Written by Jeph Loeb
Art by Michael Turner; Peter Stiegerwald; & Richard Starkings
Covers & Collection Cover Art by Michael Turner & Peter Stiegerwald
SUMMARY:
Released by DC Comics in 2005, this 168-page trade paperback compiles 2004’s Superman/Batman # 8-13. Superman is temporarily quarantined in the Fortress of Solitude due to a meteorite recently hitting Earth that contains crystallized shards of various new colors of Kryptonite.
Solo investigating the meteorite now residing at the bottom of Gotham Bay, Batman shockingly discovers that a young blonde (and nude) woman has emerged and steals his Bat-boat. Despite Batman’s ominous suspicions, Superman believes that this enigmatic teenager is Kara Zor-El – his long-lost paternal cousin.
Wonder Woman soon intervenes and arranges for Kara’s supervised protection residing on Themiscyra — indefinitely. Yet, the bewildered teenage phenom has been targeted by Darkseid to bolster his bloodthirsty Female Furies as his mightiest assassin. Tragedy ensues when Darkseid’s monstrous forces seek to acquire Kara by any means necessary.
With their combined might, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, & Big Barda invade fiery Apokolips to rescue Kara from Darkseid’s wrath. Yet, will Superman discover an insidious truth re: his cousin’s preferences? Are Batman’s worst fears justified? Ultimately, the battle for Supergirl’s future resides with an over-protective Man of Steel …, and for his own ulterior reasons, Gotham’s Dark Knight.
The final pages poignantly convey a prelude to Supergirl’s imminent spin-off title.
Notes: This title is also available in a hardcover format. The storyline was faithfully adapted into the DC 2010 animated film: Superman/Batman – Apocalypse.
REVIEW:
DC Comics finally gets it right with a 21st Century Supergirl. After DC’s muddled failures concocting a new ‘Supergirl’ to fit its post-Crisis on Infinite Earths universe, Jeph Loeb wisely updated the original Supergirl’s classic Silver Age origin. Loeb is on his creative game, as this plausible Supergirl is the protégé/surrogate daughter of not only Superman, but also now his two most trusted friends. Hence, including a nod to a pivotal player from Crisis on Infinite Earths, Loeb’s plotting makes perfect sense down to the last possibly heart-breaking twist.
Kudos also go to Aspen Comics’ Michael Turner & Peter Stiegerwald for creating the gorgeous, top-caliber artwork. Reminiscent of their collaboration on Fathom, the duo reliably conjures up visual magic. Superman/Batman, Volume 2: Supergirl resurrects a nostalgic DC icon transforming her into something both gloriously new and yet readily familiar. Restoring some faith in DC’s creative intentions, this book delivers an absolutely welcome read.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Loeb’s insightful three-page foreword explains the impetus for the real Supergirl’s return to DC Comics after close to twenty years. Turner & Stiegerwald’s full-page cover precedes each issue. Two versions of a sample page ‘translate’ the Kryptonese alphabet. Turner provides his pencil sketch of Issue # 8’s cover.
Along with their 3rd printing variant cover for Issue # 8, Turner & Stiegerwald offer their variant for Issue # 13 (both in a full-page format). Another full-page cover variant appears for Issue # 10 by Jim Lee, Scott Williams, & Alex Sinclair.
Turner’s seven-page project sketchbook includes Supergirl’s possible costume designs. There is a posed, full-page Supergirl portrait by Turner & Stiegerwald for Superman: Secret Files 2004. Lastly, there’s a quick set of creative team biographies.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars
