Review: Supergirl #32

Supergirl #32 came out last week, another chapter in the House of El storyline, trying to tie up the Rogol Zaar storyline started in Man of Steel before the Event Leviathan mega-arc takes over the focus of the super-books.

As such, and no big surprise given some of the turns in the Supergirl title, things happen rather quickly here. In some places, too quickly.

I also think there was something of a missed opportunity here. Superboy joined Supergirl on this mission. And yet, he is only in the beginning and the ending of the book, sort of disappearing in the middle without much explanation. It's a shame because their interaction in the few pages they share is well done, the sort of banter cousins would have.

But once again we have an uneven presentation of Supergirl who floats between overpowering rage and unflinching morality depending on the whim of the script. Since this is an even issue, she is measured in her actions. Were this an odd issue, she would be the Queen of the Axe coming within millimeters of decapitating someone. (I kid. But it seems that random.) Marc Andreyko has yet to show me he has an understanding or even a foundation for the character.

The art is done by Kevin Maguire and is his usual top notch stuff. Really love his take on Jon.

On to the book.

Last issue Kara, Jon, and Krypto teleported out to face Empress Gandelo. I was looking forward to seeing how Kara would deal with her suddenly older cousin. And I thought it would be fun to see them fight as a pair.

There were a couple of things I liked about this opening page.

First of all, there is something endearing about Kara calling Jon 'kiddo'.

But I really like that she seems to want to head back to Earth. She talks about bubble baths and sandwiches, as if she has accepted Earth as her home and misses it.

Of course, that wasn't the sentiment at all when she uprooted herself and went off on this mission, cutting ties with everyone and everything on the planet.

The two confront Gandelo, telling her that they are bringing her in for coordinating planetary massacres. It is a nice moment when Kara stands up to Gandelo and talks about bringing her in rather than killing her.

But before they can, Gandelo toady Hakmon fires some 'clone sperm' out of his back, creating a small army of himself to just dogpile on the pair. Yes, it looks like sperm. And yes, it is funny to see the sort of awkward conversation between Kara and Jon about it, complete with pitch perfect expressions by Maguire.

But the thing is, within a panel, Supergirl is freed and in Gandelo's face. Unfortunately, Jon and Krypto are somehow overwhelmed and not seen until the end.

Why have him guest star if he isn't going to guest star?

 Gandelo jumps out the window and Kara follows. But at the last minute, Gandelo swoops upwards leaving Kara to face plant on the ground.

I did not like this moment at all.

Supergirl has been doing this too long to pratfall like this.

It isn't funny. And it kind of shows the lack of respect this title has for its character right now.

Ridiculous.

 Now in a sort of crystal bird form, Gandelo grabs Kara and says she doesn't regret bringing about Krypton's destruction. Just as she didn't regret bringing about the end of Rogol Zaar's world.

So that comes out of nowhere. And is something of a throwaway line.

This is a big deal. Zaar's motivations for destroying Krypton seem linked to his thoughts they are similar to whoever killed his world. I'm just a bit surprised that reveal was here.

 And then, on cue, but also surprising, Rogol Zaar suddenly appears on this world.

I didn't recall him following Kara. I suppose he could be following his ax. But I would have liked one line to inform me why he is suddenly there.

And, of course, he arrives just as Gandelo admits to the crime she committed at least 25 years before, having hidden it from Zaar all this time.

Also seems a bit too convenient.

 During the battle, Supergirl and Zaar get into a mental battle for control of his ax. Because we want the blood-drenched weapon that has executed many to want to be in the hands of our hero.

But before Zaar can physically attack Supergirl, Z'ndr Kol arrives. And he uses Kara's ship to remove Zaar briefly from the fight.

I do like the silly landing feet of the ship being used as arms. Reminds me of Bronze Age Supermobile! That is never a bad thing.

 And then, again, done almost nonchalantly, Zaar kills Gandelo.

I feel like Gandelo was pretty 2 dimensional in all her evil hand wringing.

So she reveals she destroyed Zaar's world, Zaar discovers this deception, and Zaar kills her in the span of a few pages. This is a story that has been going on for over a year.

This seems like there was a push to wrap things up.

With Kara locked in physical and psychological combat over the ax, Jon finally joins the fray.

I like this panel with the red aura of the heat vision. I like he asks her what he should do, showing she is the 'leader' of the two.

But I wish we could have seen more of this duo. Instead, Jon triggers the teleport circuits, sending the super-team back to Jor-El's ship.

But Kara doesn't have the ax.

It chose Zaar.

Thankfully.

As this is a Year of the Villain crossover, we get a Lex Luthor sighting at the end. He finds some Brainiac drone hiding in a factory and offers this version of the android an upgrade.

I have to admit, I don't know much of what Lex is talking about here. Have we seen this Brainiac before? Wasn't Lex working with a more classic Brainiac over in Justice League?

Anyways, this thing looks more bug-like, a nice look. And I guess I'll see where this goes.

So on the plus side, Kara likes Earth again. She works well with Jon. She wasn't eager to kill. But so much happens so quickly, I felt a bit unsatisfied. And that faceplant is idiotic.

Overall grade: C+

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