Review: Supergirl #19

Supergirl #19 came out this week and has a 'very special issue' feel to it as it covers a current social issue, gender identity and individuals identifying as non-binary. For those of a certain age, the 'very special' designation was assigned to television episodes or specials which were supposed to be about a more real topic, in hopes of educating and spurring on discussion. Whether it was after-school specials about teen pregnancy or Saved by the Bell covering drug use or Superman teaching us about the perils of drunk driving, these stories are part of the cultural landscape.

And so this issue concentrates on Lee, a new character, non-binary, and how Supergirl helps Lee. We see how Lee has been coping with issues at home and school. And we see how Supergirl can empathize and be there as a source of hope and inspiration. Supergirl is an ally, befriending, defending, understanding, and being there.  And, in the end, everything ends well. Maybe too well? It feels a little too easy, a little too pat, a little too quick. But when you only have 20 pages and you are only dedicating one issue to the story, things have to happen and fast. 

I certainly don't mind issues like this or this issue in particular. I'm still learning about this stuff myself and could use all the education I can get. But this is a volume of Supergirl which is ending next month. We have a lot of Kara's story to wrap up. Who knows if we are getting another Supergirl title book any time soon. So I just wish there was more time and space to deal with our title character which would mean an entire issue given to a character we have never heard of before and may never hear about again was a nice stand-alone story in the bigger epic. That said, with the impending ending, maybe the creative team felt this was their only chance to produce this story.

Writers Steve Orlando and Vita Ayala give Lee a unique voice and bring the emotions nicely. I care about these characters. There is a great callback to Supergirl's history. But I'll say again, things feel a bit rushed. I was glad to see that we still got some momentum on the lingering plotlines of Supergirl and the DEO.

The book starts with Cameron Chase, former regional director of the DEO, still on the run from Mr. Bones and the current administration. Chase and Shay Veritas have deduced that Bones has been working with Mister Mokkari, a known evil Science Sadist from Apokolips. And now we hear that he is behind all the shenanigans which have transpired in the book, like who gave Phantom Tech to Tycho Corporation. 

She demands Bones cut off ties with Mokkari but Bones fires back saying he knew all along about these plans. I think he might protest too much.

I do like that Orlando ties off the plot string about the Tycho Phantom Tech. But I wonder if there is a feeling he has to bring this volume to a complete close so whoever comes next has a clean slate.

And is it just me that thinks Lar-On looks just like Jeff Bridge's The Dude from The Bog Lebowski?

Meanwhile Ben Rubel continues to question his role in CatCo's publicity demolition of Supergirl. He follows up on a story submitted to their open source website. And that's where he finds Lee. Lee initially says that they weren't sure they could trust Supergirl but then Kara's actions won them over. Interesting that Lee wonders why Supergirl would care since she is white and blond.

Lee was running away from home during the Zor-El attack on National City. Luckily, Supergirl arrived to save Lee from an attack by a zombified Argo City citizen. As has been the case for this Supergirl, she not only saves Lee but promises to check in later (we have seen her do this already in this run). 

Sure enough, Kara does check in. Off on a mountaintop, Lee divulges that they are non-binary, feeling neither like a girl or a boy. Lee hasn't told anyone and that uncomfortable feeling has led to issues at school and home. 

Kara tells Lee that parents always come from a place of love (which I don't know is 100% true). But then says that her parents hurt her by throwing her in a rocket and saving her without asking. That seems like misplaced angst.

At the school, Lee tries to go into the girls bathroom and is confronted by the bully of the piece, Chuck, a tall athletic blond white person. He of course fires slurs and violence at Lee.

Lee's initial talk with Kara made me think they were genotypically female. Chuck's barbs made me think Lee was genotypically male. Perhaps that is the whole point of this story. We aren't supposed to know or care about that. Lee is non-binary. That is that.

When Lee talks about feeling like some monster because of their feelings, Kara brings up her past as a Red Lantern, a time where she was so confused and angry she became something she wasn't. I love that Orlando and Ayala bring this up. One, it is a big part of Kara's history and the first time it has been acknowledged in Rebirth. But more importantly, it shows empathy by Kara. She can relate.

Bolstered by Supergirl's understanding, Lee comes out to their parents. Here the mother calls Lee 'mija' which I suppose gives us some clearer history. 

Lee's parents seem to immediately accept it all. They'll have to learn too.

Chuck again tries to bully Lee, who apparently punched him at some unseen point. When a fight seems like it is going to break out, Supergirl suddenly arrives, saying she is Lee's friend.

But Lee wants to fight this battle. Lee points out that Chuck probably isn't angry at Lee's gender identity and is instead angry at the problems in his own life, including his parent's divorce and his father coming out. Because, of course. Every villain these days needs some sympathetic back story.

And just as easy as Lee's parents hugging it out, Chuck backs down having learned a lesson. 

Again, this all seems so quick and simple.

But this does give Lee some confidence. They have finally been honest to themselves and others. They have been accepted. And they didn't need Supergirl to save the day. Sure Kara inspired Lee. But it was Lee who did all the heavy life lifting.

This is what being an ally means. Not lip service. And not overpowering.

Ben publishes the story on CatCo and soon everyone knows about Lee.

And now it is Lee's time to return the favor. Lee talks about how Supergirl isn't infallible and people should forgive Supergirl.

It all seems to dovetail nicely into Orlando's tagline. Supergirl chooses Earth, so we can save each other's lives. 

Nice to see Cat and Eliza (as well as Chuck, Belinda, and Lee's father) all listening in.

We finally see Ben back in his apartment, feeling proud of himself and talking to his oblivious mother. But that conversation is interrupted because Kara needs help.

So overall, this feels like a story that I have read before. Justice is for all people and Supergirl fights for justice. So of course non-binary Lee will be saved and deserves to be saved. 

It being told in this issue means that we have next issue's scant 20 pages to wrap up everything. 

I haven't even mentioned the art! Jamal Campbell brings a very polished look to the book. I love the feel of the art here. And between the scenes tugging the heart strings and the opening street battle with the zombies, everything shines brightly.

I also should mention Artgerm's variant which seems to be another '5 second later' cover from Superman Adventures #21. Even the buildings are the same.

Overall grade: very special

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