DCU Comic Book Reviews

SUPERGIRL #44

Codename Patriot, Part 3

October 2009

Written by Sterling Gates

Pencils by Jamal Igle

Inks by Jon Sibal

Cover by Joshua Middleton

Synopsis

[continued from Action Comics #880] In a holding room of Project 7734, Ral-Dar, the assassin who shot General Zod, overhears General Lane talk about the plans to annihilate Krypton, which has become easier with Zod out of action.  Angered at being used, Ral-Dar escapes.  However, the escape is part of Lane’s plan, which now moves to Phase Three.  At Metropolis Science Police Headquarters, Superman and Guardian learn that Ral-Dar is headed to Markovia, where the President is about to sign a new treaty.  At the same time, Nightwing and Flamebird are shown destroying property in Los Angeles.  Superman decides to go to Markovia while Mon-el and Supergirl go to Los Angeles.  At the Daily Planet, Perry White tells Cat Grant if she doesn’t have something on Supergirl, she can’t have the front page.  In Los Angeles, Supergirl confronts Flamebird, except it is Reactron in a disguise created by Mirabai.  Nightwing confronts Mon-el.  Suddenly, Supergirl flies by and tells Mon-el she knows the entire plan and they have to get to Metropolis.  However, it is not Supergirl, but Mirabai in disguise. [continued in Superman #691]  

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

This was an exciting issue in the midst of a very good crossover story.  All of the pieces of the plot, and General Lane’s plans, are slowly falling into place and coming into focus.  Right now, Superman and the others are reactionary, moving around the proverbial chess board as Lane dictates.  It will be interesting to see how this all plays out and how Lane will trip and fail.

I think I said a similar thing in the review of the last part of the crossover, but I have to applaud the writers for crafting a story that is firmly part of the crossover, but still manages to continue the story of the main character.  Too often in crossover stories like this, the titular character of a book gets lost in the need to tell the overall story.  For “Codename: Patriot” however, the writers are making sure to do both.  Yes, a lot of the plot stems directly for preceding issues, but Gates make sure that all of the action and the story are focused on Supergirl.  There are short scenes in this issue, such as Lois’ continued distrust, Supergirl’s attempt to talk to Kara when she first gets to Los Angeles, and Cat Grant’s continued agenda to discredit Sueprgirl.  Brief moments, to be sure, but it doesn’t get lost in the overall story and the last half of the issue is focused solely on Supergirl, with Superman’s rush to get to the president probably saved for later. 

I liked the beginning sequence.  I was actually wondering to myself why Lane would be saying things that could be heard by a Kryptonian with super powers.   I am glad that it wasn’t a writing a blunder, that it was done on purpose and part of the plot.  Granted, I think the opening pages probably went on a little too long, but it does its job effectively.  Moreover, you can see where the events are heading.  Ral-Dar is flying directly to Markovia and the President.  No matter what happens, the United States can claim Krypton was planning on killing the President and therefore give Lane the perfect reason to wage war on Krypton. 

Why Markovia?  The reason is not specified in the comic.  Since Markovia is the home country for Geo-Force, I have to wonder if he will make an appearance at some point.  I have to think that Markovia was picked for that very reason, because I can’t think of any political or recent DC universe activity that would choose Markovia.  Actually, the only other reason I could cite would be the fact it is the only fictional country that would make sense (given the destruction of Bialya).