SUPERGIRL #7

Candor Part Two

June 2006

Written by Greg Rucka and Joe Kelly

Pencils by Ian Churchill

Inks by Norm Rapmund

Cover by Ian Churchill

Synopsis

The leader of Kandor, “Kal-el” is searching for the heretics Nightwing and Flamebird.  Elsewhere, Kara (aka Supergirl, aka Flamebird) is uncertain if she can continue.  She is still haunted by memories of her father ordering her to kill Kal-el.  Karen (aka Power Girl, aka Nightwing) warns Kara that if she crosses the line, she will leave her in Kandor.  Kara tells her she better not let it happen.  Meanwhile, “Kal-el” has found Chezzt, the tattoo artist who inked Kara’s back.  “Aware of what is going on, the mother of “Kal-el” tells him that she is very proud.  Later, “Kal-el” broadcast that he will kill 100 people every ten minutes until Nightwing and Flamebird show.  Just as “Kal-el” is about to kill someone, the women come to the rescue.  Kara then descends upon “Kal-el” and starts to beat him up with the intent to kill.  Kara stops herself and removes her helmet.  “Kal-el” asks what she wants.  She tells she wants to be saved and then kisses him.  Watching from above, them other of “Kal-el” is pleased.  All she ever wanted was a good match for her son. 

Review

On the bright side, themes and ideas brought up by Jeph Loeb in his brief, aborted run are still present.  On the dark side, the same mumbled mess that marked that run seems to have continued without him.  Part of that is probably due to the revolving writers placed upon the title.  First, Greg Rucka was announced as the writer and it was his idea to begin the One Year Later in Kandor.  Unfortunately, Rucka is too busy with 52 and Checkmate and Queen & Country and his novels to continue to work on Supergirl.  So, he passed along the book to Joe Kelly.  I heard an interview with Rucka that said he gave his notes and plans to Kelly (and Rucka does get some credit on the, uh, credit page) but frankly I’m sure Kelly would like to start his own path, rather than finish Rucka’s story.  So, I am willing to bet that this initial story arc might have lasted longer than three issues that the solicitations seem to be suggesting.  So, what we are left with is perhaps a rushed story to reach the conclusion and then move onward.  In the previous issue, Kara seemed intent on finding Argo, a piece of her home.  This barely gets mentioned and instead we are back to the situation with her father and killing Kal-el.  Is this what Rucka had in mind or is this a shift because of the new writer.  As I said earlier, probably a little of both: Rucka may have been heading there, but Kelly just got there quicker.  The result is a confusing issue, made even more confusing because she goes from wanting to kill “Kal-el” to wanting incestuous love.  Ick. 

I can’t say for sure, but I think the “Kal-el” is really Ultraman and his mother is Saturn Queen from the “Absolute Power” story arc from Superman/Batman. At least Kara is not kissing her cousin, but does she realize that?  I will assume they know that is not the Kal-el we know, but it was not exactly made clear to the reader.  -- MRB

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