Supergirl

Supergirl #37

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Supergirl #37Supergirl #37 begins Kara‘s training in the specialized academy for super-humans (think Sky High but in space). Despite Kara making friends and fitting in to her new life, writers K. Perkins and Mike Johnson waste little time in revealing to readers that the Crucible Academy has more nefarious items on their agenda than simply training tomorrow’s super-heroes leading (one would expect) to the rug pulled out from underneath Supergirl once again.

But for now the Crucible story works well allowing readers to explore the hero facility through Kara’s eyes and better introduce both Maxima and Tsavo, the later Kara goes out on a mission with as they discover his homeworld is being attacked by Crucible rejects led by Tsavo’s brother.

I’m enjoying Emanuela Lupacchino’s art for a second straight issue, but the reveal of the Crucible planning to kidnap and clone Superboy vastly limits the scope of the storyline going in by narrowly defining the group at the outset and setting up yet another hard choice for Kara involving sacrifice no matter what she chooses. Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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Supergirl #36

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Supergirl #36Supergirl goes to Sky High? New writers K. Perkins and Mike Johnson start Kara’s latest adventure with another attempt to live among humans by attempting once again to carve out a normal life. Of course that soon goes to hell when Supergirl is abducted by an exclusive school for super-beings and put through a series of test to determine whether or not she is worthy to join.

The first offering from the new team is a mixed bag. Although I enjoyed the art by Emanuela Lupacchino, choosing to put Kara in armor defeats the purpose of the character and, as I’ve said with the New 52 Superman, is akin to putting Chewbacca in a fur coat. It’s not only completely unnecessary but it looks ridiculous.

Both her short stint as a super-barrista, including another argument with Clark (when will these two be NICE to each other?), and her testing in space continue the trend of an angry young girl whose rage (sadly) may not have burnt out during her stint as a Red Lantern (its only saving grace). I’m far from sold on the book’s new-ish direction which lacks the wit, humor, and style of the new Batgirl. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

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Justice League United Annual #1

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Justice League United Annual #1Following up the events of the series’ first arc involving the rescue of a bizarre alien baby of immeasurable abilities, Justice League United Annual #1 bring the Legion of Super-Heroes back in time to destroy the fast-evolving child (already a teenager) before it grows into the monster of the 31st Century responsible for the destruction of countless worlds and billions of lives.

Opening with a battle between a distraught Mon-El and half the team including the Martian Manhunter, Equinox, and Adam Strange the comic is filled with quite a bit of action in a thinly-veiled tale about young Ultra growing into a Galactus-type monster capable of universal destruction.

The B-story involves Green Arrow, Animal Man, Supergirl, and Stargirl tracking down the villainous Bith and discovering that their dead teammate Hawkman isn’t so dead (although he’s apparently now working for the other side). For an annual the issue works well kicking off the next arc of the series which (even for someone who isn’t a bit Legion fan) should get interesting with the number of characters making appearances before all is said and done. Worth a look.

[DC, $4.99]

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Supergirl #35

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Supergirl #35After leaving this title during Kara‘s run as a Red Lantern I return to find an unexpected guest-spot by the Red Hood in as compelling use of the character as we’ve seen in the New 52. Despite her initial distrust of Batman’s former partner, Kara agrees to the unlikely team-up to help Jason Todd stop the supply of alien weapon technology on the black market.

Even with the appearance of a Venom-powered Red Hood and a story involving gun-runners, the latest issue has a warmth and fun to it that is has become a growing scarcity in DC titles since the launch of the New 52. I actually enjoyed writer Tony Bedard’s take on the Red Hood so much I was hoping the character may stick around for another issue, but it appears Kara is going to have her hands full attempt to live as normal a life as possible.

For a character who had become lost in grief and anger, and had been allowed to bottom out and wallow and whine herself into a shell of her former self it’s nice to see Supergirl have a little fun for a change. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Justice League United #4

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Justice League United #4The comic’s five-issue opening arc comes to a close with the team’s return from Rann, but two members don’t make the trip. I was surprised to see Hawkman‘s death not quickly reversed, and given his new connection to Alanna and the Zeta Beam the safest place for Adam Strange is Rann meaning the comic has lost two of its core members before ever getting started.

The Animal Man/Green Arrow relationship remains the best part of the book, but I am disappointed with writer Jeff Lemire’s choice in Supergirl‘s adversarial relationship with the team, particularly Stargirl. As the comic has already lost two of its major selling points (in favor of far-less interesting stand-ins like Miiyahbin), the only way for it to succeed is to build relationships among the group which aside from Ollie and are sorely lacking.

Although Justice League United #4 wraps up the arc it doesn’t do much to sell me to continue reading the title past this so-so issue which leaves the team and comic with holes to fill. For fans.

[DC, $3.99]

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