Review: Supergirl #6 (v8)

Supergirl #6 came out this week and as anticipated by the solicit and the cover, it is an homage to the classic Nightflame tale from Adventure Comics #421. It is important to know that that story was an early foray into what now seems to be the well-trod soil of Supergirl having a dark side. In it, Supergirl must face the evil she has in her own soul in her own mind. 

One of the things that I have loved about this latest title is that writer/artist Sophie Campbell has really leaned into Supergirl's mythos. It seems as if everything has happened, something we have seen played out in the New History of the DC Universe. Campbell definitely shows us that all aspects of Supergirl's multiple histories is allowed in this book. And if we are revisiting the concept of Nightflame, the darkness in Supergirl's soul, Campbell has a lot of material to pick from. Best of all, Campbell shows why Supergirl is who she is, maintaining optimism and heroism because of the life she has endured.  She is a bright hero. As I have said before, if you are a longtime fan of Supergirl, this book is an absolute treasure trove. 

The art is a wonderful mix of Campbell's usual sunny style for the live action and Rosi Kampe's more angular, harsher art for the hellish innerspace of Supergirl's mind. The contrast plays wonderfully.

In a meta sense, this was the perfect time for this issue to be released. Recently Supergirl movie screen writer Ana Nogueria told Variety that she couldn't wrap her head around the always sunny Supergirl until she read Tom King's gritty Woman of Tomorrow. It is clear no one gave Noguera any recent books because as Campbell shows, Kara has been through a lot and always shined brighter because of it, not falling into drunken, angry despair. More's the pity. 

On to this tremendous book.

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.