Like the rest of the Superman Family, I’ve never been a big Supergirl fan. There’s been very few Supergirl comics that I’ve read. Most of my knowledge of the character comes from watching CW’s Supergirl series starring Melissa Benoist. So why am I picking up the newest Supergirl series? It is because of the creator that DC Comics has brought on to write and draw this series: Sophie Campbell. In the last decade, Campbell has one of my favorite comic book runs with her work on IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Let’s see if that translates to a strong debut with Supergirl #1.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer & Artist: Sophie Campbell
Colorist: Tamra Bonvillain
Letterer: Becca Carey
SUPERGIRL #1 SOLICITATION
“THE MAIDEN OF MIGHT RETURNS! IN A NEW SERIES WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY SOPHIE CAMPBELL!
Kara Zor-El has been a key member of the Super-Family in Metropolis, but what happens when she strikes out on her own? Follow Kara as she returns to her roots in Midvale… home of Supergirl! But how could this be?! Our hero has not been back in years, and the protector of that town has been saving the day for weeks. Can Supergirl stop the impostor before they steal her fresh start and life?
Celebrated writer/artist Sophie Campbell (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Wet Moon) makes her mark on the DC Universe with this thrilling debut issue! Plus a new costume designed by bestselling cover artist Stanley ‘Artgerm’ Lau!” – DC Comics
REVIEW
Supergirl #1 is exactly what it needs to be. This was a very new reader friendly first issue that gives you everything you need to know about this version of Kara Zor-El. The weight of continuity is never felt and that is what is needed to give a fresh start for readers to get into what Kara’s adventures will be from here.
The opening of Supergirl #1 helps firmly position who Kara is at this point in her life. She is a long-established hero who, like her cousin Superman, uses her powers to save the day in multiple locations. She maximizes her powers to help protect not just Metropolis but also Kandor. All of that while she is in a transition period in her life that speaks to her being a young 20-something who is figuring out the next stage of her life.
One of the things is clear is Sophie Campbell’s confidence in how to portray Supergirl. First and foremost this is a superhero comic book and there is no shying away from that. How quickly she defeats Princess Shark is an example of that. She has the experience so that this isn’t a long drawn-out fight. It is two pages that get over who Supergirl is.
From there we see one of the first sub-plots of this series established with Supergirl taking over Superman’s position as protector of Kandor. Campbell spends just enough time to establish this new role for Kara. While a small part of this issue, it is done is enough to get into the readers’ mind there are plenty of future stories to be told. Planting these seeds show there is a long term vision for this series that isn’t reliant on one major storyline to carry its lifespan.
Doing all this in the first half of Supergirl #1 made the focus on Kara returning to her hometown as Linda Danvers work as well as it does. Because the first half establishes that Kara has become fully confident as Supergirl. When it comes to her life outside of being a superhero there is not that balance. Returning to her hometown while visiting her adopted parents gives a tone to Kara’s dialogue that she is still trying to figure out her personal life. Even if she doesn’t admit it to herself.
Adding the mystery of someone posing as Supergirl and taking over as the new sensation in her hometown is a storyline that is something to at least give a chance. This being the first story arc of the series has some uncertainty. The biggest takeaway is that this is not a story that should be stretched for too long. The longer it goes the more repetitive the story will feel with how Kara is challenged by her doppelganger. That’s where Campbell really needs to use the second issue to sell us more on this storyline.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Supergirl #1 is the fresh start that the character has needed. Sophie Campbell does a good job using this debut issue to establish multiple storylines for the long-term future of this series. The focus of the series’ first story arc is one that has potential but also one that hopefully isn’t very long given the other more interesting storylines this issue gets over. If you’re interested in picking up a comic book starring Kara Zor-El this is one to check out.
Story Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
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