Supergirl #1 Review

Supergirl #1 – Michael Green, Mike Johnson, and Mahmud Asrar

I think it’s fair to say that Supergirl has never really found her place in the DCU.  When researching Supergirl for this review, I discovered that Supergirl #1 marks the sixth beginning for the Girl of Steel.  Fortunately, it’s a pretty good start from writers Mike Johnson and Michael Green.

Issue one starts readers on the ground floor, with Supergirl’s arrival on Earth.  The major twist comes early in the comic.  The debris carrying Supergirl falls over Kansas, but her ship impacts so hard it cuts through the Earth’s crust and emerges in Siberia.  Dazed and confused, Supergirl is alone in a winter wasteland convinced she is having a dream.

The art in Supergirl #1 does much to add to the dreamy feel of the comic.  The colors have a watercolor-like appearance that makes the environments feel hazy.  Much of the comic is a fight scene, as Supergirl battles against unknown assailants, presumably sent to capture her.  The action is dynamic, but never confusing.    Supergirl’s disorientation is captured very well, the pain she endures as her powers manifest nearly palpable.

The story is a straightforward introduction to Supergirl.  After awakening from her crash landing, she is set upon by a squad of soldiers wearing some sort of battle-mech suits.  It isn’t clear whether the soldiers are Russian or American, based on the opening narration it could go either way.  I enjoyed when Supergirl developed her super-hearing and heard dialogue from some of the other New 52 books.  The story leaves little doubt that Supergirl is Kryptonian, but the question of how she reached Earth remains unanswered for now.

Supergirl #1 is a solid, good looking relaunch.  It doesn’t do anything different or radical with the character.  It gets readers in on the ground floor, provides some decent action, drops a few hints about Supergirl’s past, and is fun to look at.

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars!

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