March 20, 2003

IF SUPERGIRL HAD CONTINUED

People have been asking me what my plans were for SUPERGIRL had the series gone past issue #80. I'll tell you, but am putting it in the "extended" section of this entry so as not to spoil the issue for anyone who hasn't read it yet.

When I first embarked on the storyline, I was told by the powers-that-be that I could use Kara for six issues. That was it. Six issues, no more.

I hoped to change their minds. Because I was positive the addition of Kara would bring in readers in droves.

What I was hoping was that support and interest for the series would be so major, so undeniable, so impossible to ignore, that I could use it as ammo to convince the PTB to change their mind and allow me to keep the character around. If that had happened, my intention was to turn the book into, effectively, a team book. The "S" equivalent of "Birds of Prey." Linda would have been Superwoman (for want of a better name), Kara would have been officially Supergirl, and I would have brought in Power Girl to boot. The tone of the book would have been straight up fun--three super blondes getting into adventures. In my truly demented best-case scenario, I would have subtitled the book "Blonde Justice."

That was my "A" plan. Unfortunately, the lack of support up front torpedoed it. Had we seen the kind of support for issue #75 that we wound up getting with issue #80, and built from there, I might have been able to pull it off. As it was, I wasn't.

The "B" plan was a continuing storyline with Linda about which I will not, at this time, go into detail, except to say that "Supergirl" fans should keep reading my DC work.

PAD

Posted by Peter David at March 20, 2003 01:15 AM | TrackBack | Other blogs commenting
Comments
Posted by: Dennis V. at March 20, 2003 01:25 AM

PAD, thanks for providing some entertaining Supergirl stories. The series will be missed.

Posted by: zuradin at March 20, 2003 01:45 AM

so does this mean you will use the super girl ideas in fallen angels the only remaining dc work I am aware of?

Posted by: Roger Tang at March 20, 2003 01:57 AM

No, this means that you should BUY Dark Angel to see what Peter's talking about....

And, yeah, this issue felt a bit rushed and stuffed. But I would have LOVED to have seen the S-Squad in action.....

Posted by: Richard Howe at March 20, 2003 02:13 AM

I have a feeling that FALLEN ANGEL picks up where this issue left off...

On a different note, how cool was that John Romita cover? How'd you arrange that, PAD?

Posted by: Ray at March 20, 2003 03:41 AM

I hope Linda is in Fallen Angel. Maybe Buzz too? Either way, I'm there.

Posted by: Dennis V. at March 20, 2003 04:36 AM

Richard Howe wrote:

>On a different note, how cool was

>that John Romita cover?

Yeah, the Romita cover rocked! Definitely the best cover that graced the comic racks this week.

Posted by: Icesurfer at March 20, 2003 06:56 AM

Im in mourning over the loss of supergirl when she sat there waiting and crying for her daughter I hurt inside. I hope one day we will see the story where Linda and Ari are together again. As for Blonde Justice that could have been fun but I prefered the Linda Mary Marvel team but guess she wouldnt have fitted the name. Oh well I have Fallen Angel and the DC direct Linda Action figure to look forward to I wonder if they will ever make one with fire wings?

Posted by: Paul Anthon Llossas at March 20, 2003 07:49 AM

Damn it all, anyway. Linda should remain Supergirl.

Posted by: Scott Bierworth at March 20, 2003 08:23 AM

Peter, thanks for 80 great issues. There were some points where things dragged, but it's because you were forced to have a zillion crossovers in the book. Even though you only wrote Kara for 6 issues, you made her more fun and more interesting than she had been in any of her previous appearances. If only the editors had had such itchy trigger fingers and allowed you at least one arc with Superwoman/Supergirl/Power Girl I think that by the end of that arc sales would be double what they were for issue 74.

It's just sad that their short-sightedness cost the fans an amazing ride. Unfortunately, I think it was the perfect combination of characters, story and art that lead to the overwhelming support for Supergirl. I don't think this will carry over to Birds of Prey. The boost in sales will be minimal because the magic just won't be there. If sales on Birds of Prey stay level, maybe they will realize they had one of those magic teams, like the Wolfman/Perez Teen Titans or the Claremont/Byrne X-Men and give the green light to your "Blond Justice" idea down the road.

One question. If your Blond Justice idea had gone on, would Linda's daughter have continued in the book as well?

Posted by: Somebody at March 20, 2003 08:49 AM

> The "B" plan was a continuing storyline with Linda about which I will not, at this time, go into detail,...

Not asking you to go into detail - a yes/no answer would be fine:

Would #80, under Plan B, have been the same if Supergirl had continued?

Posted by: Bob Kuebler at March 20, 2003 08:50 AM

Let me start by stating that I am a “senior citizen” comic reader. Both Neil Gaiman and I have the same birthday, Nov 10. The difference is that I am 25 years older. I just finished Supergirl #80. I had the same reaction as I had when Starman (latest run) and Sandman ended. Sadness and thankfulness for the ride. Supergirl is in the same class.

You just can’t get any better. Thanks Peter.

Posted by: Rob at March 20, 2003 09:23 AM

Power Girl and Kara together...

I woulda bought that (and I don't buy anything!)

Posted by: A sometimes fan... at March 20, 2003 09:24 AM

Since the first issues of this arc are hard to find (and expensive when I have seen them), I'm wondering when the TPB collection is due. Any word on that?

Nice to see a Romita cover on the stands again. I wish we could see them more often.

Posted by: Steve Leone at March 20, 2003 09:44 AM

Thanks, Peter, for the great ride. This last story arc was your best. It was ashame that this is the one that had to be rushed. It would have been nice if this one could have unwinded the way you wanted and the Lilith was shortened the way you wanted.

In any case, Peter, you turned the protoplasmic/Matrix Supergirl in to a caring real human being whom the readers could--and did--care about. My only hope is that Linda's adventures do continue in Fallen Angel since that now seems to be the buzz (no pun intended here).

Thank you and good luck with the movie deal, you deserve it,

Steve

Posted by: Kody Stinson at March 20, 2003 10:07 AM

Great series! I eally look forward to Fallen Angel. Especailly now that you hinted at that it may have ties to Linda.

Posted by: Rob R. at March 20, 2003 10:07 AM

I'd just like to say that I'm one of the new readers drawn in by Kara's appearance. After getting hooked with only a few issues, I've since gotten a stack of back issues, and as with Starman, I'm kicking myself for not discovering this series sooner.

Great job on a great ending to a great series. Can't wait to see what you have in store for us with Fallen Angel.

Rob R.

Posted by: Peter David at March 20, 2003 10:19 AM

I didn't arrange for the Romita cover. That was editor Lysa Hawkins, who is also my editor on "The Fallen Angel."

> The "B" plan was a continuing storyline with Linda about which I will not, at this time, go into detail,...

Not asking you to go into detail - a yes/no answer would be fine:

Would #80, under Plan B, have been the same if Supergirl had continued?<<

No.

PAD

Posted by: EClark1849 at March 20, 2003 10:35 AM

SPOILER NOTICE**

Say, PAD, would Linda have really let the Universe end if the Spectre had not agreed to save her daughter?

Posted by: Vic Guidry at March 20, 2003 11:12 AM

Thanks for the ride PAD. I think the reason I have always found myself reading your work (not on purpose mind you.. just happens) is because you do something most of the other writers don't understand.. you know who your audience is. You didn't try to make YJ and Supergirl or Aquaman something they aren't and they were fun. Fun? In a comic? pashaw. What were you thinking? Thanks for thinking what you did.

And I will follow your work regardless of title or publisher. Thanks.

Posted by: Johny at March 20, 2003 11:41 AM

Great to know what were your plans. It`s just a shame that yòu won`t be able to use them.

As someone ahs said, wish you would also use Mary Marvel, because she is jsut so fun with Linda.

Anyway.... now I wonder what would you have done with YJ, if you had the chance to keep going, instead of being forced to finish the book.

I`ll really miss Supergirl and Young Justice.....

Wish the best for everyone...

Johny

Posted by: jeff at March 20, 2003 11:42 AM

Peter, thanks for the rides with Supergirl and YJ, sad that they both ended within a month of each other.

I've been with Linda since issue #1, the combo of you and Gary was just too good to pass up. I've enjoyed the series, for the most part, and look forward to FALLEN ANGEL.

Now, how come there isn't a thread on CAPTAIN MARVEL #7 that came out this week also!!!! :)

Thanks again Peter,

jeff

Posted by: Neal at March 20, 2003 12:21 PM

PAD I must be channelling your muse, because I had a feeling that was the direction you appeared to be heading. I started to pick up supergirl when mary marvel showed up. I have since gone back and picked up almost the entire run. This was a really good run!

What's really odd, is that while reading the mary/linda books, I imagined a book sorta like birds of prey featuring the superman girls (and mary) and all I could think of for a name was "Fallen Angels".

Unfortunately, I just can't get into the captain marvel books. I've been keeping up. I just am not sure whether I am supposed to laugh or think of him as an idiot.

I am looking forward to fallen angel tho. Something has to replace my supergirl (and now spidergirl) books, and wonder woman just doesn't cut it.

Posted by: Artimoff at March 20, 2003 01:25 PM

The Supergirl series as a whole seems like the story you started in ish 1-50 and to some part 51-74 never really wrapped up. 1-50 was my favorite direction and I was hoping for it to return to that with 74 on up. Issues 75-80 are like Van Halen ending it's career with Gary Sharone(sp.?)

Posted by: Richard Howe at March 20, 2003 02:40 PM

PAD, please thank Lysa for the Romita cover for me. Great to see his work (especially on a DC book -- kind of a weird thrill). Also great to see that she's getting you wonderful cover artists. Sometimes it can make a difference...

And I'm very sorry to see SUPERGIRL (and YJ) go. Thanks for a great run on the book(s).

Posted by: Scott at March 20, 2003 03:26 PM

So, is The Fallen Angel going to be about Linda? I hope not, because at this point I think its best to wipe the slate clean and work with a completly original character.

Posted by: gary at March 20, 2003 03:36 PM

Hmm, wonder if Ari's kryptonian name is Cir-El.

Posted by: Marc Foxx at March 20, 2003 04:44 PM

PAD, loved the series on the whole and I'm sorry it had to end the way it did...question for you in spoiler text was the villian in the tower The Carnivore/Carnivean? Thanks for the ride, and looking forward to Fallen Angel.

Posted by: Bob Shaw at March 20, 2003 05:53 PM

Read all the other comments, pretty much mirror my own. Supergirl was fantastic and will be sorely missed. Can only hope the dementia suffered by the PTB at DC soon wear off, they come to thier senses and realize what a team you and Ed Benes make.Absolutely amazing work!!!Thank you for what we have to enjoy over and over again ,Most Sincerely Bob Shaw

Posted by: Thomas Moudry at March 20, 2003 08:30 PM

This Supergirl run by Peter David and Ed Benes has been phenomenal. It's a shame DC put the cart before the horse on this one.

Posted by: Dodjie at March 20, 2003 08:59 PM

Although I jumped into Supergirl quite late (issue # 75), I loved the series and am quite sad that it got cancelled. I hope Capt. Marvel will go on for a very long time.

Posted by: John Popa at March 20, 2003 09:20 PM

Thank Peter for a wonderful read these past few years. I jumped on a bit over a year ago and prompty dug up all the back issues. This book deserved better.

For the record, when this story started I said to my friends 'they should do a book called 'Supergirls.'

Nice to know we were sort of on the same wavelength.

Best Wishes

John Popa

Posted by: SlashKaBob at March 20, 2003 10:04 PM

I'm so furious I could scream. I did not like #80 much - except for certain hints of stuff we do not know, I felt like all the good toys were just being coldly returned to the shelf. PAD, your ideas above were EXACTLY THE KIND OF THINGS I WANT, and had hoped to see in some truncated version (like Linda's quick life in the Silver Age) in #80. Power Girl, Linda and Kara - is there any possible way that the uptick in interest from 75 on at least keeps SOME HOPE of eventually seeing this? I thought I was mad BEFORE at losing this book - now I'm going to be ABSOLUTELY IRATE. Can't we get an Elseworlds or a one shot or something?!?! Argh!

Posted by: Helena at March 20, 2003 10:36 PM

I, like the others am sorry to see the book go. But I'm grateful that the book had as long of a run as it did. The Many Happy Returns arc was the best work you did on the title and I found myself eager to read each successive issue. It's a great feeling of wanting more that you instilled in the title, one that had been lacking since the first nine issues, which was also a fabulous piece of writing. I will greatly miss the character and hope that DC brings her back soon.

When it comes to the blame, I in the end lay the brunt on you but not squarely. The middle stories I found little interest in and the feeling of cancellation was there long before it was ever announced. But I would also place heavy fault on the artwork of Leonard Kirk. DC gets it share of blame for not giving the book another chance once the story changed and the sales picked up.

I wish you best of luck with your new title "Fallen Angel" and thank you for some highly creative stories.

Posted by: Captain Scarlet at March 20, 2003 10:44 PM

Are we ever going to learn the whole story about Powergirl? Where she really comes from and why she is affected by Kryptonite? How did Superman find her when she arrived?

Posted by: Eldric at March 20, 2003 11:16 PM

I'll admit that I was a late-comer to the Supergirl series. But I really came to appreciate Linda as a character and as a person.

While many may complain that Kara is the only true Supergirl, I feel that Linda did earn her place in the DCU. I have no problem with more than one Supergirl. After all, there used to be more than 3000 Green Lanterns at once!

Linda certainly grew from the lost person she had been before she originally merged with Matrix. She has become a believable, caring, and sympathetic character.

I will miss her monthly adventures and I do hope to see her again, soon. Of course, if Kara could tag along, that would be even better! :)

Again, thanks for one heck of a run!

Posted by: Jim Tonn at March 20, 2003 11:36 PM

PAD, this was probably one of the most tragic and depressing issues I can remember reading.

The depth of loss that Linda had to endure and face seems insurmountable; her leaving just notes how horrible her life has become for her.

I'm really blown away by it. Thanks for the hard work all this while.

Sincerely,

Posted by: brak at March 21, 2003 12:12 AM

Haven't picked up issue 80 yet but I'm looking forward to it. What I would like to see now that the books canceled is a Supergirl Elseworld book(s) showing more of what happened during issue 79. Maybe a story of the birth of Linda's daughter and raising a super child. Could be cool.

Anyway, Thanks for the great run. I'll miss YJ and SG but then again I still miss Spiderman 2099.

Posted by: John Trumbull at March 21, 2003 02:31 AM

Peter-

In a somewhat related topic, would you care to share the ideas you & Harlan Ellison had to revamp Aquaman (had you gotten the chance)?

Posted by: Dapo at March 21, 2003 05:41 AM

I would love to see the Blonde justice book in one form or another and you just have to add Mary Marvel to it at a stage and show her irked at the group name!

In addition I could just see Kara and Mary getting on like a house on fire, they both have the same outlook on life!

Come on Peter, if you put your mind to it I bet you could convince the PTB.

Hey, I am Nov 10 as well!

Posted by: Larry at March 21, 2003 06:55 AM

A most enjoyable story,one of the best in years.Too bad the powers that be at D.C. are so much in contempt of what long time fans like myself want to see.

At least the soor is still open for Linda to become Superwoman in the future once she comes to terms with the events that have overwhelmed her thanks to D.C.'s upper echelon idiots(are you listening Levitz,DiDio and co.???)

Posted by: Doug Atkinson at March 21, 2003 11:25 AM

Yeah, calling people idiots is a great way to convince them to listen to you...

Posted by: Jerry Smith at March 21, 2003 12:52 PM

Peter, I read SUPERGIRL #80 last night, and I have to tell you I did not like it. It was in many ways like your Hulk finale. You took a character that for many years you put through the ringer, brought massive ups and downs to that character’s life, made the reader feel much attachment and sympathy for that character, then gave them a sad and twisted ending. No sense of closure. No ending on a positive note for the future, or that everything just may be all right someday. No, the Hulk’s beloved wife was murdered and his future guaranteed to be full of death and destruction, mostly caused by him. Was that worth a 10-plus year buildup?

Now we have Supergirl. I haven’t always loved the direction of the book, but for eighty issues and selected specials, I have bought and enjoyed reading about the new Linda Danvers. Other readers and I have gone through the Earth Angel phase, fire powers, a goofy but fun costume change and other wacky stuff, always cheering for this reformed delinquent with the proverbial heart o’ gold. The fact that her story now ends with her being a burned out cynic full of hate did not amuse me.

I have read your opinion pieces for years, and recently your blog. There is nothing in your writing that suggests that you are the angry, hateful cretin that so many of your characters end up being. I don’t read YOUNG JUSTICE, so I can only speculate how it will end, if it hasn’t already. With rape and murder? Will you try to kill off the young heroes’ mentors? Will Impulse drown his sorrows in alcohol while the others pop pills and kill civilians? Who knows? I hope it’s not as inappropriate as the end of SUPERGIRL.

Perhaps in a prestige book or miniseries in the future or even FALLEN ANGEL you will revisit Linda Danvers and provide some positive closure to her story. That would be fine, but it would not disguise the fact that you ended yet another superior run on a character you made great on a down and depressing note. Is your outlook on life so dismal?

I want to point out that generally I enjoy your work and will try FALLEN ANGEL. I just don’t understand why you couldn’t have some respect for Linda Danvers by giving her a shred of happiness as her story ends (for now). The end of SUPERGIRL was horrible.

Respectfully,

Jerry Smith

Posted by: Richard Franklin at March 21, 2003 01:28 PM

I will greatly miss Supergirl these last few issues have been among the best you've ever done. It is an injustice that DC wouldn't let the book continue.

I did think the last issue was a little crammed and the final battle was a little anti-climatic, but you did cover an incredible amount of information in 22 pages to make sure everything was rapped up which was impressive.

I assume Fallen Angel is where this story continues, yet I thought you had stated that it had no ties to the DCU. Hmmm. Makes one think about what you have up your sleeve. Well, besides your arms of course.

Posted by: Scott Rowland at March 21, 2003 01:54 PM

"I assume Fallen Angel is where this story continues, yet I thought you had stated that it had no ties to the DCU. Hmmm. Makes one think about what you have up your sleeve. Well, besides your arms of course."

I'm assuming that Fallen Angel will have the same themes that Mr. David would have addressed in Supergirl, but not necessarily the same characters, setting, plots, etc.

I loved the cover - Thanks to Ms. Hawkins and Mr. Romita.

I have enjoyed Supergirl quite a bit, and am sorry to see it go, but I have to agree that I would have preferred a more positive ending -- even a bittersweet ending would have been better. The closest thing I can come to finding an upside is that Linda's brother is healthy.

I would have preferred it not being made so blatant that Kara took her secret ID from Linda. I also don't like it too much when old characters are revealed to have been so influenced by new characters. It seems a cheap way of trying to show the new character is important.

Despite those comments, I really did enjoy this storyline, and indeed, the entire series. I don't understand why other readers didn't realize what a good thing you had going here. Looking forward to Fallen Angel, and more Soulsearchers and Company.

Posted by: Kirk Cekada at March 21, 2003 02:11 PM

[QUOTE]The "S" equivalent of "Birds of Prey." Linda would have been Superwoman (for want of a better name), Kara would have been officially Supergirl, and I would have brought in Power Girl to boot. The tone of the book would have been straight up fun--three super blondes getting into adventures[/QUOTE]

Drool!

That series would have kicked ass! Dame DC for being so short-sighted. It's hard to believe that someone who wanted to save Kara 20 years ago is now running the company and woudln't give her a second chance.

Posted by: Todoroff at March 21, 2003 02:33 PM

"Blonde Justice?"

yeah...that'll sell...

Thank god DC tanked this idea.

Posted by: Howard Price at March 21, 2003 03:08 PM

PAD -

Curious if--in my review of Supergirl #80--I was anywhere near the mark regarding the Fatalist's statements near the end:

(Spoilers abound in the review at this link.)

http://www.the-trades.com/column.php?columnid=1729

Howard

(P.S. -- We've definitely got to get another interview in; you have so many new projects that need publicized.)

Posted by: KET at March 21, 2003 05:29 PM

Scott Rowland: "I have enjoyed Supergirl quite a bit, and am sorry to see it go, but I have to agree that I would have preferred a more positive ending -- even a bittersweet ending would have been better. The closest thing I can come to finding an upside is that Linda's brother is healthy."

Actually, Linda's dreams provided much more. Linda knows that Kara finally got to the place she was intended to go, and she knows that Kara will enjoy her life better in the Silver Age than in the modern era.

And Linda also knows her daughter is alive, which WAS the one piece of hope she had demanded from the Spectre.

Jerry Smith said: "The fact that her story now ends with her being a burned out cynic full of hate did not amuse me."

Nor should it. I take it you didn't realize that Linda's fight against Xenon was an allegory for the current U.S. 'war on terrorism'. Don't see no upside going on there, either.

It appears that a LOT of readers apparently missed the symbolism of Linda holding that flag on the cover.

KET

Posted by: MWR at March 21, 2003 06:23 PM

No. Didn't really miss they symbolism of the cover at all. But I agree with some here that this final issue of SUPERGIRL left me cold. Why did Linda send this letter to Clark and Lois instead of her parents? What was the shocked look on Lois in reaction to on the last panel? And what, if any, was the meaning behind the skateboard she was holding? If I'm missing something, or have forgotten over the course of this 80 issue, six and a half year run, help me out.

I've enjoyed this series since the very first issue. I REALLY enjoyed it for the first 50 issues, but thought the last 29 have been quality comics. I just didn't like how this ended and would be particularly annoyed if events from this series lead into another series.

I wanted some finality for Linda. I wanted some happiness for a woman that has, for the most part, been light of heart and spirit. To see all of that thrown away in an effort, as KET implies, to be socially relevant or leave her worse off than when we found her left me wishing this series had ended (if it HAD to be canceled) at the end of the arc previous to this one: #75.

THAT would have left me feeling better about Linda and Supergirl than I am left feeling now.

MWR

Posted by: Doug Atkinson at March 21, 2003 07:35 PM

The skateboard was the one Linda was holding on the cover to #1, which I thought was a very nice throwaway for the people who've been following since the beginning. (And Clark would be ten thousand times more understanding about Linda's predicament than her parents; they would be supportive, sure, but it's the sort of thing only another superhero could really understand.)

Posted by: KET at March 21, 2003 08:20 PM

MWR said: "I wanted some finality for Linda."

But then PAD would have had to kill her. Only in death would there had been some idea of 'finality' for this character.

"I wanted some happiness for a woman that has, for the most part, been light of heart and spirit."

Actually, that's not true. Linda has HARDLY EVER been 'light of heart and spirit'. She's not Kara.

Besides, who's to say that Linda's story is over yet? Hal Jordan's still around, even though he's no longer Green Lantern. :)

KET

Posted by: Howard Price at March 21, 2003 08:33 PM

I don't see Linda losing any powers, either. Remember, she's supposedly still developing in powers, according to Xenon. No telling what she'll become in the future--but Xenon definitely remembers her as "Supergirl" so I doubt there'll be a name change. (Maybe she'll merge body and soul with CirEl and become an entirely new Supergirl, like a Krypton Angel? Naaaah, no one would buy that, would they.)

Was nice to see the Supergirl from DC ONE MILLION show up again, too. :)

Posted by: MWR at March 21, 2003 08:39 PM

C'mon. I'm not talking esoterically here. You know what I mean, at least I hope you do, about finality. I'm not talking death. Just something brighter for her, after all of her battles, than the hatred and despair the series ended with. I just thought that the issues dealt with here weren't given enough time to breathe. It felt like a rushed conclusion. Not a satisfying end to a character I've read for 80 issues.

I also know this is not Kara. Pretty easy to see. Not sure if you read in my post that I've been with the title since the beginning. That said, Linda (with PAD's characteristic sense of humor) has been a character that fights darkness, both without and within, with a certain amount of levity. She's not the Dark Knight of the Superman books. She's been able, much like Peter Parker, to quip when things get down and rise above the horrible things that have happened in her past and all around her in her present. And no one would ever characterize Peter as being a "dark" character...the clone saga notwithstanding.

Finally, for all intents and purposes, the story is done for me. It won't be written by PAD. The vision and character he created in Linda is over. I'd venture to say that the Hal we see as the Specter isn't the same Hal of Green Lantern fame...and I didn't read THE SPECTER either because of that.

So there you have it. The final issue still left me cold.

MWR

PS Thanks for the first issue cover reference Doug. I had forgotten. Been a long time since I looked through my long boxes. Still don't agree with sending the letter to a friend rather than your family..especially if you're going away for a loooooooong time and your baby brother had just been born....

Posted by: Ita O' at March 21, 2003 09:50 PM

Peter, first thank you for your run on Supergirl, you took Byrne's Kara lookalike protoplasmic blob and gave have her a soul. These past 6 issues have been the most fun I've had reading comics in years.

Having said that I was disappointed in #80. Firstly because it seemed rushed (which was not YOUR fault I know). Secondly it was so darn downbeat. It was not "bittersweet" as you said but depressing. Even though my heart hoped Kara would "survive", once I opened my copy directly to the end I saw that was not to be. Then my head hoped Linda would continue on as S-Girl but this too proved not to be case. So now we have no Supergirls except the mannish brunette Cir-El who just showed up. It's so sad. I'm done for awhile with the S-Books.

But I also must apologize to you because when I saw that Kara would go back to death (and foggy memories) I thought this had been your plan all along and were just toying with fans. As it turns out it was Levitz and DiDio who stuck it to Kara fans and you were more than willing to use her. I know I would've bought several copies of "Blonde Justice"!

Sorry for the unpleasant thoughts Peter and thanks again. If the hints in #79 and #80 are anything to go by I look foward to seeing Linda in "Fallen Angel".

Posted by: Jess at March 22, 2003 08:24 AM

I have yet to get to issue #80. (Next week, when I'm near the comic store.)

Anyway, I think MST3K had it right... every quest has a final adventure... every TV series gets cancelled. Comics are the same way.

Am I MAD Supergirl is ending. Yes, it is hands down tied as my favorite comic that I'm reading. (Tied with the Foglio's Girl Genius.) Will I purposely go out of my way not to read Cir-El? no. Why? PAD's Supergirl and Kon'el Superboy runs (except Marz) were always a notch to higher than the other Superbooks. Why should that stop now.

People are also complaining about half of YJ joining the Titans. That they keep saying changes will be drastic. That they won't be funny. Then that ridiculous statement that most of YJ has no tie to the Titans. Look at the lineup we've been let in on: Robin- has only been funny under PADs keyboard and made one of HIS FIRST APPEARANCES in Wolfman's Titans. Impulse becoming Kid Flash - about smegging time. Though it would be funny if he started calling himself that but everyone else kept calling him Impulse. He also served with the Titans for awhile. Superboy has no real tie to the Titans. Still, he is friends with Tim and Bart so I'd figure he'd stick around. I'm not sure if Cassie will be in Titans. If she IS then that really gives him reason to stay. Gar Logan- as much as I like Peter's work, his take on Gar didn't quite click with me. Gar is a very fun character. Was a Titan for a million years. Cyborg and Raven- Every team needs people who know what they're doing. Also Titans from the stone age.

Will Cir-El be like Linda or Kara? No, and I don't expect her to be. Do I expect Titans to be like YJ? No. I won't be upset if it is, but I for one LIKED the more serious Bart and Kon'el at least as much as their YJ appearance. I saw the realistic idea that when ALONE these people acted almost mature... it's just the group mentality that screws them up.

YJ and Supergirl were fun. Still, sometimes it is best to end things while the series is still good. That way looking back we have no bad memories of it. I mean look at Power Pack. Great series... but went on at least 20 issues to long. Look at X-Force. Issue #1 should have never got made.

Posted by: Avi Green at March 22, 2003 12:25 PM

"Blonde Justice"? Oh yeah, I would've been onto that in seconds! Especially if they could all go undercover as supermodels and stuff like that(drool)!

Just one thing though: I'd be happy if Power Girl were to grow her hair longer again, since she's been wearing it shorter in the past few years. But aside from that, it's a winner of a concept by me(drool)!

Posted by: Anthony Colemas at March 22, 2003 12:52 PM

I'm really sad this title is over. Your take on Supergirl inspired me so much over the last few years. Anyway, I drew this picture for you as a thank you for your work.

It's called Peter's Angels, because well you'll see why.

http://private.animanga.com/erda/peterangels.jpg

Thanks for the great writing and Linda will be missed.

Posted by: Scav at March 23, 2003 06:15 AM

hmmm...Linda quits the super-game and goes off to find herself...meanwhile, her connection and fall from the divine is pointed out, while it's revealed that she has some hefty mystical potential to her.....

meanwhile, PAD has a new series called Fallen Angel on the way about a girl with mystical stuff...

so does 2+2=4?

Posted by: OrlandoT at March 23, 2003 09:40 AM

Great! Thanks alot Peter. Now I've got to dig up Supergirl 1,000,000.

Sorry to see this series go. Like your Hulk finale, this one ended beautifully. Thanks for a great run and I'm looking forward to fallen angel.

Posted by: Tom Pearce at March 23, 2003 07:00 PM

Peter,

I just wanted to thank you and Ed Benes for a fantastic run. I really enjoyed the series. Best of luck with Fallen Angel and Captain Marvel.

Posted by: Jon S. at March 24, 2003 01:38 AM

Thanks for the GREAT run. I was sad to see how much had to get crammed into the last issue, as I know what a great job you would've done if given the time to flesh everything out. Hopefully, when Linda finally reappears, she'll adopt her traditional costume in honor of Kara (sorry, never liked the white 1/2-tee thing).

One question: During her time on "Earth-1", Linda aged about 8 years....did she revert in age at the end of the story? It seems that someone would've commented on that if she did suddenly look to be in her late 20s. Just wondering....

Posted by: Scott Myshkin at March 24, 2003 02:27 AM

Just finished SG #80, and i was truly moved. Been following it since it began. I remember being attracted by the unusual cover, and seeing the reference in the final panel made the whole thing into an epic sweep that made me realize what a little-noticed but significant part of my life SG has been.

I love how you work serious themes into unserious genres without becoming pompous or annoying. Your perspectives on the meaning of suffering and responsibility have truly affected my life. I plan to jump right on "fallen angel", and i also plan to read everything else you ever wrote for that perfect blend of entertainment, thoughtfulness, and humor.

please continue to explore the themes you explored in this series. it meant a lot to me. thanks.

Posted by: Yossi at March 24, 2003 02:28 PM

At least Ed Benes will continue drawing his great looking women on the pages of Birds of Prey.

Posted by: Anthony Arfuso (a amateur) at March 27, 2003 11:27 AM

Mr Peter David sir,

I would just like to say, a big CONGRATULATIONS to you, on a job very well done with all of your 80 issues of Supergirl.

I personally thought that #80 was a excellent read. And that also like some other posters have pointed out up here previously, that I too will be hoping to see Linda in the DCU again sometime soon.

I also at the sametime can't wait for when your new Fallen Angel comic hits my local comic store.

Yours Sincerely,

Anthony Arfuso

A Amateur

Posted by: Brian G. Philbin at March 28, 2003 01:16 PM

Peter,

This became one of my favorite comics - I started with the Showcase story and purchased every single issue. I say "became", as I had some minor trouble keeping at it at the start, because, even though there was resolution to a storyline for almost each issue, I had felt that I was reading a continuing story every issue due to the many cliffhangers (yeah, yeah - I know - all stories are continuing & we just drop in at any given point...).

All of those feelings truly vanished, though, as the series progressed and I didn't care how long the storylines were. I enjoyed all of the characters and pretty much any direction you took with them. It was obvious that you cared about these characters and the development of a cast and a "world" for Linda/Supergirl to operate in. I had a great time.

I enjoyed the art in general and your humor, which was evident in each story and which I enjoy most about your work.

Thank you for this wonderful, enjoyable set of stories. I will continue to re-read them in the coming years.

Brian G. Philbin

Posted by: Rik Levins at March 28, 2003 11:40 PM

At least it ended on a high note.

I've enjoyed these last five issues of Supergirl immensely, and I was REALLY hoping against hope that Kara would somehow stick around.

If the powers that be at DC ever come to their senses, here's a little thought: there IS a way to bring back Zor-El's daughter.

Remember the Time Trapper's pocket universe? Rhetorical question, of course we all do, that's where Matrix/Supergirl originally came from. The Trapper created his miniverse with only two inhabited planets: Earth, and Krypton. All the rest of the stars and galaxies were illusory backdrop.

Okay, so Krypton--THAT Krypton--exploded long ago, and Earth was devastated by the Phantom Zone villains. And Superman executed them before he brought Matrix back to the "real" Earth. Which means that's now a dead universe, with no living creatures remaining...right?

Not quite. The Trapper obviously modeled his creation on the Silver Age reality. So that means...

There's almost certainly an Argo City there. With a few surviving Kryptonians.

Too bad they're all going to die any time now, when the meteor shower hits. And Zor-El can't send his teenage daughter to Earth...it's as barren as the Moon.

But Zor-El's probably smart enough to have figured out the true nature of the universe he lives in by now. And no doubt he's been working on a warping device that would enable his experimental rocket to arrive on the "real" Earth...

Sure, this isn't exactly the SAME Kara that we've grown to know and love in the last five issues...but she'd be an exact duplicate, both physically and mentally. And without any "doomed to perish" destiny.

Food for thought?

Posted by: Avi Green at March 29, 2003 01:05 PM

I really wish such a plan could've been realized. It could've been a funny title too. The three girls could've even had Jesse Quick teaming up with them. And like Jesse, they've all got the ability to apply their makeup at top speed, tie up crooked men by running aroung them fast, and they could all go and look for some good boyfriends together and make a great sisterhood together.

I really wish that could've been done.

Posted by: RSE at March 30, 2003 03:23 PM

Ok. I admit it. I missed the symbolism of the cover of #80. Clue me in. Cheers.

Posted by: Josh Bales at October 22, 2004 10:20 PM

The "B" plan was a continuing storyline with Linda about which I will not, at this time, go into detail, except to say that "Supergirl" fans should keep reading my DC work.

So, wait -- are you implying that Lee really *is* Linda? 'Cause that's what it seems like to me.

Ain't that fascinating...

Posted by: Catherine at September 10, 2005 03:31 PM

Why did you stop in the first place?

Posted by: Esther at May 2, 2006 12:52 PM

1 Hey Mr. DAvid..i have loved your Supergirl Series since it started and i am glad that Linda has finally returned via boom tube in Superman/Batman 24!..a question if you will...which issue is the one wher Supergir is talking to a kid..she says something like this
Buzz is talking badly and Supergirl says to the girl
"That wasn't nice. Should i go and kick his butt?"
The girl says "Yeah!..oh Guess what i'm Wearing my Supergril underwear today!"
Supergirl smiles and says "me too."

i think that was great!..but can you help bre find which issue that was in?...plus i hear that Akiva Goldsman is coming out With a Supergirl movie this year..or next year..who's your choice for the lead?

Posted by: Stephen "Steve" G. Baer a.k.a."Ste" at August 3, 2006 07:31 PM

I really do enjoy Supergirl Stories but not as much when in 1982 to 1985 she was admittedly docked from 25 to 19 just to keep her Supergirl of which was very male chauvanistic of them to do.I liked those Superwoman Stories as seen in Action #s 267,271,332,& 333 as well as Superman Family #200 in which in 1999 it started off Argo City last planetary chunk of Krypton from which before its civilization was fully destroyed by kryptonite Kara was sent to earth to assist her cousin first as Supergirl & then Earth's first & only Superwoman.It was the most heart touching rendition of an introduction.I also understand that there was a plan for a Supergirl/Power Girl x-over in 1983 but it seemingly fell through but if you could scrounge it up somehow then that'll be great. Truthfully Stephen "Steve" G. Baer a.k.a. "Ste" of Framingham,Ma.USA