Friday, October 10, 2008

Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade sneak peek

The media blitz for Supergirl continues as Newsarama has just posted a 5 page preview of the first issue of Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the Eight Grade, slated for a 12/3 release. Here is the link for your giddy perusal.

http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album.php?aid=23223

I have been excited about this comic since first hearing about it. Written by Landry Walker and drawn by Eric Jones, it should be a great comic for tweeners. And, of course, it will introduce the character of Supergirl to a new generation of devotees.

We have already learned that in this comic her secret identity will be Linda Lee. We already have heard that Streaky will show up. I think I read that Comet the Super-horse may also appear. And now that dialogue has been added to the preview, a reporter asks her if she is Superman's emergency secret weapon. All of that harkens back to a simpler time, a more innocent time for Kara.

The previewed pages look like her origin will be covered in short order, with her rocket crash landing on page 1.


Here is my favorite panel from page 5. Supergirl sure looks cute and fun. I like the pleated red dress look and the blue leggings make a nice touch of modesty for a 13 year old girl. I am probably dating myself, but when I saw this panel I immediately thought about this ...


Okay, I watched Bewitched in reruns in the afternoon. I'm not that old. Still, it was such an immediate conenction for me I wonder if it was intentional. Bewitched was certainly fun in a slapstick 70s sort of way so any feelings of nostalgia for the show I get is a positive.

Anyways, December certainly is a great month for Supergirl fans and this series' introduction is a big part of it.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Whoa.

That was a coincidence.

A nice one though. Weird. And I watched the Bewitched reruns too. So you're probably no older than me.

Which may not be comforting, actually.

Also, Supergirl is 12 in this scene. Though only sort of. She's just shy of her 13th birthday, which takes place in September.

Anj said...

That was a coincidence.

A nice one though. Weird. And I watched the Bewitched reruns too. So you're probably no older than me.


Wow! Thanks so much for visiting the blog and posting!

I am 38, no need to hide it.

Both me and the young Supergirls at home can't wait for the book!

Thanks again!

Anonymous said...

That's almost as cute as Tiny Titans. I loved Kara's reaction to her x-ray vision.

Anonymous said...

@anj

I'm 37, so there you have it. We probably watched the same reruns.

I visit here all the time. It's a great blog, and I have to keep up on what's happening with Supergirl outside my little sphere, after all. In fact, it was here that I learned all about the exciting new direction in issue 34 of the mainstream DCU Supergirl series.

@Mike

We wanted our book to be as cute as Art and Franco's work on Tiny Titans. But they threatened us with violence if we crossed that line. See, I've known them both for years now, and they scare me like nobody's business.

Glad you liked the x-ray vision bit. It seemed the natural reaction for a 12 year old girl suddenly uncontrollably able to see through clothing. Horrible!

Anj said...

I visit here all the time. It's a great blog, and I have to keep up on what's happening with Supergirl outside my little sphere, after all. In fact, it was here that I learned all about the exciting new direction in issue 34 of the mainstream DCU Supergirl series.

Thanks for the kind words!

I go to your site often as well to get any details about the Cosmic series! Please keep posting hints and sneak peeks there too!

Anonymous said...

Count me as yet another seriously awaiting with much anticipation for this here new animated Supergirl themed title to be out already ah! :D

In having had said that though I only hope the artist makes his Supergirl more feminine looking visually and not so she's confused as looking more like that of a boy here instead. (I mean, apart from the skirt whold've really believed that this was a girl we were seeing an not a l'il blond haired boy in all honesty? :/)

Also, I love the fact we'll be getting Streaky in this but why refer to Supergirl's secret id itself now as being "Linda Lee" when you might as well have Lana adopt her and refer to her as being "Linda Lang" just so it syncs up with regular comic continuity secret id other now.

Anonymous said...

TalOs:

To be honest, I had no idea of the Linda Lang direction until I read it on this site the other week. We started work on our book back in February with Linda Lee as the protagonist. Sterling Gates developed Linda Lang independently as well. The two books are handled by two different editors. I really like what Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle are doing (obviously, I am a fan of Kara having a secret identity). But I was as unaware as anyone of what was being done. The timing of the new Linda Lang ID and our renewal of the Linda Lee ID are simply coincidence.

Regardless, having our Linda with Lana as a mentor wouldn't work in the Cosmic Adventures series for reasons that will become more clear as the series progresses. One simple reason would be that Lana does not (and likely will not ever) show up in Cosmic Adventures.

The two books are different. I wouldn't really want to make alterations that would radically change the direction of Cosmic Adventures, and I don't think Sterling Gates would really want me emulating his stories.

As for Eric's Supergirl looking like a boy. She looks like a lanky, awkward 12 year old girl to me. I love the design.

Anj said...

We started work on our book back in February with Linda Lee as the protagonist.

But I was as unaware as anyone of what was being done. The timing of the new Linda Lang ID and our renewal of the Linda Lee ID are simply coincidence.


My guess is only the diehards will be collecting all the Supergirl titles and that we can keep things straight.

I also like the idea of Linda Lee in this title as well. I want this to be a sweet title and I think Linda Lee has that connotation with old schoolers like me.

As for Eric's Supergirl looking like a boy. She looks like a lanky, awkward 12 year old girl to me. I love the design.

I also like it. This is what 12 yr old girls look like.

Thanks again for posting.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Walker:

First, please let me say it's an absolute honor for a pro like you to even be kind enough to acknowledge let alone reply to this particular poster's post regarding this here forthcoming title! So sincere thanks, sir! :)

Regardless, having our Linda with Lana as a mentor wouldn't work in the Cosmic Adventures series for reasons that will become more clear as the series progresses. One simple reason would be that Lana does not (and likely will not ever) show up in Cosmic Adventures.
Hey no probs. As was trying to see exactly where this may've come from and how DC could do 2 separate ids for Supergirl here is all really. Please believe when I say that I honestly meant no disrespect by that part of my post.

The two books are different. I wouldn't really want to make alterations that would radically change the direction of Cosmic Adventures, and I don't think Sterling Gates would really want me emulating his stories.
Again, not a problem. For after all, like Mr. Timm DCU animated continuity his Kara In-Zee Supergirl had "Kara Kent" as her secret id and if I can except that then I can surely except this all new animated themed title's own Kara Zor-El proper Supergirl getting back her whole "Linda Lee" secret id too! :D

As for Eric's Supergirl looking like a boy. She looks like a lanky, awkward 12 year old girl to me. I love the design.
Once again, I seriously meant 0 disrespect by that part of my post but i was mostly referring to her chosen visual facial profile used as a whole that to me made it seem more like a boy then that of girls. (I personally think giving more definition to the lashes would make her less boy like here.)

But having said all of that I'm still 100% fully on board for this title regardless really! :D

But yet again, much thanks or taking time out of your hectic schedule in order to be willing to answer some questions being raised here, for it's sincerely appreciated in you kindly doing so, sir. :)

Anonymous said...

I didn't think anything you said or suggested was disrespectful. I think that the usage of two different secret identities is going to raise legitimate questions. Yours was one of them. I mean, there is logic from a marketing perspective to have a form of unity between titles. But separate and concurrent development lead Sterling Gates and myself down similar, yet different, paths. I think it's great to see the character filtered through different perspectives like this. Now, if we were both working in the same continuity, there would be some cause for concern.

Anonymous said...

Well all I can say is, it is about damn time, if there is one character in the DCU who ought to have her own all-ages title it is Supergirl...I mean it's a no-brainer in extremis.
The costume doesn't quite do it for me...the blue leggings don't conform with the classic Supergirl costume elements ((bare legs, flat heeled boots). The skirt clashes with the tights in other words.
Given the milieu though, I think I'd a just gone with a super-tights if one had to think outside the costume closet so to speak.
But this is a minor quibble...just the panels where Supergirl is clumsily careening around the skies with a look of absolute joy on her face were reward enough for forty years of Supergirl fan-dom on my part.

can't wait to read this one...

John Feer

Anj said...

just the panels where Supergirl is clumsily careening around the skies with a look of absolute joy on her face were reward enough for forty years of Supergirl fan-dom on my part.

can't wait to read this one...


Same here.

I do think that 'joy' is going to be a big part of this title.