Review: Supergirl RB #1

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Supergirl #1, the solo title for the character in the post-Rebirth continuity came out this week and I'll say up front I was very impressed.

It has been over two years since the last solo Supergirl title in that time the Girl of Steel's prominence as a character has skyrocketed. With a popular television show, a presence in DC Superhero Girls, and a re-emergence in the late days of the New 52, it seems like Supergirl is suddenly everywhere. There are podcasts, figurines, cartoon shorts, and apparel in mainstream stores. It is amazing. In fact, it makes me wonder what took DC so long to get a book back on the shelves.

What is more amazing is, at least locally, the Supergirl book has been a focus of announcements for comic stores. I am on a number of email distribution lists for local stores and many had some version of ' 9/7:Supergirl #1 released!' as the title line. And DC also seems to recognize the potential in this book giving us two covers (which may be the norm these days) and a blank sketch variant.

But all of this would be sound and fury signifying nothing if the story isn't good. Thankfully, writer Steve Orlando delivered a very engaging first issue, setting the stage for this new time in Supergirl's life. The emphasis here is that she is a stranger in a strange land. But that also means there is a nice layer of contrast with her cousin Superman who seems to fit right in. There is some angst here, but it isn't bitter or angry unlike the early issues of the last couple of incarnations. Orlando also seemed to pluck pieces of Supergirl incarnations which have worked in the past and distilled them into this new book. This is a rebirth!

The art is by Brian Ching who brings an angular stylized feel to the book. It has an energy too it which makes me feel like the characters in motion, especially when anatomy seems to be distorted a little. Kara looks like Natalie Dormer in a number of panels.

And the covers are great. Ching's looks like a movie poster of old, highlighting the main points while Bengal's variant shows a smiling Kara ready to hug the world.

On to the story.

DC Rebirth Previews - Supergirl

The DC Comics Preview book came out this week, finally giving us some information about the upcoming Rebirth books and answering a few questions.

I have said it before. I'll say it again. I am more optimistic about #Rebirth than I ever was about the New 52. This seems a more thought out, more controlled, and more imaginative take on the DCU than the 52 ever was. Hearing about the books and teams and ideas as well as flipping through this book, it just feels like this is more thought out. The New 52, while diverse in books (monsters, westerns, anthologies, etc.), the tone seemed monochromatic. Things were dark.

These books seem more nuanced, more varied, and some joy.

And what about Supergirl? Well, Steve Orlando has said all the right things. So how is DC marketing it?

Supergirl. What’s her deal?

Supergirl is back and working for the DEO (Department of Extranormal Operations) to defend National City from those who would do it harm, As Kara Danvers, average American high school student, Supergirl must balance her life as a superhero with her new life on Earth But some demons from her Kryptonian past are coming back to haunt her, and Kara will find herself making the toughest choices of her young life!

APPEARING IN: SUPERGIRL from writer Steve Orlando and artist Brian Ching.

STATUS QUO SHIFT: From depowered wandering soul to repowered superhero!

WHY THEY WEAR THE SHIELD: To continue the legacy of her cousin, Superman, and make her adopted home a better place!

Well, first off, things seem pretty aligned with the television show. The DEO. Living in National City. Calling herself Kara Danvers. All of that folds into the show's premise seamlessly. Still, this is a younger Kara. She is a teenager, not a young woman. And while it is implied she is still trying to adjust to Earth, at least she has embraced the planet as home. When we last saw her in the old book, she was bleeding from a cut on her finger so at least we will have some resolution given that the mention her as being 'depowered wandering soul'.

But that last line is the clincher for me. Kara wants to continue to legacy of her cousin. So she likes and respects and wants to emulate Kal. And she wants to make Earth a better place. That is much better than hating the world like she did when written by Lobdell and others.

I would have preferred Linda Danvers. But otherwise I can't complain about this. Sounds great.

So what do you all think?

Rebirth!

Just yesterday I reviewed the DC solicits for May, commenting that things didn't seem to add up. We knew Rebirth was coming. We knew that all the DCYou titles weren't going to survive. We knew there was going to be some sort of massive universal shakeup. So what were we going to see in June? What was Rebirth? And what books would come out of it?

Well, we got some news yesterday. CBR had the most coverage including a special video by Geoff Johns explaining his thoughts. Here is that link:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/exclusive-geoff-johns-details-rebirth-plan-seeks-to-restore-legacy-to-dc-universe

Johns acknowledges the cynicism that came with the announcement, something I was glad he did. He faced the music a bit.

But he does a good job playing up the success of Green Lantern Rebirth and Flash Rebirth. In particular, he does a good job pointing out how the Lantern books before Rebirth had sort of lost their way. No Hal. No Kilowog. Guy as the weapon shape-changer. That book had lost its legacy, its history. 

Frankly, I feel that is true about the DC Universe as a whole right now. What is this place? Because it isn't the DCU I have read for decades. Things seem off. Diana is a daughter of Zeus. Clark is powerless and a brute. Bruce isn't Batman. Alfred has no hand. So much insanity ad nauseum. 

So the idea of bringing back some legacy, some sanity to the universe makes perfect sense to me. Hitting a lower price point of $2.99 makes sense too, allowing me to try more books. Maybe it isn't a reboot. It sounds more like a reset. And I'm okay with that.

Later we got a list of all the books, starting out with a Rebirth special (maybe like a zero issue?) following new monthlies. Here is that link:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/dc-announces-full-rebirth-line-twice-monthly-books-lowered-price-point

Take a gander at this.

That's right. In the fall there will be a Supergirl Rebirth special!

And that means later we'll get a new Supergirl monthly!!

Finally! Finally, we will get a Supergirl monthly, only a year after the show premiered! Hurray for Kara fans for bringing the noise, asking for a book, and convincing DC that it should be done.

 

 Heck, she is even one of the mysterious shadows in the new Rebirth image!

Now details are scarce about creators and so much of my optimism will be based on who is attached to the book and what their approach to Kara will be. Please no 'hell on wheels', no 'dark loner', no 'bull-headed pessimist'. So let the speculation begin! Who would you want?

Seriously, I am thrilled that Supergirl is going to return.

I am surprised there is no Doom Patrol and no Legion.

And this means I have to bid a fond farewell to the books that came out of the DCYou initiative and worked. I will especially miss JL3001 and that Supergirl. But I'll also miss Black Canary, Martian Manhunter, and Starfire as well. Kudos to those creators for giving me hope.

So this fall, Supergirl #1 ... it's about time!