It is really hard to believe that Supergirl Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade was released 2 years ago. I gushed over the series back when it came out, the perfect entry drug to Supergirl mythos, accessible to the supergirls at home but stuffed with Easter Eggs for old timers like me. I was thrilled when it came out, sad when it ended. A moment from Cosmic actually was my #1 Supergirl moment in 2009. I shouted from the hilltops for DC to do a sequel. It hasn't happened so far.
And yet, I have never given up hope that it would and over on his blog, Landry Walker rekindled that hope by showing some of the concept art he and Eric Jones had done for the possible sequel. Here is that link:
http://landrywalker.blogspot.com/2011/06/supergirl-cosmic-adventures-in-9th.html and here is a blurb. Please go to the site and read the whole thing. It is worth it.
I think with the slight changes to the artwork here we really begin to see Kara's self confidence manifest physically. This would have continued on a curve, all through 12th Grade. By the end (and there was a definitive end planned) 18 year old Kara would have looked like an adult - particularly because you watched her grow up.
I guess what I'm saying is: It's a mistake to expect a character to be perfect right out the gate. Where do you go from perfect? Perfect makes for boring storytelling and boring reading.
Ideally we would have similar development with the emotional status of the character. And I think we do see that evolution just over the course of the 8th Grade mini-series. It was a trend intended to continue.
We would have seen some similar evolution for Belinda and Lena - for at least as long as they were around. And if that sounds vaguely sinister, it probably is. Or maybe it really isn't. Hard to say.
Anyway, that's some Cosmic Adventures 9th Grade stuff for you.
It is clear that Walker understood Supergirl, making this a wonderful version of the character, a version I would eagerly read again. I am aching for a sequel.
I know I have asked for letter bombs from readers here before. But if you think DC should do Supergirl Cosmic Adventures in the Ninth Grade, take two seconds now to drop them a line! Here is the handy link:
http://www.dccomics.com/sites/dcletterspage/
And now the concept art! First off, the 9th grade Linda at the top, looking a bit more polished, her hair more coiffed.
And here, a brawl between Supergirl and SuperiorGirl, Belinda's villainous identity. Walker talks about the evolution, the maturation of Linda he had envisioned. You see it here just in that punch by Linda. She looks tough and capable, a determined look on her face; shedoes not appear uneasy in her shoes.
And, I talked of Walker including so much of Supergirl's history into Cosmic. Lena Thorul played such a big part of the first mini-series. Here, it looks like Walker is invoking her more classic 'ESP' powers. And a reappearance of Streaky! And even Krypto!
And then the inclusion of a Metallo like villain, truly a heart of Kryptonite. This had to be a 'romance' subplot, Linda's first crush. Even that harkens back to earlier Supergirl stories where many guys she fell in love with was a criminal of some sort.
And a Cosmic version of Satan Girl. It amazes me that the concept of Satan Girl, a one issue castaway character in a Legion story, has such a stranglehold on Supergirl history, appearing in Peter David's book, Sterling Gates' book, and potentially here.
And perhaps the most intriguing picture, Supergirl's first interaction with Batman!
There are more pictures on Walker's blog so you must go there.
And if after looking at this art, you want to let DC know you want to see this book, I am re-providing you with the link. Here it is: http://www.dccomics.com/sites/dcletterspage/
I truly truly hope I see this book some day!!
11 comments:
Ok, now I know what I'm doing for the next half hour. Writing a letter to a DC letter page. Haven't done that since I was 10.
Landry's wonderful characterizations and wit were a perfect complement to Eric Jones' adorable artwork. I would enjoy comics so much more if I could have a few rays of sunlight like the Walker/Jones teamup we saw in those books.
If this could happen it would be fantastic. And it would give DC something they don't have much of, a book that's an entry point into the DC Universe for children that aren't quite ready for the castrations, beheadings, and massive death of a series like Flashpoint. Oh, wait a minute, that describe me too.
"Supergirl's Cosmic Adventures In the Eighth Grade" were books I could enjoy and then give to my niece, who could enjoy them too. If my niece could pry them out of my hands that is. Nah, I'd just buy her a copy of her own.
@ Gear - Or you could just hand over your existing copy to her upon next time you see her and repurchase another for yourself. ;) That's what i did for a particular little cousin as well as giving her my Turner Supergirl figure at the time.
Like i said up at Laundry's blog recently we sooo have to write in and get a sequel green lit!
Although wouldn't it be more effective if we wrote to them (aka DC) via old school "snail mail" method though? Wouldn't they take us more seriously? =/
PS: I truly love 'em stylistic and just all so beautiful art intended for the sequel by Eric there! B-D
PPS: @ Anj - a bit off topic here but just thought you ought to know that your supplied link to Kelly Sue DeConnick's blog is no longer working for some reason. =/
I want this fershlugginer comic, I deserve it, I'm a die hard Supergirl fan, I have suffered for my favorite for almost forty years.
Besides she is ducking out of a school locker like she was the Silver Age Clark Kent furtively creeping out a phone booth...HOW COOL IS THAT!!????
That is my $2.99 right there!
John Feer
WOW!
That first sketch right there is enough for me to want to read this yesterday. I just love how Kara is drawn with her headband and glasses.
John Feer wrote:
"Besides she is ducking out of a school locker like she was the Silver Age Clark Kent furtively creeping out a phone booth...HOW COOL IS THAT!!????"
What makes it even cooler is that she is exiting locker #252. The fact that Eric Jones leaves Easter eggs in his concept art makes him totally awesome!
Boy, I remember how everyone wanted a sequel 9th Grade series after Cosmic Adventures ended. Not a convention would go by without someone asking the DC Panel for it. Heck, I pestered Newsarama when they had their weekly Q&A with Dan Didio until he gave a non-committal reply two years ago.
To follow up on TalOs' idea, DC Comics can be reached via "snail mail" at:
DC Comics
1700 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
I also advocate that we ask DC personally at their booths and panels at any of the conventions they will attend this year.
GENE
"What makes it even cooler is that she is exiting locker #252. The fact that Eric Jones leaves Easter eggs in his concept art makes him totally awesome!"
You may know this all ready, but Action #252 is the first appearance of the Sliver Age Kara "Supergirl" Zor-El.
Hey, everybody! Eric Jones, here.
Just wanted to thank you all for your continued interest in our spin on Supergirl -- you guys are amazing, and your support means everything to me. I really do hope we can make a follow-up series a reality; working on the first one was a dream come true, and Landry and I have a wealth of ideas for what we might do. But until then we have some exciting things on the horizon, so stay tuned!
Oh, and Gene: good eye! That's always been my favorite part of drawing Supergirl; I love making these little nods to her past.
Thanks again, everybody!
Thanks for all the comments. And thanks for stopping by Eric.
There has to be a place on the rack for this comic. There has to be. And I showed these pictures to the supergirls at home and they want to see the story!
I hope all the clamor on line brings this fruition!
Please please PLEASE!!!! The first series remains a big favorite in my classroom and at home. My daughter uses it every once in a while to try and convert her friends...we have gained two new comic fans...
I did a twitition for a sequel to this. It. NEEDS. A. SEQUEL. DC COMICS!!!!!!! Thank you, Eric & Landry for bringing joy, again, to a long time Peter David Supergirl fan! You, Landry, Jamal (who added me in his Supergirl series as Mirabai The Forlorn! THANK YOU, Jamal Igle!!!), Peter, Kelly Sue DeConnick, James Peaty, Adam Hughes, & even those who haven't written Supergirl, yet, like, Gail Simone, are all my writing heroes & you all are whom I look up to, both as a fan, & as a writer/blogger. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart. The Easter Eggs are always a delight to see, in the series! -ealperin
Here's the Twitition link!!!:
http://twitition.com/xx5nk
-ealperin
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