Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest

Batman/Superman World's Finest #12 came out this week and was a truly wonderful 'one and done' tale of Robin and Supergirl's awful first (and only) date. 

Writer Mark Waid has such a deep understanding of the DCU as well as a clear interpretation of the classic histories of the characters that this issue just sings. This story takes place in some vague past, probably in some other timeline, with a younger Dick and Kara. I would say the two come off as Kara being slightly older than Dick, in my head they are 19 and 17 respectively, but who knows.

What does show is that these two are still new to dating, still learning who they themselves are, and trying to figure out their way in the world. 

Robin seems eager to impress Supergirl, something I can remember doing in earlier years when wooing someone. Or he is desperate for some validation, perhaps a comment of his relationship with Batman.

Kara is clearly trying to adopt the ways of Earth for this date. But she also is a little awkward, something which makes sense for her having only been on the planet for a short time. 

It all comes off great. It is a fun, wild story showing why these two (at least at this point) just don't mesh romantically. 

It is aided greatly by Emanuela Lupacchino's smooth art. Lupacchino has been a sort of designated pinch hitter for Supergirl since her stint as lead artist in the K. Perkins run at the pre-New 52 title. She brings great emotion and expression to the date itself, showing the characters cringing and getting frustrated. But the action sequences are also dynamic and splashy (pun intended as you will see).

And all this comes as a prequel from this page in  World's Finest #2 where we hear the ludicrous details of the date, all of which turn out to be on target.

One last thing I like about this book. I like this format that Mark Waid has done so far. A five issue story completes and you get a done-in-one palate cleanser before you go into the next arc. But these single issues add depth to the characters and build the universe. Keep this please, DC!

On to the book.

Review: World's Finest #2

World's Finest #2 came out this week and was another knockout winner of an issue. This issue, much like the last, feels like a love letter to the DCU. It is just about perfect.

I shouldn't be surprised that writer Mark Waid can capture, almost effortlessly, the voices of these characters. And by placing these stories somewhen in the past (and maybe even somewhere in the continuity of the DCU), he has a sort of carte blanche to go classic with these characters while still infusing some of their more current mores.

Perhaps the biggest surprise in the issue is his wonderful characterization of Supergirl. I remember talking to Waid about Kara at a Boston Comic Con back in the day. I mentioned how his Supergirl in the Legion was so different from that time's 'current continuity' of Supergirl, the angst-riddled angry monster in the Loeb and then Kelly issues. It was clear in hearing him talk about picturing her smiling and flying that he and I shared an outlook. 

Here we have Waid doing it again. This Kara is there for her cousin, eager to help, capable and intelligent. Once more so different from the 'current continuity' Kara, the emotionally-devastated, angry monster of Tom King.

Seriously, and probably no surprise, the Supergirl stuff was my favorite part of the issue. But trust me, the rest of the issue is tremendous as you'll see. And it is clear that Waid is going to use our World's Finest duo as a straw to stir around the drink of the whole DCU.

Add to it the unbelievable beauty of Dan Mora's art and you have a winner. Last issue I said I wanted Mora on a Doom Patrol book after seeing his take on the classic team. After this issue, I want to see him on a monthly Supergirl book. His art sings, from the medical drama of the first scene to the brutal flashbacks of Devil Nehza origin, it all just leaps off the page.

Buy this book. 

On to the specifics.

Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest #1

Batman/Superman World's Finest #1 came out this week, an action packed, nigh perfect comic book which hearkened back to thrilling adventure comics of old. I unabashedly loved this comic. This was like mac and cheese, a comfort food of a comic that made me feel happy. 

The book opens with the pages previewed in Detective Comics #1050 but continues full throttle with an over-sized, no ad book. So I didn't mind paying for those pages again. I wasn't cheated. But I won't review those pages here again. 

Writer Mark Waid does a great job here, flashing back to an early meeting of Batman and Superman as a way to show how they became best friends. And that history does resonate in the latter half of the story so didn't feel gratuitous. But the big win here is the characterization of a young Dick Grayson as Robin. I get the sense that Robin is going to be the straw that stirs the drink. He will be our POV character, the comic relief quipper, and the contrast hero against the megastars of Superman and Batman. I trust Waid to handle the DCU well and he does. He writes the DC that I want to read. It takes place some time in the past and has a classic flavor.

Dan Mora is on art and he just shines here. Mora has a lot to show us here as Waid does a deep dive into the DC Universe already. Poison Ivy. Metallo. The Penguin. The Weaponeers of Qward. The Doom Patrol. The work is crisp and engaging. I hope he stays on this book for a long time. But if he doesn't, please give him a classic Doom Patrol book to pencil. I love his take on the team, one of my favorite properties. 

And I was lucky enough to grab the last copy at my LCS that has the cover by Artgerm which reminded me of one of his early covers on Batgirl #14 . So happy to see Kara and Steph together. Make the poster and t-shirt now DC!

I am going to gush.

On to the book.

Review: Challenge Of The Super-Sons #3

Challenge of the Super Sons #3, the print version of the digital first comic, came out this week and continued to be a glorious romp of a story. As always, the juice of the story is the interaction between the young Bat and Super, who are very different and also close friends.

Writer Peter Tomasi has had a good handle on these characters for some time now so I am no longer surprised when I grin while reading. He gives Jon an earnest 'aw shucks', 'we need to be the best we can be' enthusiasm to his heroics. Contrast that to Damian's hard-nosed, occasional 'ends justify the means' approach and you have fertile character soil to be mined.

What I like about this book right now is that the characters are involved in two mingled storylines, one in medieval times and one in the present. Of course, to them it is one timeline but for me the varying locales keeps the book fresh.

Art on this books is done by Jorge Corona and Max Raynor. Both have a style which is befitting the action of the title. I feel like Corona is a mix of Jorge Jimenez and Ken Rocafort. And that stylized approach is perfect for the shenanigans of the action. Raynor is a extremely polished visual storyteller and his work with the other JLA members in the book is stunning.

On to the book.

Review: Adventures Of Super Sons #3

Adventures in Super Sons #3 came out this week and was another look at some DC Silver Age tropes in a carnival mirror. Peter Tomasi is really taking advantage of this last trip on the ferris wheel of fun. This current mini-arc of the sons fighting the super-villain fanboys of the planet Cygnus has been a blast, seeing the younger version of the World's Finest team trying to outwit an adolescent take on the Injustice League.

This time around is a hysterical look at the Superman Red/Superman Blue. The Jons don't like each other and seem more interested in fighting each other than the villains. It is a rare day when Damian is the voice of reason!

The art team of Carlo Barberi and Art Thibert continue to bring a sort of giddy energy to the book, bordering on cartoony but staying within the confines of more modern sensibilities. The images really jump off the page.

Add in a cliffhanger showing that our tour through the Silver Age isn't over and you have a confection worth reading. I love this book. And I will be said when this team goes away in the aftermath of the Bendis re-imagining.

On to the book.

Review: Super Sons #14

 Super Sons #14 came out this week and very nicely ended the Mother's Day story in which Talia Al Ghul tries to lure Damian back to the dark side. I was very impressed with this arc as it both answered the much asked question 'Where is Talia in all this?' as well as pushing forward the characterization of both of the titular sons. As I have said in the past, the friction and differences between Jon and Damian is such fertile ground for story-telling. Writer Peter Tomasi definitely knows how to mine it!

The thing that I have liked about this is how both Jon and Damian are being influenced and inspired by the other. They come in as Batman and Superman writ small. But I wonder if this friendship and this mingling of ideas during adolescence is what is missing from the Bruce/Clark friendship. They met later on in life and in heroing career. It is, as they say, harder to teach an old dog new tricks. But here when we see Damian's rough edges being sanded down by Jon's optimism, or Jon bending the rules when necessary when nudged by Damian ... well it all works.

Carlo Barberi and Art Thibert really bring a dynamic and definitely youthful feel to the book, with zany expressions and great, sorta anime, qualities. So that jibes well too.

In the end, it just reminds me how sad it is that this book is ending.

Review: Superman #38

Superman #38, the fourth part of the Super Sons of Tomorrow story line, came out last week and was fast moving, if somewhat inscrutable, chapter in this arc. This might be a Superman book but he is barely in the issue. Instead, this is a chapter in a multi-title arc. This will read normally inside a trade, less so for the fan who wants to read just the adventures of the Man of Steel.

Writers Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason have a great feel for Jon and Damian and much of this chapter revolves around those two characters. This would be a great issue of Super Sons. But there is a lot of this plot that I either simply have to accept. So much of this could be chalked up to 'because comic books'. And some of it is clear that reasons to get characters all in the same place at the same time means some weird events and motivations need to happen. And, of course, it all stems from the plot of a future Tim Drake wanting to rewrite history, a story which besmirches his character. 

The artist on the book is Sergio Davila who has a style akin to Jorge Jimenez. Despite running through several books, the stories look similar enough to make me feel it will be a smooth read in the trade.

On to the book.

Review: Super Sons #10

Super Sons #10 came out last week and this book continues to be a hoot. Jon and Damian are clearly learning to be heroes, clearly come from different backgrounds, and are clearly being influenced by each other. Better yet, I can't help but think that their friendship is strengthening the Clark and Bruce one. This makes me happy.

This was something of a rest issue, setting up some new plotlines and new places for the boys and the book. Much like I feel that Supergirl underwent a new focus recently, I think this book is also heading off into a bold new-ish direction. We have established the boys friendship and their partnering. Now was the time to take this to the next level. No more ad hoc adventures. Let's make this a standing relationship.

Writer Peter Tomasi does his usual job of showcasing Jon and Damian's different outlooks on life. It is that friction that brings the juice to the proceedings. However, it is the times we see a little of the other in a character that shows growth. When Damian sounds a little like Jon it makes me happy.

The art on this issue is done by recent pinch hitter extraordinaire Jose Luis. And as this is mostly a non-adventure book, Luis does a great job of keeping my engaged with the story. Much of that has to do with the characters' body language.

On to the book.

Review: Injustice #13

I am not collecting the Injustice 2 comic on a regular basis but I wonder if ultimately I will regret it. I wonder if at some point in the future I'll be trawling $1 boxes at conventions to fill in issues. Because what I have read has been excellent. I just don't know if I want to dedicate three dollars a month on a comic built on the foundation of a fascist Superman. My guess is any time Supergirl is mentioned prominently in the solicit or a major part of the cover, I'll be intrigued enough to grab the book.

Injustice 2 #13 came out last week and had what is the ultimate bait for me as a Supergirl fan. It showed Supergirl with a member of the Bat-family with the words World's Finest displayed. I love second generation World's Finest team-ups.

As in Injustice 2 #6, Supergirl really shines in this issue. It seems like writer Tom Taylor really has a solid hold of the Kara character. She has lived through tragedy. She wants to spare anyone and everyone from a similar fate. She is optimistic, faithful, and even a bit shy at times. But when she sees injustice, she becomes fierce. That need to protect others is primary. So, albeit in the two issues of this book I have read, Supergirl really comes of great. It could be enough to lure me into this title ... maybe.

And her team-up with Nightwing, here Damian Wayne, is also intriguing. Like many 'Robins', Damian acts like someone who has been in an abusive relationship. He is trying to do what is right but he is stuck in the orbit of two huge personalities - Superman and Batman. And I love that it is Supergirl that encourages to him to forge his own path. In fact, there is this great scene at the end between the two that is powerful.

Mike Miller does the art here and does a great job showing a Supergirl who hasn't quite embraced heroic poses and iconic stares. She very much is a young, inexperienced kid here, learning the ropes and seeming sort of ordinary in some places.

On to the book.

Review: Super-Sons #5

Super Sons #5 came out this week and was something of a coda for the first Kid Amazo arc as Jon and Damian deal with the punishments meted out by their caring parents. I found this to be a pretty wonderful story as the kids to terms with how similar and how different they are by looking at the relationship of their fathers. And thankfully, writer Peter Tomasi makes the Batman/Superman relationship a healthy one.

Another thing which remains prominent in this book is the humor Tomasi brings to the affairs. I have usually found Damian to be insufferable. I sometimes find Jon to be a bit too much of the classic 'good kid'. Tomasi can blur the edges of both characters, making them likeable, believable, and funny.

The art is by Allison Borges, a name I haven't heard of before. Borges brings a sort of cartoony feel to some of the sillier moments while grounding things a bit more once the adults show up. It works here nicely.

So while there isn't a bad guy and most of the action is the two sons trying to beat each other senseless, I loved this issue.

Review: Super-Sons #4

A bit of Supergirl-specific news came out this week, delaying things a bit. So I am catching up.

Super Sons #4 came out last week, the end of the first arc and potentially the end of the team. More than any prior chapter, this issue shows how difficult it would be for these two boys to be friends and to work together. It isn't easy for the more down-to-Earth Jon to deal with the narcissistic worldly assassin Damien. And this battle showcases that.

The villain of the piece, Kid Amazo, has the potential to be a legitimate threat. But in this story, he is relatively easily dispatched. Maybe too easily. And really, in the end, he isn't even defeated by Superboy and Robin. Really, I think Amazo was really just a catalyst to showcase the differences of the Sons.

As much fun as it is to see the sons bristle with each other, I am finding the interaction with the larger DCU even more engaging. So seeing Luthor, Lois, and Alfred in here was also a great.

Lastly, Jorge Jimenez's art is the perfect style for this book. Stylized, somewhat exaggerated, and in places cartoonish, it jibes wonderfully with the tone of the book.

On to the book!

Review: Super-Sons #3

Super Sons #3 came out last week and was another chapter in a fast-paced, fun title. Things really seem to be propelled forward in this story. Not much decompression here. And that frenetic, almost 'short attention span' feel to the stories seems appropriate for the protagonists. Everything happens fast in that time of life.

But this isn't just an action book. Most of the fun here is seeing Jon and Damien interacting. At times I have said that the 'always at odds' relationship that DC has forced on Superman and Batman is adolescent and sophomoric. This plays that up. These characters are adolescents! So seeing them be friends and that at each other's throats makes sense. It plays up how silly the Superman/Batman stuff is these days.

One of the problems with that contrast between the characters is that a writer could have them become more one-dimensional. So writer Peter Tomasi has to keep these interactions feeling fresh. I don't want Jon to always say 'this is crazy I'm calling Dad.' And I don't want Damien to always say 'no, I'm the best. I can handle this.' Part of the fun will be seeing how each influences the other.

The art by Jorge Jimenez is the perfect match for this title. Everything is a little warped and stylized. There is this slight craziness to it which works with the pace of these stories. I love it.

Now this arc involves Kid Amazo and I have to say I feel a little lost in what the villain's powers are. But I am just along for the ride here. It's like a roller coaster. Just grab on and try to take it all in.

Review: Superman #20

 Superman #20 came out this week, the first issue since the Superman Reborn storyline which fused the pre-Flashpoint Superman with the New 52 Superman. How delightful for me as a comic reviewer to say Clark or Lois or Superman and not have to explain exactly which one I am talking about! How exciting for a continuity that everything is now linear and we aren't talking about Convergence worlds, the 21st century equivalent of a Pocket Universe.

But while we are now dealing with one Lois and one Clark, we were dealing with two very different lives. Things aren't going to be entirely smooth. We as readers have to reconcile the differences and in our minds settle this whole thing into one history. And thankfully, writers Patrick Gleason and Peter Tomasi realize that the characters have to do that as well. This shouldn't be easy. They have to figure out who they are just as much as we have to. I think it would have been wrong to just move forward without some acknowledgment from Lois and Clark that their life is comprised of two lives shuffled together.

This also is the beginning of a storyline called Black Dawn which finally explores the nefarious Farmer Cobb and his haunting milk business. Add in Batman and Robin, and you have a very satisfying first issue of this new reality.

The Superman books are really clicking right now. I am very happy. On to the book!

Review: Superman #11

Superman #11 came out last week, the second part of the introduction of the Super-Sons duo and subsequent book. It is a rollicking time, pure simple good fun. And it sold me on the prospect of the concept that a Damien/Jon will be a book to pick up. Sometimes you need to smile and I think these two will get me to do just that.

For the last 30 years, DC has been struggling with how to make Superman and Batman be friends.  The Dark Knight Returns had a Superman was mockingly called (and still referred to as) a boy scout and a school boy. Batman became an overly prepared, paranoid, grim being. Right or wrong, it wouldn't be easy for people presented that way to be besties. So for years we have had a vestigial memory of the World's Finest pair creeping into comics with either Batman or Superman always saying 'Despite our differences ...'

What I wondered was if the youthful exuberance of Robin and Superboy make the scions be friends more easily? Or would the heightened experience of adolescence make their differences all that more difficult to overcome? Maybe that is the whole concept of the book. Can someone less entrenched in a way of life reach out to someone different and compromise?

This issue shows how it won't be too easy for Damien and Jon to just suddenly become quick friends. But the potential is there, perhaps nudged forward by proud fathers. And maybe, just maybe, that common ground of being dads will nudge the World's Finest closer. Maybe ...

Creative team of Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason seem to be having a fun time in this issue, putting the super-sons through their paces, plopping them in crazy situations and making them flail a bit to get to safety. Gleason's art is perfect for this style book whose premise lends itself to the wild pizzazz he brings.

On to the book!

Review: Superman #10

Superman #10 came out this week and continued the wonderful run that Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason are having on this book. If any character needed a #Rebirth, it was Superman who seemed to toil for the last decade or so, acting far from the Superman I grew up reading. Now, in this 'new' DCU, I have Superman books I can look forward to, Superman books I am loving. I haven't been able to say that for a while.

This issue reads more like a prologue to the upcoming Super Sons title. But that works for me just fine. For one, I am interested in that book. But more than that, this plays up the differences between the sons and the differences between the heroes. This isn't going to be an easy alliance between these young adventurers learning the ropes. And certainly, Superman and Batman are exactly the World's Finest these days. While this pre-Flashpoint Superman seems open to a more classic friendship, things are strained.

And so, in this issue, we see the senior heroes clench their fists and then calm down. And we see the younger heroes act calm and then clench their fists. We see Superman's optimism and wisdom play out in Jon. And we see Batman's preparedness and quasi-paranoia apparent in Damien. That's solid stuff.

Add to that a healthy dollop of humor and a hypnotic art style by Gleason, and I was sold on this issue. Solid stuff.

Back to the art, earlier in this title, I talked about how Gleason's current style felt a bit 'Rankin/Bass' to me. That it was a bit off, a sort of 'uncanny valley' feel. But over the issues, I have been more and more enamored of it. It is very engaging.

On to the book.

Bullet Review: Worlds' Finest #30

Worlds' Finest #30 came out last week, one of many chapter in the deconstruction of the New 52 Earth 2. I stopped reading this title half a year ago when a sort of creative ennui mired the book into irrelevancy. Since then, I have only seen the ads and read a review here and there about Worlds' End and Earth 2.

There isn't much about what I have seen happening in these books that has made me question my decision.

But blog friend and fellow comic reviewer Mart Gray   tipped me off that I might enjoy some of this last issue and he was right.

The whole issue is told in flashback by Lois, a look at this Earth just before it unraveled into chaos. So we see this quiet moment of Mr. and Mrs. Superman enjoying each others' company and doing a little canoodling.

Of course, Supergirl lives with them and walks in on them snuggling. There is so much to love in this scene, from the simple romance of Lois and Clark to the 'cowbell' comment by Kara.

But most of all I love this costume. For one, it shows that this Kara has always preferred the leotard look, the one piece. No skirt to be seen here. And it echoes the one piece she wears as Power Girl. But most of all I love the ballerina slippers, a nice nod to the later  70's Adventure Comics Supergirl.

It's funny. I found the strongest part of this book is when Paul Levitz looked back at Huntress and Power Girl's early careers as Robin and Supergirl. So I also enjoyed this other adventure in the book with Catwoman and Robin.

These flashback scenes made me miss a more classic Earth 2 even more, the one with the JSA, Infinity Inc, and a sense of legacy.

Thanks again Mart! That Supergirl page made me smile. 

Nick Spencer On His Supergirl Run

In the aftermath of the Andy Diggle and Joshua Hale Fialkov, other creators who have been editorially squashed by DC Comics have started to come out of the woodwork and fan the flames. One of them was Nick Spencer who lasted one half of one issue on Supergirl, here on  Supergirl #60.

On his blog, Spencer wrote about his proposed story arc. Here is that link:
http://nickspencerly.tumblr.com/post/45862702793/by-the-amazing-amy-reeder-the-unpublished-cover

And here are the major parts of that post and the proposed story.

The idea for the story was pretty simple: Kara learns how to be a leader. She had, to that point, been almost exclusively used as either a solo character, or in a supporting role on a team. I felt like someone wearing that ‘S’ on their chest would find people looking to them for answers when things got bad.

The story beats that really stand out, to me:
I know I wanted to have a scene where the fight gets really hectic, and Impulse runs away, with Kara really calmly and sympathetically talking to her about it, just the two of them, in the aftermath. That was supposed to be the big moment that Kara comes into her own.

The entire team (except for Kara) were gonna get captured, and Kara would go to Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman for advice— and from there, putting together ANOTHER team to rescue them (I forget who all was on that one- Black Alice, Klarion, Shining Knight, Arrowette, I think).

The whole thing would climax at the launch party for the Flyover app, and the last scene was Impulse pulling Damian onto the dancefloor.

So I don't know exactly what here was so objectionable to the editors. My guesses? The villain was to be a Luthor/Brainiac hybrid which might have been being saved for Superman. Or maybe this story, creating a team, losing a team, talking to the Trinity, creating a new team, saving the day was deemed too cumbersome?

With blood in the water, every major comic site covered Spencer's news and used it to prove DC editorial overreach existed back then ... even though there was not as much news of editorial overreach back then. We didn't hear these stories then which makes me think something must have been amiss for this to have happened. Now I do fault DC for giving the reins to Spencer too early if they hadn't heard all the details of his story. Isn't that the role of editors? 

As for that issue, the one thing that struck me about it was that a lot of time was spent showcasing not only 'Alex' (the villain) but his college friends. It seemed overly long and wasted space, almost like Spencer needed to show how pithy and snappy his dialogue could be. Those kids weren't part of the big story so why do I care that one of them has a new girlfriend?

Anyways, given the feeding frenzy against DC (something I am taking part of) I am not surprised to see how many people have come out and said 'I would have read that story about Kara becoming a leader!'

Yeah?? Where were you back then??

Because the truth is, James Peaty's story, which picked up after Spencer left, did just that. So they should go back and get the back issues because there are some great moments in Peaty's story. And the art by Bernard Chang is so beautiful. I have reviewed those issues (Supergirl #60-64) on this site so folks can go to those posts if they want. But let me give you some highlights.

Here is Damien Wayne telling Jaime that he is listening to Kara because she has proven to be a true leader. She has passed his internal test of earning respect. Damien!!

And then in the battle with Dubbilex (the stand in for the Lex/Brainiac villain), Miss Martian admits that she looked up to Supergirl ... was in awe of her.

Best yet, the whole counterattack against Dubbilex has been masterfully orchestrated by Supergirl. Despite all his intelligence and planning, he is soundly beaten by Kara. He was simply 'outsmarted'.

Look at how strong Supergirl looks as she sort of rubs in her victory.

And in the end, Supergirl knows she is ready. She is the leader of her generation and ready to take a place in the majors.

So if you are saying 'I missed out on a great story' because of Nick Spencer's post, go find this arc.

Anyways, hopefully DC gets there act together and lets creators breathe a bit.

Review: Worlds' Finest #10

Worlds' Finest #10 came out last week, another sly crossover in the Requiem for Damien Wayne.

I can understand both DC the company and writer Paul Levitz including a reaction to Damien's death by Huntress in the book. In many ways, Damien is sort of the Earth 1 equivalent for Helena. And the ideas of loss ... of worlds and families ... is so central to this book's core concept that it had to be included. So that is why Levitz would include it. Of course, for the Batman completionists, DC would want to include this scene as it would provide healthy publicity for the title. The bottom line, this didn't feel like a forced scene to cash in on Batman's current popularity.

The good news about this issue is that it continued to push the stories and plots forward in a way that was missing in the earlier issues where things seemed somewhat stagnant. We have had wonderful character moments in this book from the beginning. Now the plot of an Apokolips invasion is starting to bubble and boil rather than simmer.  And that is great news because I really like this book and the characters but was feeling frustrated about the lack of progress.

The art in the book is beautifully rendered by Kevin Maguire. His usual expressive work shines here. And I love this cover. I especially think the red skies works wonderfully. I am a big fan of Maguire and so a whole issue of his art is a great treat. But it is more like bittersweet chocolate. At the recent ECCC, Maguire stated that he is off the book.

Last issue, Michael 'Mr. Terrific' Holt sent an assault squad to Starr Island.

And man, that irks Power Girl to no end. Levitz has done a good job juggling the complexity of Power Girl's personality. There is a sort of innocence about her, a whiff of Silver Age Supergirl. But there is also some ferocity and impulsiveness to her which is both a classic Power Girl and a more modern age Supergirl take.

So if Holt attacks her, she is going to retaliate. In what can only be described as industrial terrorism, she begins to level Holt Industry factories and headquarters. And since Power Girl is still a relative unknown on Earth 1, she is doing it with some subterfuge, mimicking natural disasters. It does seem like a bit of a significant strike back ... is it too much? Does this border on villainy? She is complicated and I like that.

I really liked the panels as Karen tries to feel for the sweet spot underground to level and empty Holt building via earthquake. 

Her surgical strike with an earthquake unfortunately spreads beyond the compound and suddenly Power Girl has to rescue innocents she has endangered.

Despite her training by Kal and her longer heroic career, she is definitely still on the journey. I love how she remembers some of Superman's words of wisdom. This is how easy it is to have Superman be in a 'Supergirl's' life without having him be a looming presence. Now these are very public rescues with people snapping pictures. Will this lead to a bigger public persona? Will Superman or Supergirl 'recognize' her?

As I said before, Maguire's expressive work is so fantastic. Look at that first panel. Karen is beating herself up for this disaster. Wonderful.

Since there seems to be a moratorium called on shredding the Power Girl uniform, Levitz and Maguire give us a different form of cheesecake having Karen in lingerie lounging on her bed while she sips champagne, eats grapes, and chats with Huntress on the phone. I still think it's gratuitous.

As for Huntress, she chastises Karen for letting her emotions get the best of her and overreacting with the Holt assaults. I like that Helena is the voice of reason here, trying to rein Power Girl in a bit. That said, Helena has certainly had some moments where she seems to lose control too.

Huntress has decided that unnatural catastrophes won't provide the answers they want so she tries to break into Holt's personal computer files.

The computer is protected by those T-globe thingies. They seem to be awfully easy to disable if a net can eliminate them as a threat. Heck, James from Team Rocket could defeat these things.

This was the only low point in the book ... and it isn't that bad.

The industrial espionage (after industrial terrorism!) is cut short when Karen informs Helena about Damien's death. The two travel to the grave where Helena tries to come to grips with her feelings. Nice surroundings for this scene - rainy and windy and dark. And the body language of the characters, that sort of blank face on Helena, the limp hair, it all talks about how powerless these characters are feeling right now. Death is inevitable.

Family and the loss of family is so key to this book. This was like losing a step-brother. It is one more body on the pile for Huntress.Good stuff here.

But despite that desire for family, she still isn't ready to meet the Earth 1 Batman. After 5 years on this planet, both Karen and Helena still can't imagine meeting their alternate families. It is so interesting ... somewhat baffling.

I do love how Helena, a former Robin, actually contemplates asking to take Damien's place! Can you imagine Bruce's response. He just lost one child that way. Would he let another star-crossed child take the mantle? I would love to see that conversation.

As for Michael Holt, he is marooned on Earth 2. So who is this guy claiming to be Holt and angry at the break-in.

Given the Apokolips connection, I am thinking someone like Dr. Bedlam, inhabiting a Holt construct.

I need some real Fourth World stuff in this book ... and soon.

The book ends with a cute joke. After all, how could Karen not know Holt was Mr. Terrific if she was so romantically involved with him? She replies he was actually just Mr. Good. Ooooh .... burn!

Good joke. But this was just after tear-soaked graveside despair! Too soon for some saucy talk? I suppose that you can't be sad all the time. Maybe Helena just wanted to get her mind of Damien and some good-natured ribbing of her friend could help.

So another good issue in a title that I feel is really getting its legs under it and moving forward. I really look forward to this book each month, a guilty little pleasure.

Now with Maguire leaving, who do you want to take over? I have been impressed with CAFU's efforts on this book the last couple of issues. He gets my vote.

Overall grade: B+

Review: Worlds' Finest #7

I have been down on Worlds' Finest for a couple of months wondering if this title would ever really find its way, ever get to the actual story it is trying to tell. Between rest issues, repetitive themes, and a feeling of treading water, my enjoyment of the book was tanking. And that is sad because I have been loving the art on the book. And frankly, I have been a Power Girl and a Huntress fan in the past.

Worlds' Finest #7 came out this week and sort of buoyed my support for the title. That's not to say it isn't without fault. There are some things which left me scratching my head a bit. But there were enough small moments and enough progression of the underlying story here that I was entertained.

If it is one thing that writer Paul Levitz is noted for, it is solid characterization. And this issue we definitely get a nice look at Huntress, a better idea of her concept of family as she interacts with her alternate universe step-brother. And that part of the story is just made that much more solid by the expressive art work done by Kevin Maguire. In fact, it is in the Maguire pages that a subtle Karen moment happens, a panel where the art tells the story.

One thing that I worry about is Levitz' ability to have Power Girl and Huntress interact in the same story given their different power levels. This is yet another issue where the two split up and do separate plots. What I want to see is the Worlds' Finest working together.

No complaints about George Perez' art on the Power Girl-centric part of the book. And, finally, now shredded PG costume, a, every issue occurrence that was becoming comical.

Last issue, Huntress had come clean to Robin, telling Damien who she was, where she was from, and what her mission was. And just like that, the three heroes decide to team up to find out who is skimming millions from Wayne Tech.

Here is that small moment that I love. Damien talks about family, the call of blood, reaching across worlds.

Look at Karen's face as she sees those clasped hands. There is some pain there. She was so close to her cousin. On Earth 2, Kal was like a father. And yet she has avoided Superman and Supergirl as much as possible. It is such an interesting part of her character. You would think she would seek out Superman at the very least.

It makes me wonder if this semi-superficial party girl persona is a mask, a way to hide the emotional pain she is in by putting on a happy face. Wonderful work.

I do wonder if I read into these things too much.

There are 2 electronic trails of the Wayne robberies. Huntress and Robin somewhere cold. Meanwhile, Power Girl heads to the Congo to root out the other cell.

One thing about Karen, she is dogged in her wish to get home. Even this 'crime fighting' exercise she wants to make disappear by throwing money at it. Heck, she is a billionaire. Both in this issue and in other places she talks about wanting to be in the lab working rather than out heroing. I don't know quite how I feel about that.

Almost immediately, the Bats are attacked by an exceedingly large pack of wolves.

I also don't know how I feel about Helena killing these wolves like this. I suppose survival is first. But seeing a bunch of dead wolves lying about perforated with arrows makes me a little skittish.

The key thing here is just how quickly these two adapt and work in synch in this fight and mission. In fact, Damien even needs to save Helena at one point. That sense of family and similar training works well.

In the Congo, Karen finds the satellite dish and goes to investigate.

Again, we hear her sort of complain about needing to do this. She would rather be in the lab or tanning herself on the beach.

I just don't think that Power Girl should be obsessed with such superficial stuff like tanning. I still think it is some sort of defense mechanism so she doesn't need to face the sadness in her life. In some ways, that would mirror the 'reappearance' of the Dark Supergirl we saw in James Robinson's JLA.

Amazingly, despite running into gunmen who blast her with Apokoliptian assault rifles, Karen's costume stays in one piece! I was really expected to see the 'shreds and shadows' Power Girl again! At least it proves that Apokolips is active here.

But before she can interrogate the thieves, a boom tube opens, sucking up the gunmen and vaporizing them.

Hmmm ...

Back to the northern pair, I thought this was such a great moment. Huntress and Robin discover a similar satellite-dished building and go to investigate. Damien, who tries to take charge the whole time, tells Helena to be quiet.

I have gushed about Maguire's expressive work before but that Huntress panel is perfect. You can tell the emotion she is feeling here - a sisterly sort of love and pride. This is basically her little brother. Just wonderful.

Out of the cabin comes a large intimidating wolfman, garbed in Apokoliptian clothes including the black bandolero they found at the original site.

Without hesitation, Huntress arms her crossbow with a projectile and slaughters this thing, complete with blood spurting out the front of his chest from a shot from behind.

Again, I find it hard to swallow that Huntress would so quickly go for a killing blow in this thing. I don't know how her father or Earth 1's Batman would respond to her almost callous use of lethal force in both animals and enemies. I know she is half-Catwoman. But still, I thought this was quick. And she didn't bat an eyelash.

But moreover, what the heck does Apokolips and wolfmen need with Wayne Tech millions? Is someone on Apokolips really a cyber-thief?? Why??

But that family code only goes so far. She makes Damien promise not to tell Batman about the Huntress and who she is. Interesting. The question is how much does Batman know about her already. And surprising that Damien agrees ... although he might have those fraternal feelings for her too.

So Huntress and Power Girl split up. And Apokolips are skimming cyber-funds. And Huntress has no problem killing (I suppose we saw this in her mini-series as well). I suppose it didn't bother me with Helena Bertinelli. But being a Wayne and murdering is a bit off-putting and probably worth exploring more.

But ...

Power Girl's costume remained intact. We get the briefest look into some of Karen's anguish. We see that family pride in Helena. And the Apokolips story is moved forward.

Add to that the consistent superlative art in this book.

I have to say despite the downsides, I liked this issue a lot. I can only hope that the next issue we see the two heroes working side by side.

Overall grade: B/B+ (nudged up by art)

Review: Worlds' Finest #6

Worlds' Finest #6 came out this week and was a little bit of a step up from last issue. But I have to say, my overall fascination with this book seems to be ebbing just a bit. The first arc with Hakkou was a bit of a throwback, with some fun interactions. And the feel of this Helena and Kara was fresh. The zero issue was very good, showing us their early lives as Robin and Supergirl. But last issue felt a bit stale, a bit of a rest issue, and sort of disconnected. And it was in that issue that I worried that these characters were becoming sort of caricatures, as if writer Paul Levitz might be pandering a bit. In some ways, this issue both made me feel better about the title ... and worse. This issue felt like a tale of two issues.

The Huntress part of the issue was very good. The interplay between Helena and Damien, so similar in background and so different, was crisp and fantastic. And that was mirrored in the great Kevin Maguire art in that section, complete with his usual wonderful expressive work.

The Power Girl portion seemed almost silly on the surface, the plot advancements made swept to the background and almost secondary to the superficial Kara that has become par for the course for this book. George Perez's art in this section was very solid, perhaps the best work on the book so far. But I think Kara is suffering a bit in this book. I can't imagine that Supergirl fans or Power Girl fans are happy with this character.

So the book is a sort of half-and half issue.

The issue starts with Helena breaking into the Wayne Foundation to skim a handful of millions off the books to fund her Huntress career. I don't know if I am 100% on board with this sort of pilfering from Helena even if she is simply taking some of her inheritance. But now that Karen is established and heading up a multimillion dollar corporation, is this sort of theft necessary? I suppose all of StarrWare's profits are being shunted to 'boom tube' tech.

Of course, such robbery wouldn't go unnoticed. You're stealing from Batman. And in the midst of the 'transaction', Damien shows up. There is a lot of tension here ...especially from Helena to Damien. She was Robin. Batman was her father. But this world is different ... and this Robin is very different.

Meanwhile, Supergirl is plugging in technology to every satellite she can reach. So whether it is a Morgan Edge GPN satellite or a Russian Space Station, they all become vessels for Karen. So Power Girl's quest to get home and the energy she brings to it is a high point.

But this overly sexual, overly flirtatious part of her character seems to be consuming her. Here, while planting the piece on the Russian space lab, Karen stops to give the boys 'a show', flying towards the satellite's window and blowing a kiss to the cosmonauts. And by the way ... she loves how ripped astronauts are.

I don't know if this little exchange adds anything to the story. I already know that Karen has a very healthy sexual appetite, that she likes flirting and being with the boys. What I don't like is being hit over the head with it. This interaction detracts from the fact that she is on a mission to get home, doing everything in her power to find that path.

I'll repeat, I am not against this aspect of Power Girl's personality. I just don't want it to become the only thing we see.

Now here is something I have been interested in seeing. While Helena is fighting with her Earth-1 counterpart, Power Girl nearly runs into her counterpart, Supergirl.

I think this would be unnerving, to meet another you ... but one who is so different. Power Girl had a great relationship with the E2 Superman, loved Lois, was a true hero in the classic sense. I can understand why she doesn't want to meet this Kara yet.

But in her rush to get away from Supergirl, the friction and speed burns away her Power Girl outfit, leaving her ... gasp ... naked.

This sort of 'every issue fan service', this 'destroyed costume of the month' trope has become almost comical. I get it, Karen is comfortable with her body ... enough to walk around naked in front of her assistant. And Power Girl's physical attributes have always been part of the character. But these little scenes are starting to feel forced. And starting to feel ridiculous.

The tech she has attached to the satellites forms an array looking for Apokiliptian energy signals, hoping to provide a hint to get home. Knowing her scientists are about to flick the switch, Karen rushes to the control room ... in the fuzzy barely-closed bathrobe.

Sigh ...

I get it, she is comfortable with her body.

But would any CEO arrive to an important session of any sort in a bathrobe? I am pretty sure she has super-speed and could get into clothes.  Again, it takes away from the story of this tech, all of which seems to disappear from the satellites (presumably by boom tube tech) right after the first scan. I don't know. Doesn't all of this seem like foolish pandering? It makes Karen feel like window dressing for the book.

Back in Gotham, Robin and Huntress continue to spar. It is so interesting to read. They clearly recognize a little bit of themselves in each other. I don't know if Helena knows that Damian is Bruce's son yet.

And yet they also can see the differences. Helena is shocked at Damian's brutality, something her Batman would never have condoned. That viciousness seems to give him an edge.

And he recognizes some of Batman's moves in her style ... but also some Selena as well. Regardless, he needs to stop her since she stole from Bruce ... and he'll use any method he can to do so.

It reaches a sort of fever pitch. They see the 'Bruce-ness' in each others' eyes. They bicker about who is a truer version of Robin, who is a more appropriate child of the Batman. Maguire's work is brilliant here. By eliminating backgrounds, you concentrate on the characters. And, as usual, his facial expressions are spot on showing anger, frustration, and cynicism.

But the last comment is the last straw for Damien. He throws Helena off a roof and into a dumpster, screaming he is the one true Robin.

And that dramatic moment is immediately followed by a very humorous one. Back at StarrWare, Karen is alerted about this fight and shows up to help her friend. She literally kicks Damian in the butt, sending him flying.

Who hasn't wanted to do that to Damian at some point?

And the 'no effort' pose by Karen, the semi-disgusted look on her face, the 'Amanda Conner-ness' of this image, all works. It is, for me, the best moment in the book. After the pressure building between the bat-kids all issue, coming to this sort of boiling point, it is immediately defused and with humor. Just fantastic.

He's no Robin as far as Karen is concerned.

It turns out that Helena isn't the person who has been skimming millions away from WayneTech on a weekly basis.  This would have only been her second withdrawal. And if someone else is stealing from Bruce, the kids should team up.

And Damian, who has been sort of irate this whole time, senses that Helena is telling the truth. Helena, for her part, realizes that she needs to let someone in, needs to tell the Earth 2 story to someone. I have to admit that Damian is an odd choice. I still don't quite know why Helena and Karen haven't approached Bruce or Clark yet. If you are going to open up to someone about this big secret, isn't one of them a better choice?

So as I said ... sort of an up and down issue. The Huntress part was wonderful, showcasing Helena's personality and skills as well as contrasting her to Damian. It is this part of the book I would love to see explored more ... just what is it like to be on Earth 1 after living on Earth 2.

But the Karen part seemed off. It is though Levitz feels he needs to put a spotlight on the sexual side of Karen, almost to the exclusion of everything else. And what I want is a well rounded character ... especially someone who is not only carrying the mantle of Power Girl, but Supergirl as well. How about one issue without a destroyed costume or a sexual conquest? How about an issue with just super-heroics? I mean getting handsy with a guy at the Cern collider at a boom tube test was odd enough. But showing up at a work meeting, spilling out of a fuzzy bath robe? That's comical.

Overall grade: B- (Huntress part gets a A)