Supergirl #8

By Steve Orlando, Matias Bergara, Michael Atiyeh and Steve Wands

It’s time that the truth come out between Supergirl and Superman. In what looks like a transition issue from one story to the next for Supergirl, we find that it is really a reset of the Super-cousins relationship. This issue continues the current theme in the Superman books of hope and rebirth as we finally get to see some of the aftermath of the “Reborn” storyline. It’s a very Superman-centric issue, but it’s important to see a reestablishing of the dynamic of their relationship. Besides that, the fun we get to see them have is well worth it.

The story is “super” cute and rewards long time readers with a lot of nice moments for the surviving members of the House of El. It takes us through a day of them hanging out together, chatting and (though they do not realize it) getting to know each other again/for the first time. This is not the rocky relationship that they have had in more recent years, but a more classic pre-Crisis pairing of them. In all honesty, it’s a much better and realistic relationship for them to have. Their home and people were destroyed; they should be much closer than they have been. Orlando’s dialogue fixes that and gives us a good feel for the love that they share for each other.  Although most movies and television shows are over-saturated with reboots right now, the reboot of this sibling/cousin relationship is successful and very welcomed. If there is one downside to this issue, and maybe even Supergirl as an overall book, its that it’s too similar to the Supergirl CW television series. It is understandable that DC wants to keep the comic book familiar to their television viewers, however, it is being overdone. The reader may even feel like they have read this issue before if they have seen the first two episodes of the current season. You do, however, get to see more than what is possible on a television budget.

The artwork is fitting for this iteration of Supergirl and specifically for this story about family and getting reacquainted. Bergara’s style of cute bright-eyed characters works nicely in this issue in particular. The sometimes tumultuous theme of family and renewing is sugar coated with fun bright artwork. Superman may not be interesting to the readers of Supergirl, but his softer big brotherly look in this issue endears us to him.  Bergara also continues to give us a Kara that is sometimes gangly, awkward, and most importantly, relatable. Atiyeh’s bright punchy colors complements the artwork nicely and makes you feel like you just got home from school and sat down to watch your favorite cartoon.

Overall, the issue is a lot of fun. It reads straightforwardly, but unpacks so much by the time you’ve finished it. We are beginning to see just how much the  “Reborn” storyline is going to affect the overall DC Universe. For the Super-family, it appears that this reboot is the best thing to happen to them in a long time. Definitely pick up this issue and get reacquainted with the cousins.