Supergirl: Survive #2 – Ethan S. Parker, Griffin Sheridan, Writers; Rod Reis, Artist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: Kara’s journey in the days after Krypton exploded continues this issue, as she tries to shepherd the infant Kal to safety. However, their ship quickly crashes on an unknown planet and they come across an army of mutants. Their journey would be over as soon as it began – except for the arrival of the Lantern Corps. This is an interesting take on the characters, as they seem to be a unity corps led by Abin Sur and Saint Walker, along with a heroic Red Lantern. They keep order in the galaxy, but seeing them in action makes clear this arrangement isn’t going to work for long. They initially seem hostile to Kara and Kal, but once they identify them, they shift tone. However, it’s clear it didn’t work out – because a few months down the line, Kara has a shaved head and is wandering through a space port with her cousin, seeking refuge – and finding help from the worst possible source.
A lot of elements in this story make clear that it was very much designed as a tie-in to the movie, from Kara’s harder edges to Lobo’s role, but it makes some unusual choices in that regard. For one thing, in the movie Lobo is a bounty hunter with a few firm lines he won’t cross – but here he and his Czarnian gang actually play a similar role to that of Krem of the Yellow Hills, being traffickers who are out to capture the Kryptonian children and sell them to the highest bidder. It’s a much viler take on him than I’ve ever seen, with none of the comedy, and when they collide with the Lanterns, things turn bloody fast. Overall, this is a good issue with a very realistic take on just how harsh a psychological toll this would take on a teenage girl trying to survive. But not enough to break her – because the end of the issue features a huge turn for Kara’s character that puts her on a whole new path.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes
