Books : Superman/Batman Vol. 2: Supergirl

In association with Amazon.com

Rating:

- Super Supergirl
I've never really been one for reading superhero comics. And though I do see Bats as an intriguing character, Superman has always had my contempt. Not this time. This comic does a wonderful job of contrasting the two, of telling the tales through both their minds, and so captures a truth that is somewhere in between - it captures Supergirl. The art is absolutely stunning but the book would have been a failure if it were not for the absolutely brilliant writing. Read it.

Rating:

- The Supergirl book is super!
If you're a Smallville and/or Superman fan, get this book! Jeph Loeb and his team did a fantastic job of storytelling and illustration of Kara Zor-el/Supergirl (Superman's sensitive little teenage cousin). It was a very moving book about family where Superman meets his long-lost cousin; so now, Superman is not alone anymore. It's a real labor of love from Mr. Loeb and his team. I hope WB would do a spin-off of Smallville about Kara Zor-el and get Jeph and his team to write and produce the episodes or do a movie adaption of this wonderful comic book!

Rating:

- Not one of Loeb's best works...
This story arc is written by fan-favorite Jeph Loeb and the art is provided by Michael Turner. This arc introduces a new Supergirl in the DC Universe. The premise is that a giant meteor rock has landed in Gotham Bay and contains a girl with no memories and no trace of origin. The only thing that is concrete about her is that she is from Krypton adn her name is Kara. There is also a hint that she is from the House of El and is Superman's cousin. Superman is thrilled to have a living relative from Krypton whereas Batman is suspicious of her. As she is adjusting to life on Earth, she is forcefully removed from Batman and Superman's custody by Wonder Woman. And later on, she is kidnapped from Paradise Island by Darkseid. Thst is it for the basic premise.

This is not one of Jeph Loeb's best works. It is pretty to look at (It's Michael Turner, people) and there are some great moments in the story but other than that it is pretty generic. I have read all of Loeb's works for both Marvel and DC and feel that he is a writer of great caliber. Here, however he writes a lot of events and characters that are just there for shock value. For example, Kara is out in the town with Superman and Batman and all of a sudden Wonder Woman shows up and attempts to kidnap her...my question is why? These three are JLA members and good friends. There is no reason for Wonder Woman to try and Kidnap Kara other than the fact that in the final page, you see Batman and Superman gasping saying " gasp...It's You!!!" Also, Darkseid is disposed of in a very generic and in a less than glamorous manner. However, there are good moments in the story, i.e. Batman taking on Darkseid...that's right Batman vs. Darkseid. But overall it's a pretty generic story.

Overall, it's not a great story but it's an okay story...it won't rank up there with Loeb's earlier works such as Batman The Long Halloween or Batman Dark Victory but it's soilid enough to stand on its own. All in all a 3.5 for the story alone and a 4 for the art.

Rating:

- The new girl in town
This second storyarc in Jeph Loeb's ongoing Superman/Batman run is highlighted by featuring the pencils of Michael Turner. While he does do some mouth watering renditions of the female form, I've never admired his material as much as say, legends George Perez or Jim Lee. That aside, Superman/Batman: Supergirl finds the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight discovering a young girl who is roaming the streets of Gotham and appears to exhibit powers similar to Superman's. This, the official debut of Kara Zor-El in the post-Crisis DC Universe, makes this tale worth picking up for longtime DC fanboys, but Loeb's done better storytelling wise than here. Wonder Woman intercedes as Superman is ecstatic over the discovery of another live Kryptonian, while Batman is, naturally, suspicious, while Darkseid is waiting in the wings. All in all, Superman/Batman: Supergirl is better than the first volume, Public Enemies, but fans of Loeb will find that this is not the scribe's best work.

Rating:

- One of the absolute BEST superhero stories, hands down!
While in the middle of legal midigaion with Top Cow in regards to his wanting to launch is Aspen publication, Michael Turner was asked by DC if he could work on a story for one of their titles. Turner said he'd only do it if the story contained Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. Not only did Jeph Loeb, who would go on to write Turner's Ekos title, grant his wish, but made one even better. The official debut of Kara Zor-El in the post-Crisis DC universe.

Loeb masterfully weaves together the tale of Kara's arrival, finding herself wondering the streets of Gotham with no clue as to just how powerful she is on this planet. Batman is very suspecious of her, but Superman is struck with joy knowing that he is no longer the last remaining Krypton alive. But his happiness is put to the test when Batman continues to express his doubts and Wonder Woman joins in, bringing Kara by force to Paradise Island for training and protection. And it only gets worse when Darkseid enters the picture.

After establishing Loeb's ability to write awesome stories, though in Michael's amazing ability to draw. It doesn't seem that long ago that he beat cancer and it has only driven him to draw better. And being a fan of his work, I can say without a doubt that this is Michael's absolute best work ever. The detail, even the smallest amount, is Perez-like and beautifully brought to life. And Peter Steigerwald's colors is just a beauty to behold.

If anything, this story not only tells the exciting and dramatic arrival of Kara Zor-El, but also re-establishes just why Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are DC's big three and what has made them the most prominent superheroes of all-time. You can't get any better than this.

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