Be careful what you wish for, that’s what the old adage says. It certainly applies to this issue of Supergirl, which brings me what I’ve been asking for – a one-on-one with Supergirl and a bad guy, with none of our heroine’s super/scientific pals lending a hand. Because, as enjoyable as Lena Luthor, Luna Lustrum and Lesla-Lar are, Kara doesn’t need help to save the day.
Lesla is central to this issue, having returned to the bottle city of Kandor, where recent events have Supergirl worried. She’s rushed away from the DC KO aftermath to see how things are. They’re not good.
The blue blade soon leaves, and Kara gets some context from a local.
The troubles are connected to the recent affliction which forced Lesla back to Kandor from her new life on Earth.
Flying through the last city of Krypton with the aid of a ring that allows her to retain her powers in the city’s artificial red sun atmosphere, Supergirl soon finds Lesla. And someone new.
Zora can’t stand that Lesla admires Kara, and Supergirl decides to separate the cousins, taking Lesla’s hand. Lesla takes something else.
Betrayal.
And things just get worse for Kara. Both women are at human strength levels but Black Flame has a madness which makes her ruthless. She also has a knife, which she uses again and again…
And Lesla just stands there, looking sorrowful.
The fight lasts seven pages, leading to a cliffhanger. I’m not showing any more of the battle here, not even Supergirl’s best line, because it’s just nasty stuff, more visceral even than Spider-Woman’s classic fight with Nekra. This issue’s 13+ rating should have been upped.
Writer-artist Sophie Campbell shows a different side to her artistic talent here, apparently auditioning for a Wolverine gig. The violence of Supergirl’s first meeting with Black Flame – an update on a Bronze Age villain – is painful to watch.
Did things have to go so badly for Kara? No. She’s an incredibly experienced heroine and shouldn’t be so easily taken out. Once again it seems Supergirl can’t get by without a hand from her amazing friends.
I’m not sure we can continue to call Lesla a friend, mind. Yes, her self-esteem is low, but she knows the difference between right and wrong. Kara has invested a lot of time and energy and kindness into helping her out, after Lesla had tried to steal her life; that’s enough second chances.
I guess it’s a few months since Kara had to leave Lesla in Kandor, and boy, has it gone downhill quickly; surely Superman has monitors to keep him appraised as to what’s happening in there?
Speaking of Superman, the book starts with this panel.
This doesn’t quite match DC KO #5, there a godlike Superman told the assembled heroes – including Supergirl – he had something to do and would be back soon. So why fret?
As well as the opening, Kon-El appears at the close of the book, not enough to justify his appearance in Dan Mora’s spiffy cover illo. Purple teenager Boy Thunder pops up even less… hopefully they’ll be around next issue – with bandages for the Punchbag of Steel.
Supergirl #11 has objectively fine storytelling in script and art, and excellent colours and letters from Tamra Bonvillain and Becca Carey, but I really didn’t enjoy it. It felt like Campbell responding to those critics who say the book is too light, fluffy, whimsical. Well, she’s proven she can produce a superhero comic not only as serious as any, but nastier than most. Could we please revert to this book’s distinctive tone next time?
And let Supergirl have a good, clean, solo win?
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 