KET
11-23-2002, 12:29 PM
A Neu Comix Revue:
SUPERGIRL #76 (January 2003)
"Many Happy Returns, Part Two"
Peter David: writer
Ed Benes: penciller
Alex Lei: inker
Digital Chameleon: colors and separations
Rob Haynes: cover artist
Comicraft: lettering
Lysa Hawkins: associate editor
Mike McAvennie: editor
DC Comics
THE PLOT IN A NUTSHELL:
While waiting for tests results at S.T.A.R. Labs, Linda and Kon-El recount the initial meeting and subsequent parade adventure with the super-teenager who goes by the name of "Kara Zor-El".
WHAT I THOUGHT:
Of what good is a celebration, when it's raining in the heart?
The Kara Zor-El one sees when this episode opens is a far cry from the perky youngster Linda Danvers met last issue. The super-teenager's naive enthusiasm has been replaced with hurt and sorrow. Kara's spark of life has been beaten out of her, through constant misadventures since her arrival on Earth.
Writer David writes Kara Zor-El with such earnestness that it was inevitable she'd be crushed by the cynicism of modern reality. Matters aren't helped any when Kara's meeting with Superman doesn't go off the way she'd planned. The Man of Steel mistakes her for an overzealous fan and basically tells her to "go home".
But was the guy Kara had talked to REALLY Superman? Due to a crucial coloring error in the book, the intended "bogus Superman" didn't sport red hair. But an old-fashioned message was still driven home to the super-teenager: attempting heroism is too dangerous for a young girl.
There's so much to savor throughout this episode, from a Metropolis parade run amuck by Mr. Mxyzptlk, to humorous digs at Silver Age convention as Linda and Kara interact with each other. New intertior artists Benes and Lei continue to add plenty of visual sex appeal, although characters' facial expressions still seem too limited in variety. Superboy's timely guest appearance also sets off a mutual attraction with Kara, which immediatly activates Linda's phobia of being hurt by personal relationships. Linda has managed to build a 'Fortress of Solitude' around herself, but dealing with Kara threatens to knock it down.
However, writer David continues to develop Linda's talent as a supreme strategist, whether it's in keeping Superboy focused, or dealing with the unexpected in Metropolis. Even when faced with the prospect of Kara being a true Kryptonian, Linda accesses logical thought in formulating a solution.
Yet there's a difference between sense and sensitivity. Towards the end of the episode, Dr. Kitty Faulkner's scientific explanations are countered by Kara's emotive feelings of personal displacement. Which perspective should one side with in such a battle? Not even a SUPERGIRL knows for sure.
SUPERGIRL #76 (January 2003)
"Many Happy Returns, Part Two"
Peter David: writer
Ed Benes: penciller
Alex Lei: inker
Digital Chameleon: colors and separations
Rob Haynes: cover artist
Comicraft: lettering
Lysa Hawkins: associate editor
Mike McAvennie: editor
DC Comics
THE PLOT IN A NUTSHELL:
While waiting for tests results at S.T.A.R. Labs, Linda and Kon-El recount the initial meeting and subsequent parade adventure with the super-teenager who goes by the name of "Kara Zor-El".
WHAT I THOUGHT:
Of what good is a celebration, when it's raining in the heart?
The Kara Zor-El one sees when this episode opens is a far cry from the perky youngster Linda Danvers met last issue. The super-teenager's naive enthusiasm has been replaced with hurt and sorrow. Kara's spark of life has been beaten out of her, through constant misadventures since her arrival on Earth.
Writer David writes Kara Zor-El with such earnestness that it was inevitable she'd be crushed by the cynicism of modern reality. Matters aren't helped any when Kara's meeting with Superman doesn't go off the way she'd planned. The Man of Steel mistakes her for an overzealous fan and basically tells her to "go home".
But was the guy Kara had talked to REALLY Superman? Due to a crucial coloring error in the book, the intended "bogus Superman" didn't sport red hair. But an old-fashioned message was still driven home to the super-teenager: attempting heroism is too dangerous for a young girl.
There's so much to savor throughout this episode, from a Metropolis parade run amuck by Mr. Mxyzptlk, to humorous digs at Silver Age convention as Linda and Kara interact with each other. New intertior artists Benes and Lei continue to add plenty of visual sex appeal, although characters' facial expressions still seem too limited in variety. Superboy's timely guest appearance also sets off a mutual attraction with Kara, which immediatly activates Linda's phobia of being hurt by personal relationships. Linda has managed to build a 'Fortress of Solitude' around herself, but dealing with Kara threatens to knock it down.
However, writer David continues to develop Linda's talent as a supreme strategist, whether it's in keeping Superboy focused, or dealing with the unexpected in Metropolis. Even when faced with the prospect of Kara being a true Kryptonian, Linda accesses logical thought in formulating a solution.
Yet there's a difference between sense and sensitivity. Towards the end of the episode, Dr. Kitty Faulkner's scientific explanations are countered by Kara's emotive feelings of personal displacement. Which perspective should one side with in such a battle? Not even a SUPERGIRL knows for sure.