Supergirl (2005 Series) #55

September 6, 2010

Title: Fakeouts
Writer: Sterling Gates
Pencils: Jamal Igle
Inks: John Dell, Marc Deering & Richard Friend
Colorist: Jamie Grant & Jim Devlin
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Cover: Amy Reeder, Richard Friend & Guy Major
Editor: Matt Idelson
Publisher: DC Comics

With Jimmy Olsen, Gangbuster and Dr. Light among Bizarrogirl’s captives, Supergirl descended into the sewers to try to save them, only to fall victim herself to Bizarrogirl’s reverse X-Ray vision, a power that apparently can encase people in stone. I’m still not sold on that being the opposite of seeing through things, but it’s certainly original, and Gates doesn’t dwell on it too long to really get in a bunch over it.

What does work, as we approach it from the “opposite” angle, is the characterization of the two girls. Bizarrogirl, as Supergirl’s opposite, is a cruel and unfeeling creature, which makes Supergirl’s actions at the end of this issue far more understandable and easy to accept. She takes a pretty big risk here, one that I didn’t see coming, but one that fits into her story perfectly. Using the villain to characterize the hero? A dandy little stroke of brilliance that pays off.

Jamal Igle’s artwork is beautiful. His women are soft but strong, his Gangbuster really looks like a guy who’s taken a beating, and the man does rubble very well. Even the double-page spread that opens this issue is choreographed and posed flawlessly. The man is one of the finest Supergirl artists I’ve ever seen.

This is the creative team we’ve always wanted on this title, and they’re finally getting the freedom to do some really cool stuff.

Rating: 8/10

Supergirl (2010 Series) #54

August 15, 2010

Title: Looking Glass

Writer: Sterling Gates
Penciler: Jamal Igle
Inker: Jon Sibal
Colorist: Jamie Grant
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Cover: Shane Davis
Editor: Matt Idelson
Publisher: DC Comics

Linda Lang, reeling from the events of the war with New Krypton, has decided to abandon both of her Kryptonian identities – Kara Zor-El and Supergirl. As she sits at home and mopes about her fate, a new Bizarrogirl appears in Metropolis and goes on a tear. Bizarros, you see, are the opposites of the people they emulate. Superman’s Bizarro is a sort of mindless oaf, the counterpoint for the strong, competent man of steel. Bizarrogirl, though, is the opposite of the kind, gentle Supergirl… and Bizarrogirl is scary as hell.

Sterling Gates has introduced a nice new rogue for Supergirl here. I don’t think we’ve seen a Bizarro version of Kara since the Silver Age, and making her a creature to be feared instead of an object of ridicule is a nice way to set her apart from the rest of the Bizarros out there. I’m also really glad that Kara’s wallowing in self-pity isn’t going to be a six-issue arc the way it would be under some writers. She’s upset, of course, she thinks about retiring, but we all know she’s not going to really quit the business, so why belabor the point longer than necessary to make the story work? Gates gives us just the right amount of self-doubt before she springs in to action.  He also makes very good use of the rest of the supporting cast, especially Jimmy Olsen and Cat Grant. Gates also seems to have adopted Gangbuster and Dr. Light as members of this book’s cast, although whether that will be full time or simply for this story arc, I’m not sure.

My one real issue with the book is the new power Bizarrogirl whips out on us. The writers have been playing around with the Bizarro’s opposite powers for a while now, and Sterling adds a new one to the arsenal this issue. This one, though, I have to say is a little specious. Freezing vision and fire breath – okay, I can buy that as being the opposites of the regular Kryptonian power set… but the “opposite” of X-Ray vision, gotta be honest, doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.

Jamal Igle’s artwork is fantastic, and I have to admit I’m kind of saddened by the rumors that he’s planning to leave this title to move over to Birds of Prey. He’ll do a fine job on that comic, don’t misunderstand, but he owns Supergirl. The cover not so much – I’ve really enjoyed some of Shane Davis’s other work, but something about Supergirl’s face on this cover looks off, almost like it was plucked from another image and moved on to this one. It’s a shame too – if not for that, it’d be a great cover. It’s still a damn good comic book.

Rating: 7/10