We’re a few days late with our Supergirl post, but a blown deadline somehow seems appropriate when discussing Jeph Loeb’s revival of Kara Zor-El.
The Keeper has heard all the complaints about the Loeb/Churchill Supergirl. Heck, we’ve repeated a few ourselves: “oversexualized, super-powered Mary Sue beats up the DC Universe.”
As disappointing as those first five issues were, however, they’re still far better than most of the Rucka/Kelly tales that followed.
Even the most distasteful moments of the Loeb run (Luthor commenting on Kara 2.0’s breast size as he pummels her to death) seem somewhat tame compared to the kissing cousins sequence in Supergirl #7, the sushi torture in Supergirl #11 or that whole crystal porcupine nonsense.
In fact, we’re prepared to say that Loeb’s Supergirl works in a (’70s) Marvel Team-Up kind of way - i.e. let’s watch the title character punch out this month’s guest-star.
One issue, however, managed to exceed that Bronze-Age standard: Supergirl #0.
A reprint of Superman/Batman # 19, the story followed the would-be heroine on what is presumably an average day for a god-like teenager - she rescued Air Force One; got in Batman’s face; and defeated Clayface and Poison Ivy with little difficulty.
The story firmly established a few ground rules designed to stake Kara 2.0’s claim as a major player - an effort the original Supergirl never received.
- Supergirl is one of the most powerful individuals in the DC universe. Although the Pre-Crisis Supergirl faced - and single-handedly defeated - Luthor and Brainiac, for the most part Kara spent her career facing villains beneath her abilities. Loeb clearly wanted readers to know his Supergirl could kick butt with the best of ‘em.
- Supergirl doesn’t need to be supervised by her famous cousin. Kara 2.0 saw through Clayface’s disguise and withstood Poison Ivy’s Kryptonite trap. The original Kara was undermined by a rather dickish Superman, mostly because - well, you know - she was a girl. Once again, Loeb wanted his Supergirl to be more than a secondary character.
- Supergirl is heroic, not a psycho. Actually, the original Kara was a darker character than many remember. The refuge from Argo City wondered if she would ever fit in with “regular” kids and longed to prove herself as both Supergirl and Linda Lee Danvers. Loeb’s Supergirl was snarkier, a la Buffy Summers, but still wanted to make a difference on her new world. There were even indications that she was growing closer to Kal after the Man of Steel complimented her crime-fighting abilities.
Unfortunately, most of these developments were tossed aside as Loeb cut short his initial arc following lengthy delays and an exclusive contract with Marvel. He introduced the possibility that Kara was sent to kill Kal-El, a development that sounded interesting until the Keeper saw how DC decided to (over)play the angle.
(Too bad the company didn’t go with the “trauma of seeing her world die” option … )
DC seems to recognize the book has gone awry, a fact borne out by its rapidly declining sales. A new editor promises to make the title more “user-friendly” and there are even rumors of an all-ages version.
If Kara 2.0 is revamped, hopefully TPTB will take some inspiration from Supergirl #0. While far from perfect, that Kara was a character the Keeper could support.
Which, sadly, isn’t something we can say about the train wreck that currently appears in the magazine.
