REVIEW: Adventures of Supergirl: Chapter 1
Story: Sterling Gates
Art: Bengal
Cover by: Cat Staggs
Publisher: DC Comics
I may be in the minority here, but I quite like the new Supergirl series. When it comes to superhero TV in my house, it rates way higher than Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and just above the current season of The Flash (we are currently still in the mid-season break).
As with other DC properties in other media, DC has released a “digital first” book to run alongside the aforementioned show. These books have been of mixed quality with the Injustice comic being the most consistent. That may be about to change.
This first chapter is pretty much a recap issue, in that it sets up the “My name is…”intro that are inherent in every CW show. As such, viewers may get a trifle bored 
with it. However, what’s not to like about the book: there is a fight with a big bad, cameo’s from some of the cast members and a script that reflects the tone and the feel of the show.
DC have pulled out all the stops bringing top notch talent to the book in the form of long-term “Super” writer Sterling Gates and artist Bengal. Gates, a veteran of many a Super book, shows his versatility and overall excellent quality. I imagine it must be difficult curbing your own style to adopt a third parties style, in this case the TV show. Yet Gates does this with aplomb, both in monologue and dialogue.
As fun as the script is, the art is the main star of this particular issue. Bengal, whose work has been seen in a variety of Batgirl issues captures the “new hero” element of the TV show well. This is done whilst adopting a somewhat Adam Hughes like approach to faces and Michael Turner-esque figure work. With no colorist listed, I am left to assume that Bengal applied the color scheme, which again fits the tone of the book and the show, utilizing bright colors for the present and a cold blue for the cold and distant past.
Regardless of your feelings toward the TV show, Supergirl fans should give this books a try. It harkens back to the fun days of comic books and doesn’t carry the weight of countless failed reboots like the current DC Comic universe version of the character is saddled with.
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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