As I'm sure you've guessed, Supergirl issue #10 features not one but two tales of the maid of might. I reviewed the first story last week - and here's where I fling myself headlong into the second.
What happens is this.
A mad scientist decides to make a clone of Supergirl, so he can get it to commit crimes on his behalf.
Clearly he's not as clever as he thinks he is because, when it emerges from his machine, the clone has somehow been created as a somewhat inane male. Think of him as Justin Bieber but not as evil.
Not that our mad scientist cares about that. All he cares about is sending the super clone out to rob a bank.
But, when she confronts him at his lab, the scientist orders the clone to kill her.
Supergirl tells it not to.
Torn between wanting to obey its creator and not wanting to kill Supergirl, the clone comes up with a happy compromise and instead blows his own brains out with a gun.
Well, there's a turn-up for the books. The idea of someone creating a copy of Supergirl to commit crimes with is hardly groundbreaking for the strip but the idea of the tale finishing with a character blowing his own brains out with a gun is totally at odds with the light and frothy feel we've come to associate with the title in its ten issue run. Because of this, I approve wholeheartedly.
Despite the general tameness of these ten issues, I do have a soft spot for them. There's a good natured naivete about them that lends them a certain charm and they look nice and Supergirl looks nice.
Therefore, whatever its faults, I declare the 1970s solo Supergirl comic to be a good thing.
Having said that, I'm glad I don't have to read any more of them.
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5 comments:
So, farewell then Supergirl Sunday....?
Is it my imagination, or were the posts about issue 10 a bit more subdued than usual, Steve, as if your enthusiasm was flagging a bit? Fair enough - its a disappointing last issue.
Anyway - just wanted to say thanks, as you got me rereading the stories over the last couple of months in order to follow the reviews, which I enjoyed much more than I expected (the stories that is; naturally I expected to enjoy your ever incisive reviews. Even if you do like Supergirl's slippers).
-sean
Sean, I must confess, I was starting to lose the will to live by the end of the reviews. Much as I love old Supergirl comics, too much of them can start to wear you down.
I could be wrong but I think Supergirl adopted the boots the instant she moved to Superman Family. Clearly, the shock of losing her own comic plunged her into a psychological crisis that compelled her to change her footwear.
You're not wrong, Steve - the first new Supergirl story was in Superman Family 165, where she does indeed have shiny new red boots (hooray!). Despite the (alleged) new direction, its still very much of a piece with the solo comic thanks to Art Saaf and Vince Colletta. It might actually have been their last work on the character... worth a look, in the unlikely event you haven't already read it.
-sean
You do realise Steve, that thanks to your excellent series of reviews, the price of Supergirl comics on E-Bay has gone through the roof.
Anyway I must say, I enjoyed your Supergirl Sundays very much. And it was nice to see your appreciation of the fine artwork of the late Art Saaf.
- Al
Thanks, Al. I've been assured by international bankers that it's only my Supergirl reviews that have been keeping the global economy going for the last eleven weeks. I fear for the future of mankind now that they're finished.
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