Supergirl (1996-2003): Annual #2 | Comic Book Review
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In this episode of Supergirl Radio, hosts Rebecca Johnson and Morgan Glennon dive into Supergirl (1996–2003) Annual #2, reviewing its three distinct stories. The first two issues, 'Secret Hearts Part One' and 'I Lied for Love,' form a connected narrative centered on Supergirl (Linda Danvers) and Brainiac 5, exploring a strange magical phenomenon in Leesburg that causes reality to unravel. The story unfolds through a mix of romantic tension, magical mystery, and psychological introspection, culminating in a resolution based on raw honesty rather than traditional heroics. The third story, 'Object of Desire,' shifts tone entirely, focusing on Lance, a pizza delivery guy obsessed with Supergirl, and Christy, a co-worker who saves him from a grain silo explosion—leading to a sweet, if low-stakes, romance. The hosts express mixed feelings about the annual’s structure, criticizing the disjointed narrative and lack of cohesion between the stories, though they appreciate the inclusion of Brainiac 5 and the nostalgic 90s rom-com vibe of the final tale. They also reflect on the recent passing of Valerie Perrine, who portrayed Eve Tesmacher in multiple Superman films, honoring her legacy in the mythos. The episode ends with a lighthearted discussion about Funko Pop figures, particularly the newly announced Dreamer release, and a heartfelt lament for the end of the Supergirl TV series and related pop culture content.
The 'Secret Hearts' arc uses magic and emotional honesty as metaphors for relationship dynamics, with truth-telling resolving supernatural chaos.
The annual’s three stories are structurally disjointed, with the final tale having little connection to the first two, undermining narrative cohesion.
Brainiac 5’s portrayal as emotionally manipulative and self-obsessed contrasts with his usual heroic image, adding complexity to the Peter David run.
Lance and Christy’s romance, while cliché, offers a charming, low-key counterpoint to the cosmic drama, reflecting 90s romantic comedy tropes.
The episode highlights the cultural significance of Valerie Perrine’s Eve Tesmacher, whose legacy lives on in both film and TV iterations.
In Memoriam: Valerie Perrine and the Legacy of Eve Tesmacher
“She created kind of a legacy for that character that would continue on after her. So she was very accomplished in terms of her roles and the things that she did throughout her career.”
Secret Hearts Part One: A Magical Romance Gone Awry
The first story introduces a surreal reality glitch in Leesburg, where Supergirl’s presence causes bizarre phenomena. She teams up with Brainiac 5 to investigate, only to discover the chaos stems from magic and emotional suppression.
I Lied for Love: Truth as a Magical Cure
“This truth. They've been looking for truth to help with this whole vanishing thing, and that actually works. And so they need another truth to continue improving their situation.”
Object of Desire: A 90s Rom-Com in a Pizza Parlor
“Christy, Christy, ask for more. Lance says that the next time will be more like a real date if she's okay with there being a next time. Okay. We love a king who asks for consent.”
Structural Critique and the Future of the Annual
The hosts reflect on the annual’s disjointed structure, questioning why two connected stories were paired with a completely unrelated third. They express appreciation for Peter David’s run but critique the lack of narrative unity.
“What is art? But what if he says, what if he tells you paintings of horses? I hope he says paintings of horses. That will confirm all of our suspicions.”
“I would buy a Lex Luthor lizard face Funko. I would buy that so fast. People would be like, when did that happen? They're like, oh, fake fan. Oh, you blinked and missed it? Fake fan.”
“She created kind of a legacy for that character that would continue on after her. So she was very accomplished in terms of her roles and the things that she did throughout her career.”
Hosts
Supergirl (1996–2003) Annual #2
other
Brainiac 5
person
Linda Danvers
person
Lance
person
Supergirl Radio
organization
Christy
person
Valerie Perrine
person
Leesburg
place
Eve Tesmacher
person
Peter David
person
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