Even More Convergence

DC keeps revealing more and more of the Convergence event months as they move their show from the East Coast to the West. I guess we will know all of these titles well ahead of the game.

This whole thing really seems to be DC's attempt at having their cake and eating it too. They can applaud themselves for rebooting everything with the New 52, saying it needed to happen. And then they can call back to the prior universes for a money grab.

Week three's titles were released this week. Here is Newsarama's coverage:
http://www.newsarama.com/22819-dcs-convergence-week-three.html  It includes things like Len Wein on Swamp Thing and Marv Wolman on Teen Titans. Those are truly looking back at DC history with fondness. Here are the super-titles and one other that grabbed me.

ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artists: Roberto Viacava and Andy Owens
Colorist: Sotocolor
Superman and Supergirl try to escape the city through the Phantom Zone, but they enter a portion they’ve never seen before and learn that Supergirl is destined to die if they return to their proper time and dimension. True story.

The released art is above. I don't mind seeing the pre-Crisis headband Supergirl again. Once more we will see how it is Supergirl's destiny to die in the Crisis. I wonder if in this story, Supergirl will willingly go to her death, like a hero.

Still, I am sort of sick of DC picking over the bones of this story. And I am especially sick of Wolfman going back to this moment. He has already done it here.  I worry whenever Wolfman writes Supergirl. The art looks very nice though.

SUPERBOY AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES
Writer: Stuart Moore
Artists: Gus Storms and Mark Farmer
Colorist: John Rauch
While Brainiac 5 struggles to break through the dome, Superboy tries to keep the Legion of Super-Heroes spirits up—but then the Atomic Knights ride into town.

It has been a while since we saw Superboy and the Legion. This looks like the early Levitz/Giffen time period fiven the costumes I am seeing. Again, the art looks interesting here.

But the Atomic Knights!

WONDER WOMAN

Writer: Larry Hama
Art and Color: Josh Middleton

White-jumpsuit-clad Diana Prince is in the grips of a Domesday cult when her lover Steve Trevor leaps into the fray to save Etta Candy from vampires of Red Rain.

So there are a couple of things about this solicit that made me want to promote it.

I have a small warm place in my heart for the white-jumpsuit Diana. I wish I could explain it.

While I don't know what to expect from Larry Hama writing Diana, I do love Josh Middleton's art. Remember, he did Supergirl covers for a while, right at the beginning of the Gates/Igle era. I am happy I'll see his work on interiors! 

This whole thing could be a disaster. But I'll be sampling a handful of these books.

NYCC 2012

October is universally a busy month for me with a number of annual family obligations and an 'always in October' work conference that takes me away.

As a result, the New York Comicon is sort of like Shangrila for me. I just don't think I am ever going to get there. Each year I keep wondering if I can go even for a day. But it just never materializes. There are always always an inordinate number of creators I'd like to meet. Add to that the panels and announcements and it sounds like a fantastic time.

The Con starts up tomorrow. While I can't get there, I hope you can get there and seek out these Supergirl events and some of her creators who will be in attendance.

Here are some events:

DC COMICS – THE NEW 52: Superman

Date: Thursday, October 11
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: 1A10
Speakers: Bob Wayne , Grant Morrison , Mahmud Asrar , Matt Idelson , Rags Morales , Scott Lobdell
Description:
Since the launch of the New 52, Superman has been flying higher than ever! Join Group Editor Matt Idelson and SUPER talent Mahmud Asrar (Supergirl), Scott Lodbell (Superman), Rags Morales (Action Comics), Grant Morrison (Action Comics) to take fans new and old up, up and away with a sneak peek at what’s in store for Superman.

I have been told that Mike Johnson will be in attendance and on the panel (even if he isn't listed on the NYCC website).

So the very fact that Morrison is going to be there makes this a can't miss part of the convention. I do find it odd that this panel is happening so early in the con. It is almost as if it isn't important enough to be part of the main days of the NYCC.

Still, I would have lots of questions to ask these guys. And I can't wait to hear wait Matt Idelson has to say this time. The last big con panel I read about he said Superman was a loner who didn't know who he was himself to feel comfortable with taking on mentors.

Also, Johnson and Asrar will be signing at the DC booth on Thursday 5-6 and Friday 10-11. Stop by and let them know what you think of the book!

Mahmud Asrar will have his own table at Booth Y8. I think Asrar's art has been fantastic on the Supergirl book and also hope to get a commission from him as well some day. It would be great to talk to him about the current book and his perspective on the character.

Incredibly, Al Plastino, the artist of Supergirl's first appearance in Action Comics #252, is going to be at the con on Saturday. For those looking, he'll be at the HERO Initiative booth (#1575-77) on Saturday only! I have some of those Action 252 reprints - the Silver Age Classic one and the Millenium edition one - that I would love to get signed. But just to meet the guy!

And other more recent creators will be there as well.

Josh Middleton, cover artist for the early part of the Sterling Gates/Jamal Igle run on the book will be at Booth O10.

Jamal Igle will be at Booth C1. I am hoping to run into Igle soon at one of the more local shows coming up. Jamal is working on his creator owned project Molly Danger and I can't wait to talk to him about it. It sounds like the perfect book for me to get the supergirls at home.

Supergirl cover artist Amy Reeder will be at Booth B1. I loved Reeder's take on Supergirl. She is also working on a creator owned one shot called Halloween Eve.

Bernard Chang, who drew some of Bizarro Girl and all of James Peaty's 'Good Looking Corpse' arc will be at Booth C8. I really love Chang's art and thought he drew a great Supergirl. I keep hoping I will run into him somewhere to get a commission. Chang was just recently named the ongoing artist on Demon Knights. I can't wait to see his take on that team, especially Sir Ystin.

Lastly, Amanda Conner will be at Booth M1. I loved Conner's sweet Supergirl in Wednesday Comics. I dreamed once of getting a commission from her but it sounds like she doesn't do them at cons anymore. Still, her art is so slick that it would be great to chat with her again.

If anyone who visits here goes to the con, please post anything and everything you have seen!

It's Official ... Middleton Off Supergirl

I figured that Josh Middleton was off cover duties on Supergirl after three straight issues were released/solicited without his art.

He recently made it official on his blog. Here is the link and some of the post:
http://joshuamiddleton.blogspot.com/2010/04/so-long-supergirl.html

Well, that's it. Supergirl issue 51 marks my final Supergirl cover, and my last bit of mainstream comic book work for the foreseeable future (even if I was just doing covers at this point). I have plenty of other stuff to keep me busy, and I want to dedicate every minute of my free time to personal work only, so the comic book covers had to go, bringing to an end, with a whimper, ten years of mainstream comic book work-for-hire.

My deepest gratitude to all of you who have supported my comic book work over the last decade. Your comments and kind words have always been an inspiration, and I feel a real obligation to do my best for all of you, which is one more reason it was time to move on.

I can only praise Middleton's work on the book and hope he has a great future. I am sort of bummed that he sounds like he is done with comics in general.

Middleton started doing covers with the landmark Supergirl #34, the first issue of the Sterling Gates/Jamal Igle run. At the time, it really felt like the title was starting fresh. Middleton's unique and stunning style was a perfect complement to the great work happening on the inside.

The purpose of a cover is to get the attention of a curious buyer scanning the racks. There is no doubt that Middleton's work was eye-catching.


I mean ... here is my favorite cover from his run, Supergirl #38. Supergirl is in the foreground, a look of fear or concern on her face. In the background ... ethereal, spectral ... is the looming Superwoman. Dazzling. All his covers had that attention-grabbing feel.

Another thing I appreciated from Middleton was his occasional breakdowns of his covers on his blog, showing the process from thumbnail to sketch to pencil to color. I love that behind-the-scenes stuff.

Anyways, best of luck to Josh Middleton on his future endeavors. And thanks for the great covers for the last year plus.

Now the big question is who will be the next cover artist? Whoever it is, they have big shoes to fill.

Supergirl #52 Cover

For your viewing pleasure here at Supergirl Comic Box Commentary ... the first look at the cover to Supergirl #52, art by Matt Camp!

The image is striking ... a confident Supergirl carrying an obviously terrified Brainy away from an explosion. It is a flip-flop of the usual gender roles on covers like this. Supergirl is posed in such a classically heroic fashion as she streaks away from danger.

Thanks so much to Matt Camp for forwarding this and to DC for letting me post here.

I have said it before, so I'll say it again. I really like Camp's style. And he does such a great Supergirl; he seems very comfortable with her. While I love Jamal Igle's monthly work, I hope Camp remains linked to the character artistically in the future. Maybe as designated pinch hitter when Jamal is busy?

Here is the solicit for the issue on DC's website: http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?cm=14499. It is listed for a 4/21 release.

Supergirl #52
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Matt Camp; Cover by Josh Middleton

Continued from ADVENTURE COMICS #10! Supergirl meets Brainiac 5 of the Legion of Super-Heroes for the first time! But Brainy has not only already met Supergirl, he's already loved and lost her. Confused? Not as confused as Supergirl! Plus, Brainiac unleashes a weapon that spells the end for New Krypton and only Superman and the Legionnaires can stop it!


For the sake of completeness, here is the Josh Middleton 'sketch cover' that was originally released with the solicit. I wonder if this will ever see the light of day.

Camp on the cover of #52. Igle on the cover of #53.

Hmmmm .....

Josh Middleton On His Supergirl #50 Cover

We get a little'behind the scene' glimpse at the creation of the variant cover for Supergirl #50 over Josh Middleton's blog. Here is the link and the blurb:
http://joshuamiddleton.blogspot.com/2010/02/supergirl-50.html

Here is my cover for Supergirl 50. I started this one by coloring an extremely rough pencil sketch for editorial approval, thinking I would redraw the line art for a cleaner foundation to color later, but kept working on the original color sketch so much that it wound up being the final cover. Supergirl is imprisoned in amber, which was quite difficult to render and have look right without obscuring too much of the figure or her colors. I didn't do much with the background either since it is largely covered by the logo and other type. I'm still not sure if I quite pulled it off, but I ran out of time and had to call the cover done.

I used both Photoshop and Painter for this one; Painter primarily for hair and washes of color on the figure, and Photoshop for everything else. I probably could have done it all in Photoshop with the same end result, but I do enjoy coloring looser drawings in Painter.

I think the cover is great. I think Supergirl's expression really shows just how afraid she is in the amber.

I found it interesting that Middleton states that this was created from the rough pencil sketch and that is was hammered into this final piece.

One thing I like is how the parts of Supergirl that are embedded in the amber are slightly blurry or obscured. This accentuates the fact that the viewer is looking through a translucent material.


This close up of the cover shows it dramatically. Supergirl's hand is outside of the amber and much more distinct while her forearm appears hazy.

I preferred this cover to the Turner one and thought a variant cover was a nice bonus for this landmark issue.

Review: Supergirl #50 Part 1

There was a time when I doubted this Supergirl title would make it. There was a time when I thought the powers that be simply had no handle on the character, that they were making her unlikeable and therefore economically insolvent. I thought for sure Supergirl would be cancelled.

So it was with some joy that I bought Supergirl #50 this week, 2 copies no less. It has been 17 issues since the Gates/Igle reboot and Supergirl matters now. So all this pomp ... the extra-sized issue, the Turner cover, the variant cover, the Helen Slater/Jake Black back-up ... it was all icing on the cake. I am just happy this title is surviving and thriving.

I will review the main story here and the Slater/Black/Chiang back-up feature tomorrow.

One quick word about the cover. While I prefer Josh Middleton's and Jamal Igle's takes on Supergirl, there is no denying the splendor of this Michael Turner cover. Turner helped recreate Supergirl and I have always appreciated what he did for the character. Moreover, on a recent interview on iFanboy, Sterling Gates revealed that this cover art was originally a personal piece Turner did for Dan Didio. Didio took the framed piece off the wall to be made into this cover.

The Josh Middleton variant cover is also spectacular ... not that I'm surprised. I am running out of superlatives for his work.

Here, I loved the frightened expression on Supergirl's face. That conveys so much emotion.

But I also like the more technical aspects of the art here. How the the three dimensional nature of the piece really pops. You can see some of Kara sticking out of amber, that hand almost lunging out of the cover. I also like the slight blurriness of the areas that are encased, giving the viewer a feel that she really is embedded. Slick!

This was a 1:10 variant and my local comic book store had 6 copies on the shelf. That's a good sign of a little sales bump.

As seen in the preview on Newsarama, the issue starts with the resurrection of As seen in the preview on Newsarama, the issue starts with the resurrection of Superwoman and her retrieval by the military. This story started in Supergirl Annual #1.

We don't yet know exactly how Lucy has come back. Mirabai (who we haven't seen recently) wonders if it is Lucy's desire to live.

One thing for sure, I don't think she has come back unscathed. Her body is wracked with pain. She seems invulnerable. She kills a soldier with heat vision. And she's doing it all without the suit from which she initially derived her powers. She's enraged ... scared ... it isn't pretty.

I find it fascinating that General Lane can completely shift the blame for Lucy's condition away from himself. He was the one who put Lucy in the suit, sent her on her missions, had her fight Supergirl. And yet, it's not his fault that Lucy has returned this way. It is the Kryptonians' fault. Talk about rationalization and prejudice.

Even more intriguing, Lane says Lucy is now Kryptonian. It looks like she has their powers, but what does that mean?


Back in Metropolis, Supergirl is shown to be encased in amber in a great hive like building. She is rescued by Gangbuster and when she gets out she isn't happy.

It seems that between the surprise of finding Lana cocooned last issue and the power of the Insect Queen, that Supergirl was captured. I'm not surprised. Remember, this Insect Queen kept Superman under her power for 3 issues back in the Busiek run. She's that powerful.

Now, for all of us who have been waiting to see Supergirl pound on someone, this is the issue. This isn't the usual super-villain fight after all. With Lana involved, this is personal. And the anger on her face here is evident. Supergirl is irate. It's a powerful image by Jamal Igle.


Angry or not, the hive has numbers. Despite taking out some bugs, Supergirl realizes that the best plan is to escape.

Look at the size of that hive! Back at STAR labs, Supergirl learns how 2 days earlier, the hospital was engulfed in this hive. Some SciPo officers and others went in but did not come back out. The hive seems to be biding its time. In fact, STAR only found out that Supergirl was in the hive because they had sent in a reconnaisance robot bug. Two days of a giant hive appearing in the middle of Metropolis and no other super-hero came to look other than Gangbuster and Dr. Light?

What I liked about this scene is that despite the necessary exposition, Supergirl's thoughts are on Lana and her condition. She talks with Dr. Light about Lana's condition in hopes of saving her.


And here is my favorite moment in the book.

Supergirl and Gangbuster decide the best course of action is a stealth mission to rescue Lana. Unfortunately the insects hear them. Gangbuster asks Supergirl if she's ready to get the crap kicked out of her in order to save the world. Supergirl simply replies 'always.'

She has such a cooly confident look on her face ... it's perfect. Perfect. This is a Supergirl who will do what's right regardless of the risks. And it shows how much she has matured over the last year.

However, despite getting a few good shots in against some insect infantry, Supergirl is overrun by a swarm and brought before the Insect Queen.


It's Lana ... but it's also not Lana.

The Queen explains how she left a piece of herself inside Lana during her recent run-in with Superman. Over the last year that piece has been slowly rebuilding Lana cell by cell. She remained in Lana to stay close to the Superman family so she could make super-drones to protect her, something she tried back in the Busiek arc.

The Queen also decides to add a layer of emotional anguish to her conversation with Supergirl saying it was the Queen's will that made Lana befriend Kara. Thankfully, Supergirl realizes this is a lie and shrugs it off. This is another recent example (along with the Black Lantern Zor-El) of an enemy trying to take advantage of Supergirl's emotional vulnerability and failing. Hurray!


With the Queen within striking distance, Supergirl frees herself from the amber and calls in a STAR labs bombing run. She then unloads on 'Lana'.

Calling herself a Lang, calling Lana family, Supergirl rips off one of the Queen's wings and gives her a right hook that sends her sprawling.

She ripped off one of her wings!! Fantastic!

It is perhaps the strongest ... the most physical ... the angriest we have seen Supergirl in a while. It rivals her fight with Superwoman.

But more than that, it is her confidence that shines here. She stands over the Queen saying she doesn't scare easily.

How wonderful to see Supergirl so self-assured as she doles out a thumping!


And best yet ... she's victorious!

Somehow Supergirl was able to help design a de-bugging device to strip Lana of her insect DNA.

When the Queen says she will make Supergirl's life hell, Kara quips that Alura does that enough. I loved that as well.

The device is turned on and cures Lana. And without their Queen, the other insects are defeated.

Okay, it was a bit too easy of an answer, a bit too deus ex machina to have this machine designed and built in so short a time ... with Kara having designed it too! But it is about time that Supergirl got to win one. This was a hard-fought and brutal win complete with bloody fists and quick thinking ... but that's what made it beautiful.

And then we take a bit of a left turn.

After all the 'Lana' family' and 'I'm a Lang' and 'Lana's my mentor' talk, Supergirl turns around and tells Lana she is leaving her life because she can't trust her. Kara is still stung by Lana keeping her illness secret.

It's a complete 'about face' emotionally. I suppose once the stress of rescuing Lana was over, once she knows that Lana is safe, Supergirl can reassess things ... that the pain of this secret can surge. With everything that has happened in her life, Kara needs to trust those closest to her. And she doesn't feel that with Lana right now.

It still read a little funny given all the prior dialogue in the book.


Lana tries to explain her secrecy in a way Supergirl can understand. All of New Krypton and all of Earth needed Supergirl. Supergirl was too important to get wrapped up in the problems of one person. Lana feels she did the heroic thing by keeping her illness to herself, to not distract Kara.

But Supergirl still thinks it was wrong and flies off saying she no longer wants to be a Lang or even human.

This response feels like a regression for Supergirl in her recent character growth. But all of this is happening right before The Last Stand of New Krypton and War of the Supermen. Is this Lana/Kara split just a way of setting up Supergirl's sympathies and fidelity in those books? An easy way to set up some conflict to be resolved between the super-cousins?

And speaking of not wanting to be human, back at Project 7734, we hear that Lucy is an amalgam of "all" the alien races whose powers were in the Superwoman suit ... all their powers and weaknesses.

Hmm .. all the aliens? Not just Kryptonian?

With that announcement, Lucy decides to fry the physician with an apparent electrical blast and declare herself ready for active duty. (I know lightning powers aren't inherent in the race, but maybe Lucy has some Winathian genes in her now?) Lucy seemed like a bit of a loose cannon before but I don't think she would have indiscriminantly killed a doctor like this. She seems insane to me right now.

Well what a great main story in this anniversary issue. Not perfect ... but memorable and worthy of an important issue like this.

First off, I absolutely love Supergirl's personality during the fight portion of the book ... determined, strong, unflappable. Kudos to Sterling Gates. In his time on the title, he has really solidified Kara's persona while having her mature into a competent young hero. It really is hard to believe that this is the 17th issue in his and Jamal Igle's run. It feels like just yesterday I was waiting for Supergirl #34 to hit the stands.

But more than that, it was good to see Supergirl unleash her powers on someone and outright win. This isn't a half-win ... like when Superwoman explodes in defeat or Reactron escapes ... this was victory.

On top of that, I also enjoyed the re-introduction of Superwoman as a viable and permanent member of Supergirl's rogues' gallery. An insane and powerful Superwoman is a terrifying opponent.

And, as usual, Jamal Igle's art wonderfully complements the story. Supergirl's expressions and body language bolster her dialogue perfectly. So whether it is that cocked eyebrow in the 'always' panel or the angry pose when she breaks free of the amber or her slumped shoulders when she is talking to Lana, the art just adds such volume to the scenes.

The one smudge in the issue is just that rapid decision to abandon Lana and Earth. It just felt off a bit.

But honestly, the rest of the book is so great I am willing to see where the story goes.

I mean Supergirl ripped off the Insect Queen's wing! It doesn't get much better than that.

Overall grade: A/B+

April Solicits

Every so often an advance solicit is released and is so absolutely tantalizing and exciting that I feel like a kid again. I wonder just how many Supergirl fans out there got that same giddy rush when they saw the Super title advance solicits on Newsarama late last week. Here is the link:

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/superman-solicitations-april-2010.html

And right at the top here is that wonderful solicit.



SUPERGIRL #52
Written by STERLING GATES
Art by JAMAL IGLE & JON SIBAL; Cover by JOSHUA MIDDLETON

Continued from ADVENTURE COMICS #10! Supergirl meets Brainiac 5 of the Legion of Super-Heroes for the first time! But Brainy has not only already met Supergirl, he’s already loved and lost her. Confused? Not as confused as Supergirl! Plus, Brainiac unleashes a weapon that spells the end for New Krypton and only Superman and the Legionnaires can stop it!

A reunion/first meeting of Supergirl and Brainiac 5! Just spectacular.

The thing is that for a lot of older readers the Brainiac 5/Supergirl relationship was a big part of both characters. It was even revisited in a Justice League Unlimited episode. It was hinted at when Supergirl was the star of the three-boot LSH> So to see Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle revisiting and reimagining it ... well that is just a delicious treat.

And how about Brainy having 'already loved and lost her'? I assume that means he has some memory of the pre-COIE Earth-1 Supergirl. We saw shots of her in the Legion-laden Final Crisis:Legion of Three Worlds. So she must have existed on some timeline!

This early version of the cover by Joshua Middleton perfectly shows this Supergirl's feelings of confusion as Brainiac 5 hugs her while she puts an arm up as defense.

My guess is a lot of Supergirl fans were cheering a little bit when they read this.



SUPERMAN: LAST STAND OF NEW KRYPTON #2-3

Written by JAMES ROBINSON & STERLING GATES
Art by PETE WOODS; Issue 2 cover by GEORGE PEREZ; Issue 3 cover by RYAN SOOK

LAST STAND OF NEW KRYPTON ships twice in April as the biggest Superman story in years rockets towards its mind-blowing conclusion!
In issue #2, things look bleak for the Kryptonians as Brainiac reveals his trump card for destroying the planet, leaving Zod grasping at straws as to how to defend his people. But Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes have made it aboard Brainiac’s ship, determined to stop the tyrant at any cost!
In #3, the epic conclusion, Superman and Zod must work together if they’re to have a chance of stopping Brainiac! But a victory for New Krypton means a devastating loss for the Legion!
Over a year’s worth of stories builds to the final page of this series, and you don’t want to miss it!
Over a year’s worth of New Krypton stories has been building up to the final page of this series, and once you see it, you’ll know there’s only one outcome: the WAR OF THE SUPERMEN!

Of course, Supergirl is just a part of the Last Stand of New Krypton story arc in April.

The miniseries ships twice that month to tee up the War of the Supermen storyline which starts on Free Comic Book Day in May.

At least we get a hint about why there would need to be a War of the Supermen. If Brainiac destroys New Krypton, Earth might be the only place they could easily settle. I don't know how saving New Krypton would lead to a Legion disaster but I am eager to see. Hopefully all the Superman title threads will weave into this story.

And finally, I love the cover here with Conner and Kara squaring off against the Brainiac probes.



ADVENTURE COMICS #10

Written by JAMES ROBINSON & STERLING GATES
Co-Feature written by ERIC TRAUTMANN
Art by JULIAN LOPEZ & CLAYTON HENRY;Co-feature art by PIER GALLO
Cover by Joe Quinones

Continued from LAST STAND OF NEW KRYPTON #2! It’s Superman, Supergirl and Brainiac 5 against Brainiac as Superboy and Mon-El fight Zod, Ursa and Non!
And in the co-feature, the Human Defense Corps manages to sneak aboard Brainiac’s ship amid all the chaos – but what exactly are they up to? Continued in SUPERGIRL #52!

And another piece of the Last Stand arc is in Adventure Comics #10, putting Conner back where he belongs ... in Adventure.

The most exciting thing about this solicit is that Ursa is mentioned and seen on the cover. I thought she would have a much bigger part in Greg Rucka's Action Comics run. She was vicious in the early issues there.



ACTION COMICS #888-889

Written by GREG RUCKA & ERIC TRAUTMANN; Co-feature written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by PERE PEREZ; Co-feature art by CAFU

ACTION COMICS ships twice in April! With Nightwing nowhere in sight, ACTION #888 finds Flamebird face-to-face with the rampaging Rao! But can she defeat him by herself? Luckily, it looks like she won’t have to! Enter: Wonder Woman and the Justice Society of America! And in the co-feature, Captain Atom discovers that to complete his journey, he must first travel through the lost world of Skartaris!

And in issue #889, with the fate of both New Krypton and Earth weighing on their young shoulders, are Nightwing & Flamebird prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice? And in the co-feature, Captain Atom has managed to find a way back to Mirabai’s world, intent on confronting the woman who made him a tool of destruction — but what stunning revelation awaits him there?

Another title with 2 issues released in April. It looks like DC wants May to be a 'clean slate' for the Superman titles. So the Nightwing and Flamebird storyline is going to come to an end. I, for one, have enjoyed there story .... more than I thought I would.

But the ultimate sacrifice? We know that the entities are always doomed to die. Could this be some suicidal event to stop whatever Rao is rampaging? I am torn. I think there are too many Kryptonians so I think DC should weed some out. But I have come to like both Thara and Chris.



SUPERMAN #699

Written by JAMES ROBINSON • Art by BERNARD CHANG
Cover by AARON LOPRESTI

Superman has defeated Brainiac before, but it cost him the life of his father. Now Brainiac has returned, more powerful than ever, and the entire planet of New Krypton is at stake! Things look bleak for the Man of Steel and his people, but for all Brainiac’s knowledge, he still has one lesson to learn: Superman. Never. Gives. Up.

Sounds almost too good to be true! I hope Kal thrashes him. And I hope that Robinson is able to pull it all together.

And next month will be Superman #700. Incredible.

I hope that War of the Superman brings people back to the titles and garners as much praise as a mega-event as Blackest Night. But really, Supergirl is going to meet Brainiac 5! Not much more needs to be said.

Review: Supergirl #48

Supergirl #48 was released this week and was fantastic.

After a year of stories tightly connected to the other super-titles, I have been craving a pure Supergirl story and that's just what this was.

As much as I have enjoyed the Superwoman/Reactron/Alura/Thara/New Krypton issues, I have missed what we first saw way back in Supergirl #34, the first Gates/Igle issue. I have missed reading about Kara and her world without someone else's story butting in a bit. Don't misunderstand me ... those are great issues that I loved.

But this was like a breath of fresh air. It was great to see Lana and Inspector Henderson and a non-New Krypton based villain.

The book opens up with Inspector Henderson investigating a crime in Suicide Slum on the corner of Austen and Byrne (a nice little 'shout out' to some comic professionals).

It is an eerie scene as Henderson and his men arrive seconds too late. After surviving an explosion of magical fire, the police find the dead body of a woman, her body covered in runes.

It is a good opening scene ... short, dense, powerful, creepy. In particular, this last panel with the victim's body awkwardly lying on the floor, bent like a rag doll, her face twisted in terror, her skin covered in magical text ... that's just eerie.

But we leave that supernatural horror for one all too based in the real world. Lana is sick and getting sicker. And now that Kara knows about it, she wants some answers.

The smashing of the fruit bowl is a little strong ... I mean its Supergirl's fruit bowl too.

That said, I can understand Supergirl's anger. Despite Lana's claim that she didn't want to burden Kara more, Kara feels she should have been told. I like how Lana brings up that she didn't want to bring back the feelings Kara had when she tried and failed in the 'Saving Thomas' arc. It was a nice little nod to continuity.

I also think Kara's anger may stem from feeling guilty that she didn't notice Lana's condition. Supergirl has been so busy with everything else in her life that she hasn't been there for her friend.

At least we finally get some answers as to what is ailing Lana. Well ... more like what it isn't. It isn't a typical cancer or infectious disease. It is something new, something effecting Lana's immune system, something even the best doctors in Metropolis can't figure out. Anyone with any new ideas as to what this is?

Before Kara can process all this, she is called to the Metropolis Police headquarters.

It seems that Inspector Henderson needs some super-help with the case he is working on. I really like that he trusts and feels like he can count on Supergirl for help. It is just another tangible way that you see how much Supergirl has grown over this year. The police see her as a hero and an ally.

I am also glad that Henderson addresses the "Metropolis Three' incident. Mon-El and The Guardian have backed up Supergirl's claims of innocence. Of course, Kryptonians are still illegal on Earth as per the UN edict.

Henderson fears the Silver Banshee is behind the killing he was investigating and he fears she is on the hunt.

As always, it is the small things in comics that often make me the happiest. I love how Henderson's board includes the cover of and a panel from PAD's Supergirl #11, a panel from Supergirl #34, and even a still from the recent Superman/Batman Public Enemies movie.

Supergirl provides some exposition, retelling the Banshee's origin albeit with (what I think is) a new wrinkle.

The Banshee is looking to rid herself of the curse placed on her by her ancestors. She can rid herself of it by finding 7 family heirlooms.

In the past, Hendeson was involved in a case where an odd coin was found in the murder victim's hand. The police officer who was in charge of the case, Captain Tanner, was a friend of Henderson's. Tanner was scarred by the case and ended up commiting suicide. Henderson vowed to find out the significance of the coin and solve the case.


Unfortunately, he found out the significance the hard way. It is indeed one of Banshee's heirlooms. And she hasn't been able to find it because the coin hides within the people who have them.

Henderson removes a glove and shows the coin embedded in his palm, the rest of his hand covered in the same glyphs the earlier victim had on her body. The Banshee was able to recover the coin from that murder victim and now she wants the Inspector's.

The Banshee arrives and attempts to cast a spell on Henderson but Supergirl intercepts and the two fight.

The Banshee screams and deafens Kara. In a nice twist, Gates has the last scene unfold just with Supergirl's inner monologue. She cannot hear Henderson or the Silver Banshee. And as readers, we only see empty word balloons. Is he telling her to do something? Warning her about something? It definitely builds the suspense of the scene.

Kara sees a box on Henderson's desk she thinks must hold another heirloom and grabs it.

And then something incredible happens ...

Supergirl hears the voices of what I presume are the Banshee's ancestors and we suddenly have a super-banshee.

Whew ... wow ...

What a phenomenal issue.

First off, this was clearly a Supergirl issue. She was in every scene but the first. The story revolved around her. No one else's story superceded or interrupted hers.

Second, it was great to catch up with the parts of the book that Gates initiated but have been put off for a while .. the Lana/Linda relationship, the burgeoning friendship with Inspector Henderson.

Third, the Silver Banshee is a great villain for Supergirl's rogues gallery. I like the new wrinkle to the Banshee back story. And that cliffhanger was unexpected and intriguing!

Add to that the best art I have seen by Fernando Dagnino and you had the recipe for a great issue. Dagnino's work here seemed softer, more fluid, more polished.

And next issue we have the end of Lana's story and the double sized fiftieth issue after that!

Overall grade: A+/A

Review: Supergirl #47

Supergirl #47 came out this week and marked the "end" of the long-running Reactron storyline. After several months of Supergirl issues linked very tightly to New Krypton, this issue was a sort of breather. Sure, Reactron's fate is a key part to the bigger story and the overall arc in the super-titles, but this issue felt like a turning point in the Supergirl title.

Truth be told, this really is an Alura issue, with Supergirl acting as a background character. But I didn't mind that one bit.

Alura has been one of the more complicated and therefore more interesting characters I have read recently. She's been cold and cruel at times. She has been morose and despondent at times. She has been confident at times but nervous and frail at other times. Her behavior has been so erratic, I thought for a long time that she was suffering from Kryptonite poisoning.

This issue really provided some back story to Alura, putting the spotlight on key scenes in her past and showing the readers that her feelings are well established and not secondary to some bolt of Kryptonite energy.

The book opens up on one such flashback, a scene before Zor-El and Alura are married, a scene in which Zor-El is telling Alura how much she loves her. She tries to repress her own feelings, saying that the Science Guild believes that love is simply a chemical response to external stimuli. To acknowledge love therefore would be to deny who she is trying to become. And yet she does love him.

But before we hear her say those words, this scene transitions nicely to her voicing her hatred of Reactron.

That technique of showing how a scene from the past is impacting current time, is contrasted to current time, is played out throughout this whole issue. It really shows us the inner feelings of Alura and again showcases how conflicted she is.

I do find it very interesting that Alura who has always been portrayed as a very passionate and emotional character, was at one point trying to bury her feelings under a cold logical persona.

When Reactron plays the 'tough guy' in his jail cell, Alura promises him that she will be the last person who will claim to be his executioner. It will happen; he will be executed.

Throughout this "Year Without Superman", I have really loved the little origin logos. This Alura one is particularly lovely, with Alura written in the Action Comics font.

As it turns out, Alura has kept Reactron's presence on New Krypton a secret. She knows that many Kryptonians will want revenge ... will want to kill him outright. And she plans to bring him to trial.

As always, there are small things in comics, artistic nuances that make me love the medium. Here Kara and Alura are flying next to each other. But their flying positions say so much. Kara simply looks graceful, one leg bent, hand outstretched as if she's reaching for the future. Alura, by contrast, is flying with her legs straight, almost rigid and her leading hand is a closed fist. These subtle differences remind the readers that the two are very different people.

Back in her office, Alura's fears of Kryptonian sentiment about Reactron are confirmed. The parents of one of the men Reactron killed in the assault in the Arctic have come looking for justice. They have heard that Reactron is on New Krypton. When they begin to badger Alura about his whereabouts, she responds with force.

This physical confrontation is more powerful when contrasted to that opening flashback. Alura went from a young woman trying to suppress her emotions to someone who lashes out because of them.

That evening, Alura recalls another scene from her past, a scene in which Zor-El again tells Alura how much he loves her. He grabs Alura's hand and places it in the middle of his chest so that she can feel his heart beating. That memory has now been tainted by the more recent tragedy of Reactron's hand on Zor-El's chest.

It is that juxtaposition of memories, those two different hands on Zor-El's chest, which really provide the reader with some valuable information about Alura's state of mind. What should be a cherished memory is now associated with the most painful memory possible. She cannot remember that night with him without immediately thinking of how Zor-El died.

We see Alura place her hand on the empty half of her bed, the place where her husband should be, and we see her cry. She is still grieving.

The following day is Reactron's trial. He is brought before the Council for a preliminary hearing to establish that he is mentally competent to stand trial.

In what I think is one of the best scenes in the book, the entire trial is questioned by Reactron's defense attorney. Dyn-Xe, the lawyer who defended Superman in World of New Krypton, believes all the charges should be thrown out and Reactron returned to Earth.

He appropriately points out that his client is not of New Krypton, is not bound to the rules of that planet, and is merely a soldier who followed orders. While he understands Alura's desire for justice, he feels that this is not the forum. He even insinuates the improper nature of this trial by pointing out that Kal-El isn't there. He wonders if Superman is even aware that Reactron is on the planet. Dyn-Xe knows that Superman is a man of honor. Superman would point out that this is a sham of a trial and would not allow it to continue. Dyn-Xe even go so far as to question Alura's state of mind, her ability to pass judgment. He wonders if she is too close to this case to be objective.

I agree with him wholeheartedly. I don't think the Kryptonians would be happy if one of their people were brought before a court on Earth and subjected to our laws. There were no extradition papers. There was no discussion with Earth government to bring Reactron to New Krypton. This seems more like a witchhunt more than a trial. That said, when Reactron was given to the appropriate authorities on Earth he was promptly released. Alura may feel this is the only way that he can be brought to justice.

Before the trial can go any further however a group of Kryptonians, led by the mourning parents from earlier, burst into the courtroom. They have only one thing on their minds. They want revenge.

Shockingly, as the lynch mob train heat vision on to Reactron, it is Supergirl and Alura who jump to his rescue. They dive in front of the heat vision barrage, saving him. Despite his brash exterior, Reactron again shows his cowardly nature. He begins bartering, saying that he can give the Kryptonians information.

I was not shocked to see Supergirl jump to save Reactron. That is what a hero would do. It did shock me however that Alura would rise to defend him. This would've been an easy way for her to get what she was hoping for. And she would've been above reproach.

Instead she says that the mob simply cannot kill Reactron. Just when I think I understand Alura she throws me a curve ball. It is this sort of diametrically opposed feelings within one person that make her so intriguing. How can she promise him that she will be his executioner on one page and then leap to his defense and state that he cannot be killed a few pages later.

I bet Alura is a very fun character to write.

We get some background into those feelings as we are shown another flashback. This is a much more recent flashback, only back to the Brainiac storyline. Here Zor-El and Alura are still in the bottled city of Kandor watching Superman and Brainiac fight. We see those giant figures in the background here.

Alura says that she hopes Superman kills Brainiac. This statement shocks her husband. You can see on Alura's face that she is filled with hate for Brainiac. She thinks it is ironic that the artist Zor-El is telling the scientist to be less emotional. But that is not what Zor-El is saying. He's saying that Alura may have those feelings but she should be above them. He doesn't think that they should succumb to hatred.

I love that last panel. As Zor-El says that they need to be true leaders in the background looming large is the family crest of the House of El. People who wear that Shield should not be hoping that anyone gets killed.

While I have been talking about how these flashback scenes give us a better sense of who Alura is, I also have to say that the scenes really flesh out who Zor-El was. We didn't get to see much of him before he was murdered. You really get the sense that he was a good man.

And you also get the sense that Alura's emotional instability was present long before she was struck by that Kryptonite bolt when Kara was cured. Alura's behavior isn't Kryptonite poisoning. This is who she is.

And yet back on New Krypton, we see her try to espouse Zor-El's ethics here. He thinks they should be above wanting revenge. Perhaps that is why Alura is saying that Reactron cannot be killed in this manner. Maybe she wished to honor who Zor-El was, what he stood for.

Unfortunately in the skirmish, Reactron is apparently killed. Commander Gor reports to Alura that Reactron attempted to escape and was vaporized..

And just like that the Reactron story seems over. It is an anti-climactic ending. There doesn't seem to be any catharsis here.

The characters just wander away.

Supergirl leaves New Krypton to return to Earth. Alura is unable to stop him from leaving.

The last scene of the book shows Alura in Zor-El's tomb. She is talking to her dead husband.

And what I think is just a delicious turn of events, we learn that Alura did not try to save the Reactron because she wanted to honor her husband's feelings. We learn that she wanted Reactron kept alive so she could get information out of him. And if she needs torture to wring it out of his body, she will torture him. In fact, she puts Commander Gor on the job and he seems like just the sadist who would get some pleasure out of it.

I don't know if I can say that Alura is evil. But I know that I cannot say that she is good. She may be trying to do good but the ends rarely justify the means.

In her heart even she knows that this isn't the right thing to do. She collapses before Zor-Els casket hoping that the information she obtains is worth this erosion of her morality.

Again, the fact that this panel is drawn in the perspective that it is adds a lot to the ending. Not only do we see Alura as a very minute component here, echoing her own sentiments of feeling small, we also see it in the context of the Zor-El's tomb which is just bathed in light. That light emanating from him, reminding us of who he was, is such a wonderful contrast to her statements.

I know that one of the recent concerns about this title is that the Supergirl character has been lost in the New Krypton storyline. At times it is felt that this isn't really a Supergirl title but more of an adjunct to Superman. I think that this issue turns the corner. Yes this was an Alura issue but clearly her character impacts Supergirl greatly. We have seen tension between Kara and Alura throughout Sterling Gates' run on the title. This issue really adds dimension to that relationship. We really get a better understanding of who Alura is.

And as much as I have talked about how Brainiac 2 is one of the best characters in comics today, I really feel that Alura is right up there as well. She seems like such a roiling cauldron of conflicting emotions, she has been through so much trauma, and she seems to want to do the right thing. I don't know if I can easily explain my feelings for the character. At times I like her and at times I don't. But I usually feel some sympathy for her and I think that is a tribute to the writing of this book.

While the Reactron story clearly isn't over at least this chapter of it is. The next issues all seem to be dedicated to Supergirl and her activities on Earth and I'm looking forward to those greatly. But my guess is that when I take a look back, that this character driven issue focused on Alura is going to be one of my favorite issues in Sterling Gates' run.

As I have mentioned above, comics work best when words and art come together. I have nothing but good things to say about Matt Camp's art in this book. It is a very clean and detailed style which suits this book well. I have to say in some places it reminded me a little of Geof Darrow. That is high praise. I also thought he did an excellent job in making subtle changes to Alura's face which clearly showed how she has aged from those earlier flashbacks on Krypton to the current events on New Krypton. While I look forward to Jamal Igle's return on Supergirl #50, I think the book is in more than capable hands.

Overall grade: A