Archive for the ‘Supergirl Mondays’ Category

December 7th, 2015  Posted at   Supergirl Mondays

Supergirl MondaysSupergirl Mondays is a weekly celebration of the Girl of Steel, who has graced the pages of DC Comics in a variety of forms for more than five decades.

This feature’s primary focus is to take an issue-by-issue look back at Supergirl’s adventures in the post-Crisis universe. From an artificial being on a mission to save her home world, to an Earth-born angel on a mission to save her soul, each Monday, before the airing of “Supergirl” on CBS, reflect on the earliest days of the incredible and winding journey of a frequently divisive, sometimes confusing, but always entertaining era for the Maid of Might.


In this issue

Superman (Vol. 2) #21

Issue: SUPERMAN (Vol. 2) #21
Cover date: September 1988
Cover price: 75 cents ($1 Can./40p U.K.)
Cover by John Byrne
Story: “You Can’t Go Home Again”

Credits

Story and pencils: John Byrne
Inks: John Beatty
Colors: Petra Scotese
Letters: John Costanza
Mike Carlin, editor
Renée Witterstaeter, asst. editor
Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

Overview

A group of people in battlesuits withstand a barrage on their high-tech fortress, the only thing left standing on the ravaged landscape of their world, as they watch on viewscreens as Superman soars through the sky. Suspecting he’s being followed, Superman doubles back and is surprised when he catches his pursuer.

Supergirl revealed

The woman again identifies herself as Supergirl, further shocking Superman by shifting her likeness into that of Lana Lang and saying she got her powers from Lex Luthor.

Confusion reigns, and the exchange begins to grow heated, resulting in Supergirl hitting Superman with a telekinetic blast before turning invisible and attacking again, knocking him deep into the ground near the Lang home. Superman digs up through the cellar and finds Jonathan and Martha Kent, as well as the real Lana Lang, tied and gagged. Superman makes a realization about Supergirl and flies her to see Lex Luthor.

Supergirl is astounded that Luthor is so unlike the Luthor she knows. This leads Superman to later explain that he believes she is from the Pocket Universe (a dimension created by the Time Trapper, and encountered by Superman about a year prior, publishing-wise). As Superman explains and Supergirl’s memories begin to return in full, a teleportation field takes them to the Phantom Zone, where they are greeted by the red-haired, battlesuit-clad figure from the beginning of the issue.

'Welcome to the end of the world.'

Thoughts

This issue is part one of the three-issue story known as “The Supergirl Saga” (not an official part of the story’s title, but called as such on the covers of the first two issues). It’s also the final three stories in Byrne’s classic run on Superman, which rebooted the character in the post-Crisis era, starting with MAN OF STEEL.

But, we’re here to talk about Supergirl.

This is the character’s most extensive appearance to date, yet the mystery surrounding the character and her origins continue to build despite actually being somewhat more defined with the revelation that she comes from the Pocket Universe. Taking this tack is, perhaps, the first in a long line of missteps leading to the character’s eventual somewhat confusing backstory. But without the 20/20 hindsight of history, it was an inventive approach that allowed for the creation of a new Supergirl that paid homage to the past but still kept the “uniqueness” of Superman, which DC Editorial at the time wished to retain. (It also allowed them to hedge their bets should the character not have been popular, because a Supergirl from an alternate dimension would be easier to take off the table than on from “this” dimension.)

Regardless of where she comes from, though, one thing is pretty clear: She’s not Kryptonian. Her powers are full display here, as she exhibits the ability to fly, change her appearance at will, turn invisible and fire off telekinetic blasts strong enough to knock Superman into the ground. Her strength an durability aren’t clear because Superman never goes on the offensive, but she seems more than able to hold her own.

Other mysteries remain as well, such as why she was buried in the arctic ice for centuries, as well as, newly surfaced this issue, what happened to the Pocket Universe since it last made an appearance, and what that has to do with Supergirl’s mission she spoke of in previous issues.

Art-wise, while a strong outing, internal inconsistencies remain, particularly in regards to the coloring. Supergirl is portrayed as a redhead in some panels and a blonde an others. Some of that is intentional as she shape-shifts her appearance to that of Lana Lang, but other seem illogical given the storyflow.

And, hey! The new Supergirl gets her first cover appearance with this issue. Well, her legs are there, anyway. But, it’s the closest thing the character will get to a proper cover appearance until 1992!

Historical footnote

The panel where Superman first comes face-to-face with Supergirl (seen above) is an homage — all the way down to the dialogue — to the Curt Swan-penciled and Al Plastino-inked cover to ACTION COMICS #252, which was the first appearance of Kara Zor-El.

Action Comics #252

Fans talk back

This issue was the first to feature reader response to the one-panel appearance of Supergirl in SUPERMAN #16 (see Supergirl Monday #1). While letters printed in comics are chosen by editorial and might not be a true representation of fan response, letters printed in this issue do seem overwhelmingly excited about the prospect of the character’s return.

While in the future I’ll be looking only at letters of note commenting on Supergirl’s story, due to the historical importance of the issue they’re replying to in this issue, here’s a look at the letter pages in full.

Superman (Vol. 2) #21 letters page 1  Superman (Vol. 2) #21 letters page 2

And as an additional note, Paul Anthony Lhossas, if you’re reading, I’m not sure if you were serious about that “55-page treatise,” but if you were, I’d love to read it.

But wait, there’s more

The blurb at the end of the story and next-issue chatter at the end of the letters column (both seen above) both give a preview of ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #444, which is part 2 of “The Supergirl Saga.” The latter also includes a sneak peak at the Supergirl-less cover art.

DC also sought to promote “The Supergirl Saga,” and the return of the character in general, outside the comics. Here’s a look at a poster, with art by John Byrne, released to comics retailers to promote “The Supergirl Saga.”

Supergirl promotional poster by John Byrne

Next time on Supergirl Monday: Exposition. Lots of exposition.

November 30th, 2015  Posted at   Supergirl Mondays

Supergirl MondaysSupergirl Mondays is a weekly celebration of the Girl of Steel, who has graced the pages of DC Comics in a variety of forms for more than five decades.

This feature’s primary focus is to take an issue-by-issue look back at Supergirl’s adventures in the post-Crisis universe. From an artificial being on a mission to save her home world, to an Earth-born angel on a mission to save her soul, each Monday, before the airing of “Supergirl” on CBS, reflect on the earliest days of the incredible and winding journey of a frequently divisive, sometimes confusing, but always entertaining era for the Maid of Might.


This time out, we will be looking at two issues: DOOM PATROL #10 and SUPERMAN (Vol. 2) #20. The Doom Patrol issue, which features the first appearance (kind of) of the mysterious new Supergirl outside the pages of the Superman titles, was published the same week as ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #442 (see Supergirl Monday 5). However, because the Doom Patrol issue takes place between the panels of SUPERMAN #20, and because it adds little to Supergirl’s story as a whole (and what it does add is meaningless without the context of the SUPERMAN issue), we’ll be looking at both issues together.

In these issues

Doom Patrol #10  Superman (Vol. 2) #20

Issue: DOOM PATROL #10
Cover date: July 1988
Cover price: 75 cents ($1 Can./40p U.K.)
Cover by Erik Larsen and Jerry Ordway
Story: “The Soul of the Machine”

Issue: SUPERMAN (Vol. 2) #20
Cover date: August 1988
Cover price: 75 cents ($1 Can./40p U.K.)
Cover by John Byrne
Story: “Doom in the Heartland!”

Credits

DOOM PATROL #10
Paul Kupperberg, writer
Erik Larsen, penciller
Gary Martin, inker
J. Giels Workman, letterer
Tom Ziuko, colorist
Robert Greenberger, editor

SUPERMAN (Vol. 2) #20
John Byrne, story and pencils
Karl Kesel and Byrne, inks
John Costanza, lettering
Petra Scotese, coloring
Renée Witterstaetter, assistant editing
Michael Carlin, editing
Paul Kupperberg, kibitzing
Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

Overview

Beginning in SUPERMAN, all parties are surprised when Lana Lang arrives at the Smallville farm of Jonathan and Martha Kent with the mysterious woman calling herself Supergirl in tow. The Kents are amazed seeing a young woman in a Superman-like costume able to lift a truck, while Supergirl is taken aback at the very sight of Jonathan and Martha, believing they were dead. As fragmented memories continue to swirl in her mind, Supergirl’s eyes go white as she ominously determines to get to the bottom of things.

A short time later, Superman arrives in Smallville for a pre-arranged picnic lunch with Lana.

Over to DOOM PATROL #10, Clark and Lana begin their date, but Clark’s super-hearing picks up a radio report of the Doom Patrol mixing it up with Metallo and flies off to help.

Back to SUPERMAN (Vol. 2) #20, Lana, still at the picnic spot, listens to radio reports of Superman becoming involved in the fight as it through Kansas City. Hearing that the battle isn’t going as well as Superman had hoped, “Lana” makes a startling transformation.

Startling transformation

Shortly, however, the combined efforts of Superman and the Doom Patrol are able to stop Metallo’s rampage without intervention by — or even knowledge of — the new Supergirl, who flies nearby, keeping tabs on the Man of Steel, as he flies back toward Smallville for a little R&R.

Thoughts

Though more pages and spread across two issues, this is essentially another vignette furthering Supergirl’s story, but largely unconnected from the main story of the issue. The biggest revelation here, though, is that the new Supergirl also possesses some type of shape-shifting ability, having impersonated Lana during the picnic date with Clark.

Though that also ties one of the biggest puzzles presented these issues: How did Clark — with his super-senses — not recognize this wasn’t Lana?

There’s a bit of a leap, for those not reading DOOM PATROL #10, about how Superman became involved in the battle between the Doom Patrol and Metallo. To its credit, an editor’s footnote in the issue does make it very clear that DOOM PATROL #10 takes place between two specific panels of the SUPERMAN issue. But still, for readers of only the latter, it would’ve been nice to provide a little more set-up for the transition.

I did appreciate, though, that all the elements of the Supergirl mystery were kept contained in the SUPERMAN issue, which helped prevent confusion for DOOM PATROL readers who chose to not pick up the SUPERMAN issue. They’d still lack a resolution of the conflict with Metallo, but weren’t dragged into the beginning of a confusing mystery. Reading only DOOM PATROL #10, there’s no indication there is anything more to Superman’s picnic date with Lana than a way to bring him in to the story.

Also, it appears the coloring issues from SUPERMAN #19 (see Supergirl Monday 4) have resurfaced, as in the final panel for SUPERMAN #20, as her blue leggings and red hair have returned. Given the shape-shifting ability revealed this issue, is it possible Supergirl is changing her appearance? Or are these actually coloring mistakes not caught by the editor?

Whichever is true, one thing is clear: A collision between Superman and this mysterious new Supergirl is imminent!

Historical footnote

While not a factor in the Supergirl subplot, DOOM PATROL #10 features the first post-Crisis appearance of Reactron, a villain created by that issue’s writer, Paul Kupperberg, in a trio of Supergirl stories from 1983! The character also was re-imagined in “Fight or Flight,” the third episode from the first season of TV’s “Supergirl!”

Upcoming

A blurb at the end of the story promotes a big reveal to come next issue:

SUPERMAN #21 blurb from SUPERMAN #20

As does the next-issue chatter at the end of the letters column:

SUPERMAN #21 chatter from SUPERMAN #20

But wait, there’s more

Despite containing no Supergirl content in the story itself, the next issue-blurb at the end of the letters column in ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #443 (cover date August 1988) also promoted the upcoming Supergirl-centric story.

ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #443 next-issue chatter

Next time on Supergirl Monday: The ‘Saga’ begins!

November 23rd, 2015  Posted at   Supergirl Mondays

Supergirl MondaysSupergirl Mondays is a weekly celebration of the Girl of Steel, who has graced the pages of DC Comics in a variety of forms for more than five decades.

This feature’s primary focus is to take an issue-by-issue look back at Supergirl’s adventures in the post-Crisis universe. From an artificial being on a mission to save her home world, to an Earth-born angel on a mission to save her soul, each Monday, before the airing of “Supergirl” on CBS, reflect on the earliest days of the incredible and winding journey of a frequently divisive, sometimes confusing, but always entertaining era for the Maid of Might.


In this issue

Adventures of Superman #442

Issue: ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #442
Cover date: July 1988
Cover price: 75 cents ($1 Can./40p U.K.)
Cover by John Byrne
Story: “Power Play”

Credits

John Byrne, scripting, co-plotting
Jerry Ordway, pencilling, co-plotting
Andy Kubert, inking
Albert DeGzman, lettering
Anthony Tollin, colorist
Renée Witterstaetter, assistant editing
Mike Carlin, editing
Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

Overview

Hazy memories

With a haze of fragmented memories about Smallville, Superman and someone named Lex swirling in her head, Supergirl arrives in Smallville, only to run into someone who know knows a little bit about the Man of Steel: Lana Lang.

Thoughts

Supergirl’s hair and costume have returned to their previous colors this issue, adding credibility to the theory of a coloring error last time. But not much else is added this issue beyond her arrival in Smallville and run-in with Lana. Again, however, we get more pieces adding to the mystery, including how he could have memories of Superman and Lex, if she’d been buried in the Antarctic ice for centuries.

I really like the center panel on this page (the lefthand panel on the image posted above). Jerry Ordway pencils with Andy Kubert inks is a strange combination, but the pain and confusion in Supergirl’s face is apparent and natural but yet perfectly subtle. We know next to nothing about this new Supergirl, but are able to sympathize with her just the me.

Next time on Supergirl Monday: A two-for-one special!

November 16th, 2015  Posted at   Supergirl Mondays

Supergirl MondaysSupergirl Mondays is a weekly celebration of the Girl of Steel, who has graced the pages of DC Comics in a variety of forms for more than five decades.

This feature’s primary focus is to take an issue-by-issue look back at Supergirl’s adventures in the post-Crisis universe. From an artificial being on a mission to save her home world, to an Earth-born angel on a mission to save her soul, each Monday, before the airing of “Supergirl” on CBS, reflect on the earliest days of the incredible and winding journey of a frequently divisive, sometimes confusing, but always entertaining era for the Maid of Might.


In this issue

Superman (Vol. 2) #19

Issue: SUPERMAN (Vol. 2) #19
Cover date: July 1988
Cover price: 75 cents ($1 Can./40p U.K.)
Cover by Jerry Ordway
Story: “The Power That Failed!”

Credits

Story & pencils: John Byrne
Coloring: Petra Scotese
Lettering: John Costanza
Assistant editing: Renée Witterstaetter
Editing: Michael Carlin
And welcome aboard to odd-inker John Beatty
Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

Overview

Superman (Vol. 2) #19 Page 8

Thoughts

As I said last time, Supergirl’s introduction slowly unfolds in short bursts over issues months. And this installment, the fourth, offers perhaps the least amount of new information yet.

It does, however, introduce many more questions, including:

  • Why did her costume change (note the blue leggings)? And why is she now a redhead? (Chalking these up to artist mistakes seems too easy given the creative team consistency the books had at this time.)
  • Why, despite her amnesia, does she feel drawn toward America — namely, Smallville — to complete an unknown mission?
  • Did she cause the guy to fall in Panel 3? It seems an odd moment when not played as a comedic beat or to facilitate her escape, neither of which seem to be the case. If she did cause it, how? Maybe she has some kind of telekinetic power in addition to the ability — surprise — to fly?
  • Next time on Supergirl Monday: Smallville? “Somebody save me”!

    November 9th, 2015  Posted at   Supergirl Mondays

    Supergirl MondaysSupergirl Mondays is a weekly celebration of the Girl of Steel, who has graced the pages of DC Comics in a variety of forms for more than five decades.

    This feature’s primary focus is to take an issue-by-issue look back at Supergirl’s adventures in the post-Crisis universe. From an artificial being on a mission to save her home world, to an Earth-born angel on a mission to save her soul, each Monday, before the airing of “Supergirl” on CBS, reflect on the earliest days of the incredible and winding journey of a frequently divisive, sometimes confusing, but always entertaining era for the Maid of Might.


    In this issue

    Adventures of Superman #441

    Issue: ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #441
    Cover date: June 1988
    Cover price: 75 cents ($1 Can./40p U.K.)
    Cover by Jerry Ordway
    Story: “The Tiny Terror of Tinseltown”

    Credits

    Enryb Nhoj, scripter/co-plotter
    Yawdro Yrrej, penciller/co-plotter
    Eknaj Sinned, inker
    Nillot Ynohtna, colorist
    NamzuGed Trebla, letterer
    Retteatsrettiw Eener, assistant editor
    Nilrac Ekim, editor
    Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

    Overview

    In Antarctica, the scientists talk about how the mysterious woman is awake but has been drifting in an out of conciousness and unable to speak. Just then, the woman staggers weakly into the room, pleading for help. The men ask if she can tell them who she is or where she came from, and she gives a cryptic reply.

    "I ... am Supergirl!"

    Thoughts

    This issue’s installment is another one-page interlude in the middle of a larger, unconnected Superman story. Supergirl’s story is a slow-burn that plays out over the course of several months. This issue provides the first time the woman has been referred to as “Supergirl” — even if she is calling herself that — but gives no real clues toward the mystery of her identity or origin. But, the baby-steps approach works to prolong the mystery and keep the reader intrigued.

    Next time on Supergirl Monday: North, Miss Teschmacher. Due north.