I have been pretty impressed with the variant covers that Artgerm has been producing for the ongoing Supergirl title. While it is abundantly clear that Artgerm is a 'good girl' artist, the pieces are so beautiful I can forgive if they occasionally veer to cheesecake.
And in particular, I have loved his more recent covers showcasing the different costumes the Supergirl character has worn over the years. I spotlighted the 70's hot pants cover for Supergirl #18 here. And didn't share the equally gorgeous 'white shirt' costume cover he is putting on Supergirl #19.
But when this variant for Supergirl #20 was out on the internet late last week I had to show.
People who have been coming to this blog for a while know that the belly shirt costume designed by Michael Turner is, without a doubt, my least favorite costume for Supergirl. In particular, when it was taken to it's extremes, growing ever tinier, I cringed.
But there is something about this cover that made me smile. So I want to tip my hat to Artgerm for honoring Michael Turner here. Because this pose by Kara is pure Turner.
This is the pose she is in when she is introduced by Superman to the rest of the DCU in Superman/Batman #13. In fact, the Artgerm cover might be an homage to that very moment given he is in the background. It's a strong pose and classic for Turner's Kara.
He used it often, here it is again on her Who's Who page by him.
Heck, you can even see it a little in his cover for Supergirl #50!
While I might not like this costume or even his art, there is no denying that Turner was a big reason that Supergirl returned with the splash that she did. He was an incredibly popular and influential artist at the time. His name had buzz. And so when it was announced he was drawing her return, suddenly Supergirl was a commodity again.
I have to respect what he did for the character back in 2004 and so I am glad that his work is being honored in this way. And I think that cover is beautiful.
And now the bad news.
It looks like this is the last of the Artgerm covers on Supergirl.
I have some concerns about sales afterwards (and frankly the title itself a little). But more on that later this week.
Incredibly beautiful cover.
ReplyDelete"People who have been coming to this blog for a while know that the belly shirt costume designed by Michael Turner is, without a doubt, my least favorite costume for Supergirl."
Ah, it isn't my favorite either, but I don't mind it. Then again, I'm the crazy guy who thinks the New 52 suit wasn't SO bad as some fans claim. If I had to choose my less favorite suit I think I'd cite some of her "Adventure Comics" suits like the one of AC #409 or #415.
Maybe Turner thought his design was a good modernized take on the original costume (a belly shirt modern? In 2004? Well, comic-book artists aren't fashion designers).
"While I might not like this costume or even his art, there is no denying that Turner was a big reason that Supergirl returned with the splash that she did. He was an incredibly popular and influential artist at the time. His name had buzz. And so when it was announced he was drawing her return, suddenly Supergirl was a commodity again."
Let us remember "The Supergirl From Krypton" was animated. Obviously, the presence of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman and Darkseid being the Big Bad helped, but a Supergirl story was popular enough to become an animated movie.
Loeb/Turner's origin is not without flaws, obviously, but it's possibly my favorite Supergirl's mainstream origin. No Superman dumping her into an orphanage, no Supergirl punching Superman in the second issue of her frigging series. Supergirl arrives, Superman accepts her immediately, Wonder Woman takes her under her wing, the Trinity fights freaking Darkseid for Supergirl's freedom and Kara is introduced to the super-heroic community. Way, WAY better than "Last Daughter of Krypton".
I'd like seeing you going over those issues. How well do they hold up after thirteen years and Johns/Gates final retcon? How did you feel when Kara Zor-El was becoming a part of the Superman Family again?
"I have some concerns about sales afterwards (and frankly the title itself a little)."
I share your concerns. Let's hope for the best.
That's a very nice piece, and I like that Cuz is in the background.
ReplyDeleteReally sad to see Artgerm go. He has brought great covers.
ReplyDeleteDC should be adding more female superheroes not less, and Kara is one of their strongest sellers, so she should be good.
Should they go the other way I am done with anything DC not directly related to promoting women.
Anyhow. I'm loving that he drew trunks on Supes. Also, the cheesecake skirt looks good and is at least more modest than the crotchsuit of new 52 and powergirl.
Somehow he managed to put Kara in that improbable belly shirt costume without making her look anorexic, which was my main complaint about the character design circa 2004. Losing this guy is a setback, his covers made this book into a de facto collectible, no small impact on sales no doubt.
ReplyDeleteBut lets face Supergirl could sell 250,000 copies a month, and still we'd worry...its part of being a comics fan these days.
JF
The extreme versions of this costume are uncomfortable to look at (not to mention how it must have felt to wear it!). But there were a lot of artists who did a good job with it later in the run.
ReplyDeleteThis length skirt merits the bike shorts, several inches of which would be visible if the skirt were this short, later in the run. So you are right, this is an homage to the early Turner version, with the short gold cuffs too - but it's a MUCH healthier looking non-anorexic Kara.
The New 52 costume was good when handled well - for instance, by Emanuela Lupacchino, where the bottom didn't look peculiar. It emphasized that version of Kara as quite alien, which I thought was a refreshing take on the character - alien and angry, rather than rebellious teen. While one can argue about some elements of Mahmud Asrar's early interpretations of the costume, he did some truly outstanding art on the title.
Wish we were also going to get an Artgerm interpretation of the New 52. Maybe someday.
Just saw the sales chart over on comichron and issue 17 sold just 26,466 issues. Although issue 16 too sold more than 17,000 copies in January.
ReplyDeleteI wish even after artgem goes, the sales stabilize around 25000 atleast, I hope that's not too much to ask for
I am sure everyone here saw those tweets of Steve, although I got a heart attack at first, but then it's more probably a creative team change since Justice league which was written was Steve is also changing hands.
ReplyDeleteAtleast I hope it is.
Thanks for all the comments!
ReplyDeleteAs you say, Artgerm has this be a healthy looking Supergirl, not the pulled taffy of Turner.
I do wish we got the bike shorts here.
Thanks for sharing, Anj. Will have to put that onto my pull list when it comes out, just
ReplyDeletefor the beautiful art. Personally, the 2004 costume is my 2nd favorite costume; the Slater
movie / Matrix version DEFINITELY is and always will be my favorite version.
Also, agree with Martin Great : from a Supercousins perspective, that cover... just...
gets... it... right! What I wouldn't give to see it brought to life with real people
-- *cough* Benoist / Hochlin*cough*
Regards
Artgerm did do his take on the New 52 Supergirl costume:
ReplyDeletehttps://pre00.deviantart.net/32b1/th/pre/f/2013/099/b/f/supergirl_final_lr_by_artgerm-d612kd0.jpg