Supergirl 34 solicitation news

October solicits for DC came out on 7/21 and included the much anticipated Supergirl 34, the first issue from the new team of writer Sterling Gates, artist Jamal Igle, and cover artist Josh Middleton.

Here is the official description:

Written by Sterling Gates; Art by Jamal Igle and Keith Champagne; Cover by Josh Middleton; Variant cover by Fernando Pasarin

Beginning the new direction for SUPERGIRL, which will tie the book and character firmly into the Superman franchise!

Hmmm … a bit sparse in the description don’t you think? From prior interviews, we know that this issue includes the beginning of Cat Grant’s role as foil for Supergirl, starting with the release of Grant’s anti-Supergirl editorial. We also know that Supergirl has a confrontation with Silver Banshee.

But instead of hearing about those things, we get this one line description about how the title will be part of the Superman franchise. Nothing about Kara herself or the story is commented on. If DC is hoping to bring in new readers with this issue, shouldn’t they talk about the story? I can only hope the description expands as the we approach the release date.

What is noteworthy in this solicit is that there is a variant cover for the issue which may drum up some extra business. (Remember, there was a Kubert variant for issue 23, Puckett’s first issue.) I thought for sure the cover would be this Igle art which was released when he was announced as artist.


Instead, we get a variant cover from Fernando Pasarin.

Now I have to say that I very much like what little I have seen of Pasarin. He has done a number of fill-in issues for Dale Eaglesham on the JSA title and his art is pretty polished. He has a fine-line approach and draws young women in a nice way. No overt sexiness, no overwhelming curves, no over stylization … just healthy beautiful women. He draws nice expressive faces too. Here are a few panels from Justice Society issues 5 and 8 featuring Star Girl and Cyclone, Dream Girl, and Liberty Belle.

I like how the bodies of Star Girl and Cyclone (teenagers) look different than Dream Girl and Liberty Belle (in their twenties), and even within these age groups there are differences. I say this only because there are some artists (Ed Benes comes to mind) who seem to have one body habitus for all women … super-curvy. So, I firmly believe Pasarin is going to do a great Supergirl.

Still, I was hoping that DC would have a variant cover from Igle or another ‘big name’ artist to stoke the fandom flames. I mean, wouldn’t a Gary Frank variant be spectacular as well as showcase the linkage to the super-titles? Or an Alex Ross cover? Or a Mark Bagley cover? This is not meant to disparage Pasarin's art, which again I very much like. I am thinking more in terms of what will boost sales and increase interest.

3 more months to wait. I am so excited about this.