Saturday, November 7, 2009

Cover Theme


I still can't get over the thematic similarities between these two Supergirl covers. And I think it is ironic that they fall within a number of each other despite being different volumes and nearly 10 years apart!

First we have the cover for Supergirl #49, coming out in January.


And here is the cover to Supergirl #48, released with a cover date of September 2000.

In both instances the composition is fantastic and not the usual fare for comics where characters are bigger than life. Supergirl is small and surrounded by a negative space. She is looking away from us, no hint of her face visible. It really gives that feeling of helplessness, of feeling small against a threat she is powerless against.

They look like they could be released one right after the other.

In Supergirl #48, Linda is mourning the death of Dick Malverne, her boyfriend who she had just saved from demonic possession only to have him die from cancer. And battles with Carnivean had kept her away from his side during his last days. Linda felt completely defeated. I thought this cover (really the whole issue) was one of the best and most engaging of that Supergirl series.

So I loved seeing it's thematic doppelganger by Josh Middleton. Who knows what happens in Supergirl #49? Lana's death?

8 comments:

Gene said...

Anj wrote:
"Who knows what happens in Supergirl #49? Lana's death?"

Boy I hope not, or else I will feel that "New Krypton" cheated us out of some Lana/Kara "Gilmore Girls" storylines.

TalOs said...

That's some sharp eye you have there come picking up the similarities with both particular Supergirl volume covers, Anj. ;)

Gene said...

Anj wrote:
"Who knows what happens in Supergirl #49? Lana's death?"


Boy I hope not, or else I will feel that "New Krypton" cheated us out of some Lana/Kara "Gilmore Girls" storylines.

*sighs* It's bad enough DC killed off E-2 Kal-L and his Lois (only to bring 'em back as Black Lanterns), Johnathan, Zor-El (another BL), Lucy (even though she's supposedly "back" as of late), followed by Jimmy (which I still can't believe Superman's "best pal"'s death hasn't even made newspapers or TV headlines world wide because of it) but to add Lana now in to the mix would be just pure out right insulting to ALL of us faithful longtime Superman Family fans to boot! >:(

So Pete, Lex, Perry, Lois, E-2 Kara, Cat, Ron, Guardian, Eradicator, John Henry, Conner, Linda Danvers (if she's even out there) and Natasha are all that's going to be left of our most recognized Superman Family mythos regular cast while Mon-El, General Zod, Ursa and Non, Alura, Thara, "Chris" and Clark Ross (Lana and Pete's son) will be the new regulars appearing from here on out along with General Sam Lane? :/

Nikki said...

I wouldn't say those guys are the most recognised of the Superman family at all. The silver age superman family is still the most recognisable

TalOs said...

Y'mean the Pre-COIE E-1 continuities Johnathan, Martha, Superboy/man, Pete, Lana, Krypto, Lori, Lois, Jimmy, Supergirl, Amethyst, Nightwing and Flamebird, the Supermen Emergency Squad (led by Kal and Kara's Kandorian cousin Don-El), Zor-El, Allura and Superwoman (Kristin Wells) instead? :)

Yota said...

Her position is almost a perfect mirror image.... I hope Lana doesn't die. I mean, it just seems like all of these characters dying in the DCU yields nothing for story or even drama, and a lot of things in general *cough* Final Crisis *cough* don't seem to have much of an impact on surviving characters.

Plus, should Lana die, what would become of Linda Lang?

--Yota.

Gene said...

Talos wrote:

"*sighs* It's bad enough DC killed off E-2 Kal-L and his Lois (only to bring 'em back as Black Lanterns), Johnathan, Zor-El (another BL), Lucy (even though she's supposedly "back" as of late), followed by Jimmy (which I still can't believe Superman's "best pal"'s death hasn't even made newspapers or TV headlines world wide because of it) but to add Lana now in to the mix would be just pure out right insulting to ALL of us faithful longtime Superman Family fans to boot! >:("

I agree Talos, I just hope that DC does not equate quality story telling with a large body count.

Anonymous said...

Yeah with Lana off singing soprano in the Choir Eternal just how long can Supergirl's secret ID hold up?
So I'm suspecting, Lana's death is a ruse of some type as it would complicate a good book's still fragile supporting cast.

John Feer

Martin Gray said...

Great spot on the covers. I don't recall the Dick issue at all, wonder if I missed it? Lovely shot.

I reckon Lana will be OK. As for Jimmy, I still think Mon-El, hidden high above, used super-breath to pussh Jimmy into the water/the bullet away, faking the death to put Codename: Assassin off his scent. Jimmy is likely beavering away behind the scenes right now, cross dressing merrily.