Reader Ealperin tipped me off to this news:
Question to Dan Didio at Hero Con, posted to Newsarama on June 21:
“Q: When will we see the Linda Danvers Supergirl again?
DD: This month.”
She’s appearing in Reign in Hell #1. What “appearing” means I do not know. [EDIT JULY 31/08: Do not confuse "Reign in Hell #1" with "DC Universe: Reign in Hell" - even though it says it's "#1" August 2008 and has a picture of Supergirl on the cover - it's a reprint of The Blaze/Satanus War from 1992 and features only Matrix of the bad old Lex Luthor II days] I’ll have to track down the torrent the week after the issue comes out (July 30). They’re not tricking me into buying an issue that may be a complete hoax ;-)
Reading the Question and Answer panel at that con, I’m reminded of how much I hate the way the superhero comics industry works. The constant hype is downright stressful. Series change creators continuously, like that’s a logical way to run a serial; tie-ins to multiple other series force you to buy multiple books just so you know what’s going on, and woe to anyone trying to buy or read the series years later; endless earth-shattering events, big name female characters’ series being cancelled and merged into male characters’ series (this time it’s Catwoman); endless mini-series and one-shots that tie into an “event”; and the most cracktastic and badly written fanfiction you will ever see, published and excused as “Elseworlds” (see: “Whom Gods Destroy”).
DiDio announced that there will be a new creative team moving on to the Supergirl title shortly, and that the series will tie in more directly with Action Comics and Superman in the future. A major storyline that will encompass the three titles will begin, according to DiDio, in October.
When I was last reading Supergirl, she was involved in a storyline crossing over with the Legion and Action series too. It’s kind of funny to hear them saying the exact same thing a year (if that?) later – I never even finished the last “major storyline” because it was getting too much of a hassle to follow so many books!
I think the thing that bugs me most about the industry (aside from the crazy white boy privilege) is the way you have to devote so much time and energy to keeping up with what’s being published. I understand perfectly well why they integrate the dozens of books so much: it’s the best way to get people to buy things they never would otherwise.
Q: What do you think about Beau Smith’s challenge of going for an extended period of time only publishing stand-alone stories?
DD: I think it’s a great idea – but people wouldn’t buy them. Didio noted that there’s a good idea there, but the trick is to tell stories that flow from issue to issue, story to story. To illustrate his point, DiDio singled out “Brave and the Bold” as a high quality book that’s telling good stories, that, as writer Mark Waid has said on many occasions, seems not to be what the market wants now.
I only bought the issues starring my favorite character, so I can understand why sales are lackluster. I don’t actually care about every single character in the DCU, or even a lot of them. So why would I buy a series with a revolving door of characters? I was just glad Supergirl didn’t appear in a lot of issues so I wouldn’t *have* to buy very many issues ;-)
It probably seems bizarre to the boys running DC ‘n’ Marvel, but I really dislike having to follow the hype machine. I actually don’t want to hear about the “big, new, exciting” storylines coming to my favorite series. I’d much rather read them as they come out without being spoiled and having my opinions already formed before I get the issue. The hype and constant “You gotta buy this issue!! It’s super-terrific and the artist is HOT HOT HOT!!” wears very thin after a while and takes much of the fun out of things O_O
Also, Power Girl is getting her own series (this fall), illustrated by Amanda Connor – that will make many people happy! Didio didn’t say whether it’s a real, i.e. ongoing series though.
I'm a thirty something Supergirl fan from Canada who's been reading DC comics since 1996. If you don't like discussions of social justice issues in your fandom, this might not be the place for you!
I agree…all the hype does wear thin, especially when it turns out it was ‘all sizzle and no steak’…
Another creative team for Supergirl? *sigh* I’m trying to be cautiously optimistic…not really interested in following plots that continue into Superman titles…I like Supergirl…Superman I can take in small doses, only…
I’m disappointed that Catwoman was cancelled…I thought it was well-written and had good art(and it didn’t cross over much with other Bat titles)…must be the three strikes against it…:-p
I heard about the Power Girl series by Amanda Connor(I’m one of the people it will make happy!)…however, Amanda Connor herself has said she’s a slow artist, so I can’t see how it could be on-going, unless there were fill-in artists helping out…besides, DC seems to do mini-series to test the waters first and if there’s sufficient interest, only then does the series become on-going…sorry for being such a wet blanket…hey, have you heard about this?
Justice Society of America Annual #1
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Jerry Ordway
Cover by Alex Ross
“Welcome to Earth-2!†Power Girl has made a life for herself on our world, as a member and chairwoman of the Justice Society of America and as a hero in her own right. But she’s never stopped dreaming of one day returning to her Earth — the parallel world where the members of the Justice Society were the only heroes. Where her best friend was Helena Wayne, the daughter of Batman. And where evil was a little easier to fight…wasn’t it? As her greatest wish comes true, Power Girl’s about to find herself back on Earth-2, surrounded by friends she thought she’d lost forever.
On sale July 30 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US
I’m REALLY looking forward to this…good writer, good artist, interesting plot…I think this might even lead into the Power Girl series…not sure about this, though…of course, now that I’ve ‘hyped’ it, it’ll probably be mediocre…LOL
Oh, by the way…Supergirl is going to be in an upcoming issue of Brave & Bold…in September, I think…so I guess you’ll have to buy another one… ;-)
Hey, thanks for the heads up!
I’m just wondering…
-If the “Linda comeback ” hype’s true…
how are they going to explain her dissappearance? AND if she still has her abilities..
-Getting onto the recent Supergirl comic book…
I really don’t like the series…
Too many writers jumbling up simple histories of the character and adding unnecessary side stories (Like the boy with cancer..*Special appearance by Ressurection man* He appeared in the previous series in an issue with Linda/Supergirl, l didn’t he?… How did they explain that?)
.. I understand that they’re trying to get more “bang for their buck” but having writers and artists cycle every few months just gets a little…
I WANT to say annoying…but I think it’s just unnecessary.
-As for the Powergirl series.. Amanda Conner’s illustrations rock! so I’m definetly checking that out.
i truly hope that Linda Danvers comes back for real, and it’s not simply a ‘hoax’/imaginary story/clone/etc.
*fingers crossed* ^.^
I happen to talk with many people male and female that are tired of the way DC works with all the various ways they find to squeeze more money from the comics lovers. I really expect that people are going to be so fed up with all the side stories and stuff that they would stop buying and maybe then something would change or a new company that still has some vitality would take it place
Hi! So I see this website hasn’t been updated in quite a while but anyway, since you love Supergirl so much I wanted to let you know that a group of fans are planning on letting the producers of Smallville know our discontent of Kara’s protrayal and unfair departure from the show at this year’s SDCC. If you are going to be there by any chance, please join our cause:
http://dcboards.warnerbros.com/web/thread.jspa?threadID=2000159875&tstart=0
Thank you. And please spread the word.
Alas, I live in Manitoba which is faaar away from San Diego =) I haven’t read any SDCC commentary yet, but I do hope someone managed to pose the question to the Smallville PTB.
*sighs* I dunno if I want to continue buying Supergirl if she’s still never going to get her own adventures, her own cast and her own stories where she can grow and develop as a hero and character :(
I’m just tired of this endless crossover thing with her… you remember my list of all the chars that have shown up in her book since it started right? it’s ridic D: and now they want her even MORE closely tied to Superman? >.>;;
I remember that list! When I was reading Linda Danvers it frustrated me a little that she seemed so ignored by the Superman world, but now I really appreciate that. Now the thought of tying her closer to Superman is the *last* thing I want – largely because I don’t want to read Superman! He acts like far too “fatherly” of a character with Kara for me to enjoy their interactions. I liked the more equal relationship that Linda and Clark had. Now it feels like we’re going to have to wait *another* 15-20 years for Kara to grow up AGAIN just to get back to the status and relationship she had in the 1970s! How is this progress?