Review: Supergirl #1 (v8)

Supergirl #1 came out this week, the first new Supergirl solo issue to be on the racks for almost 5 years. And the first Supergirl issue that felt like the Supergirl I love in a long time.

Since the title was announced, writer/artist Sophie Campbell has been saying all the right things. She liked the character. She had read and enjoyed Supergirl's history, especially the Bronze Age. She wanted to bring a warmth to the character, something missing in recent times. She was bringing back Streaky.

All of that shows in this first issue. But there's more than that. There's a respect for the character's history that is evident too.

Grant Morrison's take on Batman was that all the stories happened. It seems like Campbell is a believer of that philosophy here. There are more nods, mentions, and homages to Supergirl's history in this issue than I can count. Moreover, they come from solidly Silver Age, through the bonkers 70s, into the 80s, and right up to the Rebirth era. 

Somehow all of that of that history has to fit into a Supergirl that seems like she is around 17 here. This is a sort of soft reboot, like what Paul Kupperberg did in Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #1 back in the 80s. By making Supergirl younger, it brings back one of the most important historical themes of her character. She's a young hero. She's learning. She is trying to figure out who she is. That sometimes isn't easy when Superman is your cousin. Supergirl questions herself a couple of times here in a way that feels both classic and fresh. 

But she isn't timid or reluctant to act or lacking confidence. She is a complete hero in this book, leaping into action to save people without a second thought, standing up for people who need help. 

That's my Supergirl. Warm, heroic, learning.

I really love Campbell's art, particularly in Jem and The Holograms in the past, and she shines here. She brings a sense of fun and whimsy and pizzazz to the action. The plot and art mesh completely.

Add a mystery and a cliffhanger and you have a winner.

Yes, this might feel like a small step backwards from the 20-something field general we saw by Joshua Williamson and Phillip Kennedy Johnson. But this is a step that historically works. 

It is definitely a huge step away from recent missteps like the catatonic hero of Mariko Tamaki or the depressed, drunk killer in Woman of Tomorrow. 

On to details.

The book opens with Kara defending Metropolis from Princess Shark who is bringing a sharknado to the streets. With sharks falling from the sky on to Metropolis streets, we are definitely in a Silver Age mood. An opening scene of Supergirl saving Metropolis. Not a bad start!

But the fight is brief. With the city safe, Supergirl and Krypto head to the Fortress.

The caption box sets the stage for this omni-history for sure. She survived Argo City. She is still older than Superman (technically). She lives in Midvale! But as adopted daughter of Jeremiah and Eliza Danvers (from the Rebirth era). 

And, of course, she's had 'daring adventures', a nod to the title from the eighties.

Everything old is sort of new again.

She has other heroing duties, like patrolling Kandor ... with powers no less from a 'seen once in history' item, the yellow ring of Nor-Kann. 

There's a ton to love here, the ring reference being just one. 

But the fact that she is Kandor's super-hero (a job since Superman has been banished in the recent Mark Waid Phantom Zone story) shows a certain responsibility on her part. She is doing what a hero should be doing.

And Streaky being around is bonus.

Inside Kandor, Lar-On the Kryptonian werewolf is running amok. 

Supergirl has to save a young girl who seems starstruck. No doubt, based on fashion, history, and reading future issues' solicits, this is Lesla Lar.

But how great is this splash, Supergirl hoisting a falling rock to save the citizens. Iconic.

She then captures Lar-On.

This exchange is interesting. 

Lesla says that Supergirl is even better than Superman. When Kara says it isn't a contest and more about saving people, Lesla seems confused, maybe even miffed.

Could Lesla be a sort of uber-fan who ends up being angered by this lack of respect? A fan who thinks they could do better? A stalker?

Lar-On is brought to the Science Council where Kara says she thinks he needs a different sort of therapy. But the council isn't budging on their treatment options. Remember, these are the people who didn't quite work with Superman recently either.

They do offer Kara the opportunity to be Lar-On's mentor but she declines.

She questions herself, wondering if she is up for a task.

She should question herself.

She's a teenager who wants to help, sure. But should she responsible for a grown man whose a werewolf? Yes, Superman probably would do it. 

And yes, she probably must feel tremendous pressure to be like him, 'living in his shadow', but also wanting to be herself. Heck, this was the driving plot of her first 3 years in comics, maybe 20 years!  You can see she feels a little small, portrayed well in the panel construction.

By the way .... THOUGHT BALLOONS !!!! 

Next scene we see Kara carrying a jet plane to safety when she gets a call from the Danvers to come home to Midvale.

It has been years since we have seen these Danvers, since the Rebirth book. Since then, Supergirl has been living as Kara, in Metropolis, with Clark and Lois. She really has been independent in the recent years in the comics.

Will going back to the small town she lived in be a step backwards in her life? To when she was a kid cared for by parents?

There is a ton to love here too. From her remembering when she had to hide her superheroics (not seen since the Silver Age) to the hair-color changing comb (not seen since the Bronze). Heck, she even mentions Dick Malverne (and his death!), a character we haven't seen in years.

It really feels like the theme of this book is going to be Kara (or is it Linda again) figuring out who she is, where she fits in this world. This is one of the things I love about this character. How do you figure out who you are when someone like Superman is there as a blinding light?

Flying back into Midvale, Supergirl sees signs saying it is the home of Supergirl, a much more full-figured version then her.

Heading to the Danvers, she sees her room's old contents (like boy band posters) and even her old costumes in the trash. Seems odd for the Danvers to jeopardize her identity this way.

And peek at the costumes. Pretty sure that's the 70's holter top.

But the internal monologue again shows how conflicted she is feeling. Should she feel sad that this old stuff was being tossed? Isn't that life behind her?

Then she runs into an old friend Clarissa.

I told you it all happened. Linda has been on a soap opera (Superman Family era) and a camera operator (Adventure Comics era). 

An out of control car causes Linda to switch to Supergirl and save the person .. more heroics! 

But the townspeople think she is the 'imposter Supergirl' the 'real' Supergirl has warned them all about.

Then that other Supergirl, dressed in a rather classic all blue skirt flies in ... with a super-bunny!

And then using some tech-weapons, she basically batters our Supergirl unconscious.

Check out the P-shield! Reminds me of the emblem Star Spangled Kid tried to give to Power Girl way back in the day.

Awakening on the street, Supergirl stashes her old costumes in her old 'hollow tree' and heads home.

Except the Danvers don't recognize her. Because there is a new Linda in the house, clearly the Supergirl from before.

Whew!

Is this Lesla? If we put the old Lesla's attributes her, she would have the tech prowess to make the devices, to make a 'brainwash' ray to control the town, to even change her body into something more voluptuous. 

But that purple and orange dress screams 5th dimension. 

I guess we'll have to wait and see.

But what can I say.

A young Supergirl, being a hero, trying to figure out who she is, and striving to do better. It's why I fell in love with this character decades ago and I'm reading it again. Thank you Sophie Campbell!

Overall grade: A