Missed/New Opportunities In Prestige: Supergirl #16

The following is my review of Supergirl #16, which was posted on PopMatters.com.

It's rare for any hero who isn't Superman to gain the kind of credibility that grants them the implicitly, unflinching trust of the public. In fact, even Superman struggles to maintain that credibility and he's Superman. If the ultimate paragon of heroes struggles with maintaining the trust of the public, then what hope does any hero have?

In that context, Supergirl has a greater advantage than most and not just because she's Superman's cousin and bears the same emblem when she's out being a hero. She comes from the same lineage and traditions as Superman. She has his unflinching support, more so than any woman not named Lois Lane. In a sense, she has fewer excuses than most heroes for not having a similar level of implicit trust among the public. That's exactly why the situation she finds herself in with Supergirl #16 is so intriguing.

Taking a page right out of Supergirl's hit TV show, Steve Orlando and Jody Houser give her a city to call home, one in which she can establish herself as the kind of hero who deserves to wield the same emblem as Superman. National City is no Metropolis, but it bears many of the same traits. It's a vibrant city full of people who are more eager than any resident in Gotham to embrace a hero. To her credit, Kara makes the most of that opportunity, especially after the events of DC Rebirth #1. However, the events surrounding Supergirl #16 count as both a setback and a reminder of why such credibility is so rare, even for blood relatives of Superman.

It's not just bad PR that Supergirl is dealing with. The Department of Extranormal Operations, which had previously been an important, is now working against her. Eliza and Jerimiah, her adopted parents, once kept that from happening, but are no longer with the organization and utterly powerless to change that. Even for someone as powerful as Supergirl, it creates a very different environment in which to be a hero.

People aren't cheering her on, thanking her for her heroism, or even stopping to take a selfie. They aren't reacting with fear or dread either, which is a big reason why Batman can get away with having such limited credibility. They see Supergirl saving the day, but they also see someone they don't trust. Unfortunately, events throughout the series give the average person plenty of reasons to question her more than her cousin. Much of that is a product of bad circumstances, inexperience, and being a teenager. Her ability to still raise to the occasion, like her cousin, is a big part of what gives Supergirl her appeal.

Supergirl #16 presents her with a unique opportunity to confront and navigate this trust disparity. It's an opportunity that Superman doesn't face as often anymore and one that offers Supergirl a chance to set herself apart. Initially, the narrative gives promise that, even in the face of public mistrust and one too many enemies in the DEO, she'll still rise to the challenge and be the hero that everyone expects her to be. However, this narrative collapses quickly.

The events that play out, from Supergirl's clash with Sharon Vance to her uncomfortable encounters with DEO agents, effectively throw away any notion that Kara will have to win the public's trust the hard way. It's not long before a generic conspiracy/smear campaign emerges, revealing that her struggles have less to do with her growing into a great hero and more to do with evil villains working against her. In terms of establishing a growth period for a hero, it's basically the equivalent of letting someone take a shortcut.

The subversive efforts of the villains involved effectively ensure that things will snap back to normal fairly easily once Supergirl learns the truth. It's akin to disabling a mind-control device or revealing that someone accepted bribes from Lex Luthor. It reduces what could've been an important step in the maturation of a hero to simply finding the right person to punch and letting that solve all the necessary issues.

While this revelation overly simplifies the narrative, it does help create new opportunities in the sense that it puts Supergirl within a different conflict. The plot surrounding her winning back the trust of the public may have collapsed, but in its place is a different kind of conflict that relies on her having to do more than just find who to punch.

Orlando and Houser use this as an opportunity to get Kara's friends and adopted parents involved, which helps strengthen the support structure that helps guide Supergirl through her narrative. It also reveals a larger threat with more menacing villains, which is always a challenge whenever a hero has power on the same level as Superman. Kara being a teenage girl as well adds more complications, albeit the kind that keep her likable.

While the overall plot in Supergirl #16 is disappointing in that it abandons a potentially rich concept, the story never gets completely derailed, nor does it undermine Supergirl's inherent heroism. It's tempting in the era of Christopher Nolan and Zack Snyder movies to have heroes endlessly doubt their worth in the face of declining public support. Supergirl never gives into that temptation. She just grits her teeth, puts on that iconic cape, and does what she can within a messy situation. That's what makes her a great hero, even when she misses out on a major opportunity to prove it.

Final Score: 5 out of 10

Same Symbol Different Journey: Supergirl #1

The following is my review of Supergirl #1, which was posted on PopMatters.com.

When a character becomes successful, their supporting cast often shares in the benefits. At the same time, however, that supporting cast becomes anchored to the shadow of another character. Most of the time, it's impossible to escape that shadow. Dick Grayson can create a new superhero persona in Nightwing, thrive in his own series, and hook up with an alien princess all he wants. He'll still always be tied to Batman. He'll still always be a supporting character whose success isn't entirely his own.

Supergirl faces a similar situation, albeit in a different set of circumstances. It's not just because she has a successful TV show and Dick Grayson does not. In many ways, Supergirl faces more daunting challenges in establishing her own narrative. Her story is inherently tied to that of Superman, one the most iconic hero of all time. To say he casts a large shadow is like saying Gotham City has minor PR problem. With the recent death of the New 52 version of Superman, and his subsequent replacement with one who is just like him, Kara Zor-El doesn't even get a chance to step up.

That doesn't mean that she can't forge her own story. She just has to craft it with the knowledge that DC Comics will never let Superman's shadow shrink by much. This, along with the profile of having a hit TV show, gives Steve Orlando and Brian Ching plenty to work with in Supergirl #1. They end up making the most of it and they do it without casting Calista Flockhart.

While Supergirl may live in the shadow of her famously iconic cousin, her story has some important differences that does a lot to set her apart. Unlike Superman, she comes to Earth as a teenager. This means she has vivid memories of her life on Krypton. She remembers her family, her friends, and any annoying neighbors she may have had over the years. Most of her life is on Krypton and that life literally blew up in her face.

It makes Kara Zor-El's journey more compelling because her situation makes her more alien than her cousin in the sense that Earth is so new to her. Superman, having arrived on Earth as an infant, sees this world as his home. It's the only world he truly knows. Supergirl still sees Krypton as her home and Supergirl #1 explores the difficulties this creates. Add being a teenage girl on top of this and these difficulties are almost on part with kryptonite.

Orlando makes a concerted effort to focus on these distinctions early in the story. We get brief glimpses of Kara's life on Krypton compared to her life on Earth. Unlike her cousin, she has a life on her home world. She has hopes, dreams, and aspirations, like any wide-eyed teenage girl. By Earth standards, it's not what we would call a typical. It's abundantly clear that Krypton does things differently and not just because their schools don't play dodge ball.

Since this is a planet that eventually blew up, it's easy to forget that it still harbored an advanced alien race. Their technology, even for junior high school kids, makes Earth's smartphones look like glorified bricks. It means Kara, despite being from an advanced race, is going to struggle when she tries to live the life of a normal Earth girl.

That life still involves being Supergirl. Orlando takes full advantage of the dynamics surrounding DC: Rebirth to resolve the outstanding issues with Supergirl's story from the New 52. This means she can get back to basics, picking up on crimes with her super senses and fighting them off in a way that seems much easier than a typical day of high school. There isn't much complexity to this part of the story, but given the scope and context of this story, there doesn't need to be.

Within that same scope and context, there's another key distinction. Whereas Superman does what he does by himself or as a leader in the Justice League, he doesn't answer to anyone. Supergirl does have some additional oversight in the form of the Department of Extra-Normal Operations. She also has foster parents who will oversee her with parental scolding instead of bureaucracy. Both have plenty of potential to complicate her activities as Supergirl in ways her cousin never had to deal with.

While it seems like a burden, the logic behind this oversight does make sense, at least in the way Director Chase describes it. She rightly points out that her cousin spent his whole life on this planet, learning how to use his powers and live within Earth's human culture. Kara has barely been on Earth long enough to binge-watch old sitcoms on Netflix. She shares her cousin's innate desire to help others, but lacks his refined skills. Even rebellious teenagers can't ignore that kind of logic.

This creates an underlying mood of frustration and uncertainty with Kara. She doesn't get overly angst-ridden, which tends to happen with too many teenage charters. However, there are times when her emotional responses feel flat. It's Supergirl #1's primary weakness . Orlando does a lot to establish her new journey and explore who Kara Zor-El is as a person. Little is done to explore her personal sentiments, which limits the overall weight of the story.

Little detail is given to her supporting cast as well. Her foster parents come off as caring. Even the hard-nosed bureaucrats at the DEO seem reasonable. However, not much is done to give this supporting cast any real depth. Only Cat Grant shows a significant amount of personality in this issue. Then again, that's to be expected of Cat Grant. The expectations of the rest of Supergirl's supporting leaves much to be desired.

This doesn't take away from the major accomplishments of this story. The biggest challenge of any character bearing the emblem of Superman is crafting a story that isn't solely defined by Superman. Like Dick Grayson, Kara Zor-El may never be able to escape her cousin's shadow, but Supergirl #1 shows that she can still follow her own unique journey.

Final Score: 7 out of 10

Broken Legacy Chapter 8: Scars and Bonds is LIVE!

I know it's been a long, tedious wait during sad, solemn times for Superman/Wonder Woman fans, but it's finally here. The last chapter of my second Superman/Wonder Woman story is complete. I know it's not quite as long or as epic as "Strangers In Paradise." I never intended it to be in the first place. I also didn't intend for this to focus entirely on romance. I wanted to explore other concepts along the way that I think are worth exploring. A part of me feels I didn't explore them enough, but I still made sure that this story had a satisfying ending of sorts.

Now I'm not going to lie. The recent developments between Superman and Wonder Woman in the comics with DC: Rebirth did affect this story. I started it off with the idea that I build layers on top of the core plot around Tyr-El, the Amazons, and Lex Luthor. Then, DC: Rebirth happened and I just didn't feel the same energy I felt during "Strangers In Paradise." I didn't have the will or desire to expand this story to same extent that I did with my last story. For this, I apologize.

That said, DC: Rebirth did not change the ending I had in mind for this story. I always intended it to be a story that would bring Superman and Wonder Woman together in a profound way. I made it much more personal and much more dramatic this time. They both had to fight bitter personal battles with their past and their legacies. Along the way, they connected. That connection helped carry them through the final battle against Tyr-El in the previous chapter. Now, this final chapter will complete that connection.

If you're a Superman/Wonder Woman fan, this chapter is what you've been waiting for. It's the culmination of all the personal struggles and personal dramas that have tormented these two as individuals. Finally, after all this emotional upheaval, they can come together a couple. It's a moment I've been building towards. It's a moment that I hope Superman/Wonder Woman fans will find satisfying during these difficult times.

Broken Legacy

Chapter 8: Scars and Bonds

As I've said before, this is going to be my last Superman/Wonder Woman story for the foreseeable future. I had some other ideas, but I now don't have the time, energy, or desire to pursue them. I now intend to focus my efforts on a few other projects, some of which I hope to announce soon.

That's not to say I'll never write another Superman/Wonder Woman story. If I get an idea that's just that good, I will pursue it. I don't like to leave ideas like that hanging. For now though, I'll let "Broken Legacy" and "Strangers In Paradise" be my primary contributions to Superman/Wonder Woman stories. To everyone who has supported these stories, as well as my other projects, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Deriving Novelty from the Inane: Action Comics #962

The following is my review of Action Comics #962, which was posted on PopMatters.com.

When is it okay to put the proverbial genie back in the bottle? Is it even possible to accomplish without destroying the bottle and everything within a five-mile radius? That radius may be much wider when Superman is involved. It may also involve more than one bottle. It sounds confusing and it certainly is. It's a major reason why the events of DC: Rebirth are affecting Superman more than most, but not because of anything Doomsday or Lex Luthor are doing.

DC: Rebirth decides with little to no depth that the genie needs to go back in the bottle. Superman needs to go back to his pre-Flashpoint method of operation. That means every meaningful change from the New 52 has to be nullified, rendered meaningless and pointless in the grand scheme of things. It gives the impression that the narrative of Superman and Action Comics is inherently shallow. It's not that nothing really happens. It's that nothing can happen that has any lasting impact on Superman.

Dan Jurgens is tasked with crafting a meaningful story with this narrative in the first post-Rebirth arc of Action Comics. However, the meaning is often lost in the confusion of all the contrivances attempting to purge New 52 impacts and the all-too familiar clashes with Doomsday. It can't acknowledge that Superman fought Doomsday on multiple occasions during the New 52 era. It can't acknowledge any dramatic entanglements that may or may not have occurred in that era either. It doesn't just limit the story. It flat out ignores the context.

If there is a strength within this confusion, it's Jurgens' efforts to re-frame Superman's story as a husband and father. Action Comics #962 tries to use this strength to complete an arc that relies too much on contrivances and disaster porn. It isn't enough to circumvent the flaws that inevitably emerge when putting Superman back into the pre-Flashpoint bottle, but it does keep the story from falling flat.

Any battle involving Superman and Doomsday has to be destructive. It has to be epic. This is the creature that actually killed Superman at one point. It can't be ended by one punch or by some secret gadget in Batman's utility belt. There has to be destruction, danger, and desperation every step of the way. Jurgens definitely goes the extra distance in capturing these elements. Stephen Segovia's artwork goes just as far in capturing the visuals.

Things blow up. Mountains crumble. The laws of physics are strained in ways that would make Einstein cringe. The aesthetics are definitely there. They help distract from the fact that this is a battle we've seen before. It's a battle that doesn't bring anything that new to the table. Other than Superman having a wife and son, there isn't much in this battle that hasn't played out before. It feels slightly more novel than seeing Batman punch the Joker again, but not by much.

Beneath the aesthetics though, there are still flaws. There's still a sense that this story has to ignore, negate, or undermine the stories that came before it in order to function. The substance of a battle between Superman and Doomsday may check all the right boxes, but the circumstances of that battle have too many blanks and details have some distressing implications.

While the outcome of the battle is never in question, the effects it reveals along the way are telling. It basically pulls back the curtain and shows the actual process of putting Superman's various genies back in the bottle. The revelation of his secret identity is undermined. His romantic history with Wonder Woman is flat out ignored. Lex Luthor's efforts at being a superhero come into question in a way that's fairly predictable. Ignoring circumstances may work with the Joker, but it doesn't work with Superman.

There's little mystery. There's tension. The purpose and goal of this new era of Action Comics is clear even if it's stated indirectly. Superman is going back to the way he was before the Flashpoint reboot. The only difference now is that he has a kid. That may keep the story from feeling regressive, but it still comes off as contrived.

That said, Jurgens manages to make the most of Jon's presence. His personality and youthful charisma add some much-needed novelty to the story. He also creates an extra dimension of drama with Superman. Him being a family man on top of being a superhero helps add some new dynamics to battles that have played out before. He's able to make those dynamics work in Action Comics #962. Peter Parker would be wise to take note.

DC: Rebirth, as a concept, works because it doesn't try too hard to be edgy or modern anymore. After years of trying too hard to make every character more like Batman, this initiative attempts to re-focus on the basics. The approach works when it happens organically and naturally with the characters. With Action Comics and the Superman comics as a whole, there's too much force behind the effort. Superman defines himself by being careful with his vast powers. It's a lesson that DC Comics would be wise to heed.

In this case, putting the genie back in the bottle causes the bottle to crack and fracture. At the very least, Action Comics #962 keeps it from shattering completely. There are one too many predictable plot lines, but there are also new and interesting dynamics emerging within the story. It doesn't prevent some parts of that story from being inane at times, but it still finds a way capture the heart of what makes Superman so iconic.

Final Score: 6 out of 10

Broken Legacy Chapter 7: Blind Injustice is LIVE!

Maybe it's just the romantic in me, but I believe every romance has a defining moment of sorts. Sometimes it comes before a couple gets together. Sometimes it comes after several decades of marriage. Sometimes it comes on a Sunday afternoon during a football halftime show. It's hard to really quantify, but these are the moments that make a romance powerful. So why should that be any different for DC's resident Power Couple?

DC's Rebirth event may have horribly undermined Superman/Wonder Woman in the most contrived way possible without the aid of powerful hallucinogens, but there's no question that they shared plenty of moments. From that magical moment in Justice League #12 to the end of Charles Soule's first arc in the criminally underrated Superman/Wonder Woman series, this romance had more moments than every season of Friends and Two and a Half Men combined. It gave DC's Power Couple plenty of power. Now, I hope to create a moment like that in "Broken Legacy."

As I've said before, this series is not on the same level as my first Superman/Wonder Woman story, "Strangers In Paradise." I never intended it to be. It also doesn't help that as I'm writing this story, DC Rebirth is delivering a heavy gut punch in a dozen nut shots to the Superman/Wonder Woman romance. It makes getting motivated on this story pretty difficult. As such, it will be my last Superman/Wonder Woman story for the foreseeable future. That can always change, but for now, I'm going to treat "Broken Legacy" as my last Superman/Wonder Woman story in the near-term.

That means I have to take these last two chapters and make them extra awesome. I've already set the stage for the final showdown between Superman and Tyr-El. It's a showdown that has a lot of emotional stakes. Wonder Woman is part of it now as well since Try-El got the Amazons involved. Just like in "Strangers In Paradise," this is a battle that Superman and Wonder Woman can't win on their own. They can only win it together. It sets the stage for one of those powerful moments that Superman/Wonder Woman fans sorely need at a time like this. I hope this story can provide it.

Broken Legacy

Chapter 7: Blind Injustice

The future may look bleak for Superman/Wonder Woman in the comics. This may be a romance that DC will table indefinitely as they try to make their comics line up with the themes of their upcoming movies. Despite the best efforts of Rotten Tomatoes, DC and WB will try to capture the most classic elements of their heroes. Sadly, that doesn't leave a lot of room for Superman/Wonder Woman. I hope that my contributions through this and my other stories can help fill that void. Until then, I'll focus on making the final chapter of "Broken Legacy" as awesome and heartfelt as it can be.

Broken Legacy Chapter 6: Divine Conventions is LIVE!

There’s a time to shake things up and there’s a time slow things down, but there’s never a time for outright regression. No matter how it’s packaged and no matter how it’s presented, regression is toxic to characters, relationships, story, and everything in between. This is what has me so dismayed about the current state of Superman and Wonder Woman with DC Comics right now. While some characters, like Aquaman and Batman, are allowed to progress, Superman and Wonder Woman are basically being forced back into the box they were in before Flashpoint. It’s tragic because it basically abandons all the progress that they made as characters and as lovers.

Tragedy or not, it does help give what I’m going in Broken Legacy more meaning. I’m developing this story with the idea that Superman and Wonder Woman, who they are and what they stand for, can be deconstructed without regression. I like to think I’ve taken some chances and pushed these characters into unknown domains. It has been dramatic, strenuous, and challenging. However, the payoff is just around the corner.

The stage is set. The final showdown is here. Superman is laying everything on the line to stop Tyr-El. He can’t win this fight as Superman. He can’t even win this fight as Clark Kent. He has to be Kal-El. He has to be the last surviving son of the House of El. That’s the only way he’s going to preserve what’s left of his legacy. Moreover, he needs to trust that Wonder Woman can preserve hers. Now that the Amazons are involved, she has just as much to lose and just as much to gain. It’s a battle of high emotions and high drama, one which will change both characters in a major way, but it sure as hell won’t regress them. And it all unfolds in this latest chapter.

Broken Legacy

Chapter 6: Divine Conventions

As I’ve said before, I don’t have any plans for other Superman or Wonder Woman stories after this. Plans do change though. While this story hasn’t garnered the same support as Strangers In Paradise, not that I expected it to, I am continually amazed at the passion and support by fans.

The Superman/Wonder Woman crowd are proud, passionate bunch. The support they give writers like me can’t be overstated. I know these are dark times for them and they’re bound to get darker with DC’s current policy of constant regression. I hope that changes, but for now I hope to do my part with stories like Broken Legacy. There are only a couple chapters left, but I intend to make them count. For beleaguered Superman/Wonder Woman fans out there, I hope to make it worth the wait. Nuff said!

Broken Legacy Chapter 5: Rising Bloodlust is LIVE!

Let’s face it. There are some topics that DC will just never touch with Superman. He’s too much of an icon and an ideal to ever address tough issues that make people feel too uncomfortable. There’s no question that if he wanted, Superman could fly all over the world and confront atrocities like war crimes, refugees, and mass exploitation by governments and criminals alike. It exposes the very depths of human corruption and depravity. It’s just too hard and distressing to create a story about that.

I like to think I’ve made a concerted effort to tell that story in Broken Legacy. It isn’t just a Superman/Wonder Woman story. It’s a story about them dealing with a very sensitive, very harsh issue that will never be mentioned in the comics. These aren’t just unpleasant secrets surrounding who their ancestors are or who Zeus knocked up. These are direct affronts to every concept of justice that we as a people value. It’s not Lex Luthor trying to take over the world. It’s the scars left by atrocities that cannot and will not heal.

Tyr-El is the personification of this concept. He is on a different level compared to Lex Luthor. It’s not about ego or greed for him. He just has a goal and he’s willing to torture, maim, and desecrate anyone or anything that gets in his way. In fact, he will go out of his way to do just that if it makes his goal more stable and achievable. That’s what makes him a threat unlike anything Superman, Wonder Woman, or the human race have ever faced before. It’s also what makes him so dangerous.

This story has set up and confronted all these grim concepts. Now, it’s time to set up the final clash. As I’ve said before, I have had to tweak this story at times. The recent events of the comics, especially those surrounding Superman, have made it difficult to make this story on the same level of Strangers In Paradise. It’s just hard to put that kind of energy into a story when inspiration is lacking. However, I am still committed to completing this story in as satisfying a way I can. This chapter should set the stage for a defining resolution that I hope Superman/Wonder Woman fans will enjoy during these dark times.

Broken Legacy

Chapter 5: Rising Bloodlust

I don’t yet know how many chapters this story will end up being. Again, don’t expect anything on the scale of Strangers In Paradise. I always intended this story to be more concise and focused. It may be my last Superman/Wonder Woman story for a while, but that’s just all the more reason to make it awesome as it can be.

Disingenuously Desecrating an Icon: Superman #52

The following is my review of Superman #52, which was posted on PopMatters.com.

In the early 90s, DC Comics did the unthinkable. They killed Superman. They killed a character who can lift mountains, survive supernovas, and somehow remain relevant despite Batman getting more movies. Death of Superman remains a landmark moment for Superman and superhero comics as a whole. Now, a little over two decades later, the idea of Superman dying is officially overdone.

It seems to be the only way to significantly shift Superman's narrative, killing him off and having the rest of the DC Universe deal with the ramifications. That's the approach that Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice utilizes and, as its score on Rotten Tomatoes shows, it doesn't evoke the same passion it did in the early 90s. Now, Superman #52 attempts to utilize this approach in the soon-to-be-rebranded comics.

It's the culmination of a long, overdrawn story that begins after Superman finally got his powers and his Fortress of Solitude back. Now, he's dying and trying to prepare the world for his extended absence, not knowing how poorly his death stuck in the early 90s. However, there's no epic showdown with Doomsday, Darkseid, or Lex Luthor. There's no final journey to cross off the remaining items on his bucket list. Essentially, Superman #52 takes the opposite approach that Grant Morrison took with All-Star Superman and naturally, it shows in the results.

The story that Peter Tomasi finishes never feels complete, concise, or all that dramatic. That's not to say there isn't some level of drama surrounding Superman's pending death. It just comes off as incredibly hollow and for a story that involves the death of a major character, this is the antithesis of the emotions conveyed in the original Death of Superman. Considering that Death of Superman is an over 20-years-old, heavily retconned story, the shortcomings of this story are all the more egregious.

There's no final battle between Superman and some overwhelming evil. He's just battling some deranged copy of himself that he accidentally created with his solar flare power. That means Superman dies fixing a mistake he inadvertently made. It's about as heroic as Tony Stark destroying an evil machine that helps create. The difference with Superman here is that his battle isn't likely to inspire a billion-dollar movie.

There's very little depth to Superman's double. It lacks the menacing presence of Doomsday or the devious personality of Darkseid. He's just a deranged version of Superman who has better grammar than Bizarro. The battle attempts to be epic, but it never dares to be more visceral or violent than a Superfriends rerun. Batman and Wonder Woman are present, but they do nothing to help. They literally can't do anything. Their presence is completely wasted in this struggle. They're just there as witnesses and nothing more.

Even as witnesses though, the drama and impact of Superman's death falls distressingly flat. There's only a brief moment of between Superman and Wonder Woman where she says goodbye to him. That moment basically does the bare minimum for a relationship that developed over the course of four years of comics and not a fraction more.

There's also a moment where he says goodbye to Lois and Lana as well. This doesn't even come close to the bare minimum. There are some tears, but they're distinctly lacking in anguish. The moment is so rushed and contrived that it never has a chance to evoke any real drama. There's more drama in the first five minutes of a Smallville rerun than there is in the entirety of Superman #52. It comes off as wholly disingenuous to this version of Superman and every other version of Superman, retconned or otherwise.

This highlights one of the greatest flaws of the narrative as a whole. The impact from the original Death of Superman is iconic because for a time, it meant that the DC Universe had to function without Superman. That impact is not only completely lacking in Superman #52. It might as well be an inconvenient formality because there's already another Superman with the exact same skills, powers, and personality waiting in the wings. This Superman, a holdover from the events of Convergence, can pretty much pick up where he left off and not miss a beat.

The situation is as such where an iconic character like Superman can die and it has no major ramifications. The DC Universe still has a functioning, competent Superman. Anybody who sees him has no way of telling the difference between him and his predecessor. It's an accomplishment in the worst possible way, making Superman's death feel meaningless and forced. It doesn't just make for a poorly crafted story. It renders the very concept of Superman as something that can be copied, pasted, and pretty much discounted like a faulty battery.

Superman #52 fails at almost every level to make the end of Superman's story in the New 52 feel meaningful. At best, it's rushed and hollow. At worst, it's outright forced by shoving one version of a character aside to make way for another that is almost exactly the same. The circumstances, context, and timing for this narrative can't be worse. Superman is being killed off in multiple mediums, so much so that the shock value just isn't there anymore. By failing to add substance to this story, it feels like a waste.

There is, at the very least, some effort in Superman #52 to show that Superman's death will have some impact on the overall landscape of the DC Universe. From a conceptual standpoint, however, the impact is still very limited. In the end, the final results for the latest and not-so-greatest saga revolving around Superman dying feels downright callous towards DC's most iconic hero.

Final Score: 2 out of 10

Broken Legacy Chapter 4: Deep Wounds and Deeper Scars is LIVE!

Like many fans of DC Comics, I’ve been caught up in the universe-warping nut punch that is DC Rebirth. Once again, DC Comics is sick of Marvel hogging the market share. Once again, they’re trying to boost their share in ways that make Alan Moore want to bang his head against the wall. I’ve had mixed feelings about it, but I know that for Superman/Wonder Woman fans, DC Rebirth might as well be a knife in the heart.

There’s no way around it. DC is basically just abandoning the concept of Superman/Wonder Woman in favor of more familiar territory. They need their comics to line up with the movies and the nearly 80-year history of their comics more. Sure, that means tearing their continuity yet another asshole and pissing all over Watchmen yet again, but they’re trying to satisfy every generation of fans. As such, there are sure to be fans who miss out. In this case, it’s Superman/Wonder Woman fans.

Personally, I think it’s a heaping load of horse shit that DC killed off one version of Superman just to make room for another. They basically rendered the act of killing the most iconic hero in the history of comics utterly pointless. Think about that for a moment. They made killing fucking Superman of all characters pointless. That takes some weapons grade bullshit. I could make multiple blog posts about how fucked up this is, but I’m going to temper my opinions out of respect for ailing Superman/Wonder Woman fans.

I admit the recent developments in the DCU have undermined my passion for my Broken Legacy story. Don’t get me wrong. I’m committed to finishing it. It’s just hard to get too excited about something that DC just went out of their way to piss on. I was hoping to update sooner, but disappointment has made it hard to really get into it. In fact, I might end up shortening the story because I just don’t have the energy or passion to draw it out like I did with Strangers In Paradise. I’ll still try to make it as awesome as can be and that’ll continue with this issue.

I know there hasn’t been a lot of Superman/Wonder Woman moments in this story so far, but that’s about to change in a major way. Both characters have suffered a blow to their legacy and identity. That’s going to bring them together in a profound way, but not before they take on the daunting threats before them. That process and the drama behind it begins with this chapter.

Broken Legacy

Chapter 4: Deep Wounds and Deeper Scars

Like I said, I’m still committed to finishing this story. However, it might end up being my last Superman/Wonder Woman story for a while. I had some ideas in the works, but it’s hard to put much energy into them after the recent developments in the comics. I hope that changes, but for now I’ll try to make the most of this story.

Broken Legacy Chapter 3: Confrontation and Subjugation is LIVE!

Perfection does not come easy and it doesn't take much to taint. Just ask the 2007 New England Patriots. We, as flawed human beings, have a hard time wrapping our heads around ideals. That's a big part of why Superman and Wonder Woman are very much these larger-than-life heroes that push the concept of what it means to be a hero. They are, for all intents and purposes, embodiments of ideals. So what happens when those ideals are tainted?

That's exactly what I've been exploring here with Broken Legacy. Wonder Woman already had her ideal tainted when she found out that she was not molded out of clay and brought to life through the love of her mother. Instead, she now knows that she is a product of infidelity. She is very much effected by this change, an ideal built on a foundation of deceit. It forces her to reevaluate what it means to be Wonder Woman. Now, Superman has to deal with that as well.

Superman, for most of his history, has been as pure an ideal as can be. He is the alpha and omega of heroes. His foundation, his morals, and his legacy are crafted on an ideal foundation. So what happens when that foundation is tainted? Well, that's what Tyr-El is doing. His arrival brought with it a dark secret that will strike Superman at his core. Both he and Wonder Woman will be left wondering what it means to be heroes and what these ideals even mean. And this process is going to be a lot harder than they think.

That's what they're about to find out in the next chapter of Broken Legacy. I know it has taken a while to come out, but this is a challenging story with a challenging premise. But I hope it brings out the best in Superman and Wonder Woman. Because you don't know just how powerful an ideal is until it's tainted. But sometimes tragedy and hardship can breed a new kind of strength, as these two will soon find out. Enjoy!

Broken Legacy

Chapter 3: Confrontation and Subjugation

Expect plenty of tough, dramatic upheavals for Superman and Wonder Woman. Also expect it to bring out the best and worst in them. Sometimes that's necessary for two people to come together. And when it happens, it's a thing of beauty. Things might be bleak in the comics, but I'm hoping that beauty will help as this story unfolds. Nuff Said!

Upholding and Underscoring a Legacy: Action Comics #51

The following is my review of Action Comics #51, which was posted on PopMatters.com.

Imagine for a moment that the iPhone has been around for 75 years. How many updates, reinventions, breakthroughs, and setbacks would it have gone through? How many features would it have added, dropped, or botched entirely? It's difficult to imagine because there aren't a lot of things that last 75 years these days. There aren't a lot of things that last 25 years these days, the Simspons notwithstanding.

Despite the onslaught of time, Superman finds way to endure. He's goes through transitions, relaunches, reboots, revamps, and gimmicks that would've broken a lesser character. From Superfriends to Richard Donner to Batfleck, Superman navigates these shifting eras as few characters can. Sure, he's been cloned, killed, resurrected, de-powered, and overpowered. He still endures as the heroic ideal, one who sets the standards by which all heroes not named Deadpool are measured.

With the New 52 era coming to an end to make way for Rebirth, Action Comics #51 prepares Superman for yet another transition. It's a transition that presents a unique set of challenges and not just those that involve being upstaged by Batman every now and then. Losing his powers and having his identity exposed now forces Superman to reassess his position in the DC universe. He'll always be one of its primary pillars, but even he understands there's only so much Superman can do, even if he can do obscenely more than most.

It's for that reason that Action Comics #51 builds a story around Superman preparing the world for a time when he can no longer fulfill his position as the gold standard for heroism in the DC universe. It's not him being proactive either. Once again, Superman is dying. This should carry a lot of emotional weight, but between All-Star Superman and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, these emotions feel too familiar.

Despite this familiarity, there are important concepts at play here in terms of Superman's legacy. The issue is these concepts are underdeveloped and underplayed. Action Comics #51 puts Superman in a situation where he has to prepare Supergirl for being the last remaining non-clone, non-hybrid, non-alternate universe Kryptonian on Earth. It's a situation that has so many emotional undertones, but few of those emotions are realized.

That's not to say there aren't powerful moments at play. Peter Tomasi makes it a point to have Superman remind Supergirl why he is the pinnacle hero for every era of his 75-year history. He understands that people are afraid of exceedingly powerful aliens and they're perfectly right to be afraid. Someone who can lift mountains, fly through space, and be friends with Batman is bound to make a lot of people worry. That's why what Superman does is so important. That's why it's important that Supergirl carries on this legacy.

This moment, however, is lacking in terms of emotional impact. It's the most defining moment of the narrative in Action Comics #51, but it's a moment that feels rushed and underdeveloped. In addition, the overall setup for the story is rushed. The whole mystery of Supergirl missing is resolved in the quickest, least dramatic way possible.

The details around this mystery are explained in a throw-away flashback that barely qualify as a teaser. It's more like a skippable video ad than an actual part of the story. Nobody will miss anything by skipping it. That might be fine for video ads, but for the overall story in Action Comics #51, it's wastes ink that is better spent refining the emotional undertones of Superman's predicament. Grant Morrison already made a veritable how-to guide for these stories with All-Star Superman so any Superman story that falters with such a story has no excuse.

It's not just the overly rushed pace of the story that derails the drama. There's another side-plot involving Dr. Omen that sets up another conflict that likely can't be rushed. However, it feels entirely disjointed from the primary plot of Superman preparing Supergirl to carry on his legacy. For a story that already feels rushed, being disorganized doesn't. Anyone whose mind doesn't operate on the same wavelength of the Flash is likely to get confused.

Even if the pace is rushed and disorganized, it isn't wholly chaotic. There are still dramatic undertones at work here as Superman prepares himself for yet another death, not knowing how permanent it might be. It feels personal, him reaching out to Supergirl and preparing her for a world where she is the sole bearer of Superman's legacy. For someone whose power levels make solving daunting problems so easy most of the time, it's an important element to highlight. It just isn't highlighted enough.

In preparing for a fresh round of upheaval with the upcoming Rebirth relaunch, there are many loose ends to resolve. Leaving too many unresolved will make printing that all-important #1 on the cover feel like a hollow gimmick. As it stands, Superman has more loose ends than most. Action Comics #51 at least begins the process, but doesn't proceed very far.

Tomasi makes it a point to emphasize the importance of Superman's legacy in the incredibly broad scope that is the DC Universe and rightly so. Superman's legacy is important and passing it off to Supergirl, who has neither his level of experience nor his clout among other heroes, has numerous dramatic undertones. Absent that drama, the emphasis on that legacy feels shallow at best.

Superman dying is a big deal, even if it has been overdone and overplayed since the early 90s. Every major hero gets a death story these days and, being a 75-year-old icon, Superman gets more than most. That doesn't mean that these kinds of stories have to be overly generic. However, this latest attempt is dangerously close to that territory and not even Superman may be able to save it.

Final Score: 4 out of 10

Broken Legacy Chapter 2: Strategic Atrocity is LIVE!

Let's face it, there are just certain themes that DC, Warner Brothers, and the humorless fucks at the FCC will never explore with Superman. I can't say I blame them. It's not like the market is huge for cartoons that feature Batman burning the Joker alive or Superman ripping out someone's spine through their anus. There's a time and a place for that sort of shit and if it's not being directed by Quentin Tarantino, it's going to be of questionable quality at best.

That said, I do think there are some themes worth exploring. The legacy and history of Superman's people is one of them. Like so much else about Superman, that legacy and history is often idealized as though it came from some hippie's wet dream. I like to think there are more interesting stories to tell about an alien civilization and not all of them have to involve anal probes.

My Broken Legacy story is built around the premise of Superman's legacy. We already saw what happened to Wonder Woman when DC retconned/shit all over her Amazon legacy. She's no longer from a simple tribe of warrior women. She's from a tribe of warrior women who seduce, murder, and abandon their own children. Like finding out you're related to an axe murderer, it's not a pleasant feeling. Superman can't relate to that feeling...yet. That all changes with this new chapter of Broken Legacy.

At this stage in the New 52 canon, Superman and Wonder Woman aren't together yet. They don't have a lot of common ground either. That's something that will change very soon. Expect it to lead to some intense moments. Those moments will be fully clothed...for now. But expect a lot of tension as the story continues to unfold. That tension really starts to escalate with this chapter.

Broken Legacy

Chapter 2: Strategic Ambiguity

From here on out, the story is going to start dealing with some pretty mature themes. This is the kind of shit that would not make it past an editor at DC comics. It might get approval from a Game of Thrones producer, but we're dealing with a different context here. That context will become much clearer as the story unfolds. Enjoy!

Broken Legacy: A New Superman/Wonder Woman Story

It's an uncertain time for DC Comics. The New 52 reboot has run its course. Now, DC is gearing up for yet another major relaunch, which they're calling Rebirth. It's not being billed as a reboot on the same scale as the New 52, but it promises to bring major changes to DC Comics once more. For some, that's going to be a good thing. For others, it'll be a bad thing. As always, everyone will find something to bitch about.

But of all the developments from the New 52 that have been most memorable, I'd say the Superman/Wonder Woman relationship is definitely near the top. For the first time, DC actually put some serious effort into developing this relationship in a meaningful way and they did it without denigrating Lois Lane or resorting to Elseworlds. The result has led to some pretty damn awesome stories, which have become one of the greatest sources of romance in superhero comics. Then again, this is an era where both Marvel and DC just love fucking up iconic romances so it's not like the bar is that high. Just ask Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson.

There's no sign yet that the Superman/Wonder Woman relationship will continue after rebirth. Whatever the case, the New 52 helped establish that this relationship can work and be awesome. It helped inspire me to write my first ever Justice League story, Strangers In Paradise. Now, I feel like I'm ready to write another one.

This new story actually takes place within the New 52 continuity, specifically before Justice League #12, the now-iconic issue where Superman and Wonder Woman came together. The premise of this story is built around bring them together in a different way. It takes place at a time when Wonder Woman is learning about the dirty secrets of the Amazons and Superman's identity is still intact. That's not to say I won't take a few liberties here and there, but I'll try not to take as much as I did before.

This story won't be quite as long or as elaborate as Strangers In Paradise. It'll also be a bit more mature in terms of content, but not overly graphic. It deals with themes that are difficult even for superheroes to deal with, but in a way I hope will bring out the right kind of drama. Given the response to my previous story, I hope this one helps raise the bar.

Broke Legacy

Chapter 1: The Arrival

As always, I ask that readers take the time to leave feedback for this and all my other stories. Feedback, be it constructive or otherwise, helps inspire me to keep improving and that's exactly what I want. For Superman fans, Wonder Woman fans, and every fan in between, I want this story to be as awesome as it can be. Anything less is unacceptable. Nuff said!

A Superman/Wonder Woman Valentine's Day Special: The Intimacy Pod

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Insincere Insecurities: Superman/Wonder Woman Annual #2

The following is my review of Superman/Wonder Woman Annual #2, which was posted on PopMatters.com.

Romance in comics is often handled with the same competence as a teenager who keeps failing to pass the 10th grade. When it comes to telling stories about romance between two powerful characters, it's a two-way street with one too many traffic cops. Either a couple is in the process of hooking up or in the process of breaking up. It's will-they-or-won't-they versus how-bad-is-it-going-to-get? Like North Korean election, there is no middle ground.

The list of iconic couples that have succumbed to this narrow narrative that anyone can see in a 90120 rerun has only grown over the years. Couples like Vision and the Scarlet Witch, Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson, and Cyclops and Jean Grey have all been undermined, undone, or utterly nullified via deals with the pseudo-devil. With Reed and Sue Richards possibly joining that list after Secret Wars, there's a real chance that iconic romances could go the way of VHS and mix tapes.

Marvel's handling of romance has been flawed to say the least. That's why DC's efforts with the Superman/Wonder Woman relationship that emerged from the New 52 was so refreshing. For once, it seemed they would actually put an effort into making this a real relationship and leave sticking to tired formulas to bad Johnny Depp movies. They just had the resist the urge to slip back into familiar territory once the narrative required more effort.

The events of Darkseid War and Truth have made that temptation very strong. And the events of Superman/Wonder Woman Annual #2 attempt to give an overall perspective of the relationship, if only to explore the extent of its potential. The narrative that unfolds leaves us with more questions than answers, but it still provides solid insight into the only relationship that either Marvel or DC has put any effort into developing.

This isn't a story where Superman and Wonder Woman team up to punch Lex Luthor and Cheetah in the jaw while making out on their unconscious bodies. It's more an inner reflection told by Superman, comparing his relationship with Wonder Woman to the relationship his adopted parents had. In some ways, it's both a fair and unfair comparison. Jonathan and Martha Kent represent the gold standard for a loving couple and loving parents. Comparing any relationship to them is like comparing every man's endowment to that of Ron Jeremy.

However, it is a fair comparison in the sense that this relationship is Superman's insight into what a loving couple should be. Compared to those who get their ideas of love from Twilight books and Kanye West videos, this is as good a standard as any man could use. And throughout Superman's musings, we see how his relationship with Wonder Woman meets and does not meet that standard.

We see moments in the relationship where things are sunshine, rainbows, and Celine Dion songs. From getting frisky in the Justice League Watchtower to sharing a double date with Aquaman and Mera, these moments make clear that the love these two shared was genuine and passionate. Some of it is the kind of puppy love that made Stephanie Meyers rich. Some of it is a deeper, more meaningful love that would never made it into a Julia Roberts movie. These moments provide depth, but they also set the stage for the flaws in the narrative.

As Superman's musings continue, we get more insight into other parts of his relationship with Wonder Woman that were never explored in their respective comics. One such moment was him reacting to Wonder Woman becoming the new God of War. While it doesn't lead to an argument, it does reveal some insecurities. And these aren't the kind of insecurities that can be overcome with extra date nights and chocolates either.

The insecurities in this case eventually morph into obstacles. Wonder Woman being the God of War and Superman losing his powers become excuses for uncertainty. And this is the main weakness of the narrative. The uncertainty feels forced and somewhat petty. And when Superman and Wonder Woman start to get petty without the influence of Brainiac, then something is wrong.

Some of these issues that are explored don't need to be issues, but they're presented in such a way and that makes them feel less than genuine. The idea that Superman doesn't trust Wonder Woman to handle being the God of War or that Wonder Woman doesn't trust Superman to be who he is without his powers isn't just disingenuous. It's unreasonable. Again, unless Brainiac is influencing them, they have no excuses.

It's towards the end that these forced insecurities start to have a negative impact on the relationship. That's not to say that it makes the emotions less sincere. If anything, it reveals that Superman and Wonder Woman's relationship still lacks the maturity to make it a reasonable comparison to the Kents. Even if they're still light years ahead of any relationship Marvel has attempted in the past five years, the insecurities are inflated to a point where Superman and Wonder Woman feel out of character.

There are plenty of moments in Superman/Wonder Woman Annual #2 where the strengths and the progression of the Superman/Wonder Woman relationship are well-developed. But the conflicts that are explored in this issue feel too forced. It gives the impression that DC is succumbing to the same temptation that Marvel did when they nullified Spider-Man's marriage with Mary Jane Watson. Even if this doesn't lead to another deal with Mephisto, it feels like someone is too ready to sell their soul.

Every relationship faces conflicts and obstacles. The Superman/Wonder Woman relationship is no different. But in the same way comics rely too often on Nazis and evil scientists, they rely too much on forcing dysfunction within a relationship to make it interesting. Superman and Wonder Woman don't have to be on the verge of breaking up or making up to be meaningful. The emotions between them just have to be sincere. And with the exception of sociopaths and poorly moderated message boards, these emotions appeal to everybody.

Final Score: 6 out of 10

Anatomy of a Betrayal: Superman #43

The following is my review of Superman #43, which was posted on PopMatters.com.

It takes many years of work and dedication to build trust. Conversely, it takes only seconds to destroy. It's akin to a wholly unfair law of physics. It takes a master artist years to craft a beautiful painting or a sculpture whereas it takes an idiot with a hammer or a blowtorch just a few seconds to destroy it. Trust is like a work of art that everyone tries to create. For Superman, however, this work of art might as well be in a museum surrounded by pyromaniacs and drunks.

Despite his dedication to helping his adopted home, Superman does not readily trust others with the intimate details of his personal life. It's how he maintains both an alien and a human persona. And for decades, this has been a big part of his identity. Being able to live both lives helps anchor him to humanity, even though he's an alien with the power to bench press a planet. Now, one of those lives is shattered and the other is severely wounded. And it hits him in way that makes a bath in liquid kryptonite seem relaxing.

Of the very few people that Superman has trusted over the years, Lois Lane is the trustworthy equivalent of the Sistine Chapel. Whether they're married or just respected co-workers, few relationships have been integral to the Man of Steel's mythos than the trust he has in Lois Lane. She's the one who helped introduce Superman to the world. She's the one who helped create the very concept of Superman. Like Steve Jobs and Apple, Lois Lane helped create the iconic brand of Superman, minus the turtleneck and jeans.

Yet in Superman #43, she's the one who does to most to undermine that concept. She betrays a trust that was once as implicit as a dog and his bone. It's this betrayal that gives weight to the, but that weight turns out to be hollow in some areas. The main purpose of this story is to put Lois Lane in a position where she has to be the one to expose Superman's identity. By that most minimum of standards, it succeeds. Anything beyond that, however, requires the story to be graded on a curve.

Even without that curve, the details of the story still warrant a passing grade. The entire first half of the story is dedicated to reaffirming the trust and bond that Superman and Lois Lane share. It's a trust and bond that circumvents the usual romantic undertones and in many respects, that helps make it more genuine. Superman and Lois trust each other in a way that isn't clouded by emotion. It's built heavily on mutual respect. When the concept of every romantic comedy and 70 percent of all sitcoms revolve around friends becoming lovers, it's a refreshing moment.

It's this moment that gives Lois' actions a sense of impact. It's also a moment that adds complications to the ongoing conflict between Superman and Hordor. It's a conflict that began with Hordor revealing that he knows Superman's identity as well and is using it to extort him. It has already put Superman in a difficult position, one of which ended up with him waking up naked in a bed next to a fully-clothed Lois. The idea that it could lead to some much more volatile situations isn't too much of a stretch, especially for someone dating Wonder Woman.

The circumstances are in place. The details of the story are present to give Lois' actions significant emotional weight. Like all the ingredients to a good turkey dinner, everything is in place. But when the time comes to put these ingredients together, the end result isn't as savory as it could've been.

The main issue with the cooking process of this story is that it was rushed. The clash that unfolds between Superman and Hordor seems to skip multiple steps, some of which might have involved pre-heating the proverbial oven. Superman basically goes from confronting Hordor to doing exactly as he says, not making a significant effort to work around it or find another way. For most heroes, that could be understandable. But this is Superman. Even if he's at half-strength, he's still more resourceful than an army of Angus McGuiver clones.

Because this process is so heavily rushed, Lois Lane essentially follows suit. She skips those same critical steps, never stopping for a moment to contemplate another way to remedy the situation. Instead of trying to find a more cunning way to stop Hordor from extorting Superman, she essentially jumps the gun and exposes his identity. And even though she told him earlier in the story that she would keep his secret, she does it in a downright callous manner. It gives the impression that Lois Lane treats her promises the same way Donald Trump treats bankruptcy.

This is the biggest shortcoming of the story. It doesn't give the sense that Lois revealing Superman's identity was the only solution to the problem. And even if those details where present, there's nothing emotional or dramatic about Lois' decision. She just assesses the situation, shrugs, and goes through with it. That is the impression she gives. It's not outright cold, but it is still callous on a level more befitting of Hillary Clinton than Lois Lane.

Even with this shortcoming, Superman #43 still accomplishes its main goal. It creates the circumstances in which Lois Lane has to be the one to expose Superman's identity to the world. Those circumstances aren't wholly unreasonable. It's just the execution of those circumstances that limits the impact of the story. It doesn't create the impact of an unavoidable tragedy. It just creates the sense that Lois Lane is a lousy friend.

There is still merit to the story in Superman #43 in that it makes an effort to establish an impact. It effectively asserts that even in a world where Superman and Lois Lane are not Shakespearean star-crossed lovers, there is still a powerful connection between these two. It's a connection that is now heavily damaged, but not completely shattered. However, it's probably going to be a while before Superman trusts Lois with anything other than his shoe size.

Final Score: 6 out of 10

Equals in an Unequal Struggle: Superman/Wonder Woman #19

The following is my review of Superman/Wonder Woman #19, which was posted on PopMatters.com.

When things are good, every relationship feels like the opening theme to a 90s sitcom. It’s all smiles, laughter, and terrible music from the Hootie and Blowfish type bands. Even Tina and Ike Turner probably had their good days. It’s only when things get bad that we find out which couples are the Waldens and which couple are the Bundies.

Since DC decided to do the most obvious romantic pairing since Mulder and Scully in the X-Files, the Superman/Wonder Woman relationship has evolved in an astoundingly mature way. There was no beating around the bush, Ross and Rachel style. There was no drawn out melodrama that every reality show ever has tried to capture. Superman and Wonder Woman just came together, embraced the opportunity, and actually made the effort to create a functioning relationship.

In fact, they’ve put more effort into their relationship than every couple that ever got together in 90210. They’ve gotten to a point where they truly carried themselves as equals, making complementing their strengths and confronting their weaknesses. They’re not defined by their romance, but they are better because of it.

Now, Superman and Wonder Woman’s relationship is being tested in a way that even the worst romantic comedy has never attempted. Superman’s identity has been exposed. His powers have been severely curtailed. On top of that, someone is intent on destroying the ruins of Clark Kent’s life and spitting on the ashes. If ever he needed the support of his girlfriend, it’s now. If ever there was a hardship for a relationship, this is right up there with a weekend at the in-laws.

Superman/Wonder Woman #19 puts Wonder Woman at ground zero of the ongoing effort to make her lover miserable. She doesn’t have to be part of this fight, but she chooses to be part of it because she cares about her lover just that much. In doing so, we get a story with an engaging, dramatic narrative that never feels overly dramatic. There’s no part of this situation that’s ideal for either Superman or Wonder Woman, but that’s exactly what makes the drama meaningful.

They’ve already had a decidedly bad day since showing up in Smallville. They arrived to investigate the disappearance of its people, which includes Superman’s old flame, Lana Lang. That day gets even worse when they encounter the Suicide Squad. At this point, a tornado and a string of outdated Wizard of Oz jokes would have been less frustrating. It leads to a fairly basic clash that nobody is going to mistake for a war with Darkseid, but it still creates some meaningful moments.

In any other circumstances, this is the kind of fight that Superman and Wonder Woman could brush aside in the same way Bill Gates brushes aside a check from Applebees. But with Superman’s powers being limited, the battle takes on a much more urgent tone. He can’t just cough in a way that’ll blow Black Manta, Harley Quinn, and Deadshot into the next County. He has to get his hands dirty and take a few bullets. It forces Superman to be less upstanding than usual, carrying himself like a hung over Rocky Balboa at times. But it doesn’t stop him from being Superman.

This also doesn’t stop Wonder Woman from being the warrior and lover she’s always been. She’s used to protecting those weaker than her, but she’s probably not used to Superman being among them. Even so, the battle never becomes like an inverted version of Super Mario. She doesn’t have to be his hero. She just has to keep being his lover. She fights by his side, not in his place. It may not make for a good Nintendo game, but it does reveal a mature and evolving relationship.

Beyond their relationship, there’s also a compelling story unfolding behind the scenes. During the battle against the Suicide Squad, we find out that they’re not responsible for the disappearances of the people in Smallville. That means even the Amanda Wallers in the government are clueless as well. It further deepens the mystery. It’s not as simple as Lex Luthor attempting to troll Superman in the worst possible way. There are other forces at work here.

We get some hints as to who might behind this, but not nearly enough. We can only confirm at this point that whoever is behind this, they’re not done tormenting Superman. And for some reason, they think it’s a good idea to mess with a very irritated Superman, who also happens to be Wonder Woman’s boyfriend. Ignoring the death wish behind this plot, it raises a few intriguing questions that warrant further exploration.

It’s also at this point where another important aspect of Superman and Wonder Woman’s relationship is exposed. While Wonder Woman doesn’t have to save Superman in the Princess Peach tradition, she still has to treat him when he gets wounded. She also makes it clear that his vulnerability worries her, as it probably should for any caring lover. It makes for a tender moment, but it never becomes too much like a Greys Anatomy sub-plot. Superman doesn’t let it.

Instead, he makes it clear that he doesn’t want Wonder Woman to change how she goes about being Wonder Woman. He does the exact opposite of what the majority of love stories in Disney movies do, telling his lover to not change who she is or how she lives her life. It may be jarring to those used to seeing women upend their lives for a handsome man or men doing the same for a beautiful woman, but that’s what helps set Superman and Wonder Woman apart. It is truly a relationship of equals.

That mutual trust and shared struggle is what makes Superman/Wonder Woman #19 feel like another important step in the development of this relationship. They’ve shared major battles together. They’ve shared the frustrations of being on the same team as Batman together. Now, they’re sharing each other’s personal struggles and even when one of them is weak, it still feels like a relationship among equals. That sort of thing is difficult to find in an era of radical feminism, men’s rights activists, and Kardashian marriages. But that’s exactly what makes it so meaningful.

Final Score: 8 out of 10

Scanned Thoughts: Superman/Wonder Woman #19

What is true love? My grandfather said true love is being able to throw up in a toilet while your lover holds your hair and sings to you. My ex-girlfriends would disagree, but I'm convinced that some of them don't know the difference between true love and having an neutered dog. This is a debate that has baffled philosophers, emperors, and shitty movies for ages. I sure as hell can't debate this kind of shit when I'm overly sober, but I can at least accept one argument. We know love when we see it.

And right now, anyone who doesn't have a raging hard-on for Lois Lane has to say that the Superman/Wonder Woman relationship is the kind of love that would make a guy like me quit drinking. They're a relationship of equals. Their not defined by their love for each other. They're made stronger and happier because of it. They actually go out of their way to work on their relationship to make it better. Hell, I couldn't get my last girlfriend to order a fucking pizza for me. Superman and Wonder Woman have shown what it takes to make love work.

Now, they're showing what happens when a special breed of asshole goes out of their way to make someone's life miserable. Superman's identity has been exposed. And since it's not enough that he can't live the life he worked so hard to maintain, someone has to go out of his way to desecrate his old home in Smallville. Outside Game of Thrones, there aren't many people who can claim to be that cruel. Someone wants to torment Clark Kent and Diana Prince is ready to stand by her man. That's what makes the setup for Superman/Wonder Woman #19 so intriguing. It also reminds me that true love and navigating shit storms aren't a mutually exclusive process.

I'm not sure what category shit storm that fighting the Suicide Squad in a graveyard falls under, but I imagine it's the kind that would get most people to board up their houses and stock up on duct tape. Superman and Wonder Woman have been investigating a distress call from Superman's old gal pal, Lana Lang. That distress call has revealed that someone has gone to great lengths to troll Superman in the worst possible way. Even the 4chan crowd would be impressed. Now, the Suicide Squad shows up to make Superman even more miserable. I'm not sure this counts as rubbing kryptonite laced salt in the wound, but it damn well ought to.

Under traditional circumstances, a fight between the Suicide Squad and the collective muscle of Superman and Wonder Woman wouldn't be fair. Hell, it's a fight that would be over the moment Superman and Wonder Woman got bored, tired, or horny. But Superman is not at full strength. He's vulnerable, both physically and emotionally. That makes the fight a bit more fair, but he still has Wonder Woman on his side so it's still more lopsided than a drinking contest between a Mormon and a Kennedy.

Fair or not, it still makes for a much more visceral battle. It's not as epic as a clash with Darkseid or Zod would be, but it's still pretty satisfying. Wonder Woman takes on the heavy hitters like Reverse Flash. Superman takes on the dipshits who still think shooting him will solve their problems. Even in his weakened form, he's got to be rolling his eyes. But these aren't typical Bond villain henchmen. They're the Suicide Squad. They have some personality in addition to their personality disorders. So there's plenty of entertainment value, as is often the case whenever Harley Quinn gets involved.

Entertaining aside, there's still one burning question that semi-sober minds are probably asking. Why the fuck would the Suicide Squad attack Superman in the first place? Who honestly thought it was a good idea to attack Wonder Woman's man? I don't know what kind of drugs would make someone think that shit, but even I wouldn't try them.

Wonder Woman makes sure she gets that point across, even to demented minds like Harley Quinn. But this question becomes somewhat moot while Superman is battling Black Manta. During their struggle, he reveals something intriguing. As sane as it sounds, the Suicide Squad's mission didn't involve fucking with Superman and Wonder Woman. They arrived in Smallville because others have noted some crazy shit going on. That means they didn't kick up this shit storm. They just got sent into it.

This adds another layer to the mystery and one that adds a new dimension to Superman's ongoing identity issue. Before his identity got exposed, most people probably couldn't find Smallville on a map, let alone think anything more remarkable than a pie-eating contest would occur. Now that everyone knows it's Clark Kent's hometown, it's attracting all the wrong kinds of attention and that includes the Suicide Squad. It's another testament to just how fucked Superman is in a world where he has no secret identity anymore.

Intrigue or not, the Suicide Squad isn't passing up an opportunity to rough up Superman when he's vulnerable. They might have had a chance to succeed if Wonder Woman hadn't been with him. But she is so they're more fucked than a Greek bank's credit rating. That's not to say Superman still doesn't show some grit. While Wonder Woman protects him from Deadshot's onslaught, he goes out of his way to really fuck up Black Manta. He doesn't try to be nice and friendly about it either. He's still Superman, but he's a Superman in a foul mood. He won't murder Black Manta, but he will make him wish he was dead and sometimes that's just as heroic.

The battle finally ends and as satisfying as it might be to rough up the Suicide Squad, they still need answers. And as it just so happens, Superman left Black Manta conscious. I'm sure he still wishes he were dead, but that just means it sucks even more to be him. He reiterates that the Suicide Squad had nothing to do with the disappearances. They're investigating it too and since this happens to be the hometown of Superman, sending a team of deranged villains just felt right. It still leaves Superman pretty pissed off, but it helps deepen the mystery.

For some, however, they couldn't give three tenths of a fuck about mystery. They have a chance to kick Superman when he's down and fuck, they're going to take it. That's exactly what Deadshot does, who they also left conscious. Superman and Wonder Woman probably regret being so merciful, especially Superman because he ends up getting a full-fledged bullet massage. It doesn't kill him, but just as he did with Black Manta, it makes him wish he were dead.

It's not the worst blow Superman has ever taken by a long shot. It's still probably more of an annoyance on par with a mild rectal itch. But it's a moment that once again reinforces just how vulnerable Superman is right now. He's still strong enough to take a bullet, but now they don't just bounce off him. Now they actually fucking hurt. I imagine it's a lot harder to stand for truth, justice, and the American way when you're sore as fuck, but that's why he's Superman.

And Wonder Woman is still his lover so Deadshot just ensured he'll need to be dry humping morphine for the next three weeks. She does a reverse Princess Peach and limits Superman's soreness as best she could. She also makes damn sure that Deadshot will be way more sore for the foreseeable future. It's yet another mark of genuine love. One person fucks with their lover, that person gets fucked up as a result. It's simple, genuine, romantic, and even a little violent, but in the best possible way. It's not the kind of shit that'll ever show up in a romantic comedy and that's exactly what makes it so satisfying.

What makes it even more satisfying is how Wonder Woman rushes to his aid. But she doesn't try to prop him up and baby him. She's his girlfriend, not his mother. He's sore and wounded, but at least he had someone to take it out on and Wonder Woman was there to share in the fun. I'm pretty sure this counts as a date by their twisted standards. Wonder Woman even finds a way to add some extra sentiment, giving him the old Kent family mailbox as something he can hold onto. It's not the most romantic gift she could've given him. I'm pretty sure crotchless panties would've revitalized him just as much. But it gets the point across. It's the kind of non-creepy romantic gesture that even Twilight haters can enjoy.

Beyond the romance, we get a few more hints as to who's fucking with Superman's life and thinks it's a good idea. While Wonder Woman flies him away, someone else is spying on him. He's not Lex Luthor. In fact, he looks kind of like the principal of my old high school, which means he must have choked a live puppy at some point in his day. He's also intrigued at Superman's vulnerability and probably wants to exploit the fuck out of it. And he makes it clear that he's not done fucking with him. Either he really hates Superman or getting beat up by Wonder Woman is the only thing that'll give him a boner anymore.

Wonder Woman takes Superman back to the bunker under his old house, which is probably the only part of his life as Clark Kent that wasn't hit with a TNT enema. While there, Wonder Woman plays the part of the sexy nurse girlfriend, but in a completely non-porno way. It makes for a wonderfully sweet moment that should still give some people the same boners that sexy nurse porn will. Superman is badly bruised and in a lot of pain. Wonder Woman is there to treat him. It's a beautiful moment. It's intimate without being overly sexy. For once, my heart and my penis are in agreement.

Beyond the sentiment of the moment, Superman says something important that some women only wish their lover's would say. He tells Wonder Woman that they can't go into a battle where she has to worry about protecting him all the time. Even though he's vulnerable, she has to trust him to carry his own weight. Now that might not apply in a battle against Darkseid or a coked up Lex Luthor, but they be an inverted version of Super Mario brothers. They still have to trust each other, even when one of them isn't at full strength.

What makes this moment so special is that it shows how Superman isn't going to let his girlfriend fight his battles for him. Some men might be okay with that. Some might even prefer it. But Superman still has to be Superman. It still worries Wonder Woman because like any genuine lover, she doesn't want to lose him. And some women will wrap their lovers in bubble wrap and duct tape in a very unsexy way to protect them. But she's not willing to be that obsessive. She's Wonder Woman, not some character Jennifer Anniston plays in shitty movies.

Once they make these reservations known, Superman focuses back on the conflict at hand. He's still Superman. He's still determined to save innocent people, especially those from his hometown. To do that, he'll have to do some kind of crazy shit that only Superman can get away with doing. And he has to do it without Wonder Woman. It feeds directly off the conversation they just had. He needs her to trust him to do what he needs to do and she has to believe him when he says she doesn't want to be in this part of the shit storm. It's a test that even mature relationships will fuck up every now and then. With these two, the margin for fucking up is extremely small. It's a powerful moment that conveys its power while fully clothed. That alone helps make it meaningful.

So why exactly would Superman not want Wonder Woman to tag along through this wing of the shit storm? Well, there's actually a very believable explanation for that and one most women, minus those who get reality shows on A&E, would understand. It involves Superman breaking into the White House and having a chat with the President himself. So yeah, this is shit that only Superman could do and not be the target for drone strikes for the next eight years. And bringing Wonder Woman along for this would only make it more awkward. Two of the world's most powerful heroes breaking into the White House doesn't send a very good message. One vulnerable hero who just got attacked by a government-sponsored task force is more palatable. At worst, it'll trigger a few committee hearings and some bitching from John McCain.

In reading the Superman/Wonder Woman comics, I've come to see it as the antithesis to romantic comedies and softcore porn on Cinemax. This series isn't about some quirky way a couple of attractive, model-worthy people hook up and start humping. This is about two people actually building a meaningful relationship. The fact that they're two of the most iconic heroes in the history of comics is actually secondary. Think about that for a moment. The heroics that make Superman and Wonder Woman the icons they've been since the days of FDR is superseded by a relationship. And yet, it's still awesome.

This is the kind of relationship that won't get Twilight fans horny, but it will get anyone who values honest, realistic romance excited. And yes, there are people who do appreciate that shit. They won't admit it and they'll deny it until the day they die, but it's a common theme that binds anyone who has ever been in love in any capacity. So unless you're an emo goth who never stops listening to Linken Park songs, this comic will resonate.

The battle against the Suicide Squad was nicely detailed, even if it didn't do anything overly epic. But more than anything else, it deepened the mystery and put Superman on a more dangerous path. We still don't know who has been making him miserable, but we know Wonder Woman is giving him something to fight for. And she can do it while keeping her top on. That, my friends, is true love right there. I give Superman/Wonder Woman #19 an 8 out of 10. It'll put a smile on your face, but it won't make your hearts explode. Those looking for something more intense should just stick to crack. Nuff said!