Supergirl #10 review

Oh, this is a super-soppy cover, with artist Sophie Campbell really leaning into nostalgia for the Seventies Supergirl series, which was treated as a romance series and was cancelled after >ulp< ten issues.

Inside, Linda (Supergirl) Danvers really is a lovesick fool, but there’s a reason. We join her on a date with the chap she’s been swooning over for months, hanging on his every word.

Meanwhile, the fallout from last issue’s disastrous New Year’s Eve party drags on, but Linda’s pal Lena Luthor, accompanied by newer friend Luna Lustrum, wants to get things back on a good footing. They’ve called at the Danvers home, but mom Eliza tells them Linda is on a date in the park… and Lena had brought Linda’s favourite sandwich, too.

Determined to fight for their friendship, Lena decides to track Linda down. Hiding in some bushes, she and Luna watch Linda and the guy. Luna has the psychic ability to read auras, and notices Linda’s is particularly lovey-dovey… could it be related to what looks like a pink kryptonite earring?

Lena wrenches the jewellery off Captain Dreamy’s ear – painful! – and lobs it to Luna, who gets a big surprise.

Kryptonian crystals jutting out of the stranger’s head? That is one great design, evoking Marvel’s Thor adversary Hela in silhouette. I don’t know whether it’s the work of writer Sophie Campbell, also this series’ regular artist, or returning guest illustrator Joe Quinones, once again providing full-colour visuals. The latter certainly does a great job with it, bringing a suitably spectral quality to the unfriendly ghost who has a first name that’s an anagram of Lena – coincidence? He does an equally fine job with the other characters, I especially like Quinones’ Luna, and while those tartan trews are a total win, all the civilian clothing look terrifically 2026. And am I the only one who sees a Mike Allred quality at times, especially on the first page – not a bad thing.

As for Quinones’ Supergirl, she’s a knockout, and once the pink kryptonite spell is broken there’s a determination I recognise, with a nod to original big screen Supergirl Helen Slater.

It’s good to see Linda’s new fella covered up, all those exposed muscles and tattoos are a bit much. I still don’t trust him, though, he looks and acts like a total narcissist, and I’m not impressed by a hint he’s only with Linda because he reckons she’s Supergirl. And now we know he’s from Midvale Orphanage, but we still don’t get his name; presumably he’s told Linda, but why is Campbell holding out on us? Please God don’t let this be a new take on Dick Malverne.

And isn’t it a bit too coincidental, even for comics, that a bit of jewel kryptonite landed in his garden? Still, I’m glad to have an explanation as to why Linda was so smitten.

Previous issues have seen Campbell dust off pre-Crisis concepts, and while Nela Nar isn’t an old villain – so far as I know – the Matricomp originated in a Fabulous World of Krypton short story in 1971’s Superman #246.

This issue also features a fun development with Luna, and some excellent inventions courtesy of Lena, but much as I like the characters, Campbell is giving them too much to do in this series. The way things are going the book may as well be titled Supergirl and Her Amazing Friends. Here, they’re crucial to our heroine’s victories – I’d rather see them do their bit but ultimately come up short, so Supergirl can showcase her skills and experience. Happily, a great final page splash featuring a surprise guest star presages Supergirl’s role in the upcoming Reign of the Superboys story which will surely sideline Linda’s pals for an issue or two.

Qualms apart, Campbell’s script is a rollicking read, there’s plenty going on, all involving nicely differentiated characters, and engaging action.

Dave Sharpe’s lettering is tiptop throughout the story, one touch I really like is the pink-tone for Linda’s thought balloons when she’s under the kryptonite influence (and good on Campbell for being unafraid to use the classic comics tool).

Supergirl #10 works as a delightful done-in-one tale and a chapter in the bigger story of the Girl of Steel’s new life in Midvale. And you know what? We’re getting an issue 11!