Supergirl gets a new life in the DC Universe with Rebirth by returning to the basics. Read on for our spoiler free review of “Supergirl” #1.
Written by Steve Orlando
Illustrated by Brian Ching and Michael Atiyeh
“REIGN OF THE CYBORG SUPERMAN” part one! Supergirl is back and working for the DEO to defend National City! As Kara Danvers, average American teenager and 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 face-to-face with her father: the sinister Cyborg Superman!
Despite her weird history, Supergirl has always found a strong following. She has died, lost her powers, been a Red Lantern and went to a school in space (or something like that). Last year, Supergirl began airing on CBS and it introduced the character to a brand new audience. Thanks to the charismatic presence of Melissa Benoist, the show has been a success and with DC’s Rebirth line, there is no more perfect a time to reintroduce the character in comic books. Steve Orlando and Brian Ching’s “Supergirl” #1 is a charming and easy entry point for new and longtime readers alike.
“Supergirl” #1 takes place not too long after the “Rebirth” one-shot. Supergirl, living a dual life as high schooler Kara Danvers, has her powers back and is trying really hard to fit into her new life. On top of this, she is struggling with what it means to be a hero and what that will look like for her. Due to her bargain with the D.E.O and Cameron Chase, she doesn’t have the luxury of doing whatever she wants like her cousin Superman does and in this issue, she learns that the hard way.
One of the most obvious things about this relaunch is that this is a comic book aware of the television show. Unlike “Green Arrow” and “The Flash”, “Supergirl” is a book that embraces what the show has brought to the table, but it doesn’t go too far. For newer readers, particularly younger ones who are trying out a comic book for the first time, this is really important. But what’s also important is keeping the book feeling like it belongs in the DC Universe and this is something Orlando does really well through mentions of Superman and lots of mentions of Krypton’s history.
With that said, Orlando isn’t simply writing a version of the television show. Like “Midnighter”, he gets really into the experience of his lead. While there’s plenty of action, there’s a vulnerability to Supergirl that hasn’t been touched on in recent years. Kara on Earth is lonely, confused and awkward. She did well and was poised for success at her original home. On Earth, however, she has no family, no friends, and is lost in a different culture. That compounded with being a teenager made me connect with her in a way I hadn’t before. There are brilliant moments of self doubt that don’t read as melodramatic and the moments between Kara and her adoptive parents feel really sweet without being too much.
“Supergirl” #1 is propelled by the art of Brian Ching. He is why so many of the character moments work and he sets a tone for the book that hasn’t been seen in a major DC book in a long time. First off, Ching allows Supergirl to be a teenager. So often we’ve see her sexualized to a point it’s unbearable to look at. Whether you like the skirt or not, there is never a need to see up her skirt. Ching’s style is not quite “cartoony” but it’s definitely different from what we’ve seen at DC in the last decade. The character designs are all very good with Cat Grant probably getting the best upgrade as she looks more like Calista Flockhart than ever before. Supergirl’s costume has a back-to-basics approach (like the story) and it proves that not everything should get some big redesign to be effective.
All of the writing has more of an impact thanks Ching’s work. I love the closeups on Kara as she struggles to balance her new life. Living a double life is reflected in even how Kara’s body language reads. As Supergirl, she’s invincible and a heroic but as Kara, there’s a slight weakness to her. Ching’s action scenes are quickly paced and he’s given space to make the quips work. The flashbacks between her memories of Krypton and the current day are different enough to feel like different worlds. Michael Atiyeh’s colors are really bright and it elevates the book to a more light hearted feeling that a Supergirl book should have. I especially like the shifting tones he brings between the flashbacks and current day action. His Krypton feels a bit cold and a little Star Trek-esque compared to the current day. It’s a differentiation that makes those flashbacks transition better.
“Supergirl” #1 is a great return to form for the character and I’m excited to see what comes next. As someone who hasn’t read a ton of classic stories starring Supergirl, I found this accessible and a joy to read. Whether you’re a longtime comic book reader or coming into this only knowing of the show, you’ll find a lot to love.
Final Verdict: 8.0 – “Supergirl” is a really enjoyable return to basics for a character that desperately needed this.
