*Warning: Review Contains Spoilers
With The CW picking up Supergirl for its second season on television, it was only a matter of time before DC Comics started releasing her comic book series to go along with it. Written by Steve Orlando (Midnighter), Supergirl – Rebirth #1 is the one-shot issue to introduce Kara Zor-El into DC’s Rebirth launch which will then transition into her own ongoing series. Much like the TV series, this one-shot issue captures the spirited and lightheartedness of the show while delivering action-packed fight sequences with the Girl of Steel.
The issue begins with a flashback scene where it reveals that Supergirl’s biological father, Zor-El, had to make the hard decision of quarantining a fellow Kryptonian, named Lar-On, to the Phantom Zone due to the likeliness of spreading his Red Kryptonite sickness. Tensions are high within Argo City as they have just survived the destruction of Krypton and are now taking strict precautions to continue its survival – even if it means banishing citizens who would pose a threat to the population. This scene defines Zor-El’s character as he makes a crucial judgement call for the sake of his people and shows the responsibility he has as part of the science council.
Flashback scenes at the start of an issue typically foreshadow and set up conflict later on for the main protagonist’s story – thus making it predictable. In this case, the use of the flashback scene is to set up the inevitable arrival and encounter of Lar-On with Supergirl. This is done so that Lar-On is given a backstory before his introduction in current time. Though this trope has been overused, the flashback scene still manages to stay relevant to Supergirl because it is not just some estranged character that banishes the issue’s antagonist – it is her father who does it. This adds a layer of complexity to Lar-On as he has held a drawn-out grudge against Zor-El who can now take it out on his daughter.
Throughout the issue, readers are introduced to Supergirl’s supporting characters: Cameron Chase, Eliza Danvers, and Jeremiah Danvers. They are all closely connected to Supergirl and have shown that they have character chemistry with each other. This is evident where we see the four characters share their live comms together and exchange fun and playful banter. The dialogue between the characters brings out the lightheartedness of the comic book and allows them to become more likeable in the eyes of the reader.
With that said, while Supergirl attempts to reactivate her superpowers in outer space via the sun, the imminent antagonist makes a grand entry to Earth and suddenly poses an immediate threat as he transforms into a ravenous red werewolf due to the Earth’s moon. But before any fatalities can be accounted for, Lar-On meets his match when Supergirl comes bursting out of the sun and swiftly swoops back down to Earth in the nick of time.
The following action panels are a spectacle of artist Emanuela Lupacchino’s handiwork which demonstrates the almighty strength between these two powerful Kryptonians. As the battle ensues, Supergirl makes the effort of parlaying with the monster in order to understand his purpose and misplaced anger. In control of the situation at hand, Kara flies the unstable werewolf out of harm’s way and proceeds to empathize and talk him out of his violence. This is important to point out in Supergirl’s character because it exemplifies the compassion and humanity that she has to offer and is able to understand the perspective of someone who is capable of such viciousness and hatred. She is correcting the wrong that her father previously condemned to Lar-On who was only an unlucky yet innocent civilian of Argo City.
Towards the end of the issue, there are a series of moments where readers are able to understand and appreciate not just Kara Zor-El as Supergirl but also Kara Danvers as a member of Earth’s society. Though she is capable of completing normal tasks at a superhuman rate, she is told that she needs to understand Earth from a human perspective. Interestingly enough, she does have a very humane side to her as she vouches for this Kryptonian stranger, Lar-On, and insists to Cameron Chase, the D.E.O. Director, that they should not give up on finding a cure for him. It is an admirable characteristic that Kara has and, in return, allows readers to comprehend her morality and principles as a superhero.
Overall, Supergirl – Rebirth #1 is the perfect jumping on point for viewers and fans of CBS’s season one of Supergirl. The art style consists of beautiful bold colors that bring out the energy and liveliness of Kara Zor-El’s story. However, her story has been repetitively told in many different approaches and demands a stronger creative direction in order to keep the plot more interesting and original. It is also important for the new comic book series to avoid predictable clichés and tropes so that it differentiates itself from the TV series and provides new stories for the viewers who are jumping onto this title. Nonetheless, writer Steve Orlando does an exceptional job in capturing the high-spirited and sympathetic Supergirl that DC fans are very much familiar with.
