Review: Supergirl #39

Supergirl #39 came out this week, another chapter in the "I'm the bad guy" storyline, another issue where I don't think I am reading a Supergirl issue.

I feel for new creative team of Jody Houser and Rachael Stott as they have been dropped into the Hell Arisen/Batman Who Laughs/Year of the Villain arc with a twisted Supergirl trying to save the world by infecting it with an evil virus. Read that sentence again. I can't believe I had to write it.

I have read countless 'Dark Kara' arcs, mostly with a snarky or outright evil Supergirl. I know they are all short-lived. But I am having a bit of a harder time with this one than others. This infected Supergirl keeps talking about how she wants to save the world by infecting everyone with the BWL virus, making everyone care just for themselves. But that doesn't make any sense. There is no logic. You cannot save everyone by making everyone turn on each other.

I get it. She's infected. She isn't in her right mind. But if the whole point of this arc is that Supergirl is trying to do the right thing the wrong way than I can't get behind it. Because I simply don't think she is trying to do the right thing.

The art by Rachael Stott is very solid. At times I felt she was invoking Frank Quitely. Otherwise, the fine lined approach to the art is very good. And she conveys the insanity of Supergirl nicely via expression.

The cover by Kevin Maguire is also interesting, showing Supergirl and Wonder Woman being crushed by a robotic hand. It reminded me of something though.

I don't know if it is an homage. It is interesting that Diana is in both covers. But I was instantly taken to Wonder Woman #105 by John Byrne. My guess is there are countless comic covers of heroes holding up a giant hand. Perhaps this is more trope than homage.

On to the book.

The issue opens with the US military discussing the problem they have with Supergirl taking over Smallville. Something needs to be done.

Given the concern for panic, the government has scrubbed all news from Smallville from being broadcast. Every bit of footage of Supergirl's rampage isn't out there. The world at large doesn't know what is happening there. I suppose it explains why more heroes haven't descended on the town. But that is crazy.

It is up to the government to contain this. So why not use Luthor-based Kryptonite tech? I always cringe when I see just how commonplace of available Kryptonite can be in the DCU. The army has giant K-armed Shogun Warriors in their armament?

This panel for some reason, indeed this whole scene, felt like a Quitely scene. Perhaps the angle? The hidden face?

In Smallville, Diana is hoping to end this Supergirl coup peacefully. Wonder Woman keeps telling Kara they are friends and she wants to just discuss what is happening. It even seems like the Lasso of Truth is working it's magic. For a moment we see the true Kara's face.

But the infection is strong and this evil Supergirl shakes off the truth. She is convinced she is trying to help.

Did she just break the Lasso of Truth? I did not think that was possible.

 And then, to double down on how dark this Supergirl has become, we see her cuss out Krypto.

The super-pooch is 'betraying' Kara and she has no use for him. Look at that sad little buddy flying off.

I love Krypto being a part of this book and Supergirl's life. So I hope he will forgive her and not go 'play in deep space' like he did in the Bronze Age.

Then the military shows up.

I said it before but I'll double down. How long has the government been developing these? Kryptonite armed giant robots?

 Of course it highlights just how crazy this whole situation is. Diana has been fighting with Supergirl all issue. Now she tries to defend her. You'd think that Diana might take advantage of the weakened Kara to lasso her again, maybe remove her from the town.

Instead, Diana dives right into robot fighting. And that irks this Supergirl.

Remember, according to Supergirl, the boon of the virus is that it makes someone utterly self-interested. People care only for themselves. They can 'save' themselves. She thinks that is the mindset people should have. So Kara isn't happy that she needs to be defended.

As I said before, I don't know how Kara can get to that conclusion.

Nice art. I like the middle panel.

 Then, when Kara hears some citizens trapped in a barn in the middle of this robotic throwdown, she flies off to save them.

She briefly thinks that this is the time to infect everyone here so they can see the light.

Again, I don't get it. You think she'd want them to die for not espousing her 'everyone for themselves' attitude. Or you think she'd honor her own credo and not save them.

So I'm confused.

 Remember the young girl who stood up to Supergirl last issue.

This issue Supergirl has to save her. And perhaps she has turned this girl's position. Maybe if she saves this girl, this girl will begin believing what Supergirl believes.

But once again, I don't know how Supergirl saving her will convince this girl that the virus that makes you think only for yourself is the right way to go.

Sigh.

Am I lost? Can someone explain it to me?

Saving that girl opens up Kara to a concentrated and coordinated attack from the robots. Pummeled by Kryptonite energy, Wonder Woman worries that Kara might actually be dead.

But instead it triggers a transformation.

The spikes grow! The smile widens! The cape becomes more demonic!

Is this her final form? Her perfect form? Is this Super Saiyan God for the BWL infection?

Or is it ridiculous?

Let's just say that I'm not happy.

Can't I get Supergirl talking about help, home and compassion for all? Being heroic and optimistic?

Please?

Overall grade: D

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