Action Comics Annual 12

The comic starts with a flashback, to the time when Brainiac invaded Krypton. Black Zero, an elite team of Kryptonians led by Ursa, launched a rescue mission on Kandor. They were easily annihilated by Brainiac who then escaped with 100,000 Kryptonians as captive.

Thara Ak-Var (Flamebird) was one of the captives of Brainiac, who later found a family with her best friend Kara’s parents who were also captives.

The focus of the issue now shifts to Christopher (Nightwing) as he re-enters the Negative Zone to prevent those imprisoned from ever escaping again.

In there, he lived with General Zod and his men who treated him like a prisoner except for a guy named Non.

One day Christopher stumbled upon a crown shaped device he found in General Zod’s room. Upon wearing the device, he, together with Thara were instantly shocked and were left unconscious. For a brief moment, the two had a connection despite not knowing who each other was.

Thara immediately went into the Phantom Zone to look for Christopher. She was confronted by Zod’s men and they battle for a bit until she was incapacitated by Non. General Zod instructed him to get the projector (their way out of the Phantom Zone) however instead of following that order, he released Thara and used the projector on both Thara and Christopher so that they may escape.

Action Comics 878

Two Kyrptonians later revealed as Az-rel and Nadira, terrorized a town in New Mexico, taking over a house and killing cops who attempted to stop them.

In Metropolis, Thara wakes up in Lois’ apartment and the two get acquainted for the first time. It is also revealed here that Lois is not the biological mother of Christopher Kent (Nightwing).

Christopher arrived shortly from the Fortress where she battled with Ursa last issue. Seeing Az-rel and Nadira on TV, Christopher and Thara got suited up and went after them.

The two got into an intense battle, with Nightwing and Flamebird having a bit of an edge. However while Az-rel and Nadira are down, Agent Assassin shows up with a bunch of beasties to join the fight.

Action Comics #876

The comic opens with Commander Ursa and Flamebird fighting. Using a knife lined with Kryptonite, Ursa almost beats Flamebird to death until Nightwing intervened. The two switch blows and during their conversation, we learn that Nightwing is somehow Ursa’s son. Despite being overpowered by Ursa, he uses his one advantage, his less susceptibility to kryptonite. He uses the knife lined with Kryptonite to weaken Ursa and approach her. Nightwing however refused to kill Ursa even if he had the chance as according to him, it was something Superman wouldn’t do. He and Flamebird retreated as Ursa gets caught in an ice prison.

Meanwhile back in Metropolis, Nightwing brings the brutalized body of Flamebird to Lois, which he surprisingly calls “Mom”.