Sophie Campbell is back on writing and art this issue making this an extra special treat. Campbell's art is just so intricate, so vivid, so captivating that you can't help but read the book slowly, taking in the art and all the small details she puts into things. A simple exercise will be to find Streaky every time the super-cat appears. He has is always doing something, making some expression. That devotion to the small things makes the art a true attraction here.
The story is a sweet one and really more character building. After last issue's look into the darker aspects of Kara's past, this issue is her being friendly and helpful, even to her enemies. Here, Supergirl is helping Princess Shark try to escape her life of villainy.While that unfolds, Kara's family tries to gather for Thanksgiving.
The Princess Shark story is a sort of sideways take on the Little Mermaid. And the conclusion to that plot makes little sense given Princess Shark's earlier actions but it's fine. It showcases Supergirl's smarts and ethics nicely.
And the family story shows how Lesla is still suffering from her lack of parental love, transferring it onto Superman of all people.
All that said, while I think this is a fun issue, I actually am hoping we get a super-villain fight soon.
On to the book.
At the Danvers, Lesla is learning the history of Thanksgiving and how it was a time to put differences aside and gather to celebrate.
On to the book.
We open up 'Unfortunate Souls' with Supergirl as a mermaid. As I said, a sideways take on the Little Mermaid. (I can hear Ursula singing in my head.)
The Turquoise Kryptonite which transformed Kara was placed there by Princess Shark. She needs Supergirl's help. It was a sea hag who transformed the Princess from a plain old shark to the humanoid version, enslaving Princess at the same time. She isn't evil ... she is compelled to do evil by the hag.
Throughout this book the idea of family is discussed. Here Princess Shark can't talk to her sibling sharks anymore because of the transformation. She wants to go back to being a plain shark and hopes Supergirl can force the hag to reverse the spell.
Anyways, love Supergirl agreeing to help the Princess. This Kara is always looking to help others. And absolutely am blown away by this opening panel, the detail put into the mermaid tail is incredible.
Superman and Lois arrive and Lesla gives him the chilliest of receptions, pointing out the 'secret weapon' and orphanage past. Surely this is Lesla processing her own parents' distant and cold relationship to her, making her seek out her Supergirl fantasy.
She is so put off by Superman, she flies off in tears.
Lesla is an interesting recurring character as we see her grow through her own trauma. Lesla is alone. She is a foil to Kara.
Lena continues to epitomize 'emo', pointing out some of the more unsavory parts of American history and her own family.
Like Lesla's need for love, Lena's wallowing in isolation is another response to some familial trauma. Lena acts like she wants to be alone. She is also a sort of foil to Kara.
Lesla and Luna begin talking about Thanksgiving food and hanging out, spoiling Lena's pouty, gloomy mood. Love how she kicks them out.
At last Princess and Supergirl confront the sea hag Glurga Gristleglob. Kara hopes she can talk the hag into reversing the spell. But Glurga responds by trying to curse Supergirl.
The resulting confrontation is beautifully rendered and fun with all the undersea beasts, caves, and other stuff.
My favorite bit is how smart Supergirl is in the fight, disrupting any spell by stopping the hag's hand spellwork and voice incantations. Pretty savvy.
But then, the silliness.
Turns out that may have done something to the Hag that prompted the curse. The Hag just wants to get back what was taken from her (being vague here, the twist is worth reading). But if that is all the Hag wanted, why not command the Princess when she was ensorceled? Why make her try to take over Metropolis like in the first issue?
Anyways, the Hag gets what she wants. She frees the Princess from servitude. But the curse, the humanoid form, is permanent. She can't return to her family. Her life is over. Princess Shark feels suddenly alone.
Supergirl's first act to this old enemy? Invite her to Thanksgiving dinner.
He recognizes that Lesla was being protective of Kara. And this back in the day, he did the things he did to protect Kara. He recognizes now those things were wrong. It softens Lesla immediately. He isn't like her parents.
But is this the first time Superman has admitted that the orphanage thing was wrong??
Kudos to Campbell for rectifying this bit of Supergirl history that has irked Kara's fans. Brilliant.
Kudos to Campbell for rectifying this bit of Supergirl history that has irked Kara's fans. Brilliant.
All that's left is the meal.
Love what Sophie Campbell does here, really combing Supergirl's history for all her friends. Sure, Superman, Lois, and the Danvers. Sure Lesla, Lena, and Luna.
But I see Siobhan! The two were great friends in the early New 52.
And Lee, from a late issue of that run as well.
And Cassie Sandmark! The two were great friends for a while.
And even Conner.
Again, this was a sweet issue. Love Supergirl being such a supportive friend and bringing people who probably feel very lonely together. Campbell really seems to get her. And the art is just sumptuous.
But the presence of a Sea Hag 'somewhere outside Midvale' makes me think my Chaos Stream theory is still viable.
Overall grade: B
2 comments:
Enjoyed this immensely. Loved Campbell's art on the Thanksgiving dinner scenes. Supergirl making the witch back down by explaining that putting her under a curse would cause more problems for the witch than it would solve was a clever way of resolving that situation.
Oh no, that was Lee? (Who I don’t recall at all, but I do remember Supergirl kissing a nice chap named Michael.) Is my rant about secret identity keeping over at my review unjustified?
Anyway, at this review, great work on spotting the themes. I’m also a big fan of the series but yeah, let’s have a no-holds-batted battle with a baddie so awful that even Kara won’t try to ‘make a hawk a dove’.
Post a Comment