DCU Comic Book Reviews

SUPERMAN/BATMAN #19

The New Adventures Of Supergirl, The Girl Of Steel

May 2005

Written by Jeph Loeb

Pencils by Ian Churchill

Inks by Norm Rapmund

Cover by Ian Churchill

Synopsis

In the batcave, Batman and Superman watch as Supergirl responds to a distress call coming for Air Force One.  Also watching is Noah Kuttler (aka Calculator) who is the phone with an unidentified person.  As the rescue continues, Superman flies out to be close in case she needs a hand.  Supergirl, however, is able to save the plane, Supergirl by herself.  Afterwards, she ditches Superman and pays a visit to Batman.  She is aware she is being watched.  She tells batman that someone else is also watching her.  Later, Supergirl is patrolling Gotham City when she finds Barbara Gordon-era Batgirl.  The two of them interrupt Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn robbing a bank.  During the battle, Poison Ivy kisses Supergirl but the synthetic kryptonite seems to have no effect on her.  Batgirl notices this, seconds before she turns into Clayface and starts attacking.  Supergirl, however, was ready for it and she easily defeats him, much to the delight of Superman.  The Calculator observes that she may be more powerful than they thought and asks if they should stop what they are doing.  Lex Luthor tells him no, the game just got more interesting.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

This issue was essentially the set-up for the new ongoing Supergirl series.  While I doubt Batman and Superman will play much of a role in the new series, some of the observations from Batman may well set the stage for the character.  According to Batman, Supergirl is much stronger than her cousin and seems to have unlimited potential.  I like this idea and I really hope this is explored more in the new series.  The fact the Loeb will be writing the ongoing as well is a good sign.  I also liked the idea that some of the other super hero groups (Teen Titans, Outsiders, and JSA) will want her to join.  I am not sure it would be a good idea (especially Teen Titans, which has Superboy already), but I still like the idea.  Hopefully this will also be explored.  More than her power, however, Loeb has set her up as independent and feisty, a far far cry from the silver age Supergirl.  It looks as if she will eschew letting Superman make decisions and will make her own decisions.  It will be nice to see a strong (not only physically) woman in the DCU.  The question I have is where will she wind up?  I suppose, based on the solicitation material, that question will be asked in the next several issues, so perhaps we will have to see. 

So, seeing this as a 22-page advertisement for the new Supergirl, the question then becomes:  was it nay good?  The answer depends on how much you like Loeb’s writing style.  He is always the one to just through caution out of the window, toss what he can against the wall and see what sticks.  Sometimes he repeats himself (Clayface again?  First Hush, now this) and other times he sets up situations and lets other take care of it (such as Luthor in that silly battle suit).  Has he been wearing that thing since issue #6 when he lost the presidency?  Personally, I enjoy Loeb’s writing, but I always keep an open mind in order to avoid letting the silly parts creep in. 

I didn’t catch the first time reading it, but Loeb managed to sneak it references to some of the Superman movies via the various rescues by Supergirl of Air Force One and at the Hoover Dam (Superman I) and at the Eiffel Tower (Superman II).

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