Reviewer : Tim Byrne
Story Title : The New Adventures of Supergirl, the Girl of Steel’
Writer : Jeph Loeb
Penciller : Ian Churchill
Inker : Norm Rapmund
Colorist : Christina Strain
Letterer : Richard Starkings
Editor : Eddie Berganza
This one-off within DC’s most (or one of their most) popular titles serves to launch Supergirl’s own ongoing, which is due to commence shortly.
Actually, excusing the commercialism of the exercise, this story isn’t badly done. The dynamic of Supergirl ‘learning the ropes’ is done in the context of a realistic human relationship between Superman, Batman and Kara.
Loeb’s standard device of utilising contrasting thought captions is again brought into play. although this (by now) over-used plot device is given a new wrinkle when thought captions are also contrasted with the statements of a (hidden) Calculator who is manipulating some events for the benefit of a hidden employer.
The art is also used as a device to compare and contrast, as in the ‘split-image’ effect used on the title page of this issue.
The story unfolds in fairly satisfying layers, so I hesitate to reveal details. Suffice to say that Supergirl is attempting to prove herself under the watchful (and some would say overprotective) eyes of Superman and Batman.
The over-simplified dialectic of an idealistic Superman and cynical Batman is (thankfully) watered-down, with both characters exhibited more human and three-dimensional qualities.
The art from new kid Churchill is interesting eye-candy, from the Michael Turner school of impossible shaped women. The fight splashes work well though.
Loeb is obviously establishing a style which he hopes to use on the Supergirl ongoing, and it works in this initial taste.
