Supergirl #21 – Mark Andreyko, Writer; Kevin Maguire, Penciller; Sean Parksons, Inker; FCO Plascencia, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: Coming off the events of Man of Steel, Superman’s story has been the focus. However, Supergirl experienced as much if not more trauma as he did during that event. Now, Manhunter writer Mark Andreyko and iconic artist Kevin Maguire are taking over her title after a few months’ hiatus to figure out exactly where the loss of Kandor and the reveal that Krypton was murdered leaves her. So far, the answer is – not in a very good place. She’s grieving, and it’s made her more than a little unpredictable. She’s determined to head into space to find answers and figure out exactly who else knew about Rogol Zaar’s plot. When Superman tries to talk her into staying, she blows up on him in a way we rarely see. It doesn’t get physical, but she cuts to the core of the difference between them in a very blunt way – Superman’s world is Earth. Hers was Krypton, and he can’t truly understand how she’s feeling. While her outburst does remind us that she’s a teenager, it’s also a truth of Superman’s life that few people rarely address – his connection to Krypton is largely nostalgic, not personal.
This issue unfortunately puts all the great things Steve Orlando and Jody Houser brought to the title in the rearview mirror, as Kara’s friends don’t appear and she says goodbye to her foster mother Eliza by leaving her a phone message. This is understandable, but I’m also hoping that Andreyko comes back to them in the future – he did a great job with a very human superhero in his past title, and that requires a supporting cast. For this issue, Hal Jordan is on hand to help Kara figure out how to get more answers – and when looking into the history of Rogol Zaar, he finds out that the Green Lantern Corps may be keeping some big secrets. Although Superman has a hard time letting his younger/older cousin go, he makes sure she has someone to look out for her – in the form of Krypto – as she heads for the stars. Kevin Maguire’s art is usually associated with more lighthearted stories, but here he does a great job of capturing Kara’s emotions with the crisp, clear artwork. This is a very promising start to a run that may be a better take on the whole Rogol Zaar plot than the main books.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
