Back Issue Box: JLA Act Of God

Just yesterday I wrote about the upcoming CW Flash/Arrow/Supergirl crossover event title  Elseworlds .

Today I thought I would review an example of an Elseworlds series in which Supergirl (Linda Danvers/Matrix) played a pretty big role. And so I present JLA: Act of God, a three part prestige series written by Doug Moench with art by Dave Ross. The premise is simple. What if suddenly all biologic powers disappeared? What would happen to the world?  I'll be highlighting the Supergirl portions predominantly but I'll keep you up to speed with the overall story.

I have to admit, this was a bit of cosmic serendipity. My comic store had just put out a large, well organized collection into the dollar boxes. All three issues were there and I find it hard to pass up prestige books in the dollar boxes, let alone complete mini-series. So I bought this on a whim. I was not expecting such a big Supergirl role so this was someone up there guiding my purchasing hand.

Now overall, I think this is just an 'okay' mini-series. There is a lot of plot points you just need to roll with. There is some goofiness that I would not have anticipated. Superman is treated pretty shabbily. But the fun parts definitely made it an enjoyable read, especially for the price.

I don't know Dave Ross at all. I found the art in the book quite nice with a fine-lined detailed approach. At times it felt a little like Rags Morales. That is a very nice compliment.

So where does Supergirl fit into all of this? Well, to put it in context, the Supergirl title was on Supergirl #50 during this run, the end of the long form Earth Angel arc by Peter David. It is that angelic Supergirl we see here. How did she fare? Let's find out.

Supergirl Sightings

So I am recovering from back to back convention weekends - Boston Fan Expo and the terrific Terrificon - so today will be a bit of a fluff piece. Bear with me.

One of things that I like is when I accidentally stumble across Supergirl sightings in comics where I wasn't expecting one. And I am even more thrilled when they are found in books I get out of the 'dollar box' almost randomly, things that just grab my eye and have a little SG-bonus. And there is no better place to rummage through the bargain bins than conventions. So these beauties where just obtained within the last week!

I will admit that one of these books I had heard (and therefore should have known) that there was a Supergirl appearance. But just kick back and check out some Supergirl sighting, all for the completionists out there!

 First thing first. Any time I see a Secret Files and Origins issue in the dollar box, I buy it. These can be great stories. But they often have Who's Who style pages and they do give me a sort of 'pulse check' for the comics at the time.

Many podcasts I listen to band together to do a crossover lovingly title JLMay. This year they did the Silver Age storyline which ran through a number of titles in the year 2000. It was big enough that we got a Silver Age Secret Files and Origins.

The art in this book was predominantly done by true Silver Age artists so this is a true time capsule.

So how did Supergirl show up here?

Back Issue Box: Supergirl Annual #2

When Brainiac 5 was added to the Supergirl show's cast, I was thrilled. The Brainy/Supergirlromance is such a big part of her history. For many (including me), Brainy is her true love, her destiny. So to see it potentially played out on the small screen is a treasure.

Usually on this blog, I try to build on current Supergirl news by looking into similar stories in her past. So I wanted to cover some aspect of the Querl/Kara romance here. There was a problem though. When you have been blogging about Supergirl for nearly 10 years, you cover a lot of material. I have already covered much of this romance already. Just click the Brainiac 5 link and you'll get a ton of posts about Brainy and Supergirl, from his earliest appearances to team-ups and smooches in the Legion to his response to her death.

So with all those stories already covered, I decided to look at their relationship during a different sort of time in the DCU. Supergirl Annual #2, from 1997, was one of the PulpHeroes Annuals. These annuals riffed on the classic pulps in some way, whether it be pot-boiler hard-nosed mysteries to old school Sci-Fi to lurid romances. This issue focused on the latter, labeled Young Romance and looking at Supergirl's romantic relationships. What makes this interesting is that this is the Earth Angel Supergirl and (I believe) the Archie Brainiac 5. These two don't have the history of the Pre-Crisis pair. This isn't the classic Kryptonian Kara. And this is a Brainiac 5  stranded in the (then) 20th Century. It takes place in my ten years away from the Legion post-Zero Hour! So how could these two be in love?

Turns out they really aren't. The creative team of writer Tom Peyer and artist Anthony Castrillo play on the historical aspect of their romance by giving us a sort-of romance story. For old timers like me, at the time, it was like finally scratching an itch. I got to see Brainy and Supergirl together again.

Graphic Ink: The DC Comics Art Of Gary Frank

Through the magic of the internet, I stumbled upon this image by Gary Frank, a promotional piece for a book titled GRAPHIC INK: THE DC COMICS ART OF GARY FRANK. The book is still up on the DC site despite being shelved. Here is that link: http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/graphic-ink-the-dc-comics-art-of-gary-frank

I've been a fan of Frank's art since his early work on the Peter David Supergirl site. And while not from DC, I loved his work on Supreme Power. Just gorgeous stuff there.

Looking at this image, you can see the breadth of Frank's work in DC. Obviously he had some time with Superman with Geoff Johns. But you also see the Stan Lee Imagines Shazam, the Tangent Flash, Black Canary (he was one of the first artist's on Birds of Prey), and the actual Marvel Family while on Justice League (again with Johns). And his take on the Legion was great in that Action Comics run.

This is a great piece, worthy of a poster.

But you can guess the two characters that really caught my eye.

Comics Alliance: The History Of Supergirl Explained

With the Supergirl show on the horizon, I have been impressed with the sheer amount of coverage the character is getting. And I'll be honest, I was hoping that her character would get covered by Comics Alliance in a 'Comics, Everybody!' strip.

Lo and behold, it happened this week! Here is the link:
 http://comicsalliance.com/comics-everybody-the-history-of-supergirl-explained/

The idea behind 'Comics, Everybody!' is to review the history of a comic character, often humorously pointing out the crazy twists that can occur only in comics. From resurrections to possessions to reboots, 'Comics, Everybody!' covers all the nuttiness. And whenever there is a question that can't be answered ... well the response is 'comics, everybody'.

So this strip does take a tongue in cheek look at the 'prototype' magic totem Supergirl from Superman #123, Superman throwing Linda into a orphanage, the oddness of Comet, the ickiness of dating Lex, and even the more shrill nature of the initial Loeb reboot and the New 52.

Shockingly, her death in Crisis on Infinite Earths is only mentioned in passing (although as one of the saddest moments in comics!) and without an homage to the cover!

For Supergirl fans it is definitely worth checking out.

But this panel ... far and away ... was my favorite of the piece.

I am an unabashed fan of the Peter David Linda Danvers/Matrix series. So to see that character redone as a 'Scott Pilgrim' like character, earning 'Wings of Fire' was just about perfect.

The perfectionist in me says she never sported the wings while wearing the DCAU uniform. But this strip is a sort of mash-up of her history. It is easily forgiven.

I love the fact that Supergirl is getting all this attention. It has been a long time coming!

Kara Danvers On Set With A Linda Lang Vibe

I swear to everyone that this site will not become a Supergirl TV show news site. I will continue to cover comics/back issues/etc. I promise!

But there has been way too much news lately to simply ignore. Recently pictures of Melissa Benoist in her Kara Danvers identity have made their way to the internet. My favorite one is above. Tray of coffee in one hand, National City Tribune tucked under her arm, glasses on and hair in scrunchy ... she looks great. You get the vibe that she is sort of a gopher/assistant for Cat Grant and here she is making sure Cat gets her morning treats. I bet that isn't simply a coffee but is some double-this/half-that mocha something or other.

But you know what this really reminded me of ...

Linda Lang!

Back when Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle took over Supergirl way back in Supergirl #34 (god ... October 2008!), they gave her the Linda Lang identity as a way to integrate in Earth culture.

Hmmm ... glasses and a scrunchy. I know. Generic. But still ...

Here is another picture of Benoist as Kara Danvers on set. And here are a few more Linda Lang pictures.

A Jamal Igle commission.

Rags Morales take in Superman/Batman #55.

And Rafael Alberquerque's take in Superman/Batman #62.

I am just loving everything I am seeing. I better tamp down the optimism so I don't get too pumped.

Who's Who: Buzz & Linda

 

Last week I reviewed Supergirl #9 (1996), a pivotal issue in Peter David's Supergirl run, beginning a story of redemption.

One of the things that rereading that issue reminded me was that Linda was pretty dark, a tainted vessel for Supergirl to merge with. It makes her appearance in Supergirl #9, that bruised soul telling Supergirl the path of light is the better way, that much more powerful.

But it also was reminded that this story is as much about Buzz's redemption as Linda's. He is a demon working for the Lords of Chaos. His job is to bring about evil. He lured Linda down her dark path. And yet, in that issue, he is shaken from his devotion to malevolence. He helps Supergirl come to her senses and reject evil. In the end, he becomes something of a good guy!

With the characters so fresh in my mind, I thought I would post their Who's Who page from Team Superman Secret Files and Origins #1. The text, written by then-Supergirl scribe Peter David, is more about Buzz than it is about Linda but touches on their troubled relationship. It talks of him falling in love with Supergirl. Later in the series we learn his origins and how he sold his soul.

Perhaps most interesting about this art team.

It is penciled by Amanda Conner and inked by Jimmy Palmiotti! I love the expressions here, the leering, devilish Buzz accompanied by the cynical, hard Linda. I love Conner's work.

The cover date for Team Superman is May 1998, meaning it was released about 2 years into the PAD run. We didn't know too too much about Linda's angelic powers at this point. The issue itself is worth hunting down for fans of this Supergirl as it has lots of Who's Who pages for many of the characters in the book including the Danvers, Comet, and Supergirl herself.

I suppose over the course of time I will post all of them and review that interesting 'Lost Diary of Linda Danvers'.

Back Issue Review: Supergirl #9

My copy, autographed by Peter David

 The news broke recently that Supergirl is going to become a Red Lantern, a decision about the character that I don't agree with. Supergirl becoming an avatar of rage makes little sense to me. We are 2 plus years into the New 52 and I am still waiting for a glimmer of hope in the character.

Believe it or not, there was some defense for the idea and some actually tried to equate the move with Peter David's Supergirl comic in which a pure but soulless Matrix merges with the flawed and evil Linda Danvers. Isn't Supergirl merging with a satanic murdering cultist just as bad? And don't I and many Supergirl fans love that run?

I found it ironic that this defense was brought up because when the Red Lantern announcement was made, I immediately thought of Supergirl #9, the ending of the first arc in David's Supergirl with beautiful art by Gary Frank. Because despite Linda being a 'bad girl', there was always hope in this comic, there was always Supergirl striving to do what's right. And the brightest glimmer of that ... and (for me) one of the most powerful panels in comics ... occurs right here in issue 9, an issue where hope and good overpowers rage and angst leading to redemption. Issue 9!

We are two years into the current Supergirl and we haven't seen any hope like this.

Yes, merging Supergirl with someone as flawed as Linda was a bold move. And I can only imagine the backlash if this was done in this age of social media. The name Linda Danvers alone is a sacred one for Supergirl fans. And we always want a optimistic, heroic, and inspirational Supergirl. The early issues of this run we learn some pretty awful things about Linda.

But ... and this is key ... throughout this early time, despite the grimier details of Linda's life being revealed, Supergirl strives to rise above. And nowhere is that better seen than in this issue. This is one of my favorite issues of this run ... and maybe overall ... so if you haven't read it, you are in for a treat. And you are about to see hope overpowering evil.

The issue opens with a bang in the shattered Danvers' house.

On the left is Buzz, the agent of Chaos who led Linda down the path of evil and then tried to sacrifice her to a higher demon Lord Chakat. He is there as a 'blind date' set up by Mrs. Danvers.

On the right is Linda, now merged with the Matrix Supergirl, trying to discover who (or what) she is on this world, dealing with the foibles of humanity, and trying to understand Linda's heinous past and redeem herself from it.

And there in the middle is Tempus Fugit, Linda's boyfriend Dick Malverne possessed by an evil spirit and working for Buzz.

Linda spent all of last issue trying to play it cool with Buzz in her house, trying to protect her family, only to see it all go awry. She's angry at herself for not taking matters into her own hand.

And this is so key. For this beginning arc, Buzz is trying constantly to have Supergirl lower herself, lose herself. He is taunting her, trying to goad her into evil. Hurting her parents is a good start.

Before we go further, I just have to say that this is my high water mark for Gary Frank. His art here is just beautiful, smooth and powerful. Knowing the intensity of this issue, he gives us several splash pages and near splash pages, big moments given big art. Even here, we have agents of evil and good (Buzz and Linda) with an anti-Christ-like crucifixion posed Fugit in the background.

Fugit and Buzz take off and Linda tries to follow, hoping to battle them as Supergirl. Luckily, both Fred and Sylvia Danvers are alive.

Part of Linda's troubled past is her prickly relationship with her parents. With Supergirl in the persona, that rift has been slowly healing. Her parents seems doubtful of her 'transformation' but are happy.

I loved this scene where Linda's father finally embraces his new daughter as someone who is good. He tells her he loves her and she tells her father the same. Our flashbacks of their relationship show this relationship strained to the point of impending violence. So to see that hug, that shock softened to loving expression, is a giant moment.

Remember though, Buzz and Fugit are piling on, hoping to make Supergirl so angry she forgets herself and does something evil. Immediately after that hug scene, Fugit levels the Danvers' house, most likely killing them.

Whoever is pulling Buzz's strings takes control of Fugit and says that Buzz was supposed to deliver a 'fallen angel'. Buzz, who has always been a cool character, loses control and shows emotions here. It turns out that Buzz might be just as conflicted as Linda.

The 'Angel' term had been bantered about in this book, the religious overtones infused in the story. But this is months before the emergence of flame wings and meeting the other Schechina. The ultimate ending of this story appears in Supergirl #50, which means David had a 4+ year plan for the book! I can't imagine that sort of patience by DC these days!

As I said, not only are we given splash pages, we are given hints of the future, and we are shown the struggle that Supergirl is having internally, how easy it would be to stray from the light.

Here, high above the city, we begin to see some licks of flame, the beginning of her life as the Angel of Fire, of Judgment. At the time, I thought it was residual flame from the Danvers' house. But now I know.

Listen to her thoughts though as she veers close to crossing a line. Linda was evil and knows that evil must be punished. Evil only understands death.

Bringing the fight to Fugit, Supergirl's mind is opened up to the 'horror' of the world. Everyone she knows appears before her as someone evil, monstrous - the Danvers, the Kents, Superman.

And that assault on her senses, again brings a warped understanding of the world. Internally she now believes Supergirl is the being that died when they merged; it was Linda who lived. Linda ... who was evil. The universe is a sick joke, we need to face it on its own twisted and depraved level. "Heroes" and God are laughing at us.

Maybe not in those words but isn't this a similar attitude that the current Supergirl has, that nothing is right in the universe, that the cosmos is laughing at her and her tragedy.

And then we get this ...

That top panel gives me chills. It gave me chills the first time I read it and it gives me chills now.

The bruised and battered psyche of Linda shows up. She says that Supergirl is wrong to believe that, that she was wrong to believe that. Supergirl sees the world through different eyes, seeing what humanity can aspire to be. If anyone is human ... it's Supergirl.

Man, those piercing eyes of Linda, her body and soul injured, is so powerful. She has changed her mind, asking for absolution. She now realizes that Supergirl's way - of optimism and light - is the right way. And look at how she dominates the panel, the sheer size of her in contrast to the horrific visions in the prior splash, as if her view if bigger, more important.

But Supergirl isn't quite ready to hear it. Bleeding from her eyes, aflame, claiming she will leave bodies in the ruins without mercy.

As I said, Frank is simply at the top of his game. David does not shy away from religious iconography.

Now we see Supergirl in that Christ-like pose, complete with the stigmata suffered in battle.

And now Fugit is crying for mercy.

Will Supergirl give in to that desire for revenge? Will she be not only judge but executioner?

And just as she is about to land the killing blow, sealing the deal, having her 'fall' completely, it is Buzz who asks her the important question.

Does she want to live life Linda's way? Or her way? What does she want to be in this world.

And just like that she stops.

She isn't going to complete her journey by turning to evil and darkness. Evil isn't relative. Evil is evil.

She stops and decides to embrace goodness. She decides that adopting the ways of evil to fight evil isn't right.

Battle not monsters lest ye become a monster.

Good triumphs over evil. This is the first big step onto the path of redemption for Linda/Matrix. And it is wonderful.

And so different than the current Supergirl, who joins the Red Lanterns - a group Charles Soule says is a group trying to do overall good by doing evil. The exact opposite of the lesson of this issue.

That does mean that Buzz helped, showing the conflicts he has in his own soul (or lack thereof). You might not have all the answers. Some things need you to have faith.

When she doesn't kill Fugit, the endgame of all this, reality swirls around them. Buzz is taken away. The Danvers are alive, their house in one piece, Dick Malverne returned to normal and recovering in Linda's apartment.

Wow.

There are 41 more issues to this story. And throughout it, Supergirl is tested, seeing if she will succumb, seeing if she will give in to hubris, will she turn to evil? Or will she ultimately be redeemed? But this was that first step.

Was this title going to wallow in angst, perseverate about the inequities in life, and be an anti-hero? Or are you going to turn the corner and simply do what's right even if sometimes that is hard? The answer for Supergirl should always be the latter.

Supergirl should be the optimist, the one who sees the best in things, a warrior for justice.

Will we see something like this just 9 issues into Soule's idea? Will we see something like this in the THIRD year of this character? Or are we going to have to suffer through the darkness for longer?

The Supergirl in this issue wasn't Kara Zor-El. She wasn't Kryptonian. But she was far and away more Supergirl than the current incarnation.

And that Linda panel is what comics is all about.

Overall grade: A+

Review: Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #75

After a deluge of publicity for the Superman titles in the days surrounding NYCC, news about those books has dried up a bit. And as this is a 5 Wednesday month, my usual reviews have been spread out a bit.

As a result, I have been going to the back issue box a bit more than usual. That means a lot of Silver Age wackiness has been reviewed here. And the train isn't slowing down. There is a Halloween review on track for tomorrow.

I recently looked at Supergirl quitting the news business as a reflection of Clark quitting the Daily Planet. Now I thought I would review sort of the opposite situation, the time Supergirl joined the Daily Planet.

"When Supergirl Replaced Jimmy Olsen!" was written by Superman creator Jerry Siegel and drawn by Curt Swan. That is some serious comic history joining up to write this story. As was typical of the Jimmy Olsen book, the Supergirl/Jimmy Olsen story is only one of three in the book.

I have to say the story isn't reflected on the cover which hints at a sort of romance story. I think the Linda/Jimmy romance was always only hinted at in a vague way.

As happened more often in the Silver Age than you might expect, red Kryptonite plays a big part in the story.

In the far future, Supergirl is helping Superman equip the Fortress of Solitude with a future alarm system. Unfortunately, she comes out of the time stream right next to a massive chunk of Red K.

Realizing that Red K might make anything happen, Supergirl decides to return back to the present.

So two important things required for this story to progress has happened in the earliest panels. One, Supergirl is affected by Red K. And Superman is not in the picture. He can't help in the present.

Now who knows what zaniness might happen!

As she zips to the present, Supergirl peeks through the time stream and sees that in 2 days from her 'present' Jimmy Olsen dies in a Daily Planet helicopter crash.

Despite learning time after time that history cannot be changed, Supergirl decides she needs to warn Jimmy. If he never gets in that helicopter, he won't die.

However, when she walks up to Jimmy and warns him, she realizes she has lost her powers. The Red K has taken them away. And Jimmy thinks that this person warning him about his death isn't Supergirl but a 'crazy girl' in a suit. He ignores her warning.

And then, to make things even goofier, the Red K has a different wrinkle. She has no powers when in her Supergirl costume. But she does have her powers when dressed as Linda.

So now she has to be extra careful with her powers so as not to reveal her secret identity.

Now that is too fantastic! Classic Silver Age!

One thing I love about the Silver Age is that the characters simply roll with the craziness and often devise even crazier schemes to remedy the problem.

If Jimmy dies in a Daily Planet helicopter crash then the best way to save him is to get him fired as Planet employee.

Really? That's the best plan?

Maybe you can take him out of the city in 2 days? Or move at superspeed to catch the helicopter? Maybe pull the fire alarm in the Planet before the crash?

And so the conniving and devious Linda Danvers gets to work.

She gets hired by the Planet. And then she gets to work sabotaging Jimmy.

Linda throws herself into Jimmy's arms because she is 'afraid' of a toy mouse and then kisses him for 'protecting' her. Lucy thinks he is two-timing her and so dumps him. And this broken hearted Jimmy begins writing drivel, whining about his lost love.

Check out the evil smirk on Linda's face. But this lousy writing doesn't get Jimmy fired.

Figuring that Jimmy earned too much respect at the Planet to get easily fired, Linda decides to go a different route. If Jimmy can fly on his own, why would he ever get into a helicopter.

So she plants a "real flying carpet" at Jimmy's feet. And with a little Linda assist, the carpet does follow his commands and flies him around.

So flying under a carpet in her Linda guise somehow doesn't endanger her secret identity? And I think this might be a more bizarre plan than getting Jimmy fired.

Unfortunately, Jimmy brags about the carpet to Perry White and White, being a solid newsman, wants proof. Perry wants Linda there as well so she can see how real news is made.

Since Linda can't carry the carpet, it won't fly.

In a strange twist, it actually helps Linda achieve her goal. Perry is irate that Jimmy would lie to him and fires him on the spot.

If Jimmy isn't a Planet employee, he can't get into the copter. He is safe.

And yet, while listening to the radio, Linda hears that Jimmy has died in a helicopter crash.

When she goes to investigate, both she and a very much alive Jimmy discover that a lookalike thief tried to rob the Planet and frame Jimmy. When he couldn't get the flying carpet to work, he got into a broken helicopter and crashed it.

So Linda's vision did indeed come true. She just didn't understand the details. This was an imposter.

Perry happens by and re-hires Jimmy on the spot even giving him a ten dollar raise!!!

With Jimmy safe and the effects of the Red K worn off, Linda quits the Planet and heads home.

And Jimmy, he basks in the adoration of Lucy Lane.

So I guess Linda has quit the Planet too!

I don't have much to say here. It is a great example of what the Silver Age was all about and you either love it or hate it. I love the Swan art here, clean and crisp. Supergirl appearances in the Jimmy Olsen book are pretty rare, numbering (I think) three. I think Supergirl interacting with the greater Superman supporting cast is always a good thing. So while I would say this is of low importance to a Supergirl collection, I am thrilled to have it in my collection. For some reasons, I don't see these issues too often, so if you see it and are interested you should buy it. Because who know if you will see it again.

Overall grade: B+

Why Supergirl?

 

 

I was truly honored to be contacted by the great dcwomenkickingass blog to guest post about Supergirl on her birthday. If you don't visit DC Women Kicking Ass, you should. It is a fantastic site. As for me, I got a bit philosophical with the request.  I figured I should cross post here. So here is my short essay titled 'Why Supergirl'.

Why Supergirl?

It’s a question I get asked all the time. Someone asks me ‘who is your favorite comic book character?’ And I answer ‘Supergirl’. This seems to stun the asker. They usually look at me with a quizzical eye, trying to size up my response. And then I hear it, almost incredulously …

‘Why Supergirl?’

And I guess it’s a legitimate question. Why would a middle aged man list a (usually) teenage girl as his favorite character? Why not Batman or Green Lantern or Wolverine like so many of my peers? Why pick a character which lives on the fringes of the comic universe, usually belittled or forgotten?

I wish I could answer it with one sentence. But to understand why, you have to understand Supergirl and what she represents.

You see, when I started reading comics I was immediately enamored with Superman. He had the best array of powers. He was invulnerable, unbeatable, the very symbol of truth, justice, and the American Way. Heroes loved him, wanted to be like him.

He was perfect.

Maybe too perfect. I could aspire to be Superman. I could hope that one day I would have his immutable ethics and the uncanny ability to actualize them. I could strive to be respected by everyone around me, a role model. But the truth is, even in those early years, I knew I could never achieve that. You can hope to be Superman (and by this I mean what he represents) but you can’t be him. You can’t look too long at the sun, you know?

So I couldn’t relate to Superman but I liked his powers. So I looked around for other characters with similar powers who maybe was a bit more like me, a bit more relatable.

Superboy? Lived in the country and helped at the general store in what felt like the 1950s.

Ultra Boy? Too much of a jock type, and lived in the glittering future.

Spiderman? Not with those powers.

Well what about Supergirl?

Trust me, as a young boy, it isn’t easy to tell your friends that you are collecting Superman Family for the Supergirl feature. But I was collecting Superman Family for her and then Daring New Adventures of Supergirl.

You see, Supergirl had all the powers of Superman. So that was cool.

But she also had everyday troubles. She was worried about her love life and couldn’t find a significant other. She didn’t know what she wanted to do for a career – reporter? Guidance Counselor? Actress? Grad student?

She still had that sense of justice that Superman did. She still knew what was right and what was wrong, what she needed to do. And she did everything in her power to help people. That was really the underlying theme in those earliest stories that I devoured. She seemed to embody hope … going the extra mile to do what was right.

And even though she knew what to do, she wasn’t always immediately successful . She could fail. She might get angry or frustrated. She might mess up. But she always dusted herself off and tried to finish the job. She always learned from her mistakes.

For an early adolescent who didn’t think the opposite sex knew he existed, who thought he wanted to be everything from an English teacher to a physicist to a physician, for someone who tried to do what was right and occasionally struggled, Supergirl was someone I could relate to, someone I could aspire to be like, someone who was on a journey through life much like me.

Based on those early stories, I followed Supergirl around the DCU. I was there when she died in Crisis (saving the universe like a hero should, holding on to hope no matter what). I was there when she became Linda Danvers under Peter David, when she also was flawed and yearned for redemption for everything that she had done. I went back to the earliest tales in Action and Adventure when she was a young girl trying to be a good daughter and cousin, trying to be a superhero, a time in her life where she loved an ordinary guy named Dick Malverne. I was there when Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle put her back on the hero’s journey, had her struggle to fit in, to find her place in the world, to deal with the tragedies that life can hand you, and to continue to work for the betterment of all those around her. And I was there when Landry Walker made her the new kid in school, struggling with being different but always being the hero.

It hasn’t always been pretty. There were years when she wasn’t around. There were times when Matrix was insane or enslaved by Brainiac or the duped lover of Lex Luthor. There were those tough early issues of the last volume of Supergirl where she seemed bitter, unlikeable, and hardly heroic. But those were just bumps in the road. The ‘true’ Supergirl … the young hero trying her best, working through adversity, and doing what’s right … has always returned, shaking off the ashes of misguided stories.

And that is ‘why Supergirl’.

Happy Birthday Kara. I can only hope the new Supergirl is worthy of the name, is a hero, someone likeable, someone people can relate to and try to emulate.

News From Blog Friends Part 3

Last post about recent news from blog-friends is a Twitter petition from ealperin, who hopes to get a new Linda Danvers series from DC. Here is the link:

http://twitition.com/7wwff

I love the Linda Danvers character and so support this initiative. At least let's get Linda out of the hell she was put in during the Reign in Hell mini-series. She deserves better than that.

Thanks ealperin!

And thanks to everyone in the Supergirl community!

Review: Supergirl:Wings

With Superman:The Last Family of Krypton marking the rebirth of the Elseworlds line of stories, I figured there was no better time to look back at some of the more Supergirl relevant Elseworlds entries.

Supergirl:Wings came out in 2001, right in the middle of Peter David's Supergirl run, and mirrored that title's themes of spirituality, redemption, and heroics.

This is familiar territory for writer J.M DeMatteis whose works include Mercy, The Last One, and Moonshadow as well as more mainstream superhero fare. As with many of his headier works, I feel like I am missing much of it ... that I am not necessarily 'getting' all of what DeMatteis is hoping to convey. That can sometimes be irritating as I read and re-read to see if there was some pearl that escaped me.

Wings reads a little easier, if only because of the echoes of David's work on the main title.

DeMatteis starts off by showing us that all around us, unseen, are angelic beings. Humans are the most beloved creatures in God's ... in Hir universe ... because they are given free will. Some angels form the souls of humans, imparting in them the capability of greatness.

Others are Amenlee, literally guardian angels, charged with protecting their humans and hopefully guiding their souls to paradise. Unfortunately, many members of mankind turn away from their angels and head to damnation.

One such guardian angel is Matrix, a guardian angel to a very flawed and sinful young woman named Linda Danvers. Linda continues to sin, frustrating Matrix to the point where even the angel seems to be losing hope. She begins to question why God would love man so much.

Can an angel lose faith?

Matrix' feelings do not go unnoticed or unshared.

Her angel comrade Zauriel reminds Matrix of the love that God has for humans and the inherent goodness within mankind. But Matrix is still vexed, wondering why people would turn their back on Hir. This question consumes her thoughts; she cannot fathom why humans are so favored if they so often reject Hir holy way.

The Spectre shares Matrix's feelings with his usual dose of ire. The Spectre thinks mankind is simply unworthy and that those who turn away from the light should be cut down.

These versions of Zauriel (with his love of man) and the Spectre (with his blind fury) are close enough to their DCU versions to be instantly comprehensible.

Matrix hasn't lost all hope however and goes to look in on Linda. She finds a demon in Linda's room, a demon who mocks Matrix for her efforts to save Linda's soul.

This devil fans the fire of Matrix's crisis of faith. He calls her a failure, a fool for still trying when it is clear the path that Linda has freely chosen.

Unsure of her next step and hoping to clear her mind of all this doubt, all this questioning of Hir will, Matrix begins a sort of tour of the sacred beings and realms of the world.

Her first step is to see the woodland beings, the guardian angels of nature and the Earth. These are the lowest rung on the sacred, happy with their task of protecting the Earth and with no other purpose for their existence other than their duty.

Their absolute devotion is cloying in its comfort. They would never question Hir will. And what could be more comforting to a confused mind than a singularity in purpose. Matrix almost becomes consumed by these beings, losing her own will, but is able to shake off their droning. She doesn;t want to lose her doubts ... she wants them answered.

Leaving the green, Matrix next encounters the Phantom Stranger. As always, the Stranger walks between Heaven and Hell but also between the natural and the supernatural.

To show Matrix that not all humans are wallowing in evil, the Stranger shows Matrix a loving couple, sort of templated on Clark and Lana, and reminds Matrix of man's capability of boundless love. Then to help her understand the human condition, he has Matrix 'possess' Lana, having her experience that love firsthand.

It doesn't sway Matrix who feels this was an affront to Lana, a tawdry way to taste a snippet of humanity.

Again, the Stranger is close enough to his 'classic' characterization that this read well.

Returning to Linda, Matrix is shocked to see her nearly being devoured by the Spectre. He is disgusted by the evil within Matrix's charge.

Just as the devil had done earlier, the Spectre seems to goad Matrix, telling her she need to surrender Linda or face his wrath herself. It is as if Linda is a target for both Heaven and Hell and only Matrix stands in the way.

Angry that Linda has strayed so far, Matrix enters Linda's body, possessing it. Finding herself trapped within the flesh, Matrix feels assaulted by the very nature of man ... the need to breath, the stink of their bodies, the ongoing battle with  bacteria, etc.

But even more, Matrix is helpless against the compulsions of the flesh. Despite her attempts at purity, Linda's nature ... her lust ... takes over. She becomes amorous with her boyfriend Buzz. It takes all her will for Matrix to turn Linda away and then it is only with the help of Zauriel who frees Matrix from Linda's body.

DeMatteis' words flow nicely here, really conveying how Matrix is simply swept up by Linda's desires.

Even more confused about man's place and her place in the big picture, Matrix leaves.

Shortly thereafter Buzz and Zauriel have a conversation in which it is revealed that Buzz is actually the demon that tormented Linda before.

Moreover, it seems that Buzz and Zauriel are in cahoots. Just what is their plan? Or are they simply gambling with Linda and Matrix, playing a game the way God and Satan did with Job.

Either way there is more here than meets the eye.

Is mankind worth saving? Are they worth the fight?

Despite her recent travels and experiences, Matrix remains unsure. Looking for more knowledge, sge heads to see Ceetka, protector of the seas.

As with the woodland nymphs, Matrix nearly becomes part of the ocean hive mind. Once again, she shrugs it off, embracing her individuality.

Back on Earth, Linda is suffering through her own crisis ... a crisis of conscience. She doesn't like who she has become. Drowning in despair, she writes in her journal about feeling lost. It could almost be the beginning of the suicide note. But with Matrix gone, Zauriel steps in, reminding her that she is loved, and growing, and has the ability to make her way through the darkness and into the light.

Washed ashore after her visit in the waters, Matrix runs into the 'Clark' she spied on before.

He reveals that he is actually an angel, one of many living on Earth as a man, trying to better understand man and Hir love for them. It seems incomprehensible to Matrix. Who would lower themselves to the level of man?

It all finally reaches a head.

The demon confronts Matrix, telling her she should take his hand and join him, that she should give up trying to help man ... a fool's goal. He asks her to become, in essence, a fallen angel.

At the same time, the Spectre comes to annihilate Linda. Surprisingly, she prays ... she earnestly and honestly prays, begging for salvation.

And just as Matrix was about to take the devil's hand, that prayer calls to her like a beacon. It cleanses Matrix of her doubts and draws her Earthward where she fuses with Linda. Two become one in a holy union.

This form of redemption ... where one person steps up to save another who seems worthless ... is exactly the way that Matrix and Linda became an Earth Angel in Peter David's Supergirl. This was a nice reflection of that story.

Now truly an angel on Earth, Linda/Matrix is greeted by all the people she has encountered during this trial. They all played a part in this evolution, this fulfillment of Hir plan to create a newer and better being ... someone born of both human and angel.

We see how these beings all nudged Linda and Matrix ... tempting them to turn away from this path, but ultimately helping them reach their destiny.

What's more, in a nice reversal of the PAD version, here it was Matrix who was the flawed being, the one about to fall ... and it was Linda who saved her! It was Matrix who needed a guardian angel. It was Matrix who needed this fusion with humanity to save her.

As someone who devoured PAD's story, I thought this was a good twist. Even angels need saving.

And so a new form of life is made, a new angel to help mankind reach salvation.

I thought this was an interesting story, especially if you are a fan of Peter David's Earth angel arc of Supergirl. This is such a nice adjunct to that storyline, a fresh look at similar themes. One thing I have to say is that the  story feels very compressed. The tour of the afterlife feels like a whirlwind tour with each variety of being allowed only a page or two to be looked at. I feel like DeMatteis had a clear understanding in his head of this pantheon and the wisdom he wanted them to impart on Matrix but only had a short time to show it. I wonder if this would have read better as a two issue mini.

Jamie Tolagson's art is perfect for this sort of book. It is rough enough to capture the worldliness of man, how we are stuck in an imperfect environment. It also is just slightly warped enough to feel like other-worldly, supernatural.

This book is a little and almost unknown treasure. When I see it, it is in the fifty cent boxes at conventions. I don't think it had a big run and so might be hard to find. As a stand alone Supergirl Elseworld's, I think it has a space in a Supergirl collection although it had no lasting impact on the character. That said, if you like PAD's run, you should seek it out. As such, I would rank it of low/medium importance to a Supergirl collector.

This is one of those books I like more and more every time I read it.

Overall grade: B+