Summer of Supergirl Special #1

Despite what some of you may think, this really has been the Summer of Supergirl. Unfortunately, a lot of you decided to forgo a really fun movie. May I just say that I am disappointed in you. Kidding. Kidding. Maybe Supergirl would have been better received if done as a series. Maybe if there was more Krypto. Maybe if Supergirl actually wore her costume in the film. Maybe if James Gunn wasn't involved.

I can see reasons to hate the film. But deep down, it was freaking entertaining to this fan of the Girl of Tomorrow. I stocked up on Supergirl merch. My office is going to look amazing this school year! While I don't buy everything with Supergirl on it, I always buy the comics. But if it wasn't for the guys at my favorite comic book store, I would have missed out on this summer special.

With my mystery blood disease, I get brain tired a lot more often than I want. One casualty in my comic book collecting hobby is that I haven't been checking out the new releases like I used to. A lot of times, I just plain forget. Others, I'm just too mentally and physically exhausted to check at the end of the day. Thankfully, Books Furnish a Room in Durham NC were looking out for me and they ordered this knowing how much a fan of Kara Zor-El I am. 

There's 3 stories in this oversized release. The main story features the main man himself, Lobo. Makes sense as he's making his silver screen debut in Supergirl. The tale opens with Supergirl and Lobo in space court. Apparently in Lobo #4, the two got into a massive brawl and were apprehended for the damage. Thankfully, you don't have to have that issue in order to follow what happens here. But I am interested enough in seeing if my LCS has a copy and getting the inside scoop.

Tale #2 is written by Gail Simone. It has Supergirl and Mary Marvel meeting for the very first time. The pair bond over the fact that both are orphans and essentially grew up in the foster care system. Dedicated to all children and families who have fostered and adopted, this is my pick thus far for story of the year! It was so poignant and sweet. And not saccharine sweet either. I loved it!

The final story is probably the most massive undertaking in Supergirl history. It sees Superboy, Jonathan Kent and the female Steel attempting to unravel the tangled history of Supergirl. Along with the real deal, you've had the Matrix Supergirl and that one that was an Angel, after a girl named Linda Danvers bonded with the shape-shifter in the 90.s You've got multiple origins. Tons of different costumes. The multiverse. Plus, a surprise for me, everyone seems to know that she died fighting the Anti-Monitor! Confessionally, I haven't been really up-to-date with DC's Crises in the past 15 years like I probably should. 

The last story was educational. But I feel like it gets hijacked towards the end by J'onn J'onnz. The middle story was the best. The opener was very funny. If you are a fan of any incarnation of Supergirl, you will want to add this one-shot to your Supergirl collection. As for the judges of the Eisners and other comic book awards, I employ you to give serious, SERIOUS consideration to Gail Simone and her story 'Lost Girls' for story of the year and writer of the year, if the nomination process for this cycle of publications are still open. It's really that excellent of a work!

Worth Consuming!

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

Bart Simpson #3 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Gail Simone has had a storied career, 'beginning as a fan critic and analyst on the treatment of women in comics, cooking the term Women in Refrigerators' and 'fridging' in response to the horrific death of Kyle Rayner's girlfriend in Green Lantern #54. In October, 1999, Simone had a regular weekly column called 'You'll All Be Sorry' appearing in Comic Book Resources. It offered a range of satirical pieces that mocked recent releases to parodies of fan fiction.

In her quarter of a century in writing scripts for the comic book industry, Simone crafted the adventures of Deadpool, Superman, Batgirl and even the comic book excavations of Tomb Raider, Laura Croft. In 2007, Simone took over the reigns of DC's flagship female character Wonder Woman, embarking in the longest tenure of Princess Diana by a female writer. Then in 2010, she took over as the head writer for the Birds of Prey. 

Gail Simone has inspired and empowered countless female fans and next generations of women writers and artists with her female heavy stories that entertain fans of all genders. But to me, my favorite works of Gail Simone are her earliest and perhaps most overlooked pieces. I'm talking about the Simpsons spinoff title, Bongo Comics' Bart Simpson. 

Her first professional comic book credit is Simpsons Comics #50 (August, 2000). Beginning in 2001, Simone wrote many stories that started America's bad boy, Bart Simpson while featuring the entire populace of Springfield, USA. Simone's writing style on the series was very much like that of former Simpsons staff writer and producer Conan O'Brien. You get the feeling that Simone has a brilliant sense of humor and is a fan of the product that she crafted stories about. Conan O'Brien wrote one of the show's all-time best episodes, The Music Man parody, 'Marge Vs. The Mono-Rail.' to that effect, I believe Gail Simone while at Bongo Comics penned 8 and 16-page Simpsons story that were consistently on par with that groundbreaking 1993 episode.

Bart Simpson #3 marked Gail Simone's debut on the sister series. Simone doesn't just write the space themed opener. She writes the scripts for the entire issue; taking on triple-duty.

The main story 'Terror on Trioculon' is a parody of the 1960's cult classic TV series, Lost in Space. Filling out the roster for the crew is the entire Simpsons clan as the Space Family Robinson, Milhouse as the robot, Moe taking the role of Lisa's pet space monkey, and Mr. Burns as the utterly useless Professor Smith! 

Homer flies through an asteroid belt, crash landing the ship on a planet of 3-eyed mutants. Any two-eyed person is considered a freak and enslaved to eventually take part in a series of gladiator games against the gigantic Jim-Bo! While Bart fights for his family and their freedom, Lisa searches desperately for the needed fuel source to rocket away from the chaos! All the while, Professor Burns whines and moans about his lot in life and Robot Milhouse chickens out in typical Lost in Space fashion.

In the first backup story, Lisa is the star as she wins VIP concert tickets to see 2 different boy bands on the same day! Unable to decide which group's show to attend, the two acts engage in a literal 'Battle of the Boy Bands' for Lisa's attention. Then in the third and final tale' Sky High Bart!', Bart visits the lab of Professor Frink. Donning a pair of experimental platform shoes, the lad towers over his friends and enemies. However, when the shoes malfunction, Bart shoots high unto the heavens; finding himself in the pathway of a massive jumbo jet!

The main story reflects Gail Simone's knack for writing those fan fiction parodies on the CBR website. The writer peppers the Lisa story with elements of the eldest Simpson daughter's trademark feminism. But when both boy bands prove to be more style than substance, Lisa winds up picking the group that has the best looking member with 'washboard abs'. It's a decision that feels like Lisa is just a typical girl at heart, but deep down I think Lisa has just basically given up trying to take the high road among a bunch of troglodytes with her seemingly shallow selection. As for the story involving Professor Frink, it feels like Gail Simone was given carte blanche on being able to place Bart in one of the wildest scenarios ever and she took the assignment with relish! Can anybody tell me why FOX has never given her the chance to write an episode of the long running animated series?!

John Costanza penciled and inked the opener. Mike Rote contributed art to the Dan DeCarlo layouts of both secondary tales. This issue was one of DeCarlo's last credits before his death in December, 2001

Completing this review completes Task #35 (Work by Gail Simone, Grant Morrison or Brian K. Vaughn) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Birds of Prey: Sensei and Student

Black Canary is summoned to Hong Kong. Her sensei is near death and she's come to pay her last respects. There's another student coming to bid farewell to the martial arts master: Lady Shiva! It looks like these two foes are going to battle it out until the sempai calls for peace between the two. 

An uneasy truce between Black Canary and Lady Shiva is arranged until the mentor's death. However, when their teacher is murdered by an unknown assailant, the two rivals become allies to avenge the senseless killing of a man already near death. Only this unlikely pair have differing ways of finding answers. One is willing to let her hands and feet talk for her. The other is willing to take a life in order to get answers.

Meanwhile back in Gotham City, someone has hacked into Oracle's mainframe, claiming to know her secret identity. With Canary overseas, Barbara Gordon must rely on the Huntress. But with Helena Bertinelli's past romantic history with Dick Grayson, there's more than enough bad blood between the two. Now with Barbara in the custody of Federal agents for terrorism charges and violations of the Patriot Act, the Huntress might be Oracle's only hope, whether she likes it or not.

This is a book that's been sitting on for a very long time. I inherited it from my best friend after he died over a decade ago. I just couldn't bring myself to read it. Not out of mourning. Mostly just cause I wasn't really a fan of this series. But I figured I'd give it a try someday. That day just happened to be recently.

The events in this book seem to be occurring during a transitional time for the Birds of Prey. One of the team just left and while I know that Huntress joins them, at this period in time Canary, Oracle and Huntress kinda all hate and distrust each other to varying degrees. So I'm not really sure if the book follows the formula of the issues featured in this book or if they start to trust and rely on each other. (This volume also doesn't inform me if the series prior to this time of change was any good or not.)

The writing by Gail Simone was decent. But man are those birds a trio of biddies. Lots of action. But too much of a pissing contest. I thought this was bad in the books that primarily starred alpha males. But here, it's down right annoying.

The art is also decent. provides some very alluring art along with some action packed images led by Michael Golden and Ed Benes. Unfortunately, some of these artists draw in that beefy style of late 90s-early 2000s DC where you can't tell if the more muscular characters are well built or eating too much pie. Superman: Our Worlds At War was notorious for this look and it isn't becoming here either.

The Greg Land covers, like the one used for this volume, are breathtaking!

The ending was fantastic. It's a who's who of characters affiliated with the Birds of Prey as they answer the call to save Barbara Gordon and her Oracle secret identity from a corrupt politician with a damning past and a connection to the original Black Canary! Now that's a series I want to read more about as the pre-modern era filler story was much more interesting despite a bad case of convenient plot device at the middle of that segment.

I'd give the Birds of Prey another try if I found them at the library or something like that. But I'm not going out of my way to find more volumes, nor will I shell out any cash for it either.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Fantastic Four Wedding Special #1

2018 was a year of mostly downs for Marvel. But there were a few bright spots for the House of Ideas. Spider-Man was by far their best line of properties, including the amazing new stuff that was being done with Venom. Another bright spot for 2018 was the return of the First Family of Marvel, The Fantastic Four. However, due to the X-Men wedding debacle in which we were all ready for Kitty Pryde to finally marry Colossus and the whole bait and switch with Rogue and Gambit tying the know instead, I waited a little bit before I decided to buy this special issue.

Once the nuptials were confirmed and Alicia ended up not being a Skrull (at least for now), I ponied up the $4.99. Don't worry, it's an over-sized book, slightly. Plus, it's well worth the money.

There's a trio of stories here. The first shows the shenanigans surrounding Alicia's bachelorette party. Written by Gail Simone (Wonder Woman), the opening adventure was quite funny, a little naughty, and had a very touching ending to it. It guest stars She-Hulk, one of my all-time favorite Marvel ladies. But when did Jennifer Walters start to become more primal (again) when she goes green?

In the second story, current Fantastic Four scribe, Dan Slott, has Ben Grimm visiting Alicia's father, The Puppet Master, for his daughter's hand in marriage! Of course, old baldy is going to say no! SPOILER- he doesn't! The reason why was straight out of the late Stan Lee's playbook! I loved it!

Lastly, living legend, Fred (he actually writes me an annual Happy Birthday message on Facebook) Hembeck does a small feature on the tumultuous history of the Puppet Master and The Thing as only Fred can do it! And yes- the knees still have spirals on them!

The art of this entire book was also very good. Marvel has gotten a lot of due flack for the lessened quality of new artists. But Laura Braga (Harley and Ivy Meet Betty and Veronica) is a real talent. And Mark Buckingham, who has been a favorite of mine since his Fables days, brings a real 70s flair to the Thing/Puppet Master story. (I don't care what you think- to me, the 70s was the best stylistic time for the FF!)

Lastly, we come to the cover. There were several to choose from. But I went with the regular cover. It depicts The Thing getting ready to smash a glass with his foot. Being a Jewish wedding tradition and married to a beautiful Jewish princess, you know I had to pay respects to the Tribe! 

Be sure to take an extra look at the cover! Our photographer is obviously Peter Parker! But look at the awe-inspiring tribute touches added by cover artists Carlos Pacheco and Romulo Fajardo Jr. Just below Parker's elbow is The King, Jack Kirby wiping away a tear. North of Peter's shoulder is Stan Lee making one final appearance in the lives of his most important creation. (Is that Fabulous Flo Steinberg next to Stan the Man?)

The Fantastic Four Wedding Album is a treat not to be missed. I can't wait to save up some money for the actual ceremony that takes place in Fantastic Four #650. My guys at my favorite LCS have it on hold for me. If it's half as good as this one, then I will be in for one hell of fun read!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Catwoman/Tweety & Sylvester Special #1

In this DC/Looney Tunes crossover, the witches of the two franchises are having their Witches Conclave. During this gathering, a bet is made as to who would ultimately win if given the chance to fight to the death- the Tweety Bird or the Puddy Tat? But even when both are given the chance to finally off the other, the two enemies never can seem to finalize on their opportunities.

In order to accomplish this feat, once and for all, both Tweety and Sylvester are granted champions who will do the deed in their place. For Sylvester, he's paired with Selena Kyle- the Catwoman. For Tweety, he's teamed with Dinah Lance- the Black Canary. Though both heroines don't really want to participate in this blood feud, they are compelled. For you see, if Tweety dies, then birds of all sorts will died with him. That includes bird themed superheroes. The same happens for Sylvester. If he used up all nine of his lives, it's night-night forever for Selena too!

Though I had to read the first 3 pages about 10 times to understand the mumbo-jumbo of those in the Witches Conclave, I liked this book. There's tons of surprises in this special. Gail Simone and Inaki Miranda pulled out all the stops in this one!

I also enjoyed the Looney Tunes style back feature. It has both Sylvester and Catwoman trying to break into Granny's apartment. The Puddy Tat wants Tweety of course. The cat burglar wants some of Granny's ice, as in diamonds. It was a laugh out loud adventure that I would love to see done as an actual animated short.

The DC/Looney Tunes crossovers are always great fun and this one is no exception. Too bad the DC/Hanna Barbera pairings aren't as fun. Maybe it's because they try to reinvent the wheel that are the HB properties whereas these specials capture some of the original heart of the Looney Tunes gang.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.