After taking a bit of a break from this book, purely due to time restraints I hasten to add, this issue caught me on the hop. Last time I picked up this book Kara was on the quest to find Rogol Zaar and give the destroyer of Kypton a bit of a kicking. So imagine my surprise with the turn of events on show. Superheroes without powers is always fun, to a certain point, as you know that eventually, in the case of Kryptonians, yellow sun is but a mere blue sky away. Still for the most past, this book is more about the re-introducing of a particular super team, that still isn’t the Justice Society or Legion of Superheroes (for those maybe watch the ticking of the Doomsday Clock).
Marc Andreyko is again on writing as he continues to have fun with Supergirl away from Earth. I have to say, that I am quite enjoying it too. For so long it seems that Kara has either been a mirror for her more (?) famous cousin or for her own TV twin. Even historically, she has been her own mirror with the introduction of, and the continuing popularity of Power Girl. By placing her in space with Krypto, Andreyko has finally managed to give the character some much need traction away from those comparisons. The writing has a fun quality, with some clever moments such as how Kara gets a level of power back showing how resourceful she can be. I suppose the only downside amidst the quality is the almost “we mentioned them, so it has to happen”, pigeon holing of the aforementioned team. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against them, even if they are not my favourite group; could DC be putting their collective editorial brains together to give the fans what they have been clamoring for? This, of course, is not a problem with Andreyko as such, but rather with how DC are keeping certain fans on tenterhooks.
The art is supplied by Keven Maguire and as you would expect, there is a level of Adam Hughes like cheesecake on show. Despite the cover, and the first few panels, Maguire doesn’t solicitously take advantage of the situation, which shows a high level of professionalism. With no powers to work with, you would be forgiven for thinking that this book would look pedestrian. You would be wrong as Maguire uses page and panel structure to move the story along and utilises the bombastic nature of the main villain to catch the eye and steal every panel in which he features. However, there are some inconsistencies in play with the art, which is probably what you would expect with no fewer than three inkers on the book. Sean Parsons, the always fantastic Scott Hanna and Wade Von Grawbadger all add their talent to the mix. The jamboree of creators doesn’t stop there with FCO Plascencia and Chris Sotomayor keeping the color scheme at its brightest. Letters are provided by Tom Napolitano who does well with all the verbiage that features in this book. I guess, with no powers, comes long speeches!
Concerns about the number of inkers and colorists notwithstanding, this book is a decent quality read and with cancellation of Green Lanterns, I think this has probably been one of the most consistently fun reads that DC have published over the last few months.
Writing – 4 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Marc Andreyko
Art by; Kevin Maguire
Inks by; Sean Parsons, Scott Hanna & Wade Von Grawbadger
Colors by; FCO Plascencia & Chris Sotomayor
Letters by; Tom Napoltina
Published by; DC Comics
Author Profile
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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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