It's a bird, it's a plane it's... Supergirl?

It’s no secret that I like comic book movies more than the comics these days. For example: I'm a huge Iron Man fan, but it’s The Iron Man film that got me back into the character. Watching it was the first time I’ve truly loved Iron Man since the days of Len Kaminski. Oh and BTW: Good idea there Marvel, dumping Kaminski, turning Tony into a murder and later a teenager. Comics lost it for me at that point. They weren’t fun; they didn’t deliver awe and wonder anymore.

Movies, well the movies were a blast. Sure some comic geeks can nitpick these things to the ruinations of the film (your choice) and sure, allowing a hack like Tim Story anywhere near one of your A-List franchises wasn’t one of Fox studio’s brightest ideas. Never the less, I love these things. Yes, I even dug X-3 and loved Spider-Man 3. And Ang Lee’s Hulk is one of my all time favorites. While on the printed page, the too convoluted events - Joe Q and Bendis, all were enough to put me on Prozac for life – the Movies were where the fun was.

Then along came Supergirl of all things. Specifically along came Sterling Gates to the pages of Supergirl. I’ve always liked Super-G – liked her better than Superman. Liked that silly movie (a guilty pleasure) and liked her in the animated JLU. But in comics no one seemed to know how to handle her (add to that all the different & confusing versions). That changed from Sterling’s first issue. Gates cleaned up the convoluted mess that was Kara’s personality and made this a thrilling adventure. Not only that but there’s superb character development and that’s even more important than action IMHO. Despite some interference from those damned “events” the comic world is so fond of, Sterling has managed to keep Supergirl focused and exciting. And artist Jamal Igle draws a pretty and expressive SG and tells a clear story. I actually can’t wait for it to show up each month. It’s not Fraction’s X-Men or Green Lantern and the Blackest Night I look forward too, it’s the continuing adventures of Kara.

It’s taking me back to younger days, when each month offered wonderfulness… Clairmont/Byrne’s X-Men, Moore’s Swamp Thing, Miller’s Daredevil, Ostrander’s Spectre. Oh and Doug Moench’s “Master of Kung Fu”. Great stories and artist Paul Gulacy has never been better (especially when he inked himself). All the film imagery - When Shang Chi ally James Larner showed up, looking like Brando from “Last Tango in Paris” I was in Heaven (I’m a Gigantor sized Brando fan).

Supergirl has brought back that level of excitement, and has reminded me what it’s like to really enjoy a comic book again. I salute you Sterling and Jamal.



JLU Kara... just cause...