Review: Supergirl #9(v8)

Supergirl #9 came out last week, the third issue in a row focused on character building and leaning into some sorrow and angst. Writer Sophie Campbell is here with artist Joe Quinones showing us New Year's Eve, Midvale style. 

Campbell has definitely been focusing this series on Kara figuring out this next chapter of her life back in Midvale. Campbell has also done something I have been asking for in a Supergirl comic for about 15 years, added a supporting cast. In many ways, this book has been an ensemble cast with Supergirl the axle they spin around. Moreover, it is all young women trying to figure out who they are in a new place, all with different backgrounds and responses. Lesla from Kandor, reeling from unloving parents and a feeling of emptiness. Lena, walking away from Lex but still acting now and then like a Luthor. And Kara herself, out of Superman's shadow and trying to hold her life and her friends lives together.

This issue shows us how easily strained these relationships can be. A fun night suddenly unravels and suddenly Linda, Lena, and Lesla are not the bosom buddies they were. There was a bright feeling to the early issues of this book, an optimism and joy around Kara. These last three issues - Nightflame, the dying robot, and this issues tumults - are a little darker. I am hoping this darkening is from my Chaos Stream theory.

And I have to admit I wouldn't mind an issue of someone like Reactron being a jerk and our hero pounding him. After all the personal drama, I wouldn't mind a supervillain coming around. I am not complaining too much. I love the book. And this is lightyears away from drunken, living in pain, witnessing stoning executions, etc.

I have been a fan of Joe Quinones for a looooong time and have always loved his art, getting a commision from him in 2010. His style fits the vibe of this series wonderfully and I wouldn't mind him being the official pinch-hitter here for issues Campbell can't do herself. 

On to the book! 

Our gang gets invited to Clarissa Giltedge's booze-free NYE party. Linda is up for a party and Lesla is always learning. But Lena seems miffed about the whole thing. The party is being thrown by 'normies' and why bother without booze?

I think Lena's attitude is going to bear watching. She seems to want to be part of a group but also wants to be separate, a recipe for disaster. She is rubbing people the wrong way and then seemingly blaming them for not wanting to hang around her. Is a heel turn about to happen.

I do love this snazzy party jacket Lind dons, with a snake-like S-shield. A serpent? I see things that seem to be building up my chaos stream idea. And Quinones really captures the party feel.

At the party, Lena decides to help Lesla experience drunkedness. Lena makes a Periwinkle Kryptonite shot. Lesla pours into her drink. Unfortunately, Linda also takes a slug. Suddenly two uninhibited Kryptonians are at a party.

Look who else is there ... the tattooed hunk from Supergirl #4. Linda remains smitten and heads right too him. But she's drunk and calls herself Kara.

We get soooooo close to learning his name. Should we guess. Campbell said it isn't H'El, thankfully. A new Jerro? Dick Malverne? Derek? Hmmm ...

And Periwinkle Kryptonite is a deep cut from Superman Family Adventures #9.

The new year rings in. 

Lena is stewing alone thinking she screwed things up. 

Drunk Linda kisses the unknown man.

Drunk Lesla kisses Luna. 

All surprising. 

Lesla becomes more out of control, lifting furniture and being more unruly and destructive.

Lena tries to sober up Linda to help but our hero is just as drunk.

But there is some more problems here. The whole 'is she Linda or is she Kara' problem actually becomes a problem when our unknown hunk hears Supergirl called both. Will he figure out what is going on?

Even I struggle with wondering what I should call her in my reviews. I really want to get behind the Linda Danvers identity but find myself calling her Kara too much.

Lesla gets quite destructive forcing Linda to exit to become Supergirl to come and calm things down.

It results in a Lesla/Supergirl brawl which tears out walls and messes up the place.

I am grateful for this small bit of action in the book. I read superhero books for the character but I do like the superheroics. At least I got a bit, even if it was two friends wrestling to get to their senses.

The following morning, there are consequences.

Lena admits what she did and, as it should, it angers Supergirl. I love the top panel, putting the characters in shadow, showcasing the black mood of the proceedings. This is like something Lex would do.

Now Lena is young and learning. Maybe she needs to learn some life lessons. But she is a Luthor. Will this turn her against Supergirl?

As for Supergirl, we see her crying on her bed in the next panel. She seems to think her life in Midvale is tenuous and this won't help.

Throughout the issue, we see Lesla shrinking. With that happening and with this drunken brawl breaking the terms of her Earth probation, it is time to send Lesla back to her parents.

But Lesla is Lesla. She actualy shifts the blame from herself (she knew she was going to get drunk) onto Supergirl for not watching her more closely.

Will this be a heel turn for Lesla?

Meanwhile in a creepy turn of events, Lesla's parents say all the Kandorian youth have a built in biologic anomaly where they cannot stay enlarged. They always shrink. 

Funny they didn't mention that when Kara before. I wouldn't be surprised if the adult population engineered this so the shrunk Kandorian kids wouldn't demand to be free. Perhaps it is a way for the adults to think they can keep their culture intact and ongoing. I mean, if you could be stuck in a bottle or be super-powered exploring the universe, you might want the latter.

I hope this is explored.

Even Kara is struggling with this. Lesla doesn't want to go back. Or she at least wants to say goodbye to her new friends. But Kara thinks too much has happened. She has to send Lesla back.

Love the struggle on Supergirl's face in the first panel. It can't feel good.

But now Supergirl relationship with Lena and her relationship with Lesla are now very strained. This isn't fun times in Midvale anymore.

I worried that Lesla might heel turn. Well, look who she runs into, classic Supergirl villain Black Flame. If anyone will shove Lesla back into the shadows, it's Zora. Love the updated outfit by Quinones.

So another emotionally heavy issue as things seem to be shaky between our friends. Campbell has made me care about this group already. I like that. I am interested to see how this all plays out. And Quinones' art remains top notch. 

That said, I wouldn't mind a few more adventures, a few more villains, a few more punches. I wouldn't mind a little more brightness and a fewer tears.