Supergirl #1 - 2
Power - Chapter One: JSA
Power - Chapter Two: Teen Titans
Three simple words sum up my take on the first two issues of the new Supergirl series... "believe the hype", at least for now. Word on the street and around comic shops has had it pegged for some time that this new series (scribed by Jeph Loeb and penciled by Ian Churchill) was going to be hot. That is certainly proving to be the case as the number one issue has now gone back to press not once, but twice enjoying three full printings [full story]. When it comes to issue number 2, I called a local comic store (with which I've done business for years) and asked that they hold me back a copy as I have to admit I didn't have this title on my standard pull list. They said "sure" and subsequently had it disappear in the purchasing rush that followed the first two hours of its release. This left me on the hunt to grab a copy at an alternate store (and they were down to their last copy). This week's books had only arrived at both stores a few hours earlier. To say the least, around my neck of the comic wood, this title is selling out fast. After reading the first two issues, I'm glad to see it happen.
In these early issues, we find Supergirl, clearly weary of Paradise Isle, taking flight out into the world to learn more about her own history and those who share her name. This story follows on the heels of the immensely successful tale woven into Superman/Batman #19 (which is currently being reprinted in Supergirl #0). In her own title we quickly meet a heroine in search of a purpose and her place in her new adopted home world. The character reads as filled with hot tempered frustration when faced with the expectations of the DC Universe and her struggle is clear within the story.
Expectations of the DCU? Well, as you most likely know, the DC Universe is building toward the upcoming release of Infinite Crisis #1 and you can feel lost trust reverberating across many of the publisher's titles. Identity Crisis set the stage and Superman's recent "Sacrifice" storyline further fractured the trust of the big three (Superman/Batman/Wonder Woman). Those events have had a ripple effect and this new Supergirl series is not immune to those waves as heroes are growing to question the motives of fellow capes who fight the good fight.
From the start, Kara Zor-El (aka Supergirl) feels isolated, questioned by her peers and clearly in need of a friend. Her interaction with early confidant Stargirl (one of the more interesting DC "teen heroes" out there) is well written. Her subsequent "at odds" feeling with the JSA, following her deftly cleaning house with Solomon Grundy, is a classic moment in the making and speaks to the more human side of super-powered crime fighting. Her psychological observations here are quite interesting here.
These early issues play upon the feeling of teen isolation as Supergirl finds herself held up to the shining light of Superman yet more in step with the Amazonian Wonder Woman temperament and family. Add to this Superboy's recent Luthor driven fall from grace and the growing mystery of her power's odd effect they have on Power Girl and you have a promising start for a series whose title character has seen some lackluster sales, at times, in past incarnations.
The first two issues are loaded with guest appearances. Issue one brings in the JSA and issue two takes you into the heart of the Teen Titans. I tend to judge a writer on one level by how he/she handles guest appearances. Sometimes these visits can feel contrived and thrown together to simply try and bridge a fan following bringing readers to a new title. If a writer can actually pull off the marketing side while still honoring the tone and characterization of the original title from which he/she is borrowing, I feel you have a successful narration taking place.
Here, thanks to Loeb's writing, I can feel the awe that surrounds the JSA and I enjoy the teenage fire so well represented in the current incarnation of the Teen Titans. Jeph Loeb doesn't just roll in a couple solid guest appearances for sales sake, the appearances are relevant to the story and in character with the original titles.
It's clear from reading these first two issues that this new Supergirl doesn't exist in a vacuum as there are hints that we may be looking back on past heroines who have carried the Supergirl name to understand the modern incarnation. I like this kind of reader reward and complexity within a narration. I mean honestly, the character of Supergirl first burst onto the scene in 1959 (Action Comics #252) and to ignore the past 46 years of history would be almost criminal. If you need to brush up on the somewhat complex history of this character, we advise you visit the Supergirl: Maid of Might website's history section [direct link]. There you will learn about Kara (the original Supergirl), Matrix (the Lex Luthor DNA creation), Linda Davers (the merged "Guardian Spirit" Supergirl) and all the past seeds sown bringing us to the current incarnation.
I can't talk about this series without discussing the art of Ian Churchill. You may recognize Churchill's work from such titles as Superman, Cable, Uncanny X-Men. He has a detail driven, clean pencil style that I really like. When I turned the page to the splash scene about six pages into issue #1, it's magnificent. This dual page splash (featuring Grundy locked in combat with the JSA) is almost suitable for framing. It's a great representation of comic art. When Supergirl and Power Girl square off in another two page splash just a few pages later, the results are no less impressive. Churchill's level of detail and ability to depict expression within a character's face and body language is solid work in my book. Art here only adds to the title's appeal and the ink work of Norm Rapmund shouldn't be ignored either.
At this point, Supergirl appears to be a not-to-be-missed title and something tells me that the Power Girl / Supergirl mystery will play out further not here but in the pages of Infinite Crisis. If I were a betting man, I would bet that this new title will prove to be a must read as the full "Crisis" across the DC Universe heats up over the next few weeks.
Scale of 1 to 10 ... A solid 7 for a solid start!
September 25th, 2005
Review by Chuck
Official word from DC
Supergirl #1
Written by Jeph Loeb; Art by Ian Churchill and Norm Rapmund;
Covers by Churchill and Rapmund and Michael Turner
Superstar writer Jeph Loeb and the red-hot art team of Ian Churchill & Norm Rapmund join forces to deliver a new monthly series spinning out of the sell-out run in SUPERMAN/BATMAN featuring the adventures of Superman's cousin from Krypton, the one and only Kara Zor-el!
Kara's story begins with the same brand of high-flying adventure as she begins her whirlwind tour of the DCU! And the first hero she squares off against is Power Girl! Before this tale guest-starring the JSA is complete, secrets behind the origins of both will be revealed!
Please note: This issue will ship with alternate covers by Ian Churchill and Norm Rapmund and Michael Turner , respectively.
Superman | 32pg. | Color | $2.99 US
On Sale August 10, 2005
Supergirl #2
Written by Jeph Loeb; Art and cover by Ian Churchill and Norm Rapmund
The battle that had to happen is here: Supergirl vs. Superboy! After last issue's titanic tussle with Power Girl, why is Kara going toe-to-toe with the Boy of Steel? And where do the rest of the Teen Titans fit into all of this? Plus, Lex Luthor makes his move! Join the superstar team of Jeph Loeb, Ian Churchill and Norm Rapmund as they continue to rocket the new Girl of Steel into hyperspace!
Superman | 32pg. | Color | $2.99 US
On Sale September 21, 2005
