The official DC May solicits haven't hit the web yet but Bleeding Cool already has scans of the previews and lo and behold there is news of a new Supergirl book. Here is the solicit and some preview art.
SUPERGIRL #1
Written by SOPHIE CAMPBELL Art and cover by SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Variant covers by STANLEY "ARTGERM" LAU, PABLO VILLALOBOS, and JOSHUA MIDDLETON
1:25 variant cover by BILQUIS EVELY
Written by SOPHIE CAMPBELL Art and cover by SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Variant covers by STANLEY "ARTGERM" LAU, PABLO VILLALOBOS, and JOSHUA MIDDLETON
1:25 variant cover by BILQUIS EVELY
1:50 variant cover by W. SCOTT FORBES
Foil variant cover by STANLEY "ARTGERM" LAU
Blank variant cover
ON SALE 5/14/25
ON SALE 5/14/25
Kara Zor-El has been a key member of the Super-Family in Metropolis, but what happens when she strikes out on her own? Follow Kara as she returns to her roots in Midvale…home of Supergirl! But how could this be? Our hero has not been back in years, and the protector of that town has been saving the day for weeks. Can Supergirl stop the impostor before they steal her fresh start and life?
Celebrated writer/artist Sophie Campbell (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Wet Moon) makes her mark on the DC Universe with this thrilling debut issue! Plus a new costume designed by bestselling cover artist Stanley "Artgerm" Lau. NOT FINAL TRADE DRESS COVERS
There is a lot to unpack here. I very much love Campbell's art but I haven't read much of the stories she has written. Her writing style will be new to me. That said the solicit sounds great.
I think the Super-family has swollen to pretty big numbers so I think moving Supergirl out of the city and letting her branch out on her own, be the solo star, is great. I also like Midvale being the setting, a flashback to classic Supergirl. I have loved her relationship with Superman in the Williamson and Phillip Kennedy Johnson books but it will be nice to see her not be second in command and instead marching her own way.
I do know that Campbell has been on TMNT recently and I would love to hear from anyone who read that what they thought.
Perhaps Campbell is a fan? She talks about it on AIPT here. She says:
“I came up in the comics industry doing mostly graphic novels that I wrote and drew myself, so doing the same with Supergirl feels like I’m returning to my storytelling roots,” said Campbell. “My main touchstones to Kara Zor-El were the stories and the wild costumes from the 70’s, the 1984 Supergirl movie, and The CW show, which I was a huge fan of. In creating this version of Supergirl, I’ll be drawing on some of those influences as the series unfolds.”
The 70's, the 80's movie, and the show? Those all had a Supergirl I love, that hero who wants to help. I'd have loved it if Campbell mentioned Gates and Igle. But at least she didn't mention Woman of Tomorrow. And this pic of Kara snuggling with the pets is brilliant, giving a vibe that feels right. This all makes me cautiously optimistic. I am hoping Campbell brings that sort of heroism and optimism and fierceness I love.
Campbell's art was mesmerizing on Jem and the Holograms and she drew this moment, Kimber throwing a pie in Pizazz's face, a fave of mine. So if she brings this energy to the Supergirl book, it will be a visual feast.
Supergirl's new costume was designed by Stanley 'Artgerm' Lau. I am not the hugest fan of belly shirts, But a blue shirt with a red skirt and a cape? Lots to love about this.
I also like that the S-symbol seems to veer into the more stylized New 52 version, making this feel recognizable as the House of El, but uniquely her own. And you need the S-shield on the cape!
And check out the variants from such Supergirl luminaries as Lau, Middleton, and Evely.
I just want some good old super-hero stories! So I am cautiously optimistic.
What did you all think of the news?
11 comments:
I’m with you all the way, this is the biggest news of the year; and while we can’t know how well suited Sophie Campbell is, it can’t be as bad as Mariko Tamaki’s stinkers (and if they don’t click with me, we’ll, it’ll be a great new flavour of dislike!). But really, her comments have my glass more than half full, this could be great.
Plus, we’re getting the first of a five-issue Krypto mini-series on my birthday, from the superb Ryan North and Mike Norton. And classic Superboy in Action Comics, this could be a great year for Super fans.
I notice that DC have also announced the publication of new books in the DC Finest series. Here's hoping for new Supergirl and Legion books which include material not yet published in book format. It would be great to have the 1970s Supergirl stories on my shelf instead of online.
Excited about the book. Feel like the belly shirt is a step back. Though I know I’m perhaps in the minority of those that love the Supercorp look.
Gates and Igle aren't mentioned by Campbell, but the latest costume is basically the cheerleader costume from that era with a red skirt instead of a blue skirt. Not my favorite Supergirl outfit, but not her worst either. I can live with it if the stories are fun, exciting, well-told and kick the misery porn to the curb. Which may be the case. Supergirl vs. a mysterious duplicate Supergirl is a classic Silver Age story premise. I also like that Supergirl is returning Midvale . This is a golden chance to introduce her classic background to new readers.
Forgot to put my name to the above post.
Thanks for the early comments!
I do wonder about the double Supergirl? One thought I have heard is that somehow it is Matrix! That would be insane!
Artgerm said he wanted 'sporty and fun' for a costume and thought that the top looked athletic.
Excited for this! The premise sounds fun. They had me at Midvale. And I think it's great that the writer is drawing from several sources of Supergirl throughout the years. I wonder if the imposter is Lesla-Lar. As for the new suit, I'm just glad she has a skirt and cape again!
Re the double, I thought of Matrix too, or Linda Danvers, though Linda would be more likely found in Leesburg, not Midvale. And Matrix has a history in Smallville, from when she was staying with the Kents.
Does the current (New 52) Supergirl have any "roots" in Midvale? During Rebirth she was placed with the Danvers, but she lived in National City. Did the Danvers themselves live in Midvale? Or have a summer house there? Maybe she visited them there for Thanksgiving... or maybe I've forgotten something!
It would be a lot of fun if the double is another hijacked Silver Age Supergirl, lost-in-time-and-space like the one who appeared in Peter David's final arc.
That last Anonymous was meant to be signed "T.N."
There hasn't been a Midvale connection for a long time! Which makes this all the more intriguing!
Officially, Midvale has been out of continuity since COIE #7, but in practice it was long ignored part of her backstory. I THINK she last visited Midvale in a SMF Dollar Book (drawn by Win Mortimer) which coincidentally revolved around a well meaning imposter Supergirl. But I could be wrong, frankly a definite list should be drawn up of all her imitators and imposters and evil twins, I think it would be surprisingly long. As usual I'm drawing a blank on the new creative team, but at this point the bar is pretty low after King and Tomaki working their successive necromancy. As for the costume, I like ditching the MCU Captain Marvelish Jacket, but the crop top and the skirt, are two different examples of fan service that just don't mesh together well. At this point we've had to endure so many poorly written incarnations of Kara Zor that I'd happily see her in a medieval suit of armor if only the vibe was right and the character's core was respected. JF
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