Supergirl’s Family Vacation review

Thirteen-year-old Kara Zor-El, who lives with cousin Kal, his wife Lois and their son Jon, is fighting the good fight.

When the heroes get home to 344 Clinton Street, Supergirl calls a family meeting to share a discovery – she’s found a very familiar piece of Krypton.

Kal – Clark when he has his specs on – isn’t enthusiastic, moaning that Argo is so very far away, and it’s summer. Jon points out that even though it’s summer his Dad won’t let him go to camp for fear he’ll lose control of his growing super powers. Lois argues that Earth will get by without him for a while and that they’ll get a great news story about Supergirl rediscovering her roots among the stars. But it’s Kara’s passion that convinces him.

And soon afterwards the family are gathered in the Fortress of Solitude, where Kara gets a surprise.

While family and friend are gone, two other pals are in charge.

Oh boy, this is great, my favourite all-ages Supergirl book since the sublime Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade. Writer Brandon T Snider gives us a Supergirl who’s a little cheekier than the norm, without being a brat. It’s easy to see Supergirl’s point of view as she tries to find her place in the world, and it’s equally obvious why Clark is so overprotective of his family. Moments of humour come off, as do the poignant beats, and I like how Snider nods to aspects of the Maid of Steel’s history, in comics and on film.

I was surprised to see Superman has such a big role in the book given he’s not on the cover, but the family aspect is a big part of the story, and I enjoyed it loads. Lois is terrific, doling out Pa Kent wisdom one minute, uncovering a cosmic conspiracy the next. Having teen Steel Natasha Irons on hand is a big bonus, she’s such a great character in any continuity and is a huge support to Kara here.

There are villains in the book too, both originating in the Bronze Age – one a very obscure hero, the other a recent headache in Green Lantern, and both play their roles to the hilt.

The only thing I don’t like in the story is a heavy-handed real-world political allegory about people who help countries in crisis having a duty to hang around for the rebuilding. Clunky.

An excellent storyteller, Sarah Leuver’s full-colour artwork is packed with expression and vigour, making every page a pleasure. Kara is in civvies for most of the book, and looks cute, but when she’s in costume the pages gain extra life. Keep an eye out for a sharp new take on the costume and flight power. Also, Leuvers does that thing where characters occasionally turn into chibi people as big emotions hit – it’s cute.

And extra points for dancing Clark.

Becca Carey’s letters are wonderfully breezy, she deserves lots of credit for matching the energy of story and art. And kudos, too, to editor Kristy Quinn and designers Steve Cook & Amie Brockway-Metcalf and production person Tiffany Huang for behind-the-scenes magic.

I bought this comic twice, once in the pocketbook form, once digitally so I could grab some nice flat scans for this review. I know… anyway, buy the physical version if you can, it’s a lovely solid product. And a spot gloss varnish effect makes the fun image’s foreground figures pop.

I grinned all the way through this chunky offering, which shows the young Supergirl growing as a person and a heroine. I think you will too.