Aha, a homage cover. I do like a good homage cover, and this is immediately recognisable as nodding to one of the most famous Superman issues of the post-Crisis era.
And it’s not kidding. Inside we do indeed meet the Matrix Supergirl, unseen for a very long time. She shows up after a cavern is discovered under the new Fortress of Solidarity Supergirl is setting up as a headquarters and hangout for her ever-burgeoning gang of heroines. There, a mystical book causes Supergirl’s new transforming outfit, which has been whispering to her of late, to leave her standing in her super-Underoos.
The protoplasmic creature soon manages to re-form into her Supergirl look, but she’s a lost soul, back from a state of non-existence, surrounded by strangers.
Specifically, Princess Shark, Lena Luthor, Supergirl, Thundergirl, Nightflame, Phantasmagoria and… who the heck is that orange and yellow person?
Wombat? She and Supergirl know each other, but we don’t know her. Given how many Super-Gals Kara surrounds herself with, is there room for yet another?
Actually, yes, the new fortress Supergirl has grown from a Krytponian sunstone is a base with acres of space.
Unless you have microscopic vision you won’t be able to read anything, but believe me, across two pages it’s a treat to learn a little about everyone’s quarters, the facilities and the animal reserve – yep, that’s a real baby Thought Beast from Krypton in that Wombat scene.
Also this issue, clone from Kandor Thundergirl has an identity crisis, even as she’s learning just what she can do.
Lesla-Lar is reminded that you can betray Kara and nearly get her killed and still be forgiven.
And a new version of a classic Supergirl villain strikes…
So, lots going on this time, even without Matrix returning. I’m bemused by the addition of yet another super-pal in Wombat. As if Kara isn’t squeezed enough, we get another humanimal to bookend with Princess Shark. I’m a big fan of writer-artist Sophie Campbell, I love how she can blend whimsy and drama in her scripts and visuals, but I’m furrowing my brow at the direction this series is taking. Individually, characters such as Lena and Lesla have something to offer, but they’re in every issue, causing Kara trouble, bailing her out… I’d love to spend some real downtime with Supergirl, see her hanging out with regular folk, see Kara’s relationship with her Earth parents the Danvers. Let Kara’s Super-Force breathe in a special or mini-series, heck, they could be the next Superboy and the Ravers.
As for Matrix, it’s interesting to see her from a nostalgic point of view, but we already have a surfeit of Superboys, I don’t want any more Supergirls in the picture. And I hate seeing her so sad.
The good thing Matrix’s return gives us is purpose for Thundergirl; she knows how it feels to be lost too, and immediately shows a lovely empathy. Maybe after this story they can both go to a new Earth, somewhere they can forge their own heroic paths – Matrix was a brilliant Supergirl, she deserves more than to be just one more face in the super-crowds.
Now this story is here, though, I am intrigued as to how there ‘happens’ to be a magic tome below Supergirl’s Fortress of Solidarity (no solitude for this lass!). It’s all rather suspicious.
And if the story involves this new piece of Kara equipment, so much the better.
Campbell does tell entertaining s torie and does it well. She’s also clearly not creating a Supergirl book. This large a cast means no one is the star of this book, no one gets decent character development, and things happen off panel that get no explanation and we are expected to just accept that. Wombat is the latest but we still don’t know how Nightflame became a hero or was permanently freed to take up panel space Kara should be having. As good a creator Campbell is, this cast of thousands is gonna leave the buying public unsatisfied and eventually no longer getting the book.
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