I usually wait to post about upcoming month's solicits once Newsarama have posted them all.
But ...
I am pretty sure that Supergirl #50 warrants its own post. Especially since this issue sounds like it is going to be huge for a number of reasons. Here is the link to the February super-titles. I'll be discussing them all soon: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/091113-superman-february-2010-solicits.html .
And now the actual solicit.
SUPERGIRL #50
On sale February 17 • 56 pg, FC, $4.99 US
Written by Sterling Gates, Helen Slater & Jake Black • Art by Jamal Igle, Jon Sibal & Fernando Dagnino • Cover by Michael Turner • Variant cover by Joshua Middleton
Special celebratory 50th issue! Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle reunite to tell an epic, oversized battle royale between the Girl of Steel and a mysterious, diabolical new foe! Still reeling from last issue’s harrowing events, Supergirl is put to the test when she uncovers a terrible secret about her friend and confidant, Lana Lang.
Plus! A look into a day in the life of the Girl of Steel written by Jake Black and Supergirl herself, actress Helen Slater!
Featuring a cover by the man who redefined Supergirl for the 21st century, Michael Turner, SUPERGIRL #50 is an extra-sized extravaganza you won’t want to miss!
So ... where to start.
How about the Michael Turner cover (seen above)? Turner's work and his take on Supergirl have been talked about a lot on this blog. I am one of those readers who think his Kara looks a little too skinny and a little too long. But there is no denying that Turner was one of the most important figures in the renaissance of Supergirl. I think it is a nice homage by DC to put a Turner Supergirl on this issue's cover. If you like Turner, this will certainly grab your eye. From a sales point of view, there are a lot of Turner fans who will most likely pick up the issue based on the cover alone.
The cover is such a big deal that The Source had a seperate post on it. Here is the link:
http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2009/11/13/end-the-week-with-a-look-at-the-cover-to-supergirl-50-by-michael-turner/
Add to that a variant cover by Josh Middleton and the outside of the issue looks like it will be a selling point. I think Middleton's covers for the book have been really spectacular so I am looking forward to seeing what he does for this anniversary issue.
But there's more ...
The issue is a whopping 56 pages and brings Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle back together on the book. It sounds as if Lana survives the 'harrowing events' of Supergirl #49. And battle royale with a diabolical new foe? That means a new addition to the Supergirl rogue's gallery. I wonder if it is a brand new foe or a reimagination of an older Supergirl enemy.
Lastly, the issue includes a second story written by Jake Black and Helen Slater. Helen Slater!! Much like the Donner movies are an influence on many Superman creators, it seems like the Supergirl movie is an influence on the current Supergirl team. How nice to include Slater in the festivities. I have no idea how good she will be as a writer/plotter so it will be interesting to read.
Really though ... the bottom line is that between the covers and the story and Helen Slater (!!), this issue seems like it is an 'event'. And I think this title deserves that sort of publicity.
It is going to be hard to wait these next 3 months.
I totally understand DC Comics wanting to honor Michael Turner and his work on Supergirl. Yet I have to respectfully disagree with the decision of the Turner cover on issue 50. In my view his Kara is just too thin and looks like a vixen in terms of her eyes and expression. She really does not look like a hero to me or Supergirl in general. I can understand though that for recent readers of Supergirl this is what introduced them to her. I look forward to seeing what Joshua Middleton offers as the Variant cover! And I'm thrilled Helen Slater is contributing a story to this issue! She really has and continues to influence my view of Kara. I hope her experiences as a songwriter translates well to storywriter! And a new foe for Supergirl sounds awesome, and I hope it is Blackstarr! During TDAOS she was a true threat for Kara!
ReplyDeleteI love everything they have done! Sterling has promised on twitter this party issue will be jam packed with supergirl goodness. I can't wait to see josh middleton's cover. I wonder how many ads will fill those 56 pages though?
ReplyDeletewoo-hoo! Sounds good.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Turner cover, I veer betwene hating Turner's work and loving it. At the moment I like his cover and his Kara. The positioning of Kara in the clouds and the moon is lovely, and at she's not really sexualised in the picture. she's standing tall and proud and looks like a thorughly confident and self assured young woman.
So yeah, i like it.
VIVA SUPERGIRL!!! BD
ReplyDeleteThat truly is a gorgeous and iconic like looking cover! BD
Man how I truly miss Michael Turner and his utterly kick ass looking art he came up with. *lets out a sad sigh* :(
Helen Slater contributing to this celebrationary milestone issue? 0_0 *head explodes*
This is SO frickin exciting!!! While we may not all agree with Turner's Supergirl, there is no denying he was a major player in her reintroduction to the DC Universe. For that, he should absolutely honored and respected with a gesture like this. I do think it's a stunning picture.
ReplyDeleteI love that there are two stories in this issue. That is SUPER! Pun intended. I'm glad to hear that it SEEMS as if Lana survives, though we won't be sure until issues 49 and this one come out. And YES, I am totally stoked about Helen Slater co-writing a story!!!! That is just the icing on the cake!!
I think it has just been so great that Helen has taken such an active role in her legacy as Supergirl with her appearance on Smallville in Season 7, some recent interviews she's given, her introduction in the upcoming Supergirl: Who is Superwoman trade, and now this. Some stars really make an effort to distance themselves from the projects that started their careers, especially projects that are like the train wreck that was the Supergirl movie. Helen, however, has made no such effort and really seems to embrace and enjoy the fact that fans still adore and remember her role in that movie. Thank you, Helen, for giving back to us like this!! :-)
Oh, and I hope the "in the day of the life" story means we'll see some more Linda Lang.
P.S. - Totally off topic, but in response to someone's comment on Wonder Twins post, I also saw the interview with Laura Vandervoort and was appalled by the fact that she had to say she keeps hoping to hear from the Smallville producers and that they hadn't even bothered to contact her even though she's in frickin Vancouver where both V and Smallville are shooting!!
Well this issue is great on so many levels. Now I can see why Sterling Gates went "whoa" when he first heard what was planned.
ReplyDeleteI really like the Turner cover, the pose and setting is excellent.
I wonder what the history of this particular piece is?. What was it originally drawn for? I'm curious to see what Middleton's cover will look like.
I wonder if this new foe might be comics version of Selena that DC can legally use? That would be cool.
I read in that interview posted here earlier this year that Helen Slater had some ideas for the Supergirl comic several years ago. I am happy now she will have the opportunity to put some of that to paper.
Jake Black did the research for the Supergirl Smallville documentary and wrote the booklet that came with the Eaglemoss Supergirl figurine. So I am glad that he is involved with this too.
Guess I'm going to order multiple copies...
I totally understand DC Comics wanting to honor Michael Turner and his work on Supergirl. Yet I have to respectfully disagree with the decision of the Turner cover on issue 50. In my view his Kara is just too thin and looks like a vixen in terms of her eyes and expression.
ReplyDeleteI can understand both sides. It is a nice honor for him since he had so much to do with Supergirl's initial popularity.
I also don't particularly like his version of Kara either.
I still think it was a nice move by DC.
And I also would love to see Blackstarr again.
Helen, however, has made no such effort and really seems to embrace and enjoy the fact that fans still adore and remember her role in that movie. Thank you, Helen, for giving back to us like this!! :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree.
I am interested in seeing what the product is like.
Jake Black did the research for the Supergirl Smallville documentary and wrote the booklet that came with the Eaglemoss Supergirl figurine. So I am glad that he is involved with this too.
ReplyDeleteGuess I'm going to order multiple copies...
Thanks for the post. I didn't know that about the Eaglemoss book. I wonder if Black has a love of the character.
And I also will be ordering multiple copies.
Multiple copies from me as well, my thrill-o-meter went "PING!" when Helen Slater's participation got mentioned. As far as I am concerned, DC & Warner Brothers owe her some Supergirl-love & closure.
ReplyDeleteJohn Feer
It seems like they made Turner make Supergirl's skirt and top longer which is a good thing. On the other hand, she's just standing there which isn't a great way to celebrate issue #50.
ReplyDeleteI have a question though, wasn't this the issue when they were gonna change her costume??
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ReplyDelete