Supergirl (2005 Series) #0

August 7, 2005

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: The New Adventures of Supergirl, the Girl of Steel

Superman and Batman check in on the new girl of steel.

Writer: Jeph Loeb
Pencils: Ian Churchill
Inks: Norm Rapmund
Colors: Christina Strain
Letters: Richard Starkings
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover Art: Ian Churchill
Publisher: DC Comics

I must admit, I was really surprised to find this book in my DC Comics advance review pack for this week, because it’s nothing more than a reprint of Superman/Batman #19 with a different title in the indicia and a slightly altered cover (Superman and Batman, as well as the background, are whited out, leaving Supergirl by herself). If you’ve already got that first issue, this issue is nothing but a new cover for you. But on the other hand, even when I read that book the first time, my immediate reaction was “This reads like a Supergirl #0.” Looks like I was right.

If you haven’t read the issue, though, this is a nice look at who the character is, setting her up for her solo adventures (also, coincidentally, beginning this week with Supergirl #1). Kara has been on Earth for some time now, and although she has made herself known to much of Earth’s superhuman community, she is keeping her super-deeds a secret from the public at large. What she may or may not be aware of, though, is that she’s being watched – both by Superman and Batman and by the Calculator and his mysterious benefactor.

Ian Churchill handles the artwork here, which is both good and bad. He’s got a really strong style and does some great, dynamic layouts and action scenes. His Batman is very good, and he handles one of Gotham’s dirtier denizens with ease.

His problem is in faces – he doesn’t draw that many of them. If not for costumes and hair color, many of his characters would be virtually indistinguishable from one another. It’s hard to tell at this point how big a problem that will be in the regular title – there’s no telling who will be a regular cast member other than Kara herself.

This issue really exists just for the sake of people who’d like to get the Supergirl series but who don’t read Superman/Batman, which I have to admit, is probably a very small percentage. But if you do fit that profile, go ahead and pick this issue up – it’s a fine place to start.

Rating: 8/10