Review: Supergirl Next Door

DC's Supergirl Next Door Valentine's Day anthology came out this week, a smorgasbord of quick romance stories starring an interesting if unaffiliated group of characters. Much like the Ma Hunkel Christmas Special, the talent on the book are mostly people I haven't heard of with a smattering of a people I know from a few books. 

I used to love these holiday books when growing up. These days they are mostly 'hit or miss' without much to remember afterwards. But they had me at calling it Supergirl Next Door. 

One thing that is tough about these books is that they are outside of continuity so trying to figure out the whens and the wheres are tough especially in this book where things seem far afield for most of these characters. And for a hefty $9.99 I would love for there to be one story, maybe a lead story, from a big name talent team. 

I do love the Amy Reeder cover even if it isn't related to the Supergirl story inside.

Let's jump into the Supergirl story.

Review: Supergirl #5 (v8)

Supergirl #5 came out this week and was a sort of rest issue in the series, giving us side adventures of the Super-Pets while our main character and friends are mostly off-screen. I have loved this series since its inception bringing back so much that I love about Supergirl that I don't know if I was craving an issue like this, certainly not this early. It is a fun issue and very cute. It establishes personalities for each pet. And it is a done in one setting the stage for the next big story.

I wonder if part of the reason for the pause ... or is it paws (indeed the story is called 'Paws and effect') ... is to give writer Sophie Campbell some lead time to keep doing art for the more Supergirl-centric stories. 

We basically get two stories here. One is earnest, heroic Krypto and Lesla's super-bunny Kandy fighting Princess Shark. Kandy, much like Lesla herself, starts out thinking Krypto is her enemy before seeing the good in the dog and becoming friends. Paulina Ganucheau brings a children's book clean look to the art, just skimming Campbell's style.

The second story is Streaky, acting very much like a tempermental cat complete with mood swings. Joining the fight against some kittens mutated by Lesla's Super-Stuff is TinyTano who is figuring out what it means to be a hero. Here the art is much more standard super-hero fare by Rosi Kampe.

It was a silly issue and I love the pets having distinct character traits. But it just made me want more Supergirl adventures. The ending cliffhanger sets a good stage.

On to details.