This Just Happened: Supergirl’s Unexpected Kiss

SPOILER ALERT: If you have not read SUPERGIRL #15 and do not wish to know what happens, stop reading this post now (major spoilers ahead!)

 

In “H’el On Earth,” Superman has come face to face with his worst nightmare: a creature of unknown Kryptonian origin who is not only more powerful than the Man of Steel, but smarter than Supergirl and more lethal than Superboy. Currently spanning across the pages of SUPERMAN, SUPERBOY and SUPERGIRL, this crossover event unites all of these super-beings for the first time in DC COMICS – THE NEW 52 and puts them into battle with the maniacal alien, H’el, who will stop at nothing to bring back Krypton from extinction ... even at the expense of Earth!

 

To all those he meets, H’el claims that he is a space explorer sent on a mission by Jor-el (also known as the father of Superman) to safeguard the accumulated science and culture of Krypton aboard his ship when the destruction of his home planet became imminent. As a result of his travels through space, H’el has been transformed and now remains a grotesque version of the man he used to be. But when all hope seemed lost, he discovered that two lost children of Krypton were living on Earth: Superman and Supergirl.

 

Upon his arrival on Earth, H’el reaches out to Superman and Supergirl to ask for their assistance in the resurrection of Krypton. Supergirl seems eager to help while Superman remains hesitant about H’el’s true intentions. In a confrontation of epic proportions, H’el produces a prisoner to prove his knowledge of Krypton and its controversial past – a clone just like the ones who nearly destroyed the planet years ago: Superboy!   

 

To gain the trust of Superman, H’el offers to kill the clone. In a moment of fury, the Man of Steel lashes out against H’el in order to save the boy and H’el uses the opportunity to lure Supergirl away from Superman. And in SUPERGIRL #15, H’el banishes Superman and Superboy from the Fortress of Solitude while he takes Kara on a tour of Kandor to gain her trust and allegiance.

 

“Kal is the ‘Last Son of Krypton,’ but he never really knew it like Kara and H’el did,” writer Mike Johnson told COMIC BOOK RESOURCES. “The things H’el does that bother Kal don’t bother Kara in the same way, because she can understand and sympathize with H’el’s motivations. One of the many cool things about the crossover is that each title has its own unique role to play.”

 

The tour ends with H’el promising Supergirl that if his plan succeeds she can return to the Krypton she once knew. For the first time since coming to Earth, Kara has found someone that truly understands her hopes and dreams. And as H’el and Supergirl stand alone in the Fortress of Solitude, the thought of their return to Krypton unites them – not only as allies but as something much more.

 

In that moment, H’el and Supergirl kiss for the first time! Could this be the start of a Kryptonian romance? And more importantly, what will Superman do when he finds out about his cousin and his new enemy’s developing relationship!? Place your bets in the comments section!

 

Below, take a look at the final page of SUPERGIRL #15 as H’el and Supergirl share a kiss in the Fortress of Solitude. And don’t forget to pick up your copy of the issue, in stores now!

 

Preview Monday: SUPERGIRL #0 and THE UNWRITTEN #41

For this week’s installment of Preview Monday, we’re giving you exclusive first looks at SUPERGIRL #0 and THE UNWRITTEN #41.

 

Supergirl’s origin is finally revealed! There’s a rift between brothers Zor-El (father of Supergirl) and Jor-El (father of Superman) that threatens to tear the El family apart. How will this impact Supergirl’s fate? Who sent her from Krypton to Earth – and why? Written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson and illustrated by Mahmud Asrar, SUPERGIRL #0 goes on sale this Wednesday. Click here to see an exclusive preview of the issue.

 

Meanwhile, Richie and a wounded Tom return to Villa Diodati and are visited by the ghosts of the writers killed by Pullman. But why do the ghosts accuse Tom of being responsible for their deaths? Meanwhile, what does Richie discover about Tom while nursing him back to health and what mysterious character comes to visit them at the Villa? THE UNWRITTEN #41 comes to you from Mike Carey and Peter Gross and hits stores this week. Click here to see an exclusive preview of the issue.

Announcing "H'EL ON EARTH"

This fall, there will be an electrifying crossover occurring in SUPERMAN, SUPERBOY and SUPERGIRL. Spanning across all the series’ #14 issues, “H’el on Earth” will put these super-beings into battle with the maniacal alien, H’el.

 

Written by Tom DeFalco and featuring art by R.B. Silva and Rob Lean, SUPERBOY #14 guest stars Supergirl and the Teen Titans. Fresh from the events of SUPERMAN #13, Superman’s deadliest new foe comes after Kon-El!

 

Picking up right there, Supergirl too meets the villainous H’el. But what happens when Kara finds herself agreeing with his pro-Krypton/anti-Earth plans? SUPERGIRL #14 is written by Mike Johnson and illustrated by Mahmud Asrar.

 

And in SUPERMAN #14, written by Scott Lobdell and illustrateed by Kenneth Rocafort, the Man of Steel himself will be forced to come face to face with the gang’s worst nightmare: a creature of unknown Kryptonian origin who is not only more powerful than Superman, but is also smarter than Supergirl and more lethal than Superboy. How will Superman combat a threat of this magnitude? We don’t want to spoil anything so all we can say for now is that his actions will change the course of a planet’s fate!

 

Below, take an exclusive first look at “H’el on Earth” by checking out the covers for SUPERBOY #14, SUPERGIRL #14 and SUPERMAN #14.

 

The cover for SUPERBOY #14 (on sale November 14) by R.B. Silva and Rob Lean:

 

 

The cover for SUPERGIRL #14 (on sale November 21) by Mahmud Asrar:

 

 

And last but certainly not least, the cover for SUPERMAN #14 (on sale November 28) by Kenneth Rocafort:

 

 

Preview Mondays: SUPERGIRL #7 and FABLES #115

Last week, we announced Preview Mondays on THE SOURCE, GRAPHIC CONTENT and the new DCE website by showing you exclusive previews of GREEN LANTERN #7 and FAIREST #2. This week’s installment of Preview Mondays has your first look at SUPERGIRL #7 and FABLES #115.

 

In SUPERGIRL #7, Kara Zor-El must battle an army of aliens after they invade Earth. But what do these invaders want? And is Superman’s cousin strong enough to stop them before they destroy our planet? Find out in SUPERGIRL #7, written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson and illustrated by Mahmud Asrar.

 

And in FABLES #115, Therese continues her visit to Toyland with the second chapter of “Cubs in Toyland.” But when her journey takes a terrible turn, will it end before it’s even truly begun? FABLES #115 comes to you from acclaimed writer Bill Willingham and artists Mark Buckingham, Shawn McManus and Steve Leialoha.

 

Click here to see the exclusive preview of SUPERGIRL #7.

Click here to see the exclusive preview of FABLES #115.

DC COMICS ALL ACCESS: Eddie Berganza

52 Thanksgivings!

Really. Here we are into the third month of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, and you have all helped us turn it into a runaway success we can all be thankful for.

I personally am thankful for having been involved in this history-making venture, and we are not about to let up.

On a recent mini-trip out west, one of the days involved getting up at 5 A.M. Pacific Time to make sure it would be in the right time zone to go over JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK with writer Peter Milligan in England. We talked over how to grow the threat of the evil witch Enchantress and what it would mean to Deadman.

Then Group Editor Ben Abernathy and I reviewed what is happening in the HUNTRESS mini (which I had just expressed to artist Marcus To the week before in Canada how he is kicking butt with Helena) and the big surprises there.

Next, I met up with Mike Johnson, one of the Mikes writing SUPERGIRL (the other is Green). We talked about some of the epic adversaries that Kara will soon face as she begins to understand her origins and place here on Earth. Next, Creative Executive Adam Schlagman and I braved L.A. traffic (a challenge not for the week willed--seriously, anybody who drives out there deserves a GREEN LANTERN ring) to go over with Scott Lobdell what the evil organization N.O.W.H.E.R.E., that we so far have seen only in TEEN TITANS and SUPERBOY, is up to and what it means to the Young Justice of the DC Universe.

Barely scratching the surface of the threats that could be uniting against our heroes, we had to rush back to West Coast DCE offices so Adam Glass and I could talk about some rather nasty things that he is planning for the SUICIDE SQUAD. Some of it is gut wrenching, if not stomach churning. In a good but "eww" way.

Somewhere in there I fit in time to see Kevin Kiniry, Executive Director of Creative Services, who gave me a walk-through of what DC Direct will be putting out in the coming months. Such cool stuff! Good thing the holidays are around the corner!

So yes, a time to give THANKS to all of YOU for supporting all our efforts. Who needs rest when there's soooo much excitement around here??!!

--Eddie Berganza, Executive Editor

Images: Mahmud Asrar on SUPERGIRL and Mikel Janin on JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK are just 2 of 52 things to be thankful for this year!

(Everybody’s Talkin’ About) DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, Monday Evening (ET) Edition

(DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio catches up with his old friend, Solomon Grundy at New York Comic Con)

Everyone from Solomon Grundy to DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio was at New York Comic Con this past weekend. In case you’ve been unplugged from the Internet all day, there are ton of recaps from the convention.

MTV GEEK chatted with the rock star creative team of JUSTICE LEAGUE, Geoff Johns and Jim Lee. “It’s really about how you tell the stories,” said Lee of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. “It’s interesting – there was a lot of skepticism going into September but then once the books came out, the whole nature of the dialogue changed from ‘I hate what you’re changing’ to ‘I love what you’ve changed. I love the new directions.’”

“I think we’ve turned a lot of the skeptics around,” continued Johns. “I think there’s a lot of people that have turned around and said, ‘wow, this is really exciting,’ and are on board.”

DAILYMOTION spoke with DC Entertainment Co-Publisher writer Dan DiDio on the NYCC floor. “What I love about what we’re doing right now is that it’s not just about superheroes,” DiDio said of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. “We’ve got Westerns, we’ve got science fiction, we’ve got horror – so we’ve got such a wide array and I think that shows diversity and the strength of DC and I think this is what makes the company great.”

KOTAKU reported on the statues on display in the DC Entertainment booth at New York Comic Con. Check out their coverage to see your favorite heroes and villains as well as MAD Magazine’s take on some of the most iconic DC characters.

Following New York Comic Con, lots of outlets ran their exclusive previews of the DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 titles being released this Wednesday. Here’s a rundown:

USA TODAY ran their exclusive preview of BIRDS OF PREY #2. "Yes, she's been a bad guy, but every villain has a great motivation,” said series writer Duane Swierczynski when asked about Poison Ivy. “They see themselves as the good guy in their own stories, and she's doing what she's doing for a good reason. It may sound strange but you can be there for your friends and still be a not-so-great person."

MAXIM has your first sneak peek at WONDER WOMAN #2. “Already one of the best-reviewed books of the new 52, Azzarello's take on Wonder Woman is doing, er, wonders for the character,” MAXIM wrote in the introduction of their exclusive preview. “Showcasing her bad-ass warrior side as well as a sense of humor … Azzarello is also rebuilding the mythology of Wonder Woman, simplifying it and making it more accessible to new readers while explaining her powers and attitude.”

TV GUIDE MAGAZINE debuted the first five pages of SUPERGIRL #2. "She has the same core basics: flight, strength, invulnerability, heat vision, x-ray vision," series co-writer Mike Johnson told TV GUIDE MAGAZINE of Kara. "And then we're going to reveal a new power in issue 3 that is unique to her and also a result of her new origin story."

BLASTR previewed not just one but two titles with a science fiction flavor coming out this week! Head on over to their site for your first look at BLUE BEETLE #2 and CAPTAIN ATOM #2.

POPMATTERS has your first look at RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #2 and COMIC BOOK RESOURCES has an exclusive preview of CATWOMAN #2.

And be sure to head on over to DC Comics’ official Facebook page to read an exclusive preview of LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #2--and scroll through our photo galleries from each day of New York Comic Con.

Got more time to surf the web? Check out THE LOS ANGELES EXAMINER's, er, terrific review of MISTER TERRIFIC #2, written by L.A. local Eric Wallace and illustrated by Gianluca Gugliotta. “Wallace keeps the action coming and provides new and inventive ways for the hero to travel and solve the mysteries of Brainstorm,” wrote THE EXAMINER. “Gugliotta’s art also keeps to the tone of the story. This is pulse pounding adventure with a scientific background.”

To be continued …

(DC Entertainment Co-Publisher and JUSTICE LEAGUE artist Jim Lee signing at the DC Entertainment booth at New York Comic Con)

(Everybody’s Talkin’ About) DC Comics-The New 52, Tuesday Morning (ET) Edition

As we prepare for another 12 titles from DC Comics-The New 52 to be published tomorrow, coverage and buzz continues to roll in. Here are some of the highlights.

AIN’T IT COOL NEWS caught up with Geoff Johns to discuss JUSTICE LEAGUE, AQUAMAN, GREEN LANTERN and DC Comics-The New 52 as a whole. “My big story-line for my first year of AQUAMAN is him on a quest to find out who sank Atlantis,” Johns revealed. “Because it wasn't an accident.”

USA TODAY ran an exclusive preview of SUPERGIRL #1 and interviewed series co-writer Mike Johnson. "We're really excited about the opportunity to hand this book to a female reader who is into things like The Hunger Games. This is a strong character with her own point of view," Johnson told them of Kara.

MTV GEEK spoke with Jeff Lemire about FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. “He is absolutely humorless, which in turn leads to a lot of humor down the line,” Lemire said about the series’ protagonist. “But he is a noble soldier, an unstoppable killing machine with the heart of a poet and the manners of a Victorian gentleman.”

IGN continued their series of interviews with all of the creative teams behind DC Comics-The New 52. Check out what Nathan Edmondson (GRIFTER), Adam Glass (SUICIDE SQUAD), Peter Milligan (RED LANTERNS), Fabian Nicieza and Pete Woods (LEGION LOST) and Peter Tomasi (BATMAN AND ROBIN) had to say about their respective series. “Their relationship is a father and son at odds right from the start,” Tomasi said to IGN of Bruce and Damian Wayne in BATMAN AND ROBIN. “Bruce struggles to get a handle on Damian and his past, trying to his best to teach his son what it means to be a just and moral person but making plenty of mistakes along the way. Damian wants to be accepted for who and what he is, but his past and present are locked in a constant battle that threatens to take a terrible toll.”

NEWSARAMA has the exclusive preview of LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1 by Paul Levitz and Francis Portela. The issue goes on sale tomorrow.

To be continued …

From The Editor’s Desk: Wil Moss on SUPERGIRL and DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS

I dunno how many of you have sisters, but when mine was a teenager, she was, as they say, hell on wheels. Always getting into trouble, always getting into fights (usually more with her friends than with her enemies), always managing to outthink authority figures (be they cops or parents), always hanging with a questionable crowd, always a new piercing or tattoo – just drama at every turn, and usually of her own making. Nowadays she’s a morally upright citizen. She’s got a dog and a cat, a boyfriend and she even just completed jury duty! But back then? Hell. On. Wheels.

And that’s a lot like the Kara Zor-El you’ll meet in a couple weeks in SUPERGIRL #1. This Supergirl is someone with all the power of Superman, yet all of the drama and lust for life of a real teenager. And whereas I quickly learned to stay out of my sister’s way, Superman hasn’t learned that lesson yet -- though if you’ve seen the cover of SUPERGIRL #2, you know he’s about to …

Writers Michael Green & Mike Johnson (responsible for a truly great run on SUPERMAN/BATMAN) have packed SUPERGIRL with enough spectacle to give Michael Bay a run for his money. Yet at the same time, you’ll find yourself empathizing with The Girl of Steel like never before. I mean, if you just crash-landed on Earth, found out your family and your entire freakin’ planet were gone, and you had these strange new powers, wouldn’t you have a pretty tough time adjusting? And trust me, Mike & Michael have some fun surprises in store, both for you readers and Kara -- not the least of which is the mystery surrounding her true origin …

And the artist who will really sell both that level of high visual spectacle and emotional nuance is the one and only Mahmud Asrar. Folks, Mahmud has done some fine, fine work over the years -- from his recent Star Wars gig to some Marvel work to the great Dynamo 5 series to his ATOM story here at DC with Jeff Lemire (make sure to read ANIMAL MAN #1 and FRANKENSTEIN #1!) – but people will soon look back at SUPERGIRL #1 and cite it as the comic where Mahmud started his transition from comic book artist to superstar comic book artist. Seriously, the guy’s got the grace of Alan Davis, the fluidity of Stuart Immonen, the figurework of José Luis García-López, and an overall look and style that’s 100% Asrar. (And hey, inker Dan Green, colorist Dave McCaig, and letterer John J. “Hollywood” Hill are no slouches either!)

So do not miss this book, OK? SUPERGIRL #1! On sale 9/21!

And speaking of books you should not miss that are on sale 9/21 (FYI, I totally flunked “Subtle Transitions 101”), lemme quickly work in mention of another title I’m editing, DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS – a showcase for some of the best characters and talent DC has to offer.

First up is a five-part Deadman story by Paul “I made the Inhumans cool” Jenkins and Bernard “The Inhumans were always cool” Chang. This one’s got everything you’d ever want in a comic – late night hook-ups, bar brawls, monsters, mobsters, monster mobsters, existential roller coaster rides with the devil, body-hopping (which is different than the late night hook-ups), massive explosions, and of course, evil librarians.

Created by the legendary Arnold Drake and recently brought back to prominence in BRIGHTEST DAY, Deadman is one of the DC Universe’s best, most unusual heroes -- come find out why in DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1. (Or you can go body-hop yourself.)

Michael Green and Mike Johnson on SUPERGIRL

(The cover for SUPERGIRL #1 by Mahmud Asrar)

Michael Green (BATMAN: LOVERS AND MADMEN) and Mike Johnson (FRINGE) are no strangers when it comes to collaborating on the Superman group titles together. This September, the SUPERMAN/BATMAN co-writers reunite for SUPERGIRL, a new series chronicling the adventures of Kara Zor-El. We caught up with the duo as they teased at what’s in store for SUPERGIRL this fall.

THE SOURCE: What about DC's new 52 titles excites you the most?

MICHAEL GREEN and MIKE JOHNSON: New = exciting = scary = surprises = great comics!

How and why are you shaking up the series' status quo?

We’re introducing a Supergirl you only think you’ve met before, as part of an amazing new era of super-books.

What new characters will debut in the series?

If we tell you, we’ll ruin the surprises!

Will we see new character designs?

Absolutely! And not just the Girl of Steel’s (awesome new) outfit.

What's the first line of dialogue in the first issue?

“Multiple incoming.”

What's the biggest surprise you've had working on this character/book?

How much potential there is with such an iconic character. So many stories yet to tell!

What secret has been the hardest to keep?

The one we are keeping right now. It’s big!

What’s the unofficial tagline for this series, in your own words?

Brave new world. Brave new girl.

What were your thoughts about the day-and-date digital announcement?

Excited by the opportunity to reach more people than comics ever have!

The New Adventures of the Man of Steel Continue

Over the course of last week, we provided you with a first look at the solicits for the October titles in DC Comics-The New 52. In case you missed it, earlier today THE NEW YORK POST exclusively revealed the cover to ACTION COMICS #1. Below, check out the solicits for the second issues in the Superman group books in DC Comics-The New 52:

ACTION COMICS #2

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Art by RAGS MORALES and RICK BRYANT

Cover by RAGS MORALES

Variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER

1:200 B&W variant cover by RAGS MORALES

On sale OCTOBER 5 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

In his weakest moment, Superman is taken down – but by whom? And if the world wasn’t ready for a man with super powers, they’re utterly unprepared for the rage of a Superman cornered! The cornerstone character of the new DCU continues his debut adventure!

SUPERMAN #2

Written by GEORGE PEREZ

Breakdowns and cover by GEORGE PEREZ

Art by JESUS MERINO

On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The all-new adventures of Superman continue! Everyone can see the new villain who’s attacking Superman – except The Man of Steel! How can he stop a threat that none of his super-senses can detect? Meanwhile, a Daily Planet reporter starts digging up some dirt on Superman, including a secret that could ruin him forever!

SUPERBOY #2

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art by RB SILVA and ROB LEAN

Cover by ERIC CANETE

On sale OCTOBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Project N.O.W.H.E.R.E. has put a lot of effort into creating their Superboy, and they intend to make sure he performs to their standards. And what better opportunity for him to demonstrate his raw power than to throw him into an alien prison riot? Good luck, Superboy… you’re going to need it!

SUPERGIRL #2

Written by MICHAEL GREEN and MIKE JOHNSON

Art by MAHMUD ASRAR and DAN GREEN

Cover by MAHMUD ASRAR

On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Get ready for a super-smackdown as Supergirl fights her cousin, The Man of Steel! What could cause these two to come to blows? Can the teenage Supergirl hold her own against the adult Superman? Well, let’s just say she’s got a trick or two up those fancy new sleeves of hers...

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