Mild Mannered Reviews - Supergirl Comic Books

Supergirl Annual #2 KindleBuy Now

Supergirl Annual #2

Scheduled to arrive in stores: November 27, 2019

Cover date: January 2020

"The Best Day of Her Life"

Writer: Robert Vendetti
Penciller: Laura Braga
Inker: Laura Braga
Cover: Viktor Bogdanovic, Jonathan Glapion & FCO Plascencia

Reviewed by: Adam Dechanel
Click to enlarge


(NOTE: Read Supergirl #36 & Batman/Superman #5 first)

As the infection from The Batman Who Laughs spreads through her body Kara's mind retreats to the past. She remembers a sports event back on Argo where she scored the winning point against Kryptonopolis and a burgeoning romance with Rix Zod.

As the ground-quakes begin escalating Kara tries to retreat into her memories further, experiencing her time on Krypton when she was most comfortable and confident.

Peppering her memories, the virus begins tainting them by taking over the bodies of people in her past.

As events escalate closer and closer to the end of Krypton Kara begins to realize she is the only one who remembers Krypton, the only one who remembers Lara, Jor, Alura and Zor. The sights and sounds of Krypton live only in her head and as she is pulled from her memories to the present, Kara's need to belong, to not be alone... drives her right into the arms of The Batman Who Laughs.

He offers her a life without emotional baggage, freedom to be Kara Zor-El, no human trappings but the girl she was always meant to be.

Now in the present Kara confronts Superman and makes him an offer.

To Be Continued...

3Story - 3: Kara spends the bulk of the story trapped in her past memories. The story itself is 'The best day of her life' that in itself is interesting as the series of events are all things that really show Kara to be happy, to be successful and innocent. It is almost Black Mercy territory with how good everything is going for her.

My downside to this is how it unintentionally shows how unbelievably crappy her life has been on Earth when held up side be side with this.

In a way it shows exactly why Kara was the perfect puppet for the Batman Who Laughs but it also makes me feel very depressed for the Girl of Steel.

What's that they say about hitting rock bottom? I only hope this arc, which has been forced upon the character so many times, doesn't last long. I mean how many times can we have 'Evil Supergirl' stories when they can't get a 'Happy Supergirl' right?

4Art - 4: In opposition to the message behind the writing, the art has a genuine optimism to it. I found this Kara, incredibly likable but only because of the visuals. I don't particularly like the boxes format of the art as it felt restrictive to read but I appreciate there was a lot to get through. The result is that some panels felt overstuffed and others sparse. The inking is a little on the lite side but that means the colors were far more vibrant than usual. The desired effect of positivity is definitely felt here. I just wish that it didn't make you realize how depressing a life Kara really has.

4Cover Art - 4: Apart from the rotting teeth, this is a pretty awesome cover if you dig all the Batman Who Laughs stories. I really like the use of shadow and fluorescent coloring. I don't thing it would be nearly as strong without that background. It really delivers that graphical punch.

Mild Mannered Reviews

2020

Note: Except for digital first releases, the month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic went on sale.

January 2020 February 2020 March 2020 April 2020 May 2020 June 2020 July 2020 August 2020 September 2020 October 2020 November 2020 December 2020

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