Supergirl #11 Review

Breaking Rules

Written by: Steve Orlando
Art by: Brian Ching, Michael Atiyeh and Steve Wands
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 12, 2017

I have not been a huge fan of this "Escape from the Phantom Zone" arc, but it's not because Batgirl is in it (which I love) or that the big bad is Xa-Du (again...love), but because I can't get a grip on Steve Orlando's version of the Phantom Zone.  Do the criminals (and others) have powers?  Don't have powers?  Kind of have powers?  Can people die?  Not die?  I have more questions, but I'll spare you my ramblings.  Orlando has been so inconsistent with his story that it makes me not care since it seems like he doesn't.  However, I can overlook some of this if it's all in the name of a good story.  Does this finale turn it all around and make it a good story?  Let's find out...


The issue starts where we left off last issue with Kara free falling (or flying), into the mouth of the dragon that is Psi.  I say that, not because it was clear that's what happened, but because Ben says it a little later.  Truth be told, I was a bit confused what was going on.

Kara does have a face-to-face with Psi (inside the dragon?!?) and we find out the issue...Psi feels like everyone is lying and using her.  Fact of the matter is...they are!  At least Cadmus and Xa-Du, so I can see why she is so pissed off.

While this is going on, Xa-Du shows up on his "Phantom Cruiser" and rams into the cliff that Batgirl and Ben are on.  Batgirl and Xa-Du start to fight, but it's Ben using a Batgirl brand stun beacon that takes out most of the bad guys.

Meanwhile, Kara is trying to convince Psi not to kill Xa-Du for what he did to her and I have to pause a minute here.  Kill Xa-Du?  We were told last issue you can't kill anyone in the Phantom Zone. It makes no damn sense that everyone seems to have powers, but why base your story on something we were told you can't do?  Plus, I thought Kara was poisoned by Xa-Du at the end of last issue?!?!  I guess that was just forgotten.

Back with Batgirl, she uses her brains (and Xa-Du's ego) to show everyone that the Phantom King is in it all for himself right before Psi sets him "adrift".  Really?!?  Psi decides to stay in the Phantom Zone to rebuild and reshape it (again...Really?!?) and sends our heroic trio back home.

The issue then ends with a crazy cliffhanger that is so disconnected from the story, but is still more interesting than anything we've gotten from this series so far.  I can't say I'm excited for the next issue, but I am curious.  Take that for what it is.

I am not sure what is going on in this book.  Steve Orlando seems to have good ideas, but the execution is horrible.  He ends up throwing Supergirl into situations, makes up his own rules and continuity and then ends the issue with Supergirl being heroic, whether it makes sense or not.  That may be enough for the other Supergirl fans that are starving for her to have a solo book, but I want better.  This story ended with a whimper and after the buildup, that's just ridiculous.

I did like Brian Ching's art more than I have on his other issues.  It's not enough to save the day, but it was a nice surprise.

Bits and Pieces:

I am so glad that Supergirl has her own book, but fans deserve much better than this.  Steve Orlando continues to just throw things at the wall to see what sticks and unfortunately, not much does.  Poor dialogue and characterizations rule the day and even with Brian Ching's art being better than usual, I can't recommend this issue or series to anyone.

4.5/10