DC Nation #3 came out last week, the latest issue in the company's free promotional magazine. As I have said before, as a fan I am loving it. Sure, there are fluff pieces making every new comic sound like the best one ever. But there are behind the scenes pieces about the creative processes, interviews with creators, and an old-fashioned Direct Currents section.
With the release of Supergirl #21 just around the corner, I was thrilled to see the comic get double page, centerfold style coverage. I might not like the axe and I might find the new costume confusing, but giant-sized Terry Dodson art is always going to grab the eye.
And we also get some hints about the book's tone and direction which were very appreciated. We have only got the most basic of description about where writer Marc Andreyko and artist Kevin Maguire are taking us. I don't know if I agree 100% with what is said here. Much of it reads like the new direction is simply ignoring all that happened before. That said, I am thankful we still have a book on the shelf.
On to the particulars.
Supergirl 'needs some space', feels 'super messed up', and 'feels like she has no control over her own life'?
I don't know about you but that doesn't sound like the Kara from the end of Supergirl #20 who was smiling as she flew, the hero of National City, and thrilled to be with family and friends.
Now maybe she is 'emotionally raw' from the Zaar encounter and the realization that maybe Krypton was intentionally destroyed. But she has a foundation here on Earth now. She has people she trusts who she can lean into, including cousin Kal.
It just seems like a sudden change in the character that I am hoping Andreyko can explain. Otherwise, it is another 'wash-rinse-repeat' cycle of Kara finally being happy and claiming Earth as her home before a new writer decides she needs to be grittier and unhappy.
This could work. But the Zaar piece needs to be really fleshed out.
Again, some of this reads like the new team didn't read any of the old stuff. Remember, this is the New 52 Kara and has lived all of that life.
I cannot say that this Supergirl has been defined Superman's cousin. She hasn't really associated with him much until this Rebirth time period. And yes, her life has been filled with pain, death, and violence but only because every time someone like Tony Bedard, K. Perkins, or Steve Orlando moves her past that, someone moves Supergirl two steps back.
This is a Supergirl who tried to remove herself from dealings on Earth, flew into space, became a Red Lantern, became the hero of Crucible, defeated her own father and declared herself a hero of Earth. I don't know if it is necessary for her to discover who she wants to be.
I get it, it is a journey. But I don't want us to be back at the start line.
Of all the new wrinkles, this one casting Supergirl as a Space Detective is the one which I think I'll enjoy the most. I especially like the idea of her being a bit of a Noir-style one.
But the idea that Kara 'has been doing what she think she should be doing and not letting herself find out who she really is.' struck me as funny. Think of the Rebirth book and how that Supergirl was really making hard decisions about what she wanted to do and who she wanted to be. She seemed to be figuring it out. And the Kara that became a leader at Crucible? That was one who seemed to embrace that new direction.
All right ... enough bemoaning.
At some point, the work has to speak for itself and I have liked Andreyko's stuff in the past. And Kevin Maguire on art is an easy draw. Throw in Krypto and there is stuff here to be optimistic about.
Look, Alan Moore made Swamp Thing a plant who believed he was Alec Holland and ultimately became a plant elemental. So change can sometimes be good.
I am also very happy that DC continues to promote the book. This was a splashy way to go over the new direction!
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