There are a lot of comics out there, but some just stand out head and shoulders above the pack. With “Don’t Miss This” we want to spotlight those series we think need to be on your pull list. This week, we look at “Stargirl: The Lost Children” by Geoff Johns, Todd Nauck, Matt Herms, and Rob Leigh, published by DC Comics.
Who Is This By?
Geoff Johns is a well-known name around DC Comics. His runs on “Green Lantern” and “The Flash” have influenced the comics for years to come, including the 2011 “Flashpoint” event and all that came out of it, and other series, such as “Justice League,” have also had serious impact. Most notably for the purposes of “Stargirl: The Lost Children,” he is the co-creator of Courtney Whitmore, also known as Stargirl herself, from 1999’s “DCU Heroes Secret Files and Origins” #1. In related series, Johns is also the writer on the general “Golden Age” line of 2023, including “The New Golden Age” one-shot and the “Justice Society of America” twelve-issue limited series.
Todd Nauck is perhaps most famous for his illustrations on two particular books: the first volume of “Young Justice” between 1998 and 2003 for DC Comics, and “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” in 2006 and 2007 for Marvel Comics. However, he has also had a multitude of other projects for different publishers. With Marvel, Nauck provided artwork for the 2014-2015 run of “Nightcrawler” and for the 2008 “American Dream” miniseries. With DC Comics, he illustrated “Teen Titans Go!” from 2004 to 2008. At Image Comics, he was one of the artists on the “Invincible” spin-off miniseries called “Guarding the Globe” in 2012 and 2013.
Matt Herms has been the colorist on a sizable amount of DC properties lately, most extensively in the “Black Adam” limited series. Outside of that one, he has also colored “Justice League” #75 (the lead-in issue to “Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths”) and “War for Earth-3.” Outside of DC Comics, Herms has also colored for Archie Comics, including the 2015 “Archie” series, “Jughead: The Hunger,” and “Blossoms 666.”
What’s It All About?
“Stargirl: The Lost Children” is a six-issue limited series spinning off from the aforementioned “Justice Society of America,” and follows a successor to the original superhero team from the early to mid-twentieth century. After long being either a supporting character or part of a larger ensemble, ‘The Lost Children’ is the first time that Stargirl has headlined her own comic book series, regardless of length (and the second time headlining a series in general after her self-titled live action television series).
Having trouble with school, Courtney Whitmore is more focused on her superhero escapades as Stargirl with her friend Emiko Queen, the Red Arrow and half-sister of the Green Arrow. After Emiko finds a lead pointing toward an apparently empty spot on a map regarding a lost sidekick from decades ago, the two go after it against their families’ wishes, becoming embroiled in a kidnapping conspiracy across time related to those lost or forgotten by the ages.
The story alternates between the perspectives of Stargirl and Red Arrow, depending upon the scene, with the former being more at the forefront. Stargirl is shown as somewhat experienced, but still trying to find her way somewhat, while Red Arrow comes across as more matured, but also more emotionally vulnerable at times regarding her history of abandonment that she constantly feels.
What Makes It So Great?
With “Stargirl: The Lost Children,” co-creator Geoff Johns crafts a marvelous story about what it means to be forgotten and return once more, propped up significantly by the stellar artwork and colors. While not all of the young heroes are particularly noteworthy, their role, and those of teenage sidekicks as a whole, remains at the forefront.
Rather than focusing exclusively on Stargirl and her friend Red Arrow in their respective struggles, concentration is shared amongst the various heroes, giving a bit of insight into their personalities and lives, or as much as can be reasonably shown given the character number and page count. Despite some of the heroes being likely invented for this new series with no prior appearances, they still feel, in a way, retroactively fleshed out, thereby also adding to heroes both in the Golden Age and the modern era.
Continued belowRefreshingly, despite being a spin-off from “Justice Society of America,” this limited series does not require outside reading. Sure, knowing the nods or references may enhance an experience, but at the same time they are not shown to be strictly necessary, making this story rather inviting for newcomers while still hinting at a larger world beyond its pages.
How Can You Read It?
“Stargirl: The Lost Children” is available wherever comic books are sold. The latest issue released is “Stargirl: The Lost Children” #5, out today, with new issues published monthly, the last issue presumably next month.
