a hero, learning and growing, striving and struggling. Those are the stories I want to read ... and they were done so well.

2) She is a star in JLA: It's almost like being promoted to the major leagues. Suddenly Supergirl was the muscle of the JLA, the S-shield representative on the biggest most important hero team in the DCU. On top of that, James Robinson seemed to have a better grasp of her character than he did in Cry For Justice. Here she was an eager hero, willing to throw herself into the fray.

3) Statues galore: Between October and January, 4 Supergirl statues were solicited: the DVD maquette, the Turner mini-statue, the Dynamic statue, and the Adam Hughes Cover Girl full sized statue. She is going to be a segment of the Superman Family multi-part statue in July. She is scheduled to have another Women Of DC bust statue. And that doesn't even count the Ame Comi stuff I don't like and the Superwoman action figure coming out next month. With all this merchandise coming out, DC must realize they have a star.

4) Smallville: Supergirl has had a decent showing on Smallville in the past. This season she showed up as an actualized hero, even sporting some quasi-uniforms. The Maiden of Might indeed ... maybe there is a spinoff in there somewhere.

5) Superman/Batman: Apocalypse: She stole the show in the movie, growing from a reluctant hero to someone who chose that path. She squared off against Darkseid and ended up being responsible for his defeat. The more squirrely parts of the actual comic book arc was smoothed out. The movie paid her the respect she deserves. An animated Supergirl movie! Who'd have ever thought it was possible?

6) Hot Nick Spencer on book: Even as I lament the loss of Sterling Gates, there should be some optimism that Nick Spencer is coming on board. The guy is everywhere and is being lauded for his work on Jimmy Olsen and Morning Glories. He brings a buzz to the book and maybe that means new readers.

Why should I consider the glass half-empty?

1) Gates/Igle leaving: Not everyone gets Supergirl. These guys did. There were clearly more stories percolating inside them. The preview page in Superman #700 talked into next summer. But suddenly they were gone. I know Igle asked off of the book (at least he said so on his blog). I don't know about Gates. But their stories were the type of Supergirl stories I want to read.

2) Dark Supergirl taking her spot on JLA: Just when it seemed like Supergirl was making her mark in the JLA, I read that she is off the team and 'Dark Supergirl' is taking her place. That would feel like being demoted from the majors and your spot being taken by someone with the same talent but is a jerk, clubhouse nuisance.

3) Potential for Kara as the end villain on Smallville: I know she was great in the 'Supergirl' episode but I am absolutely convinced that she will be Darkseid's vessel on Smallville in the big finale. And until I see differently, I am going to believe this. There were too many hints. It just makes too much bad sense for Smallville not to do it.

4) While major character in Apocalypse, barely mentioned in ads: Yes, she was in many ways the star of the movie, but DC had such little confidence in her carrying the movie that her presence in the film was barely acknowledged in trade ads, previews, or the very cover of the movie. This was a Supergirl movie based on a story arc called Supergirl and it starred Supergirl. And yet, you would never know it if you picked this movie up off the rack.

5) Dwindling sales: Sales continue to suffer from a month to month basis. And now we have a new direction complete with a pink S-shield and no incentive covers. Is there going to be a point where DC thinks they should just pull the plug. I don't think Supergirl will get the same 'no worries' label that Jonah Hex and R.E.B.E.L.S. seem to enjoy.

6) A pink S-shield?

So how do you feel? Please vote!

Smallville: Supergirl

As I continue to move forward from the news of Sterling Gates leaving the Supergirl book, I figured it was about time to review last week's episode of Smallville, an episode titled Supergirl and marking the return of Laura Vandervoort to the role of Kara Zor-El.

As a Supergirl fan there was a some stuff to like about this episode. But in the end, it left a very uneasy feeling in my stomach, something I will talk about later.

As this is the last season of Smallville, much of the overarching plot involves Clark embracing his role as Earth's champion and finally figuring out that he need to be in the open, showing his face as a hero, but protecting his time as Clark. One thing that I like about his dealing with these issues is that on the show Lois has figured out that Clark is the 'Blur' but hasn't let on that she knows. As a result, she is able to help him figure things out without him getting overwhelmingly nervous or skittish (which he often does on the show).

As the end of the show's run must be a true shot of Superman, costume and all, Clark is faced with many different foils all of whom help him build who he will eventually be. Hey, it has only taken him 10 years to realize he needs to be a champion!

In this episode, it's Supergirl.  Kara is everything that Clark is not. She is very visible, in primary colors, acting the part of the public hero. She is doing this at a time when Metropolis is unsure of its feelings with around super-powered vigilantes. The city has been whipped into an anti-hero frenzy by talk radio personality (and current host of the Darkseid spirit) Glorious Gordon Godfrey. Here we see Kara save a crowd at a Godfrey rally from a collapsing billboard.

It seems that Kara searched deep space for Alura and never found her. Then Jor-El, who has finally given up on Kal-El to become a champion, called Kara back to Earth. Jor-El knows that 'a darkness' has arrived on Earth. Darkseid, that dark threat, is able to prey on people's fears and uncertainties, feeding on them, and even possessing them if he wishes. That is how he possessed the neurotic Godfrey. (In a nice visual, Darkseid possesses someone by swarming around them as a murder of spectral crows.)

To combat this evil, Kara has been told by Jor-El to out in the open as a very visual hero, someone the people can look up to, someone that can inspire them and reduce their fear. I don't know if I agree with her methods, but here Kara is on a photo shoot so her pictures will be everywhere.

Kara says that Jor-El thinks that only she, equipped with all her powers and confident, can face this darkness. She asks Clark to stand back and let her complete her mission. He isn't so ready to let someone else do what he thinks is his job. For once, he actually seems like he is ready for action.

Swayed by his powerful words, Kara decides to help him. As family, they should have each other's back. She even tries to help him learn how to fly. Unfortunately, Clark still can't head up,up, and away.

After a talk in the Smallville barn, they realize just how Darkseid slipped into this reality.

Somehow during the ritual last year which cast Zod and his cronies into another dimension, Darkseid snuck in. Knowing that Kara's bracelet has opened portals in the past, they wonder if they could use it to shove Darkseid back where he came from.

Deciding they need to work together to face this threat, the cousins head to the Watchtower. They realize that Darkseid would take a position of power that would let him spread his distrust. It becomes clear that the person is Godfrey. And the Watchtower cameras have found him at an S&M club.

Godfrey isn't alone there. Lois has tailed him and dressed in latex is able to get some unsavory pictures of him as a way to discredit him. Lois wants him taken down for any number of reasons including the fact that Godfrey is anti-Blur as well as threatening to reveal that Oliver Queen is Green Arrow.

Manifesting his Darkseid powers, Godfrey tries to possess Lois but is unable to because she is 'pure of heart'. Instead, he trusses her up to use as bait.

The cousins arrive to the club and face off against the dark Godfrey. In a classic Smallville scene, Godfrey berates Clark telling him all of his short-comings: he has wanted to kill in the past, he doesn't know if he is up for the job of champion, he isn't ready to come out publicly, he doesn't have access to all his powers.

Broken down by Darkseid's verbal assault, Clark nearly gets possessed by Darkseid! Only Kara's timely intervention with her bracelet stops that from happening. The portal didn't banish Darkseid, only repel him. Nice save for Supergirl.

Even though Godfrey is discredited by Lois' photos, the anti-hero sentiment in the city seems to be building.

Clark runs into a very Linda-looking Kara. She has learned that sometimes it is tough to get where you need to be when you are the 'center of attention'. She once again tells Clark to leave the Dark threat to her. Darkseid would be unstoppable if he possessed someone with Clark's powers. And he was unable to possess Kara because she, like Lois, is pure of heart.

The bottom line is Kara isn't going anywhere and is sticking to Jor-El's mission.

So why am I worried? Well, throughout the episode it is reiterated that the biggest threat would be if Darkseid possessed a super-human, especially someone with Clark's abilities. It therefore figures to play out that the ultimate conflict for this season will be Clark facing off against a Darkseid-possessed superhero. In this final conversation, Kara says she doesn't feel 'pure of heart'. And this episode ends with the idea that Kara is staying on Earth. I can read these road signs.

I can already picture it in my mind. The end of the season has Clark facing off against a Darkseid-possessed Kara!! That is the threat they have been warning us about. That is why she is sticking around and feeling not pure of heart. They are building the story of her fall. Can't you imagine Vandervoort in a 'Dark Supergirl' style black and silver outfit facing off against Clark? They are going to make Supergirl the villain!

I suppose it ends with Kara being exorcised and not killed so that, in theory, a Supergirl spin-off would remain viable. But still, I won't be happy if Kara ends up the vessel of a Dark god ... again!

Otherwise, there were some nice nods to the DCU despite the fact that the word Supergirl is never uttered. We hear her called 'the Maiden of Might', Power Girl, and even Ubergirl. And, at least in this issue, Supergirl is shown to be strong, confident, and caring. I guess I should be happy with that.