Review: Action Comics #1077 - Supergirl Story

Action Comics #1077 came out last week, the eighth weekly issue during this Mark Waid run.

That also means it is the eighth entry in Mariko Tamaki's Supergirl story which has plodded along in the most dull way. I feel like my reviews have been repetitive. Nothing happens; Supergirl seems ineffective. But wait ... something happens this time.

In fact, something potentially interesting happens this time. I am not saying this is a good chapter. But at least there is some progression. And after 7 chapters of nothing happening, I am nearly giddy that at least we got something.

The prisoner gives us some background on who she is. 

Also, Tamaki brings in Tom King's Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow. Is she praising it? Retconning it? I think I know what it happening but I am hoping you all will tell me what you think as well.

Now Supergirl still does nothing in this chapter. This is the prisoner's story, not Kara's. 

Meghan Hetrick is back on art and brings an open style to things. 

On to the details.

Ana Nogueira Named As Supergirl Movie Screen Writer

 

Over on Instagram, James Gunn posted that the screenwriter Ana Nogueira has been named as for the Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow movie. Here is the post.

"A hearty public welcome to Ana Nogueira to the DC Studios family. Ana is an amazing writer whose screenplay adaptation of Woman of Tomorrow is above and beyond anything I hoped it would be. We’re excited to be moving forward on this unique take on Supergirl in this beautiful, star-spanning tale."

Incredibly, it sounds like the script is already written! This is a movie that is years away from being made. And given the recent downtrend in profits for super-hero movies, I wonder if this will ever come to pass. 

I was hoping that perhaps the movie being based on Woman of Tomorrow might change but that seems set for now. I wonder how Gunn can call that story a 'beautiful, star-spanning tale'. It certainly doesn't help that the picture Gunn chose shows Kara with a bloody sword, but here we are.

But the big news, of course, was that Nogueira was named. I have to admit, the name is new to me. She is mostly known for being an actress on 'The Vampire Diaries'. That is a show that slipped under my radar.

For writing, she is best known for an off-broadway play called Which Way to the Stage. It is hard to judge anything based on a wiki synopsis of a play so I won't. I just hope that Nogueira read more than just Woman of Tomorrow when she formulated who Supergirl is as a character.

For more coverage, here is an article over on Variety. It reminded me that Gunn called the movie 'more hard-core'.

Anyways, I'll lean into this community for help. If anyone has seen Nogueira act or has seen the play, please leave a comment!

James Gunn And The Supergirl Movie

Over on Twitter, James Gunn, the co-CEO for DC Studios, unveiled his plans for the next slate of DC projects.  Please listen to the clip as there are a lot of things that sound interesting, like Creature Commandos.

But the last project me names is Supergirl, based on Tom King's Supergirl, Woman of Tomorrow.

I have to tell you, my heart sank when I listened to the clip. He loved King's take on the character. Supergirl is 'much more jaded' than Superman. 

It's as if Gunn, like King, doesn't understand the character and her 60 years of existence.

But it got a little bit worse when I read more of what Gunn had to say.

Woman of Tomorrow was a 'wonderful comic'. 

King, someone who never understands a character or their history, is one of the architects in the DCEU room! Kara is much harsher and much more f**ked up than we've been used to this far. 

He says all those things as if they are good things.

I have been very vocal about my dislike of Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow, so no need to drudge up the comic.

But let me put these other thoughts out there.

One of the complaints about the DCEU movies is that they simply didn't understand the character. A Superman who kills, who flies away when the Senate blows up. A Batman who kills. An overly dour tone to all the proceedings. That take failed, resulting in this whole new slate and take on the universe.

So why hire an architect whose whole oeuvre is deconstructing and destroying characters?

Next, we had a very successful take on Supergirl on television, one where she was the primary hero of her world, an inspiration for others. That DID work.

And, unfortunately, Supergirl is always lucky when she gets some a shot in other media. But they are precious few. They stick.

If Batman does a bad animated movie (like having sex with Batgirl on a rooftop), it is a drop in the bucket. Three weeks later, another Batman movie is on the shelf. 

If Supergirl does something bad, she doesn't get second shots that often. If this doesn't work, there won't be a Supergirl movie for 40 years (proof seen in the aftermath of the '84 flick?).

So why break away from the character and what works and try a harsher take? Why do a harsher take when we have seen that a harsher take in the DCEU has failed horribly in the past? And why pick a Supergirl story which isn't even a Supergirl story to base her movie on?

Moreover, let's say it is a success. Then moving forward, Supergirl will be harsher and more f**ked up moving forward. So, the movie will undo 6 decades of stories. That is scary. 

I would rather have NO Supergirl movie than have a Supergirl movie based on that work with that 'jaded' take. 

Me, the guy who has run a Supergirl site for over a dozen years, doesn't want a Supergirl movie.  

Review: Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow #8

Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow #8 came out this week. I have been disappointed with this comic since it started. This ending leaves me just as disappointed. 

Writer Tom King has been on various outlets saying how he did a deep dive into Supergirl's history to come up with this story which he felt would be THE story to show how great Supergirl is. But throughout this mini-series, even though we have occasionally seen some bright spots, this Kara has been tormented, depressed, drunk, and complicit to murder. Moreover, it is quite clear that the character King really liked to write was Ruthye, the True Grit young lass learning about the world while endlessly spouting ponderous speech.

This issue continues that trend. Supergirl is something of an afterthought here. There are pages devoted to Ruthye's internal struggles while Supergirl is a side-plot happening in space. There is a scene where Comet has to save Supergirl. There is a scene where it is Ruthye who 'saves' Kara, not the other way around. And the ending either has Kara complicit again with murder or at the very least the beating of a helpless old man. None of that sounds like a book that is meant to have people love Supergirl.

And then there is a twist at the end which calls into question the entire story of the mini-series, an easy 'delete' button when DC decides to recognize this as an insult to the character rather than a praising. It is such an odd turn that it makes me actually wonder if this book ends the way King intended it too or if DC finally tugged on the reins. 

At least it is over.

I have also been somewhat stunned by the river of praise this book is getting from some critics. Many say it is the best Supergirl story they have ever read. Back when Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 came out, I heard the same thing from many comic readers. When I asked them what other Supergirl stories they have read, the most common answer was 'none'. For those who enjoyed this story, I am happy for you. But this isn't my Supergirl. 

And it is a shame that this isn't a great Supergirl book. Because the art by Bilquis Evely with colors by Mateus Lopes has been stellar throughout. In this issue we see Evely's designs of an alternate costume, a Supergirl who is beaten within an inch of her life, and an homage to the classic Crisis #7. Give Evely another book now. 

In the end though, I think this is something of a death knell for my favorite character. This book has taken away the optimism and inspiration of Supergirl and replaced it with tawdry Tom King trauma. Fans of Supergirl don't want to read that (a fact proven by the dwindling sales every time they have 'darkened' her). And Tom King fans won't read a Supergirl book. In essence, this is a dead end for Kara. Which is a shame, because I think Bendis and then Kennedy Thomas understand what she should be.

On to the book.

Review: Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow #7

Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow #7 came out this week, the penultimate issue in this mini-series. 

I don't think this is a good Supergirl story.

 And while the laudatory reviews and awards keep heading towards writer Tom King, I'll be the madman, living in the wild, surviving on honey and grasshoppers, and trying to tell you my truth. 

This isn't a good Supergirl story.

The issue revolves around two events happening simultaneously. One is Supergirl trying to fend off Krem's brigand army in space, hoping to hold off the varlots from rescuing him. The other is Ruthye left alone with Krem on a planet, trying to fight her urges to kill Krem. Neither seems to go exactly as planned.

King tries to build up the heroics of Supergirl here. At one point he says she lived a life of kindness. In another place he says that Supergirl 'doesn't hate anyone'. We learn this space pirate fight is one which has become legendary in song and poem, even having the planet renamed in Kara's honor. And all of that seems fine.

But if you take a step back, you realize this is King once again 'telling us', not showing us. Yes, we saw her kindness in issue #4 when she nursed aliens back to health. But where was her kindness when she watched someone get stoned to death? Where was her kindness when she let Ruthye witness that stoning? Where was her kindness when she stomped on the arms of the foe she had defeated already in issue #2? You can't tell me she lives a life of kindness and show me the opposite.

King has Supergirl say that as Supergirl she doesn't hate anyone but he follows that up with some text that makes it clear she is lying. 

And he doesn't exactly do her any favors in the story. Usually the hero of the book defeats the villaind. In this issue, he has her lose to a ship of space pirates. You would think, given her powers she would just disable their engine or cut down their mast and have them drift until the law shows up. But instead he has her engage in hand-to-hand and lose. Once more she has very little dialogue in her own book. The only lines she has are at the end of the book when she has been defeated, her lines trying to keep Comet from coming and rescuing her.

On the planet, Supergirl has left Comet with Ruthye so the young girl won't kill Krem. But Supergirl leave Ruthye with weapons at her disposal. And Krem is simply tied to a tree. If you are worried about Ruthye's bloodlust, why not take the weapons away? Super-speed build a prison cell to keep Krem and Ruthye apart? Put him in a well ventilated cave and collapse the entrance? Is Krem being tied up even safe enough to insure Ruthye is going to be okay?

I read this book hoping that maybe we would finally get Supergirl as a hero in her own mini-series. Instead she barely talks, wades in like the Hulk without thinking, and loses. There are plot points that make little sense that seem to be done to move the story in a certain direction.. You can't tell me this is a good story for her. 

What's worse, I think there is almost no place to go with this take on Supergirl afterwards. Who wants to read a monthly adventure book about the extremely depressed, PTSD victim who is simply going through the motions of life?

As always, a saving grace to the mini-series is the art. Bilquis Evely and Mateus Lopes continue to stun me with their beautiful art. It is a gorgeous book to look at.

On to some specifics. 

Supergirl 2021: A Year In Review & Best Of Comic Moments #10-#6

I have been running this site now for over 13 years. And each year I put together a year in review series of posts including the ten best moments for Supergirl in comics over the year. 

I am a huge fan of Supergirl. But I understand I have a particular vision of who Supergirl is and what she represents. So I will say up front, this has been a tough year for me as a fan, particularly with how she has been presented in the comics. Luckily we get some moments in Phillip Kennedy Johnson's Action Comics run that are wonderful.

Today I will review some non-comic stuff as well as start my top ten comic moments from comics. But to be honest, I really had to look to find 10.

On to the review.

Review: Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow #6

With the Christmas Holiday looming, I decided to get this review out quickly. So welcome to the review of Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow #6 by writer Tom King, artist Bilquis Evely, and colorist Mateus Lopes. 

To be frank, I have not liked the story in this series. While the art is spectacular, the crass, drunken, utterly despondent Kara is not the sort of Supergirl I want to read. The overly verbose Ruthye has dominated the page and much of the plot making this a 'sort of' Supergirl book. This relentless misery isn't what I traditionally look for in a Supergirl book.

But credit where credit is due. This issue is the best of the series so far. It showcases a strong and resilient Kara who has lived through such trauma it is incredible she is even walking. And yet, here she is. 

That doesn't mean that I don't have some serious issues with it. 

King has clearly read Supergirl back issues. In this issue he brings Comet back. But while the super-horse serves a purpose in the plot, King doesn't give us much to work with here. It feels like prolonged fan service, like him putting flame wings in a prior issue.

Moreover, King has read the Supergirl origin stories in the past. He gives us her origin here. The problem is this is King's version of Kara's origin. King thrives on having his characters have PTSD, having witnessed trauma and having them suffer. For Supergirl, King picks and chooses the worst parts of her history and forces her into the middle of the events. But this is the first time any of this happens the way King says it does. That means he changed her origin to make it more traumatic for no other reason than to amp up the violence and death she has seen. I'll explain more in the issue review itself. But having King reconfigure the origin to serve his purpose of darkening Kara's story seems self-serving. Her origin was traumatic enough. 

As always, I have little bad to say about the work Evely and Lopes bring here. The issue is a cosmic horse race intermixed with flashbacks of the dying Krypton. Evely and Lopes make it all just powerful to witness.

On to the book.

DC February Solicits 2022

The February solicits for DC Comics came out last week. This is an interesting month as we once again get some Legion back on the shelves. It also marks the end of the Tom King Supergirl mini-series. Will there be any Kara to read after this? Who knows.

If you want to peruse the entirety of the solicits, you can head to Newsarama here:
https://www.gamesradar.com/dc-comics-february-2022-solicitations/


SUPERGIRL: WOMAN OF TOMORROW #8
Written by TOM KING
Art and cover by BILQUIS EVELY
Variant cover by JANAINA MEDIEROS

Krem's fate revealed! As Supergirl continues her battle against the Brigands, Ruthye squares off against this most vile villain in hopes of avenging her father and completing their mission. Will justice be served on both accounts? Or will our heroes fail? You won't want to miss thrilling conclusion of the acclaimed miniseries that has changed Kara Zor-El for good!

From the beginning, we have been told that Kara kills Krem. As the whole story is a flashback, I am reserving the hope that she doesn't become a murderer. Although, if you are looking for a reason for her to go pacifist and loner (as seen in Future State), guilt from becoming a killer is a good motivation.

The miniseries that has changed Kara Zor-El for good! But I worry that where she ends up is a bad place and it sticks. Lots to worry about.

Nothing but love for the art here.

ACTION COMICS #1040
Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON and SHAWN ALDRIDGE
Art by RICCARDO FEDERICI and ADRIANA MELO
Cover by DANIEL SAMPERE
Variant cover by JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO
Black history month variant by ALEXIS FRANKLIN

Superman has become a force to be reckoned with inside Warworld's arena, and Mongul questions his decision to keep his enemies alive. As Superman's new Phaelosian ally Kryl-Ux teaches him new ways to fight without powers, he starts to win Warzoons over to his cause…but someone within his inner circle finds their allegiances tested. Meanwhile, the elusive Midnighter uses his talents to find the missing members of the Authority.

I'll be sad to see Daniel Sampere go but I have seen Riccardo Federici's stuff on line and I think the title is in good hands.

Perhaps Kryl-Ux is the hooded figure speaking to Superman in last issue? 

And this sounds a little like the movie Gladiator where Maximus gains favor and the Emperor wonders if the captive should just be offed.

This book has been solid for a while so looking forward to this. And love that Todesco cover!

JUSTICE LEAGUE VS.THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #2
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Art and cover by SCOTT GODLEWSKI
Variant cover by TRAVIS MOORE

"The Gold Lantern Saga" part two! Who is the Gold Lantern? And what does his power source have to do with the Great Darkness? Is the Gold Lantern everything it promises to be? The Justice League and Legion of Super-Heroes team up and travel to each other's time periods to unravel the mysteries that have led them to the precipice of this Great Darkness.

Looks like the 'VS.' part of this title is part of the first issue only as the two teams seem to be teaming up here. The power behind the Gold Lantern hardly looked like Oans so I wonder what tie they do have the Great Darkness. And is this Darkness tied to Darkseid?

I liked Bendis' Legion so I am glad we will be getting more.

SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL #8
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by CIAN TORMEY
Cover by TRAVIS MOORE
Variant cover by INHYUK LEE

Henry Bendix's plans for ultimate control threaten every superhero on Earth. And, in trying to stand against the dictator of Gamorra, Superman makes himself a target of business and world leaders. He is seen by too many as a force that must be stopped. How much can even a Man of Steel stand against before he bends?

Well, it looks like perhaps Tom Taylor is going to show us some ramifications for Jon's actions.

Although I suppose with the tenor of this book, the business leaders and world leaders may very well be painted with a negative brush too.

Interesting that Bendix has some world control ambitions. 

JUSTICE LEAGUE #73
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO and WADE VON GRAWBADGER
Cover by ANICK PAQUETTE and NATHAN FAIRBAIRN
Variant cover by KYLE HOTZ

"Lords of Chaos" part two! The Justice League and Justice League Dark team up to navigate the remade world of chaos. All the heroes must come together to save what's left of the world they have dedicated their lives to protecting. But has Doctor Fate gone bad? Oh no, he has.

I don't mind negative space covers like this. I suppose it shows my own predilections that I immediately think about room for a remarque or for con sigs.

I freely admit I haven't actually been paying close attention to the JLD back-up so I hope that there is a recap.

DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL #4
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by BENGAL
Cover by YASMINE PUTRI
Variant cover by JOSHUA MIDDLETON

The arrival of the Els by spaceship 19 years earlier was a pivotal moment for the kingdom, and a prophecy was born! But what were those early years like for the Els, and how did they come to be monarchs of the kingdom? And what catastrophic event triggered everything that was to follow?

I suppose I should have shown it but the Josh Middleton variant showing Harley playing a lute is worth the money.

Looks like this is the 'origin' issue. Mark my words, here is where Jor-El plotting the Wayne's assassination is going to be revealed.

WORLD OF KRYPTON #3
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by MICHAEL AVON OEMING
Cover by MICO SUAYAN
Variant cover by DAVE JOHNSON

As evidence of Krypton's environmental precarity mounts, the ruling council fights even harder to hide behind the myth of utopia. But a refusal to confront the problem is truly a refusal to attempt a solution! Zod is determined to force their hands and turns to his old friend Jor-El for backup, but their methods may be too dissimilar.

I keep forgetting this series is coming out.

I like the idea of Zod and Jor-El being pals who differ in opinion. Pretty sure that is part of the plotline in both the Man of Steel movie and the Krypton show. 

I suppose given the world today so much of Krypton's legacy could be current day allegory.

NIGHTWING #89
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art and cover by BRUNO REDONDO
Variant cover by JAMAL CAMPBELL

Superman/Nightwing crossover! Years ago,when Robin took his first uncertain steps away from Batman as his own hero, Superman stepped in and offered Dick Grayson crucial advice, support, and a name: Nightwing. Now it's time for Nightwing to return the favor. To be concluded in Superman: Son of Kal-El #9 in March!

I don't know if Jon has met Dick before. I like what Taylor is doing on Nightwing a bit more than what he is doing on Superman. Both heroes are working to change the world as much as they are trying to punch villains. Let's see if Nightwing gives Jon some sound advice.

Did I miss anything?

Review: Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow #5

Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow #5 came out this week and it fits right in with the tone of this mini-series so far. This is an oppressive book. Even though Tom King keeps promoting the book as one where everyone will finally realize how kick-ass Supergirl is, we don't see much of it in this title and certainly not in this issue.

No, as usual, Ruthye is the star here. It is her point of view, as it always is. And in this issue were Supergirl is suffering and sick, it is Ruthye who carries the narrative. And boy does she carry the narrative, continuing the overly verbose style that I think would even make Mattie from True Grit say 'speed it up'!

I shouldn't be surprised with any of it, given what we saw in Vision, Mister Miracle, Strange Adventures, and Heroes in Crisis that Tom King must equate heroism with suffering. After last issue where Kara cowers in a sun from emotional torment, where we learn she 'lives a life of pain', we get this issue where she is thrown in an environment that is physically giving her pain.

As a reader, you can take a step back perhaps and see some things which are admirable. Supergirl guts out a whole day of suffering when we learn that Superman could barely last 45 minutes. So that shows grim determination. We see how she actually inspires Ruthye to think of others rather than herself.

But surely that must be better ways to show how great and heroic Supergirl as a character is than that. And when you instead look at the detail, you get a book where Kara is wracked in pain for the bulk of the issue. An issue were King gets to show how 'mature' she is by showing how crass she is, constantly cursing, taking a shot at her cousin, and even being proud for teaching Ruthye the right time to curse. Is this a Supergirl book aimed at promoting her? Or an Adam Sandler 90s movie?

Nothing to complain about when it comes to the art as Bilquis Evely and Mateus Lopes again bring the fire here. They make this place look horrific and monstrous. They convey how ill Supergirl is brilliantly. If only the material they had was one where Supergirl is elevated.

Perhaps the saddest thing is nothing about this issue shocked me. I know what I am getting in a Tom King Supergirl book. I just don't know if I needed a Tom King Supergirl book, especially if this is how DC is going to view her moving forward.

On to the particulars.

Review: Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow #4

Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow #4 came out this week and was the best issue of the series and also the worst issue of the series. 

I have talked in the past about my issues with this series. The overly dramatic prose of the narrator. Ruthye as the point of view character in a book which is supposed to star Supergirl. The overly dark and depressed Supergirl, cursing and drinking her way through the book en route to a destiny where she apparently kills someone. 

Writer Tom King likes nothing more than emotionally broken, despondent characters and his Kara fits that same demographic as Mister Miracle, The Vision, and Adam Strange. Heck, even his Wally West was a traumatized murderer until wiser minds retconned things. 

The crazy thing about this issue is that the first half reads much more like the classic Supergirl that I am looking for. You know the Supergirl who wants to help people as much as she can so that they don't suffer as much as she has. Yes, there is trauma in her past but she has moved through it. She isn't wallowing in it. She fiercely wants to stop it from happening again. And for a while, King gives us that Kara.

But about halfway through the issue we take a hard turn into that darker material, And this back half I see a Supergirl I simply don't recognize. And I have been reading her for more than 40 years. I have been a fan of hers for that long. And I have celebrated her her for 13 years. I don't know who this Supergirl is. That saddens me. Because as this is a Tom King book, the (as he put it) 'the little trade that shows you how great she is', I don't know if we will move away from this. I mean when will we see Scott Free Mister Miracle again?

One thing I have never complained about is  the art. Artist Bilquis Evely has serenely powerful strokes,  a sort of  ornate penciling that just sings. Her Kara is angelic. The expressive work is powerful. The alien worlds are unique and odd and well, alien. Add to that Matheus Lopes wonderful color palate, a mix of peaceful oil paintings when needed and garish neon when necessary, makes this book one of the more beautiful books on the racks.

If only I could get behind this story. But I simply can't. 

DC Comics November 2021 Solicits

The November solicits for DC Comics came out earlier this month. 

Here is a link to Newsarama's coverage of the entirety of the DC Comics slate of books: https://www.gamesradar.com/dc-solicitations-november-2021/

There are a couple of surprise new books on the docket, one covered here. As usual, there are plenty of Batman books. I recommend perusing the whole list. Lots of interesting stuff out there.

But I am here to cover the Super books.


SUPERGIRL: WOMAN OF TOMORROW #5
Written by TOM KING
Art by BILQUIS EVELY
Cover by BILQUIS EVELY
Variant cover by AMY REEDER

Supergirl steps into an ancient trap, stranding her and Ruthye on a planet of nearly perpetual night. Now, the woman of steel must call on every remaining ounce of strength to combat the monsters left on this world to kill any super unlucky enough to end up on its surface.

We are approaching the end of this mini-series. The Amy Reeder variant is lovely.

I enjoyed the third issue more than the first two so I am hoping this book is moving into a better direction. And I will again trumpet the artwork by Bilquis Evely. Just gorgeous.

Review: Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow #3

Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow #3 came out this week. I can say without pause it was the best issue of this mini-series so far.

Now knowing how I felt about the first two issues that isn't exactly the highest praise. I believed then, and still believe, that this really isn't a Supergirl story. 

But at least here, there are places that I see a Supergirl a recognize. A defender of justice who sometimes gets fierce. Someone inspired by Superman but maybe not as polished. Someone who cares. I see that here. Yes, she still curses way too much for me (that just doesn't ring true for the Kara I know). And I don't like how she seems to be denying her history as Kara Zor-El and embracing only the Supergirl identity. But there are some good things here.

It is the plot of the issue that seems a bit off. There is the tiniest bit of progression for the main plot of this mini-series. But this really feels like a side mission or a 'done in one' issue in an ongoing. This is a story about prejudice and genocide, about violence and horror. That is Tom King's sandbox. But I don't know if this is needed for this mini-series. The only thing that 'happens' is Ruthye starts to see how terrible the universe might be. My guess is in the end you can skip this issue in the trade and the story will read fine. 

One thing that has been consistent in this mini-series is the artwork. Bilquis Evely's line work is breathtaking. I am just gobsmacked each issue with just how gorgeous the art is. From the action to scenes like diner eating, everything is just sumptuous. And the colors by Matheus Lopes really give this a pastel, Western movie feel. The variant cover by David Mack is equally striking. Just unreal. 

On to the details.

Review: Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow #2

Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow #2 came out this week and was a better issue than the first issue, by a smidge. There are some moments in this book where I actually felt like this was Supergirl. A few brief moments. And there is also an homage to the Peter David run with the Matrix/Earth Angel character, something which will always make me smile.

But these are just a few rays of sunshine breaking through a blanket of dark clouds that is this story. 

Once again, it is clear that this isn't a Supergirl story. It is a Ruthye story. Everything happens through the lens of that character, clearly Tom King's pet project. The whole True Grit homage feel to this remains unbroken as this story is written when Ruthye is much older, remembering this adventure. Her overly verbose style sometimes overwhelms the reader when faced with pages of long internal monologues. Plus, Supergirl is asleep for a 7 of the 24 pages here.

It also isn't a Supergirl story because this doesn't feel like Kara. It's like King wants to make Supergirl 'cool' by having her curse like a sailor and throttle people without talking to them first. That isn't her. This could very very easily be Starfire from the Titans. She IS quick-tempered and she also has had to deal with tragedy. This could very very easily be Power Girl. She IS brash and heck, she has seen her universe die! But when I read this I wonder which Supergirl stories King read for his research.

Honestly, look at the issue (or the panels here) and in your mind's eye substitute Kory. The book reads the same.

Add to that some missteps like (nearly) killing Krypto and some questionable continuity and I just can't behind this book. At least not yet.

Once again, I will say the art is absolutely stunning and raises the grade of this book by a whole letter. Bilquis Evely brings a gorgeous look to all the scenes here from brawling, to quiet moments, to jaunts in space. I don't know how to explain it but it is both polished and raw at the same time. And it sings. Mat Lopes colors are wonderfully muted in places like the dank ferry they are on. But also the pastels in the landscape scenes are spectacular. 

On to the book. Settle in. This book is a big deal and so I am going to go over it with a fine tooth comb and give you all my thoughts.

Tom King On SyFy

I keep trying to be optimistic about this Supergirl:Woman of Tomorrow mini-series.

I keep trying.

Tom King was interviewed by SyFy about the book and he is trying to make me think better of his approach. But even when he is saying words that you would think would raise my optimism, it just doesn't seem to work. 

Here is a link to the interview. Please read it in its entirety:

https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/exclusive-tom-king-on-supergirl-woman-of-tomorrow-dc-comics

Let's start with SyFy calling it a 12 issue mini-series. Remember, it was King who said in interview (and I paraphrase) that "Supergirl doesn't sell well enough for a 12 issue series." We know it is 8.

King starts out by saying that he channeled the overall feelings of 2020 into Rorschach and Strange Adventures, books which look at the darker side of life.

King says that Supergirl comes from someplace different.

He says that his ideas about Supergirl were inspired by a glimmer of hope.

You would think that his words - words like hope, optimism, and heart - might make me think better of this book.

But the words are meaningless when you compare that to the basic heartless, pessimistic, hopeless tone of that first issue. Where is it?

A few more blurbs to mull coming up.

September 2021 DC Comics Solicits

The September solicits for DC Comics are out. Here is a link of all the comics that'll be on the shelves:
https://www.gamesradar.com/dc-solicitations-september-2021/

As usual, Batman and Bat-books abound in the month. Also, there are plenty of Suicide Squad books coming out. No big surprise there given the upcoming movie. But the super-books are holding their own. It does seem like the futures seen in Future State are coming to fruition in the present. 

We also have now sampled Tom King's Supergirl book. Having read that opening chapter, I am now looking more closely at the solicits for that book. 

SUPERGIRL: WOMAN OF TOMORROW #4
Writer: TOM KING
Artist: BILQUIS EVELY
Cover: BILQUIS EVELY
Variant Cover: ROSE BESCH

Supergirl sets her sights on the Brigands, a group of dastardly nomads hell-bent on slaughtering all they come across. Now she must follow their path of destruction to find the fugitive they've been hiding who set her on this intergalactic journey in the first place!

Since we know that King borrowed liberally from True Grit in the opening chapter, I am wondering which Western this might be leaning into. The Magnificent Seven with Calvara's horde? 

It seems the Brigands are hiding Krem and Supergirl is on the trail. 

Hoping this book somehow rights after that first issue.

Review: Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow #1

Where to begin this review of a book which is visually gorgeous, a super-hero rendition of True Grit to the point at times it feels like plagiarism, and a slap in the face to long time Supergirl fans?

Where to begin?

Well, first I'll ask you to settle in as this might ramble a bit.

Second, I'll say that this is an extremely well drawn and well colored book. I think Bilquis Evely is a revelation and Matheus Lopes coloring makes this feel like a pastel western movie come to life. I have no objection to the art in this book which is frankly stunning.

I advise everyone who hasn't read the novel True Grit or seen the movie to do so (both film versions are fantastic). But this seems like an absolute lift of that story. The extremely well spoken young girl (Mattie Ross in Grit/Ruthye here) seeks revenge for her father's death at the hands of a bandit (Tom Chaney/Krem). She heads into a town on her own and full of gumption. She tries to convince a bounty hunter to help her because she needs a man of certain skills (true grit/ruthless). The initial hunter tries to steal the bounty she is offering. The person she wants to help her (Rooster Cogburn/Supergirl), ornery and drunk, initially tell her to move on.  But to show her own grit, our main character (Mattie/Ruthye) braves an expanse of water to finally make their point. I mean, if I taped a picture of Hailie Steinfeld over Ruthye and Jeff Bridges over Supergirl, this could read as True Grit.

But let's move beyond that because maybe this is just an homage.

The real opening point here is that this isn't a Supergirl story in any way.

This is a Ruthye story. Just like Mattie is the protagonist of True Grit, this is Ruthye's tale to tell. She does the narration. She drives the story. Supergirl is a part of Ruthye's story. She doesn't appear in the book until page 7. She is once again a guest star, a plot point, in someone else's story. And that is sad when you consider that King said this is THE Supergirl story to define her moving forward.

It also is not a Supergirl story because this isn't really a Supergirl that I recognize. Yes, in places, she mentions things that show that at some level she understands what it means to be a hero. But this is a self-destructive Supergirl going to a red sun planet solely to get drunk. She is violent. Her only reason for getting to this planet is to wallow in her own sadness. Yes, Kara has witnessed trauma. But she has always used that to fuel her desire to help others. Not drown in it. Also, this Supergirl (if we say this is still the New 52/Rebirth one) has already left the planet angrily to realize she needs to return, become a Red Lantern and learned from her rage, gone to Crucible to recognize her worth, dealt with her father's trauma, etc. She chose rage and went into space to hunt Rogol Zaar only to once again 'choose Earth'. From a history point of view, she has dealt with this before ad nauseum! If we chuck in the Omniverse, she has gone 'dark' innumerable times in the last 20 years, always realizing it isn't right. Why tread this again?

And I am not saying (nor have I ever said on this site) that I want a squeaky clean, saccharine Supergirl. I like that Supergirl is complex, relatable, fallible. But I also like that she is bright, optimistic, and has risen above.

But this isn't a Supergirl story because it doesn't need to be. If you removed Supergirl and put Titan's Starfire here, it reads the same. Put in Jessica Cruz and it reads the same. Put in Stalker or Renee Montoya or almost anyone else and it reads fine. Put in a brand new Red Sonja character and it reads the same.

Lastly, a lot of this reads like King trying to hard to make this book seem 'mature'. Having Kara curse 6 times and vomit in her post-binge hangover is an attempt to show how gritty this book is. But these are superficial ways of making this seem adult.

Sigh.

On to the specifics.

The Problem

My review of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #1 will be up tomorrow.

When I went into the comic store yesterday, I wasn't shocked to see a good number of the book on the rack with both covers available. After all, Tom King is a draw and the Bilquis Evely art is gorgeous. Heck, we even got a Gary Frank Supergirl cover.

I unfortunately wasn't shocked to see how the store is promoting it.

I find it sad that the word 'Supergirl' is the smallest word on this little promotion on the rack itself. 

I am also not surprised to see that the new characters that King has created are being trumpeted here as if they are the stars.

This is the problem.

It seems like Supergirl is often the guest star in her own book. We saw this in the Future State book. 

And we have seen it in how DC has promoted this book in their solicits.

Given in interviews King seems to have completely missed who Supergirl is, I will not be surprised if this isn't truly a Supergirl story but a Ruthye story.

Wouldn't it be great if  DC promotes a true Supergirl book where the promos and solicits trumpet her role in the story as the star? Or am I asking too much?

Lastly, it seems to be widely recognized that this book's plot is cribbed from True Grit. You might recall my post from a month ago.

Okay, off to read Ruthye #1. 

DC Comics August Solicits

The DC August solicits have been released and despite some corporate turnover and turmoil, the company seems to be firing on all cylinders. Here is a link to Newsarama's listings:https://www.gamesradar.com/dc-august-2021-solicitations/

There are a lot of great books out there and the Superman family remains a pretty big presence on the docket. I better start saving my pennies. There are a couple of the periphery which I may not get. But overall, it looks like a good month. Let's look at the books.

Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow #3
story by TOM KING
art & Cover by BILQUIS EVELY
variant cover by DAVID MACK

Supergirl's journey across the cosmos continues! Her hunt to bring the killer Krem to justice brings her and the young alien in her care to a small planet, where they discover that there are still some very small minds, even on the outer edges of the galaxy. The cold welcome the locals give the Woman of Steel makes her suspicious enough to go looking for secrets they want to keep buried, and what she finds is nothing short of horrifying. Can she and Ruthye get off the planet alive now that these deadly sins have been exposed?

Can't get over that David Mack cover. Just stunning. And the Evely cover is also lovely.

Nothing in particular in the solicit itself. This sounds like it might be a 'planet of the month' series. But the thing is I wish there would be more mention of Supergirl herself in these solicits. What is she thinking? Feeling? Hoping?

I am sure this'll sell wildly. 

Superwoman: Woman Of Tomorrow - I've Seen This Movie

If you look hard enough around the internet you can find the first 8 pages of Supergirl:Woman of Tomorrow #1. For example, here is Bleeding Cool's coverage: https://bleedingcool.com/comics/supergirl-woman-of-tomorrow-will-hit-store-shelves-on-june-15/

I have tried to be optimistic about this series.

This preview has gutted me a bit.

Now you might say that seeing a suddenly aged to 21, drunk, off-earth Supergirl in bar fights might be bad enough. And trust me, that is bad. For all the obvious reasons.

But really what makes me upset about this preview is that it is basically is an exact copy of True Grit. 

Like, enough is different to make it not be plagiarized. But if you watched the Coen Brothers movie, this preview can be seen pretty easily.

Here is the Wikipedia synopsis of True Grit: Feisty 14-year-old farm girl Mattie Ross (Steinfeld) hires Cogburn (Bridges), a boozy, trigger-happy lawman to go after an outlaw named Tom Chaney (Brolin) who has murdered her father. The bickering duo are accompanied on their quest by a Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf (Damon) who has been tracking Chaney for killing a State Senator. As the three embark on a dangerous adventure, they each have their "grit" tested in various ways.

 Now go and read the preview. I will highlight some pieces after the break.

DC Comics July Solicits

The July solicits for DC Comics came out last week and they were certainly interesting. Here is a link to all the books as posted on Newsarama: https://www.gamesradar.com/dc-july-2021-solicitations/

DC has decided to revamp and reinvigorate the Super-titles again and I am both fascinated and a little bit dismayed. You have to hand it to DC, they certainly know how to confuse and confound their fans.

But most of all, it seems like the '5G' reboot which was going to happen, then wasn't going to happen then sort of happened with Future State is actually slowly but surely going to happen, in some sense. 

Jon is Superman. Clark is on Warworld. it is all coming to together ... I guess?

Let's dive into the books, starting with Supergirl.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #2
story by Tom King
art by Bilquis Evely
cover by Bilquis Evely
variant cover by Lee Weeks

After the shocking conclusion of last issue, Supergirl and her new friend Ruthye find themselves stranded with no way to pursue Krem, the murderous kingsagent. Each moment this fugitive roams free, the more beings become dangerously close to dying by his hand. There is no time to lose, so our heroes must now travel across the universe the old-fashioned way…by cosmic bus!
Little do they know, their journey will be a dark one filled with terrors that not even the Maid of Might is prepared to face! Can Kara Zor-El lie low long enough to ensure their safe passage?

A startling ending to the first issue? The name of the villain is Krem? Perhaps he will be the Creme de la Creme? A dark journey filled with terror? I keep trying to be hopeful. But will this end up being just another King deep look at pain and stress? I'm going to remain hopeful.

One thing I do know without a doubt, the art is going to be beautiful. Evely is going to kill it here.