DCU Comic Book Reviews

SUPERGIRL #39

Who Is Superwoman? Part Three:  Ticking Clocks

May 2009

Written by Sterling Gates

Pencils by Jamal Igle and Talent Caldwell

Inks by Jon Sibal and Talent Caldwell

Cover by Joshua Middleton

Synopsis

Superwoman confronts Reactron in his girlfriend’s apartment.  Her orders from General Lane were to bring him back and to make his girlfriend’s death look like an accident.  She accomplishes both goals.  Meanwhile, with the help of Lana, Supergirl searches for Reactron’s girlfriend.  They find her, but get there too late.  Nearby, a device from Project 7734 watches her every move.  Elsewhere, Inspector Henderson is pondering the murder of Agent Liberty when receives news the tech team retrieved an image from Agent Liberty’s costume.  At Lana’s apartment, Alura admonishes Kara for not being able to find Reactron.  At Project 7734, Superwoman is given a new partner, Reactron, and a new mission:  find Supergirl.  Later, Supergirl visits Inspector Henderson, who shows her an image of Agent Liberty’s final moments:  Superwoman killing him.  Henderson wants to know why.  Supergirl doesn’t know why.  Major Lucy Lane arrives and wants to know the same question.  Suddenly, Superwoman and Reactron are sighted flying over Metropolis.  Seeing them together, Supergirl flies out to confront them. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Despite the fact that this issue suffers from middle-child syndrome, in that it has no beginning or end and as such doesn’t work as a whole but only part of the whole, this was still a very enjoyable issue.  However, there are a couple of mis-steps in this issue that are slowly but surely undermining the story and more importantly the character.  I have no complaints with the plot.  Gates is developing the various elements of the plot with a steady hand, dropping a few more hints regarding Superwoman’s identity (in this case revealing she is Kryptonian and that it was the suit that protected her from Kryptonite) while at the same time connecting her to the death of Agent Liberty. All of this is good and I am intrigued to learn who is Superwoman.  However, I am less intrigued about the exact “who” and more curious to see how this person will change the dynamic of the story and of the plot. 

I think what bothers me the most about this issue is the relationship between Kara and Lana, which seems to be deeper and stronger than it should be at this stage.  It was only recently that the two of them met and suddenly they are thick as thieves.  I mean, Supergirl claims Lana is the only one she can trust, which kinda is a slap to the face of Ma Kent and Lois Lane.  And why would Kara ask Lana to help her find someone.  Why not ask for Lois’ help (you know, the investigative reporter with loads of experience to find people and get information)?  I get that Gates wants to develop the relationship between Lana and Kara, but some of the writing choices make it seemed forced rather than a natural extension of who they are. 

Did I missing something?  How did Supergirl and/or Lana get the name of Reactron’s girlfriend, who claims she is not his girlfriend?  Where did that information come from? 

I am also upset Gates skipped an integral scene: Henderson talking to Lois about the death of Agen Liberty and then Lois talking to Supergirl about what Henderson said.  Think about it.  Supergirl arrives at the police station to tell Henderson that Lois asked her to come.  Which I am willing to believe.  But don’t you think Lois would have a few things to discuss with her?

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