u/Competitive_Crow_334

I heard it was controversial surprised it was another Geoff Johns banger even as a serious critic I'd give it a 10/10 a nice reward for reading or watching other stories like Under the red Hood and the Killing Joke. Recaps it well enough without needing you to read does a great job showing enough and exploring all 3 and there issues without making them feel out of character. Keeping his comedic aspect instead of overdoing the shock vaule gore and society bad(that's more of an excuse than an actual belief).

The book understands it well most people see it as Joker being an innconet guy when he was shown his reckless traits long before failing into the acid. It does give him some humanity but keeps him pure evil and more unique take on the obsession with Batman with him fixing his issue with Joe chill. This is my favorite Joe chill by the way.

I think the only issue is Joe chill being caught so early. I prefer when he gets away or gets caught later in life that leaves him as Bruce reason to keep going and his belief the police aren't enough unless he suspected the mobs like the others.

If you want a positive review of this and Lanterns episode 3 debunking anti woke clowns try this from the goat serum Lake. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCne-mGPQyU

Well for one it doesn't make sense as to how he got picked by Guardians as even here like in Issue 1 3 and 4 there made to critique powerful yet old out of touch people who refuse to see and try anything then what they know which isn't much when it comes to the struggles of the average person let alone the oppressed even sending Gathent to a shithole planet they never bothered to check up on for saving Hal jordan's life but breaking there rules and nerfing Hal Jordan's powers which could end his life.

I don't see why they would pick someone who openly will argue back with anybody regardless of authority they aren't shown to regret or even try to change like how GAS first half had them confronted with there mistakes and the vulnerability other must have felt when the Manhunters massacred most of the forgotten zone and how trying to bury created the Red Lanterns. There change or attempt it makes sense. Where as here nothing happens maybe if it was shown or explained when they learned about the prison planet or Ganthent or Hal Jordan pushed and/or guilt tripped them to pick someone like John. There is also repeating Hal Jordan's arc and using him as a punching bag. This was only done in the second half of issue 1 where he suggests leaving the guys not because they could be lying or something but because it's not there property as I recall even though as early as 1960 Issue 2 Hal Jordan has already went to planet and even Inuit tribe to investigate issues because people were in danger not just his friend.

The first half does a critique of social issues using Hal without needing to turn him into a different person with what about the black skins Hal often focuses on more dangerous world theartning missions probably because of his thrill seeking and judges pretty quickly that he didn't pay attention to the living conditions of people and has him exposing what's the point of saving the world from alien invasions and monsters if you're not going to address the poverty bigotry and more as Serum lake perfectly put it and has him called out and guided on his issues by the old man without excusing or babying him understanding his usual style isn't going to help and has him exposing the Landlord.

With here the politician is so blantly racist his plan with the fake bullets makes little sense as imagine if GL didn't stop them in them how is he going to explain no gun wounds or if the cops or GL checked it etc at least the landlord pretended to be a nice guy until exposed and sent grunts to kill GA. Hal already learned there is nothing wrong with humiliating men like this and goes back to being a authority bootlicker to make John cooler.

Wildcat like this take on Hal is someone whose glory days are long behind however he is more morally flexible given he has been in illegal fighting rings and nearly killed other competitors even Green arrow just to keep that sense of mattering he is far more dumb and self destructive than Hal and has worked and trained criminals like Catwoman and Killer croc who go on to run mobs like in Catwoman Lonely city. Even the arrowverse had him train someone who became a killer and then abandon him after he beat a drug lord to death even though he took the fall for him he didn't get him help and protection and that boy went on to get captured and tortured by Wildcat's enemies and then after he broke it out he ended up killing way more people.

I don't see him trying to kill Black Canary but I could also see him going after Zoe in a reckless way to get credit for himself instead of notifying the Justice society. Since Hal in the comics and GAS has been willing to compromise with his enemies like letting Zillous Zox go and giving him control of the red lanterns and having the Guardians make deals with him or when he ran them for a bit after the Guardians turned out to be evil in new 52 he trusted Guy Gardner and the others to have there own sector including earth.

Black Canary has already been part of the Justice league before like JLA Year 1 or the new DC game so she could still show up in Man of tomorrow and not feel out of place without adding another Lantern and her mother being part of the original justice society and friends with Wildcat. In JLA Year 1 she puts up with a lot of harassment and terrible PR wanting to be like her mom. In some versions she is a poor orphan and even adopted by others after her mom gets killed on a mission. Batgirl birds of Prey or New 52 Green Arrow

Her foster parents could play the role of abusing her to turn her into a ideal version of her mother. Her Mom and wildcat could represent the best of the Justice society at the surface level giving her more reason for why she feels like she is in his shadow and wants to be face of the Justice society going further than he and her mother did. Wildcat's ending could be him accepting his past is behind him and opening a gym to train disadvantaged kids and/or new heroes. Black Canary during the 10 year run could work with other hero teams or try civilian life for awhile and feel incomplete before joining a different league taking a path like her mom that honors her and helps people while still not excusing the abuse she went through. With John even if he gets the ring for himself at the end of the day it would be what his parents abused him for and wanted for him they would still be rewarded.

I'm not an expert in there lore but they are plenty of villains who can fill the Manhunter and Attan's role there very street to town level anyway so no budget problems. Guy could just be the Green Lantern of this world anyway he already has a few of his own runs and I think he is underutilized yet popular enough to be main lantern of the DCU you could even introduce John and Hal in his series even if you do his red Lantern run.

I watched 2004 Batman in middle school all the time and rewatched a few months ago I still love it just not nearly as much I'm aware it's own thing instead of another BTAS or being a serious show but I do feel it had a lot of interesting ideas it barely touches on and/or uses the wrong character. Some of it's villains feel one note especially Rojas who doesn't get anything besides jealous cop for 2 seasons and doesn't feel like much of a threat or even a person. Before you say basic plain evil villains are good Cluemaster Tony Zucco Everywhere Man or even Funhouse was only in one episode and still had way more depth while remaining mostly mysterious.

Yin gets removed from the show after Season 2 without warning and it didn't expand much on her or her life before Gotham or even her issues and she is often kinda of useless and easy to forget she is there half the time. Batgirl in the next season is far more helpful in Robin in his debut episode.

Ethan Bennett is made to replace Two face they weren't allowed to use for the movies. I think it worked for Basil Karlo the real clayface more. Basil feels more like a person now he is wrapped up under his mediocrity and other people looking away because he is ugly and wants the power of Clayface without looking at how it ruined Ethan's life. Plenty of people like Basil look to stars criminals etc and idolize there skills power relationship life without understanding or even caring to look at what it costed them only concerned with there own pain and it's easier to explain a cop than a district attorney running around and has a soild story but like the other two he isn't that fleshed out and hasn't shown up in anything since to my knowledge and there characters with already established history with Batman.

Loeb

Even this version could be working with criminals in the past including the Falcone's and/or just looking the other way tried to rationalize it as under him and Carmine it was a well run business he can't do much about Carmine or others it doesn't hurt that he gets some benefits from it. When Batman comes he opens up the door to more freak show villains but proved it isn't impossible to take down men like Carmine which is some of Loeb at least this take excuses. Taking on the question from Long halloween was crime better under organized professionals or the freakshow it is under Batman maybe even inspiring worse vigilantes despite him trying his best did he make things worse or better? Loeb would use this to downplay and defend his actions whether he is lying to himself out of jealousy a man in a bat costume proved what he did and believed for decades was wrong.

Maybe the Season 2 finale builds to his snap and has him more involved instead of the Riddler he proposes the challenge with the benefit that he will use the GCPD to take out any rival factions of them and at the same time keep them away from their business allowing them to run Gotham as they please with Batman out of the way.

Two face

Two face can still stay you can have his scared side be super strength limited time of shapeshifting and the ability to morph his right hand into any kinda of weapon while he uses his light human side for non lethal weapons. Him often working with Batman like the comic using his role as district attorney to help Batman collect proof on mobs maybe even taking down the falcones with him and other gangsters opening the path for new ones mainly the freaks as there referred.

Harvey Dent already is friends with Bruce and has much darker side he covers up in some versions with jokes he could trying to nudge Batman to take worse risks with criminals especially with Loeb he believes the city won't get better without. Rather than him mastering his powers quickly it gives him an edge when he returns in Season 2 he actually summoned Solomon Grundy and manipulates him in Grundy's night like in some of the comics believing he gave the city enough and got nothing for it. His haullcation scene if it you want to or some episode could provide insight into his past with his abusive father who is in a nuthouse if you want and more on his friendship with Bruce Wayne but like in a way fitting the show like Riddler's past was explored.

Then he returns in Clayface when seeing Basil Karlo got a stronger version of the serum which he doesn't want him to ruin his life as much and hurt people as much as he did and knows how addicting the serum is bringing out the worst in people.

Detective Montoya

Loeb would hire Detective Montoya form out of town and put her and put her in charge of watching Dent as an excuse of police protection but really he suspects Dent of working with Batman and Montoya being an expert would watch them and catch them if they got close maybe with Dent exposed for working with Batman the evidence would be considered faulty and could get Carmine released early.

Montoya was already fired from her previous job and is desperate for another and being good and very competent Loeb can easily manipulate that for being his pawn against Batman and keep her away from investigating him and his department or other crooks.

Montoya goes from just spying on Dent to becoming his friend over time seeing as he has an interest in getting to know her not because he wants her trust but because despite his faults like hitning at the fact he wants Batman and others to be more brutal to crooks but passing it off as simple jokes or whatever he can to make it as subtle as possible. Montoya given she comes from a family of cops would be even more challenged if whether or not she will turn on Batman or priotize her career with Loeb.

Needs actual fantastic 4 villains and just reminds Marvel needs more cites than new york for heroes like DC does.

Daredevil in Chicago. Spider-man in New York. Avengers in Some fictional city or Washington DC. Fantastic 4 in Boston.

Like it's hard to believe so many heroes in one place wouldn't notice the Thing being jumped in daylight and notice the hit on him drawing every super villain out.

Deftinely wouldn't introduce a new Catwoman or comic fan but it feels like a love letter to her comics and giving her and others more time without Batman but still important.

Don't like what they did with Riddler though and I think that time wasted on him could be used for someone else.

What do you guys think I even read the author backstory I won't spoil I delat with simalir stuff I'm glad he found such inspiration in our gentle giant and wrote Clark's flaws well without turning him into a different character and still giving him a great parllel to Rose(I forgot her name). Both parents on both sides done well

The villains are an exaggerated but faithful take on racism without feeling too preachy or making them too dumb that it's wonder anybody takes them seriously and having rational irrational beliefs and making fun of dumb beliefs but unlike something like the Boys later Seasons or Lesbian Space princess which also pokes fun at bigots but doesn't turn them so over the top stupid and cartoonishly evil and incompetent you wonder why there taken seriously.

It doesn't depend on unesscary expostion and easy to introduce to someone new to Superman while still offering veterans something new and familiar. It does a great job discussing many forms of racism in mature ways but understandable for anyone. Racists in my experience aren't always going to be as obvious.

Only cons are I preferred it when the cop wasn't a KKK just a loser who doesn't have empathy for others which led to the brother being kidnapped it can show that you don't have to be in hate group to support people like them not taking there struggles seriously because there not the same as yours helps encourage their cycle of hate and leads to more consequences for them. That's more of presence.

Some hints that feel too dumb like Lois writing in lipstick on the floor as she is getting kidnapped instead of note. Also how the Klan as people are fine but could be fleshed out more mainly the Uncle the main villain is supposed to the loser or medicore man archetype who buys into racism to feel special. We aren't really shown enough of his life to get across that idea or that he has insecurity over it or even him next to his sister or his day job.

Nor are we shown what the dad was like to give an idea of his belief as the new man of the house.

The deep in Season 1 in just one or 3 episodes is way better at this. Deep you see how little his colleagues and boss respect even when he has something important he belives in and only treated like exists when they want something and how he always messes up so he takes out his insecurities on women who get close to him even Starlight despite being socially charming rich and good looking that he can easily get the relationship he wants there is even hints of self sabotage he could have something nice with Starlight but gets scared of the chance of being happy or that he might ruin it later and then just purposely burns bridges immediately and is still shocked when she doesn't immeadtily move on because abusing each other is the norm in vought it's the price of success.

9.5/10 a must read if you love Superman or want to introduce somebody to it will do longer on it and other stuff. Currently on the John Bryne run and new 52 run both I really love.

For context it's sensational wonder woman 1 where she is losing her powers

To start way smarter people have critiqued it better I recommend some youtubers who bring takes on issues I may have forgot about or if you want more detail on it's issues or shorter easier to understand funny way

Hitop films is more about the writing issues while Ali is more of an expert on Supergirl and there very new so any support would help. I'm not really a huge fan of Pitch Meeting stuff as much as I like the guy he tends dumb down stuff sometimes he is better with mid and objectively bad movies and disagree a bit of stuff like when he says it's bad Krem shoot the dog with a poison that will slowly kill him instead of instantly killing him when Krem is shown as someone who takes joy in torturing anything plus Krypto can resit a lot being kryptonian and the alien was the one that confirmed it would take 3 days not that Krem shoot him with something that takes 3 days specifically.

Hitop flims: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Svuvte-vAww.

Ali's Comic Corner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmCRWM52RZw&t=6s.

Pitch Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXdaOo7CLyg

I read the book almost twice boring for me at first really enjoyed it later it overexplains a lot with Ruthie no matter how obvious it is and tells instead of shows her relationship with her Dad and discrimination she faced being poor the middle and ending did bring it back up for me.

It works in most cases given Ruthie is an unreliable narrator on others it just keeps the movie from it's potienal it's still an 8/10 at least an 8.5 max I could be wrong but I recommend those haven't read it give it a chance. I'll be going into good later but I brought this up to show the book isn't amazing or even that great improving and instead of taking what worked which is what adaptation should do it often doubles down on the worst dumbs down the messages and lessons or forgets it entirely and isn't impressive or even good on it's own likeable sure. I'll be going mostly how it butchers them as adaptations and even they don't stand well or on there own.

KREM OF THE YELLOW HILLS

The first part was posted when just a few clips and the design showed up but the movie made it worse.

The design is meant to be average to the point of forgettable he isn't special or tough by any means just another mediocre man given authority and tools he shouldn't have nor earned by catering to people worse sides which could easily ended with the purples finding him unworthy and deciding to throw him and other prisoners with the minorities they sacrificed so he isn't really smart and he is practically powerless without them and confuses himself with someone important. Perhaps to feel better about himself or cope with how terrible he is. They made him appear human and didn't go overboard with his design to show that even in this vast beautiful designed advanced alien word the evil we see in man with corrupt cops cartel members etc Tough behind a crowd or a weapon people still exist and very prevalent a theme behind the book a lot as shown with the non subtle Jim crow call back with the blues. In fact the reason he killed Ruthie dad was because he was reminded of how unimportant he is by someone who doesn't know who he really is and did his job. Turning him into a creepy monster with a cool suit. Sidenote they did the opposite with others Ruthie looked human sure but she has a unique design and culture as shown from the items she dresses with her and her red eyes and her helmet.

The movie made this way worse making him a leader and even were planning to add a backstory where he got abused by his dad making him evil if they have time. I have had plenty of abusers who had family who there abusers who made them like this. I'm fully aware I could turn into someone as bad if don't put in the work to help myself and using abuse in a story could spread more awareness that abuse even sexual abuse isn't as simple as people including myself used to think. Abusers can be former victims and even be currently abused victims even SA victims can be abuse and how you can understand the reasons the cycle even feel bad without excusing issue is but it also has to be treated with care and not just an easy way to add ''depth'' to a villain rather than giving them depth.

For one Bloodsport Peacemaker Abaddyo Dr. Frankenstein etc already fill that role so adding that would make him less unique. Which the comic did by not giving him a story krem is distributed yes but his childhood isn't shown because he is meant to show anybody regardless of background could end up like him parents who neglected him because they worked hard all day if he grew up poor or if he was an orphan or if he was just a spoiled rich kid or parents who did everything right and he was just bored with an average life or born bad. I know it's not in the movie but I do believe it would be as poorly handled as almost everything else and further shows the writer misunderstanding Krem villains without backstories and abuse as a storypoint.

Without the Brigidians inviting him it's possible he wouldn't get enough kills to get the Mordu globe and he wouldn't even be much of a threat than your average gangster. Ruthie dad reminded him what a loser he is nobody even recognizes him because he isn't any special in the gang just another face and only came for him out of loyalty but as shown in the ending not only did they soon give up but even without him hundreds of years into the future there still around and have bought the story Ruthie wrote that Supergirl killed him. He lost nearly his whole life maybe he changed and despite his attempts to apologize Ruthie refuses to forgive him and humiliated him and only has himself to blame while the gang moved on without him.

Brigidians can represent a lot of organizations like Cartel Triads or maybe even a corrupt country or government or even the concept of evil it can exist if one hitman serial killer politician or foot soldier goes to jail just fine everyone forgot him to and he is only left with his mistakes at the end the damage he dealt and no way to really to atone or be forgiven for them. He probably won't even have enough time to enjoy his freedom or even get used to world so much has changed probably when he was gone and he has nobody to guide him or spend those last days all for what? They only came to fight Supergirl not out of loyalty to him but because by taking him they were being disrespected and shown how there not as all powerful as they act and quickly flee once Supergirl starts winning.

You can be good as your own thing right except Krem isn't. In fact it's hard to take him seriously as a threat. I know nothing about Ruthie family and her suffering as I will explain later isn't done that well so it's hard to care and what instantly follows her scene is Supergirl having a party and playing with Krypto.

We learn nothing more about Krem over the movie except he does human trafficking which doesn't change anything his personality or lore is still just I enjoy evil and feels like a attempt at shock value rather than to add something to him and the other characters. They still want to kill him anyway. No insecurities no significant rivalries outside of main characters goals or conflicts no expanded life before the movie nothing.

Take Deep in Boys S1 he abuses woman because of his insecurities of his gills being dumb and pretty lame powers as well as being treated like shit by his colleagues Mom and superiors even when he is trying to do good like helping sea animals and he still messes it up he humiliates woman to feel strong like the people he feels mistreated him even though he has enough social skills wealth looks and fame to easily get all the sex he wants even from Starlight a fan of him and gets angry when Starlight is still mad and assumes she would move on because it's part of the business that people should put up with anything. There is also hints of self sabotage there having a fear of genuine relationship or belief that he can so he ruins it before he can risk it as he is too used to being miserable yes he has much more time but you can think of smaller characters who get more with there sexual evil as well as there victims or other characters than just shock value.

Love don't cost a thing 2003: Paris boyfriend is a cheater we never seen much romance between them because their relationship is shallow on both sides. There only dating each other because their expected too and on logic and social side it makes sense. Paris is rich beautiful girl she is a perfect prize for a pro football player to complete the dream life. While for Paris he is good investment so even after she will still have the lavish lifestyle without much or any work thanks to her looks. We see how she uses her looks and status to get out of consequences like joyriding and wrecking her mom's car(I think) when left alone. Plus neither of them spend much or any time together further selling the idea their relationship is really just appearances. So when she bonds with Alvin she has something real through a fake relationship. Eventually sees Alvin turing into someone like her boyfriend her and the rest of her friends and exposes him which allows him to make things right with his real friends who still stuck by him than ending up stuck in performative friendships.

Paris already finds out or is somewhat aware he is cheating on her with a crowd of woman but just puts up with it for the benefits being with Alvin who she found as pathetic at first taught her relationships can be more than something shallow while her boyfriend finds about Alvin he barely cares and pulls the same manipulative tactics because he assumes she would have little respect for herself and come back because it's what's expected he is more angry about the fact it was done with a loser like Alvin than the fact she did it and none of his friends told him or done anything about it despite everyone knowing.

He isn't anything scary because as pitch meeting says Supergirl constantly has to be nerfed because she would wipe the floor with him in a instant sometimes in ways that don't make sense Lobo wasn't even harmed by him and Ruthie a child who is pretty much human and got easily restrained in a previous scene by one guy and got caught trying to sneak off on the Krypton planet nearly killed him was saved by Supergirl in both scenes instead of her telling Lobo to seriously injure him or just tackling him instead of Ruthie.

Supergirl who doesn't trust and sees the worst in everyone chooses to accept a drink from the parents in a shady planet without checking if it's poisoned and these parents say they did it for trade but also instantly try to help her and they have no reason to believe he would keep there end of the bargain and Supergirl has shown to be powerful and already working with Lobo an expert bounty hunter who they have seen and heard his stories. If he were meant to be weak another thug sure it could work but the movie and other characters describe him as ruthless powerful leader.

Maybe he is strategic threat like Luthor oh no he tutored under Sister Sage at BvS Luthor academy of I'm only smart because the writers turned everyone into morons and things happen to go my way despite how they shouldn't until the writers says not.

Supergirl not only taking the drink when he gets there and it not being a trap or her faking it but also him not putting any kryptonite in it as well despite the parents saying the Bridgians gave them the poison as while as her letting him get away and saving him twice. She doesn't think to work with Lobo sooner and instead goes on her own and trusts random aliens who tried to force themselves on ruthie. Good thing she didn't force the aliens to take her to Krem way sooner when she was with Lobo and Ruthie. Good thing Ruthie parents didn't tell there kids to hide and then just blow up the ship which hurt him maybe even used a few on him and stab him while distracted with the swords made of strongest steel while he was coming and they had time to plan.

Good thing she was dumb enough to fall for the Krypton planet trap she couldn't have one check if there a trap and to put a type of suit on and why didn't just attack or capture Kara while she was on the ground instead of letting her get away. Why didn't Krem or his men just track Ruthie when she was bringing water to where Supergirl is hiding or even try to torture her with the Poison they talked about in the start they keep the antidote to taunt them? Why not have Ruthie and Lobo watched even through cameras or put them in separate jails since there both there to kill him and his sidekick and Supergirl could come free them anytime.

I don't even know why Krem is leader of the group how is he taken any more seriously he isn't much stronger he isn't richer or any smarter and even Lobo a professional bounty hunter is after another random guy not him. So he isn't special in this gang and he doesn't have any notable interactions with them and you don't get the feeling they are in danger. He will make a speech take disrespect and won't retaliate try to torture them even delaying the kill to talk until someone comes to save them a lot or leaving.

WORLDBUILDING

The world itself is meant to be bright and colorful to contrast with how dark and unforgiving it is on the inside with the majority of people only concerned for themselves and just 2 young girls are trying to manage understanding their place in it just like with mayvile were everyone tries to pretend everything is fine. Think how in the Watchmen Boys or in Invincible their silly suits or even how they might talk or they environment contrast with the horrible things they going through and/or doing. Over here it's dark and glomming with most of the ones encountered looking dressing and talking like people even their ships and hideouts designed like it.

During the comic we explore a lot of different cultures tragedies rules even dangers like instead of another thieves and murderers it's a dragon that feasts it on technology of the ship the Blues racism issue and keeping a wholesome image to hide there guilt over destroying a whole race even those inferior and lashing it out at any mention. or the Giants being honorable warriors. Instead of Red sun showing other weakness to kryptonians which made it more interesting to see how they especially Ruthie would survive while expanding on the lore of the superman since he had enemies who built it. Here it's a boring dessert like no lighting or creatures to gawk at. Almost everything looks the same even as earth places the danger is just space mobsters. Not just we learn more about the world but so does Ruthie and Supergirl.

Both of them have there own tragedies and found it in them to empathize with others and find purpose even in something as small as giving soup to a disabled patient or letting a giant beat them up so she could feel better.

Yes you could say the comic is long but the movie is an adaption and should have made it a mini series or even longer movie. Movies like Guardians of the Galaxy 1 had it way better we saw the Nova corps and Space Pirates who expolit kids and except to be rewarded for the bare minimum even learned a little history on Kree Oppression the stones and Ronan alliance with Thanos leader of Chinaturi. Alien diversity meant something. Like Drax people taking everything literally and being genocided and even side hustlers. It felt more alive and you got to see more.

Hurts even more that it took only 3 days to explore all of that.

RUTHIE

Ruthie just feels very bland I understand she is secondary character in one kinda short movie but there isn't much personality to her her dialogue is often the same talking about her backstory. I want to kill Krem notmuch to that and murder is wrong even though I killed plenty and so have others including kids. Her flaws aren't too expanded and why she decided murder is wrong.

I'll talk about her comic book counterpart

Her way of speaking has her over complicating everything to seem more grown up and professional despite her clear baby face and lack of understanding of the world makes not only for a lot of funny moments to get across the idea of how cold this world is she has to seek Justice for her own dad who the world cares so little about someone who did everything so right even by his corrupt country rules someone who looks like she should be finger-painting watching barbie etc has to get her own Justice with not even her own mother arguing back against it despite that Ruthie knows she would easily get killed and throws herself head first.

While getting us to know she wants people to think she is way smarter than she is so they don't look down on her for her background as dirt farmer even though at the start she kinda of does the same even lecturing Supergirl on if she every lost anybody like her during there first fight forgetting about Krypton in the moment because she was so angered.

There so poor her Mother is fine throwing her out with one less mouth to feed and her brothers are once again depending on the Gods to deliver their Justice for them as an excuse not to take action themselves despite as shown with Ruthie and her Mom blank look they know nothing is going to down. As well as to downplay how vulnerable and hurt she is to others and seem more than simple dirt farmer over her. Supergirl is kinda of like the Mom she never had. She lost her family simply because Krem wanted to kill someone not because he was offended on being reminded of how much of a forgettable and unimportant man he is by another forgettable and unimportant man who made peace with it even takes pride in it according to Ruthie when talking about the discrimination they faced as dirt farmers which helps us understand her grief more despite barley knowing the guy.

She hides behind Supergirl to handle her problems for her even to scare a guy to quit leaning on her. She is an edgelord who talks about how she fantasises of Krem being at her feet and apologizing promising to devout his life to good and then brutally killing him but she is honorable enough to give him a fair fight. I could go into way more.

In the movie her family have little characterization just disposable wife trope and she doesn't have much either. Wait Ruthie also her turn from scared girl hiding behind Supergirl no it's completely unearned and her personality doesn't change much either. She just changes into a warrior all of sudden. Who despite being easily held by just one guy when Krem attacked drunk Supergirl and also easily getting spotted yet when the plot demands she who is shown to be human strength or similar is able to easily strangle a guy while cuffed mind you someone whose gang can take hits from Supergirl and Lobo. As well as breaking out of Krem's grasp and beating a bunch of his thugs. She chooses to not kill Krem for what reason because she is still good Ruthie has killed in self defense and she believes Supergirl is good who has killed people and later kills Krem. It's just so forced.

Supergirl only knows her for 3 days where as the comics they were around for months giving Supergirl time to teach her sword fighting which she easily did while drunk and depowered and Ruthie to learn from her obsessive watching over her her past as a dirt farmer building her pain tolerance. Also when you have development for stuff there has to be a believable catalyst

Ruthie in the comic while on the planet has to be one to protect Supergirl because she is sick from the red sun planet designed to destroy Superman and they have to wait until night to leave when it's usually the other way and she can't half ass things because someone's life her mentor and mother figure is on the line despite there many arguments which forces her to be creative and patient as the animals are far bigger and stronger as well as using her insane pain tolerance that was established in the first chapter were she easily swam across a dangerous lake while carrying heavy equipment and risking being eaten.

It's major to her growth of growing more as a intelligent warrior rather than acting like it and letting Supergirl handle challenges for her as well or throwing herself at it because she doesn't care if she dies or gets hurt.

So her training so when she beats Krem later it makes sense she learned not to depend on her intellect and unpredictable fighting sure could used some more training scenes of Supergirl teaching Ruthie how to fight given she is shown to be good with a sword even while drunk but it overall worked and shows Ruthie maturity discipline and willingness to push on no matter how helpless counters Krem who hides behind numbers weapons or picking on smaller opponent and hasn't been in real fight in awhile. While Supergirl gives her the support and a hand when she needs it. It's also how Supergirl treats her more than a child. Ruthie comes to lesson that she doesn't want to kill Krem and even convinces Supergirl not to.

If only there was a short say 3 minute scene maybe given some of her background issues with family that wasn't deleted.

LOBO

I understand his role is the guy who corrupts her however for that role to work and he was originally supposed to be in the comic. Lobo doesn't even have any interest outside the prison scene Ruthie would have to admire or relate to him or envy him. Maybe Lobo gets more time to have him but heads with Supergirl and show confliction over her on which side to pick. As well as him having no nuance of course Ruthie would end up to go with her friend Kara then go who killed his own planet and she doesn't do anything wrong in that scene just defends herself hard seeing it as a darker turn. You could say it's a compromise to work with a man a lot like Krem just for revenge but the movie doesn't frame that as a bad thing even Supergirl does.

However she doesn't she just goes with him to find Krem and takes out the guard on her own. You can easily have her make that choice on her saying Supergirl is not enough and going rouge. In fact you can remove Lobo as fun as he is and the story would be better for it. Ruthie can mess with something that blows up the ship a little freeing Supergirl and most goes the same.

Batman vs Robin with Talon a shorter movie has it better you don't really need the prequel much. Robin is shown to be disobedient of Batman he spent his entire life raised to kill for the greater good an over controlling mother who assaulted his dad which is why he was born which as we find out later in movies bruce held anger at the Damian hates himself for it doesn't help she told him when he turned 10. Now Batman wants him to drop everything he learned his whole life instantly is secretive of him and keeps traps to have him locked up inside and assumed he killed the Dollmaker and lashes out instantly despite that he followed orders and it was Talon but he doesn't apologize and expects Damian to go along with whatever he says.

Talon like Damian was raised as a weapon his whole life he just traded one abusive dad for a whole cult. Talon even sees Damian as a younger version of himself and wants to help him avoid being exploited and treated like thrash like the court did to him shaming him for not wanting to die to become an lobotomized solider and girlfriend who manipulates him but refuses to stick up for him when it matters but repeats the cycle without knowing. He gives Damian the freedom to go where he wants takes interests in what he likes and feeds into his urges while helping him justify it as both want to get rid of criminals. Damian beats a mob boss to near death but stops despite Talon egging him on tells Nightwing his dad loves him more because there blood and he just has pity for him but he is also challenged by Batman more like when Talon offers him a choice and Damian chooses to fight and try to kill him so Talon can escape and Bruce goes easy on him even saving him twice and choosing to trust Damian to pick the right choice and takes more accountability for pushing him while still letting him know he can make his own choices Talon didn't make him do anything. Which Talon doesn't and as we see plenty is another victim turned abuser to keep the cycle even trying to kill Damain's family and turn him into lobotomized solider.

I get it's a short movie by why introduce Lobo or any corrupter if not paying it off in satisfying way it doesn't have to be this fleshed out.

SUPERGIRL

Easily the best written character in the movie that's not a high bar and very likeable. I already covered her mostly in the others. Her drunk scenes seems like a fun party where she is popular and at home she having a blast with Krypto this comes after a scene where Krem murders Ruthie family. The tone is off her yes the comic made jokes but they introduced her as lonely sukling in a corner most of it was were more focused on tragedy side loneliness drinking away her issues or any distraction from how miserable it is Over here it's almost painted is something as cool and quirky. I liked the Argo city plotline but it's not only butchers Woman of tomorrow but her history in general.

What she has over Kal is that she remembered what Krypton was and the people there before Argo city. How she broke her own legs with hammers fighting a losing battle watching everyone she loves dies which is why she relates to Ruthie obsession and doesn't want that life for her as even if Ruthie killed Krem the cost would be a lot to get there. I'm fine with changing the Krypto plot a bit even though it does show Supergirl addressing Ruthie problems in her way at the start she is just saying what Clark like she is reading a script sounds robotic and you can tell she doesn't actually believe it so Ruthie meltdown led to her making up the dog excuse so she can still have a reason to guide her in her own way as someone who used to be like her rather than just letting repeating a generic don't kill because it's wrong why.

Supergirl says it would corrupt her revenge won't make her happy and no turning back but we never see why she learned or would believe this you think an obvious reveal that she avenged her planet instead of getting justice and has nothing left or knows someone who did something like that and how it hurt them but no. She just does because the movie needs it.

As well as supergirl adaptations keeps forgetting she is Clark older cousin she was sent to not only live but help him and instead she lost that and now Clark is the mentor figure. So the one thing she has is gone what is her point of being alive?(In her eyes). It also easily adds more to why she disobeys him and doesn't take him as seriously he is still a baby and she should be teaching him.

Like I explained her issues with Ruthie killing don't work she doesn't attempt to restrain her on another planet or strand her with the doctor alien. She brings Ruthie a long knowing Ruthie would be in places where she would have to kill. She gets a guard to fall on the poison spikes and uses her sword lethally so it's just trope of the hero gets to kill the henchman but not the main villain that set them on this path. As well as Supergirl approving of the trafficked kids operating a machine gun and killing there abusers but Ruthie can't kill.

Has it's flaws Book 1 mostly Book 2 in my opinion is a major improvement but it still feels like a sequel to a book I never read. Like about Roy Harper drug addiction and death and why I should care about him or how Emi joined Arrow(I don't mean the clock king backstory).

It feels like I'm missing years

Even book 1 feels like a sequel to a story I never heard. It's more stuffed and rushed villains than the Authority.

Characters feel undercooked. However I'm still learning a lot on comics and writing but this doesn't feel like the Aquaman I knew from Brave and the Bold and other comics and he doesn't have any chemistry with Y'wara who felt like she just there for a love triangle with Mera. The characters don't have much dynamics with each other.

I could go into more detail but X men the animated series does it thing better even in Season 1 so far

Postives(Long)

Loved it a tier above Woman of Tomorrow didn't use unesscary expostion or using it instead of showing like it had less characters and time and made the most of it. I'm a sucker for morally complex or straight up villainous cast. It uses it's 90s setting for more than set dressing like Caped Crusader.

From how I choose to interpret it what it shows Gotham was always corrupt. I personally like Gotham as a beautiful city on the outside dirty on inside which it does well. It's focus is it's appearance than it's most vulnerable citizens the poor the addicts sex workers especially childern addicts etc.

People didn't see it because it didn't effect them for the most part or like with some people with depression it's easier to mistake a lesser evil time in life to cope with the current terrible state.

As well as the crimes the Commissioner bragged about solving were for the most part easy ones were a majority confessed and the rest made it obvious and then does lesser of two evil issue as if it makes it better.

Slam Bradey is part of those people passed off as being white kept his mother secert he didn't look into his brother death at the hands of corrupt cops while there for awhile looked the other way on the cops and commissioner corruption under the guise of it keeps the city safe or might even have participated until he found out his brother was another staststic.

Turning his back on his people and his mother for the privileges of the same people who killed his brother and many others in the name of the greater good that they also used.

Slam Bradey self loathing over not saving the baby in time and letting Constance walk free despite all she did to him and the city but also not rasing Thomas who could be his own kid and potienally letting him turn out like his parents choose to see it that way.

I don't know if it's on purpose but he is a great parllel to Year 1 Gordon backstory both were in the milltary and later became cops. Both lost their great job because of choosing to do the right thing. Slam twice who confrimed he did crimes in the milltary and was instead caught and held accountable for beating up a admrial. Both learned doing the right thing against their bosses or colleagues makes things harder for them and often goes nowhere.

Gordon choose to try and give that up to make the best of a bad siatuion for his family. However decided other people have families and lives they deserve protection no matter his risk but won't bring himself to harm Flass and the others in front of there families it's even the reason he refuses to kill despite having an easy chance to pin it on his many enimies.

Flass as corrupt and egostical as he is is shown to be nice enough to take out the garbage for his family implying he is probably a different person with them or even not they desvere to see him held accountable that not even the position of power he is given protects him.

While Slam doesn't care until it effects someone he cares about his image of himself his morals and the city even if it means being beaten or killed.

He encourages them and even parcipates it still like breaking into an black man house and beating him because he heard a baby crying and then handwaving it away because he happened to be right that it was on the man's property despite him not knowing about it or attacking the Bodyguard Leron(I think) at his home in front of Wife at night despite many easier ways to do it without risking them calling the cops and further charges. Possibly to humiliate him as he feels let his family know what he has to deal with.

The only times he doesn't excuse beating on him is Richard Wayne not even once and getting back at Commissioner for beating him despite considering it almost a honor for calling him out on the baby.

I think both tie to his childhood Richard Wayne and Commsioner reminds him of his dad who abonded him once he got his fun with mother possibly forcing him to be man of the house on top as well as the moronic cheaters he deals with regularly as a private detective

Richard has it easy everything Slam and most citzens ever wanted and he wastes it openly calling his wife a whore and tries to build something that would hurt his kind more in the long term which Slam sometimes pretends to care about. Simalir with Commissioner in a way probably reminds him of his Dad by going out to cheat Slam basically worships the Commissioner position and sees the Commissioner as making mockery of it and calling him out on the baby.

We see Queenie like this blaming it on Wayne manipulating her when she has to talk to Slams Mother but as more cards are shown she finds it harder to deny her nature that she had a choice to help him and it lead to her Uncle being attacked neglected the baby dying from sickness as well as being on the front lines for Richard Wayne taking all the blame if anything goes wrong. It was when she belived he ditched her and without bothering to try reaching him as if she knew something like this would happen deep down does she want to help.

Takes two to tango and like most people who work with blantly corrupt people and/or cheat with cheaters stupidly assumed that there were special.

I don't want to victim blame even though it might be possible Constance faked it for sympathy but Richard is corrupt outside his marriage like the building he made that was harmful to minorities home and also assumed it wouldn't be directed at her. Which is why she identifies with Queenie and excuses her.

Since Watchmen and V for Vendetta I haven't read a story let alone the comic where any of the villain wins which I think could happen more often to keep things fresh. For watching recommend Gone Girl(Andy) Class of Deathnote(Ryk) the DCAU(Mercy Graves Amanda Waller)

Stories that don't do it terribly like BvS Lex Luthor Static Shock Alvin(the CEO who caused the big bang) Merlin Arrow S3 where the villain escapes not because there smarter but because the plot has their foes act out of their character has them dumbed downn and/or gives them a future script. Makes it feel less earned.

I do like it more when it's a win with some consequences for the rest of her life her potential baby daddy will despise her and she lost anyone who could see her and still sympathize with her and have to put up with friends who cheated with her Husband in order to maintain the image and will never know if she will be betrayed again. The rise in her smoking possibly from the stress of this killed her.

Slam Bradley did get good growth he belived outside cheating that people including those as special as the Waynes couldn't harm their own families and his bias for Woman and authority and the need to keep the image of peace made him to let Constance get away and while she did fix the riots she did go on to hurt more people the city in the long term and possibly there son could have turned out like them or not street smart enough like him to actually fix the problems.

Negatives

The mystery rather than some detective work is solved because one of the bodyguards happen to know about Richard Wayne being broke and that they work for the wife and that leads him to the truth then feeling a bit more earned.

I do wish we spent more time on Slam Brady's past tho we don't know his Brother outside what's been told to us as well as his childhood and his Mother. All we know is she does fortune telling how did she raise him that he ended up like this. Did she put up with abusive boyfriends was she an abuser herself did she coddle him or even use emotional incest due to losing the other boys in her life.

We don't see much of Constance and Richard Backstory not much of a problem keeps things mysterious but I would like to explore it to see the wealthier side of the Gotham the backstabbing fake friends Constance described. Like how the Great Gatsby movie showed us some of the wife background being pressured to be with Tom by her family despite not wanting to even wishing to wait for Gatsby.