Supergirl - TV Review (Season 2)

   The Fall TV Season has arrived, and the CW has (wisely) picked up the Supergirl TV series to add to its lineup, which includes Arrow, The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow.

   And they've added something new this year: the world's most famous superhero.

   Superman "appeared" in the first season, but only at a distance (via text or literally so far away that you couldn't see him). That's reportedly because Man of Steel director Zach Snyder wanted to reserve his star for the big screen.

   But calmer heads have prevailed, and since there are different actors playing the TV Flash and the movie Flash, why not do likewise with the other heroes?

   So Tyler Hoechlin has stepped into the big red boots, and guess what? 

   He's terrific!

   That's because, unlike the movies that handcuff the amazing Henry Cavill into a grim, near-humorless character, Hoechlin is allowed to show actual personality - he smiles, he's playful, a good friend, a great cousin, a talented and thoughtful reporter - but he also shows a determined side. He's no pushover, showing a flinty edge with J'onn J'onzz, and fighting fiercely to protect the innocent. 

   In a modern flurry of grim and gritty heroes, he's a literal breath of fresh air. It's a delight to see the real Superman again.

   But it's not his show, and while we enjoy watching him, this is Supergirl's show, and Melissa Benoist is the star. 

   And how she lights up the screen! It's not just her beauty at work - she channels an inner sweetness, edged with a determination to help others and do the right thing. 

   But you just can't take your eyes off her, whether she's chasing a plummeting space shuttle or trying on different dresses at super-speed before a date.

   It's a tribute to her performance (and her star power) that she's never overwhelmed or run off the screen by her high-profile "cousin."

   The story... well, after a rousing start it slips into a standard "bad guy out for revenge" story - but the ending holds the promise of the return of a classic villain.

   There are some new sets and the return of the excellent supporting cast, so it looks like the new network home - and the promise of more super-crossovers - will make for a strong second season for the Girl of Steel!

Grade: A-

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Supergirl #1

   Hot on the heels of the Rebirth issue, here's another Supergirl #1, as the Maid of Steel (do they still call her that?) tries to find her place in this strange new world.

   Of course, the goal of this series is (one presumes) to bring the comic in line with the (very good) TV series.

   But it has a ways to go. The TV version succeeds because the title character is immediately likable. The comic version doesn't manage that - she's unhappy about her life in our "primitive" world, and she can't fit in as teenager Linda Danvers - or as Supergirl. And she's fighting with her "foster parents."

   The only problem with the book is that tone. We have a self-pitying hero who tries to do the right thing - like rescuing hostages from a murderous gang - but her efforts aren't appreciated.

   As with any first issue, there's a lot of foundation-building required, so characters are rolled out, tension is introduced, and the main villain puts in an appearance (though he feels borrowed from an ongoing Superman story).

   The art by Brian Ching is very good, and writer Steve Orlando captures the voice of the characters - but the series needs to up the action quotient - and mimic the TV show's attitude - to survive.

Grade: B

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Supergirl Rebirth #1

   I have to admit that I've completely lost touch with Supergirl (the comic book).
  I tried the first few issues of the "New 52" version in 2011, but they didn't spark my interest - and I wasn't crazy about her costume, with its strange design on the crotch.
   However, I have become a fan of the Supergirl TV show, which is getting ready to launch into its second season (moving to the CW network).
   It features an upbeat, instantly-likeable star, a strong supporting cast, some good action sequences, and works despite the somewhat silly secret identity shenanigans.
   So now DC has apparently (a year later) realized it should be following the lead of the TV show - so they're putting their character through gymnastics to bring her more in line with the on-air version.
   And those efforts are mostly successful here - the art is strong and the writing is overcoming those continuity hurdles with a minimum of stress.
   Best of all, her costume follows the classic-but-modern lines of the TV version (although it still seems a bit dicey, having a flying girl wearing a skirt - but at least it's not a mini-skirt).
   This is a good start in (what I assume to be) a new direction.
Grade: B+
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"Supergirl" - Premiere

   The premiere of Supergirl is no surprise to many, since the pilot was "leaked" online several months ago - a sign of how confident the network was that it had a potential winner.

   I saw it for the first time tonight, and I agree - they do have a success story here (at least so far).

   The series stars the lovely and extremely likable Melissa Benoist as Kara Zor-El (Danvers), the cousin of Kal-El, also known as Clark Kent - and Superman.

   As we see in flashback, she's sent to Earth to protect baby Kal-El, but spends decades in suspended animation and arrives on Earth after Superman is already grown and established. He's never seen clearly (and presumably will only be part of the series from a distance), but we meet her adopted family and see that she's established herself working for media mogul Cat Grant (Calista Flockhart), a powerful (and borderline psycho) publisher.

   The supporting cast is quickly established, and a disaster strikes that forces Kara to stop hiding her powers and puts her in the spotlight - as Supergirl.

   What makes the show work is the fact that all the characters are interesting, the series has a strong sense of humor working for it, and there's a positive, uplifting spirit at work. But it's not all fluff - there's a serious danger facing Kara and her adopted city.

   You'll also find some Easter Eggs in there (bonus points for identifying the actors playing her adopted parents), some solid special effects work and strong action sequences.

   But the real secret of its success lies with Benoist - she's very much the girl next door - sweet, funny, adorable and sexy (without ever trying).

   It's off to a strong start, and well worth watching! And it should shut up those who say female super-heroes don't work.

Grade: A-

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The Classics - Action Comics #308

Today's "Classic" comic is actually new to me - I picked up this copy of Action Comics cheap at a recent convention, and only just got around to reading it.

Originally printed in 1964, this is one of the craziest Superman stories I've ever read - and that's saying something.

It almost defies recapping. But I'll give it a shot.

Clark Kent and Lana Lang are on an archaeological dig in the Middle East when a freak accident throws Superman back in time - and into a parallel dimension, where he meets characters who seem similar to figures from mythology - but it's all mixed up.

So you have Hercules being affected by Red Kryptonite, having to complete Six Labors (instead of Twelve), and the chores are nothing like the ones from myth. Superman helps out, of course, just because he can. He meets Ben-Hur for no apparent reason. And instead of David, the kid with the slingshot is Jason. No idea why.

It's just a crazy, stream-of-consciousness story that rambles along and then gets wrapped up in the final panel, as the writer and artist apparently realized they'd run out of space.

The backup in the issue is a Supergirl story that is also silly, as she discovers a young girl with super-powers. She spends the story trying to discover the secret behind the girl's powers - and the final explanation defies rational thought.

She gains her powers by eating some Kryptonian food by accident. That's it.

But guess what? Even though these stories are silly bits of fluff, there's an irrepressible niceness about them, a sense of good humor than makes them fun to read.

You just don't see comics like this any more. One could argue that's probably a good thing - but there should be room for all kinds of comics out there, including silly ones.

What's the line from the film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? "A little nonsense now and then is valued by the wisest man."

Grade: B-

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The Classics: Action Comics #285

How I love these early Silver Age issues starring the Superman family!

They're just loaded with imagination and kindness - with a healthy dose of silliness, I'll admit - but they're just plain fun.

Take this issue of Action Comics, for example, printed in 1962. Superman's cousin, Supergirl, first arrived on Earth three years before, but her ever-protective cousin decided she should remain a secret. (I always enjoyed the idea that on Earth-2, her existence wasn't revealed for decades - she finally appeared as Power Girl.)

So after three years of keeping her hidden, the Man of Steel decides it's time to introduce her to the world - well, actually, to the universe. She is - immediately - incredibly popular, and the first 12 pages are devoted to her receiving tribute from the President, the United Nations, assorted planets, alien races and undersea allies.

The second half has her facing her first public menace - a gigantic, Godzilla-like monster - and when she struggles, everyone quickly decides she's no Superman. Not to worry. Through ingenuity and some time-traveling assistance, she succeeds and regains the faith of the world (it was the '60s - happy endings were the rule).

Perhaps the strangest part of the story is when she reveals her secret identity to her adopted parents! Yep, she had kept her powers a secret from them, too!

It's all silly, over the top and as endearing as can be.

I know, this kind of whimsy doesn't play well today - at least according to most comics companies - but I treasure these comics, both for the warm nostalgic buzz and the general goodhearted, imaginative approach to storytelling.

Grade: B+

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Supergirl #3

Three issues into the series and we know almost nothing about Supergirl, except that she somehow survived the destruction of Krypton - but she doesn't know how, either.

She arrives on Earth, is attacked by a mysterious group of men in robotic suits and finally meets her cousin, Superman - and immediately attacks him.

She's a blank slate - we don't even know if she's a good person (certainly her habit of punching first and asking questions later isn't too endearing).

This is the third issue in a row that's chock full of mindless violence, and skimpy on the character development - and frankly, it's already getting old.

I was ready to drop this series - I only picked up this issue because of the promise on the cover to reveal "The Truth About Krypton," but the only truth revealed is one the reader already knows - so it's a bit of a cheat.

The strongest thing about the comic is the artwork by Mike Johnson. He has a fresh, breezy style, and it seems like a good fit for this comic.

But the story just seems to be floundering, as the plot just takes us from one fight scene to the next. I'm all for action-packed comics, but I'd like a little more story squeezed in along the way.

Grade: B-

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Supergirl #1

Supergirl gets the "clean reboot" treatment in the "New 52" as this story starts with her arrival on Earth.

But the story by Michael Green and Mike Johnson takes a different path from past versions of the story, as the title character arrives in a meteor shower and emerges from her spacecraft dazed, confused and in a distant country.

The story that follows is pretty slim - there's a lot of action and very little illumination about her past (other than the fact that she is from Krypton), and she spends most of the issue fighting for her life.

I enjoy the battle sequences, but it would have been nice to have a bit more story and / or character development in there.

I like the art a lot. I'm not familiar with Mahmud Asrar, but he turns in some powerful work here, with great characters, excellent layouts and strong action sequences.

My only complaint (it's more of a question) has to do with Supergirl's costume. They're back to the "swimsuit with long sleeves and a cape" look, which is fine (no more bare midriffs or flying while wearing a tiny skirt, which always seemed impractical) - but the odd part of the design has to do with the diamond-esque "Superman logo" shield that is placed (without the logo) over her crotch.

Maybe it's just me, but it looks like she's wearing a diaper. It looks fine on the cover - like it's part of the design, like Superman's red trunks - but inside the issue it seems to be a separate component of the costume. Anyway, a minor complaint, to be sure.

I'm interested enough in the story to be back next issue, but here's hoping for a little less destruction and more explaining.

Grade: B+

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Supergirl #40

The Supergirl comic has been something of a mix in recent months.

Some issues are quite good, while others are merely average. But to its credit, I haven't seen an issue in a while that was outright bad.

This issue manages to be both average and quite good in the same issue. On the good side, Supergirl gets a chance to show her true character as she faces off against the man who killed her father. On the bad side, she survives a fall by a rather improbable method, and (more importantly) we finally get a peek behind the mask of Superwoman.

Since that mystery has been driving the recent storyline, it's unfortunate that it's not more of a surprise. Our reaction should be one of shock, not "Who is that character again?"

The art has been very good indeed, and Jamal Igle and Jon Sibal continue their strong run on this title.

It's good to see the Supergirl comic being so much fun to read. Now if the creative team can push it up one more notch...

Grade: B-

The Classics - Adventure Comics #409

I first started getting "serious" about collecting comic books at a young age, and my focus was almost exclusively on superhero comics, although I read the occasional war or western title.

But I rarely picked up a comic that starred a female character. That's not surprising, because the only female with her own title was Wonder Woman (Lois Lane doesn't count - she's no more super than Night Nurse). I didn't mind the Amazon Princess in the Justice League, but I didn't buy any of her comics until the Mike Sekowsky "Mod" Diana Prince era - and even then I only bought a few issues out of curiosity.

It was the same for Supergirl. She could be found in backup stories in assorted Superman comics (Action Comics, for example), and she finally graduated to the lead in Adventure Comics when the Legion of Super-Heroes faded out for a while.

I don't remember the specific issue that first lured me into buying a comic starring a girl, but I remember the artist - Bob Oksner drew beautiful, sexy women, and he drew Supergirl's adventures for a short stint during the early '70s.

This particular issue - Adventure Comics #409, with a cover date of August 1971 - stuck in my mind because of the (for the time) surprisingly skimpy, backless outfit Supergirl wore in one adventure. (Reprinted here for your enjoyment.) Granted, it's tame by today's standards. But in 1971, to my teenage brain - va va voom!

Imagine my surprise, in looking at it today, to find that the art wasn't by Oksner, but instead it's by Art Saaf and Dick Giordano (no slouches in the "drawing pretty girls" department, either).

The issue is loaded with outstanding talent, including a story about an alien invasion (which is uncredited, but is obviously drawn by the amazing Mike Sekowsky), the cover story, written by E. Nelson Bridwell, and a reprint of a Legion story that focused on the female Legionnaires. Not bad for a quarter!

It's not really a great comic - the art is excellent, but the stories are just average at best. But this is a comic that gives me a great nostalgic buzz - if just because it reminds me of the time when I figured out that girls were not so icky after all.

Grade: B-

Supergirl #39

You have to give this to the Supergirl comic: under writer Sterling Gates and pencilers Jamal Igle and Talent Caldwell, things do not stand still for any length of time.

Last issue, Supergirl was sent to Earth on a mission to capture Reactron, a powerful villain who killed her father. She's beaten rather easily by a mysterious character wearing a familiar logo and calling herself Superwoman.

This issue serves as setup for next issue, in which we'll (presumably) learn the answer to the mystery behind Superwoman's identity.

While I was initially left cold by this mystery, I have to admit that it heats up in this comic, as we learn a few more details and discover that things may not be what they seem.

Add to that the growing tension, a brutal attack, a surprise twist or two and Supergirl facing overwhelming odds, and you have a comic that's been quite good of late.

The art has been very well crafted, and the writing strong (though they need to be careful not to make Supergirl a whiny teenager).

This story has me anxious to see the next issue - and you couldn't always say that about a Supergirl comic.

Grade: B+

Supergirl #38

After several excellent issues, it's hard to complain when a comic stumbles a bit - but this issue of Supergirl isn't quite up to recent standards.

Part of the problem is that it's an "in-between" issue, set between the setup for the latest storyline of New Krypton and the mysterious Superwoman, and the resolution of the mystery behind Superwoman's true identity.

Instead of moving the story forward, writer Sterling Gates gives us a big fight scene between the two "Supers" (girl and woman), and it's really not much of a contest.

A few subplots move forward, we get a surprising announcement about Superwoman that throws recent comments by me out the window, and there's an "Origins and Omens" backup feature that gives us a glimpse into Kara's dark future.

The art by Jamal Igle and Keith Champagne continues to be very good, with some outstanding full-page splashes. The cover by Joshua Middleton seems a bit out of kilter, if not downright flat - though it's certainly colorful.

But that's not enough to overcome the issue's weaknesses. However, even with a weak issue, this comic is still far better than any other version of Supergirl in recent memory. Here's hoping the next issue is back on track.

Grade: B-

Supergirl #37

The latest mystery figure in comics is the new "Superwoman," whose identity is still unknown.

Of course, barring a truly unexpected plot twist, it's difficult to care much about her real identity, since she's apparently a Kryptonian, and we've only met two or three females who could fill the part. I'm assuming she isn't Power Girl in disguise - she doesn't seem to have the right proportions, if you get my drift.

The comic belongs to Supergirl, but she's a surprisingly passive presence in this issue. She spends most of her time being bossed around by her Mother on New Krypton.

Next issue promises much more conflict, so we'll see what writer Sterling Gates has in store. As always, the artwork is very good, as Jamal Igle and Keith Champagne turn in another excellent, energetic job.

This issue's not quite up to recent efforts, but it's obviously setting the story up for next month's issue - as that last page shows.

Still, Supergirl's comic is better now than it's been in years.

Grade: B-

Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade #2 (of 6)

Well, here's a comic book that definitely isn't aimed at me.

But don't get me wrong - that's not a bad thing.

For too many years (make that decades) comic book companies haven't made more than a passing effort at creating comics for young readers. DC seems to be making a genuine effort at correcting that oversight with its line of DC Kids comics.

The line includes the Super Friends, Tiny Titans, Cartoon Network Action Pack, Scooby Doo and others.

If comic book companies are going to survive, they need to bring in new readers, and this line, which ties in to existing Warner Brothers properties, including cartoons and comic books, is a great place to start.

Which brings us to Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade. It's a different take on the story of the original character. Supergirl lived with her family in the Kryptonian city of Argo in another dimension - it was hurled there by the explosion that destroyed Krypton.

After she hides on a rocket being sent to Earth, Supergirl finds herself trapped in our dimension - but on the up side, she has superpowers. Her cousin Superman sets her up in a boarding school. The action in this comic is set almost entirely at school, where Supergirl is disguised as Linda Lee, though this time around she doesn't wear a wig - she wears glasses - of course, that means no one will ever realize that she looks exactly like Supergirl.

In this issue, she faces her ultimate foe - a popular (and evil) cheerleader!

The comic is written by Landry Q. Walker and drawn by Eric Jones, and while the plot is a bit rough in places, it's also fun and fast-paced. The art is, of course, cartoony (that's kind of the point), but also energetic and high-spirited.

I can't recommend it for older readers (and thus I can't give it more than an average grade), but I suspect kids will enjoy following Supergirl's down-to-Earth adventures.

Grade: C+

Supergirl #36

Given the events of this issue, it's understandable for Supergirl to be livid, but why, on the cover, is she taking out her anger on her logo?

Well, it's an excellent cover, anyway.

The insides of the comic are pretty good, too, as we continue our travels down the road that is the "New Krypton" story. This issue doesn't waste time - it starts right out a moment after the tragic final scene last week in Action Comics, and charges ahead with the aftershocks.

The story by Sterling Gates is quite good (continuing his string of success on this title), as all-out battle erupts between those on Earth who hate the Kryptonians, and the super-powered citizens of Kandor who face a deadly and bloodthirsty foe.

The art by Jamal Igle and Keith Champagne is quite good, if a shade uneven in places - it runs the gamut from powerful (Supergirl's battle with the Brainiac robots) to awkward (the emotional payoff to a character's death is an odd-looking wide shot).

Still, this is another strong chapter in the ongoing saga, and I'm enjoying the "New Krypton" story quite a bit. The "next issue" tease indicate that there are only two more chapters left in this story, which is surprising - the creative teams have some major wrapping up to do here - but then, it's obvious that some of the spin-off characters - including the one introduced in this issue - are likely to stick around for quite a while, so there should be plenty of plot threads to follow for some time.

Grade: B

Supergirl #35

So what kind of character should Supergirl be? Almost any answer to that question has been tried at some point during her 40-year-long-run in DC Comics.

She's been an innocent teen, a bad girl, a career woman, a sidekick, a Legionnaire, a cipher, an adventurer, an obedient daughter, a disobedient daughter and a confused teen who didn't know what she was. And those are just the ones off the top of my head.

The basic motto has been, "If you don't like this Supergirl, hang around and we'll change her soon." (Now that I think about it, Wonder Woman has the same problem - but that's a topic for a different entry - back to Supergirl.)

The latest attempt may actually stick for a while, because they're making an effort to define Kara. The springboard for that is the "New Krypton" storyline, which brings about 100,000 Kryptonians to Earth, including Supergirl's parents.

This issue is chapter five in the series, and it centers on her father discovering the reason behind Kara's changing moods and attitudes. (And I thought it was just poor writing.)

Kudos to writer Sterling Gates for a strong effort here, as questions are answered and continuity is cleaned up, giving Supergirl the possibility of a fresh start - just what she needed!

The art is also very good, with penciller Jamal Igle and inker Keith Champagne providing solid, clear storytelling, including some tender moments and some dramatic revelations.

It's another good effort and definitely a step in the right direction. The star of the comic already seems more like... well, Supergirl!

Grade: B+

Supergirl #34

It's the question that has plagued comics companies since they began publishing their four-color wares: why can't a super-powered female be the star of a successful comic?

The only exception to the rule is Wonder Woman, though some might argue about the success of her sales.

The companies have certainly tried, and the quarter bins are littered with well-intentioned comics (some of them quite good) that just didn't catch on: Spider-Woman, Amethyst, Elektra and Hawkgirl, to name a few.

Add to the list several different incarnations of Supergirl, from her original appearance in the 1960s as Superman's cute little cousin, to her later growth into a young adult who was killed in the first Crisis on Infinite Earths. She was eventually brought back as some kind of android, which was merged with a young woman who was sort of an angel, then they did away with that version and brought her back as Kara Zor-El, once again Superman's cousin and a teenager again. (Ah, the magic of reboots.)

But despite a strong start (her return was featured in the Superman/Batman comic), the character has been meandering around the DC Universe ever since, sometimes being fun and interesting (see Waid and Perez's Brave and the Bold), and sometimes barely necessary.

If the plan is to give the Girl of Steel an actual direction, this comic is a good start. It's a quiet issue (aside from the opening battle with the Silver Banshee), as Kara realizes she's made some mistakes and begins to question her purpose. She seeks guidance from the ones she trusts the most - and finds a kindred spirit along the way.

It's a nice start by writer Sterling Gates, who does a good job fleshing out the supporting cast, and making Kara more than a paper-thin character. The artwork is also excellent, and penciller Jamal Igle and inker Keith Champagne turn in a strong effort, both with the action sequences and the quieter moments. Supergirl is depicted as an actual teenager - cute, but not ridiculously oversexed or pumped up.

The creative team still has a lot of work ahead of them, but they're off to a great start. If they keep up the momentum, maybe Wonder Woman will have some company over there on the "success" side of the aisle.

Grade: B+