SUPERGIRL v1 #10 (1974)
by Cary Bates & Art Saaf
cover by Bob Oksner
The last issue of Supergirl’s first solo series sees her teaming up with one of the most absurd characters of the 70s, and DC in general… Prez.
Created by Joe Simon of all people (yes, that’s Captain America’s co-creator), Prez was the star of a four-issue series where he became America’s first teenage president.
I was, uhm, it was something else.
But Prez was explicitly out of the DC continuity and it even broke the fourth wall on occasion, so what is HE doing in a Supergirl comic!?
Well apparently nobody told Cary Bates that the series was not canon, because in THIS story Prez really is the President!
Supergirl spots a would-be assassin on TV, so she flies all the way to… wherever Prez is doing his speech… and saves his life.
Prez likes to keep in touch with the public, plus he’s got a real fixation on clocks (something that comes from his own series).
Also it seems Supergirl thinks he’s hot.
Too bad for her that Prez is only interested in clocks.
No, seriously, Prez is WEIRD.
His love for clocks almost costs him his life, because someone hid a bomb inside one.
But that was just a ruse to get Supergirl close to Prez… because there’s a bad guy who wants to mind control her using VOODOO AND LASER CANNONS.
AND IT WORKS.
Nah, she’s fine.
And that’s it! This was… BARELY a story and it raises far more questions than it deserves.
Moving to the second story, it looks like the 70s were really into DNA stuff.
Supergirl takes out a fire in the laboratory by taking off her cape.
Which makes sense, it’s not like she has super-breath or it would be a silly moment.
But that was just a trick to get a sample of DNA.
There is no mention of Kryptonite or red sun radiation, by the way: the laser just HAPPENS to hurt her.
The scientist wanted to make a clone of Supergirl, but there’s one slight difference.
I don’t get why she finds it so strange there’s a Kryptonian who kind of resembles her. Superman alone has like five lookalikes at Kandor at this point!
There is, however, one additional difference between Supergirl and *sigh* Superlad.
Well, okay, three differences: he’s also a moron.
So let me get this straight: the scientist created a device that can instantly grow clones (even of superpowered aliens!) and his first thought on how to get rich with such a revolutionary invention was to rob a bank!?
Sounds legit.
Also please note there is no story reason for the clone being a boy. It just happens and it has no real effect whatsoever.
Once Supergirl arrives, Superlad threatens to shoot her with the unfortunately shaped and colored laser gun (the same one used to get the cell sample).
AND THEN THE CLONE KILLS HIMSELF.
You… you invented a cloning machine AND a gun that can kill Kryptonians!? And you couldn’t come up with a better way to make money!?!?
Ladies and gentlemen, I think we just found the dumbest super-scientist in the history of comics.
Historical significance
First story: -5/10
The first Supergirl story with a negative score: having Prez as the actual President of the United States absolutely breaks continuity.
Seconds story: 0/10
Deservedly forgotten.
Silver Age-ness
BOTH stories beat the two previous Supergirl record holders, Action Comics 272 and Action Comics 273, which merely stopped at a 10/10.
First story: 20/10
Laser cannon voodoo!!!
Seconds story: 30/10
Just having the clone would double the normal score to a 20/10, but THEN we have the inexplicable laser AND the incredibly stupid plot.
Does it stand the test of time? 0/10
When the Prez series is the more famous appearance of the character, you know this is bad.