Customer Reviews

Supergirl: Many Happy Returns

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Peter David made some very controversial moves in his career as a writer. He is at his best sheer genius but in between moments of brilliance even a genius has his share of stumbles. I didnt agree with all his choices during the run of the series. When he took on the post Crisis Supergirl expectations were low. The Pre-Crisis Supergirl had died over a decade earlier and the new "Supergirl" was an artificial, souless protoplasmic being who had failed to catch on with all but the most die-hard fans.
So Peter David put his own spin on things...Introducing troubled young woman Linda Danvers. Linda had gotten mixed up with a bad element leading to her murder. In order to save Linda's life the artificial Supergirl known as "Mae" merged with Linda and became one entity...Saving Linda's life and giving Mae a soul. As one being Supergirl fought crime and her newfound humanity won over readers. Between these early issues and the final story arc ALOT went down for our caustic smart mouthed conflicted young superheroine. I won't go into all of that now but I suggest you check out the series run at your local comic book shop.
Despite great writing, Supergirl's sales were never stellar. In a last ditch effort, David and the DC Brass stunned everyone by plucking the Pre-Crisis Supergirl out of her timeline and bringing her to Linda's. The two girls meet and though Linda is wary of Supergirl/Kara Zor-El's perky toooo good to be true demeanor they bond quickly and become sisters of a sort. Peter David handles this well. He only had a handful of issues to make us care about Kara but he did the best possible job. Ultimately, Linda realized that if Kara didnt return to her own time and meet her destiny that the world would cease to exist and millions would perish. Tough choices are made...The Supergirls face off against Xenon a other dimensional assasin and Linda even tries to take Karas place. This final arc is amazing. You will laugh, cry and then probably throw it against a wall in sheer anger. It's great stuff. I wont ruin the ending but I will say that you shouldnt become to attached to either Linda or Kara...Damn DC!
My only objections here are that at times the arc seemed a bit rushed but that isnt Peter David's fault. He had to finish by the final issue. The title was cancelled earlier this year.

Although this was the last arc for Supergirl...what a way to go. The mix of Peter David's writing and Ed Benes artwork make this trade a definate must read (it was one of the most talked about comic events of 2003), and will be remembered again as the character of Supergirl evolves in 2004. The story centers around the newly recharged Linda Danvers (Supergirl to you! ) returns to find that a new Supergirl has crashed landed on Earth. Ed Benes' artwork is incredible (he can now be found drawing the gorgeous gals of "Birds of Prey"), I love it and was so happy to be introduced to him. Unfortunately the arc wasn't given the chance the revive the "Supergirl" series, it is still a great read and should be given the once over.

An earlier review of Many Happy Returns states: "The entire premise of this story centers on the idea that pre-Crisis continuity still exists somehow. The point of the Crisis on Infinite Earths was that most of the universes were destroyed, and what remained of the multiverse collapsed into one single universe with a revised history. There were no other universes."

Actually, they do exist--the reintroduction of the multiverse came about when Grant Morrison and Mark Waid did the Kingdom storyline that introduced the concept of hypertime. Waid himself notes: "The entire rationale behind Hypertime was simply to once more throw open the doors at DC, to remind readers that continuity should follow stories, not vice-versa, and that the DCU should be a place where ANYTHING can happen. We're especially proud about the structure of Hypertime--that is to say, if you want to use it, you can, but if you're a creator or editor offended by it, that's fine, too, YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE IT. It's there as a tool, NOT AS A RULE." (quoted from Bruce Bachand's interview with Mark Waid, Jan. '99 *see www.fanzing.com for the complete interview).

Given all this, the reviewer's argument doesn't hold. when he says, "The idea of one person creating a new world is insane. Kara's success depends on it being one Earth with only one active timeline. Otherwise, Kara would create a 'divergent Earth' and fail."

But Kara's universe *is* a divergent one, one where only she, not Linda, can play the role that was fated for her. In a sense, one person *does* create a new world. The previous issues had emphasized how different the two Supergirls were--it only follows that one cannot replace the other in a parallel universe without there being some substantial differences in the outcome. Hence another divergent Earth--not the DC main universe, nor Kara's universe, but one that came about because of Linda.

All in all, a really good conclusion to the Supergirl series.

This is the last installment of the longest running Supergirl comic in history. And the cancellation is a shame. Peter David had always been very respectful of the pre-Crisis Supergirl throughout the series and tried to tie his stories to that world, updated for the new DC Universe. This takes that to the end.

Even if you have no idea what I am talking about above, the story and art in this book are so good, you should really enjoy. It's an updated throwback to comics history that bids farwell to a great series. Don't miss this.

The sad thing is that DC went on to resurrect the Kara Zor-El character in a series of disjointed stories that give her no characterization and no setting for her stories. It's a waste, especially when one sees what was done here.

Buy Many Happy Returns and stay away from Supergirl:Power and Superman and Batman: Supergirl

Like Mark Waid's "Kingdom Come" before it, this book is a contrast, or maybe even a commentary, on the difference between older, fun comics where anything was possible, and the newer, rigidly structured DC Comics. Honestly, no one has bought this book because of the new Supergirl...everyone buys it to see Kara one last time.

I highly recommend this book.

I enjoyed the heck out of this whimsical story of Supergirl meeting Supergirl. It was well written and wove a charming tale of the two supergirls.

Read it.

Peter David is often regarded as one of the best writers in comics, and there is good reason for that. He spent years writing the Incredible Hulk for Marvel (and still remains the best writer to ever tackle the character), and with this final arc for the old Supergirl series for DC, David takes his love for the classic pre-Crisis age stories and infuses them with a modern edge. Linda Danvers is the brunette, blonde-wig wearing earth bound Supergirl who now finally has the respect of her fellow super heroes and she has a grip on her life now as well. Naturally, none of it lasts long. Out of the sky comes blonde haired, cheery, and naive Kara Zor-El, claiming to be Superman's cousin Supergirl. What neither girl knows is that reality is being played around with, and that Kara is destined to die in the penultimate battle from Crisis on Infinite Earths. I don't want to go into anymore because the story that develops is surprisingly touching and offers up some even more surprises to boot. Not to mention that Ed Benes' (Birds of Prey) gorgeous pencil work conjures up some truly drool worthy interpretations of the female form. Because the title never really sold all that well, Many Happy Returns ended up being the final arc for the title, which is all the more fitting a send off. Much like Clark Kent learns in the final frames of the last pages, new readers will learn that this was a book that was often misunderstood by many, but loved by a dedicated few. Forget the relaunched Supergirl title (first by Jeph Loeb in the pages of Superman/Batman) and check this out, you won't regret it.

I wish I would have read the Peter David Supergirl series but now its gone. However this book lives on. Miss the silver age which seems to have been expunged from current DC comics well its back in a story full of pathos that actually expands your appreciation of those simpler times. Well done Mr. David!!! Well done!!!

I loved the original Supergirl and was moved more by her sacrifice during the Crisis than Superman's death. This story gives excellent recognition to that past. I do hope someday the "new" supergirl is reunited with what she lost. Excellent story with a surprising twist at the end.

This trade paperback collects the last six issues of the most recent "Supergirl" comics series. This exciting, heart-wrenching story unites the long-dead original Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) with the third Supergirl (Linda Danvers).

Expertly penciled by Ed Benes and cleverly scripted by Peter David, this story arch takes the reader on a remarkable journey of two heroes facing impossible odds. Guest stars the Spectre, Superman, Lois Lane, Lord Xenon, the Fatalist, and Johnny Rebel. Highly recommended!!!