Supergirl: Rebirth #1 Review

The Girl of Steel is back in her own series once again as Supergirl: Rebirth kicks things off in a grand fashion.

Supergirl: Rebirth #1
Written by Steve Orlando
Art by Emanuela Lupacchino and Ray McCarthy
Colors by Steve Wands
Published by DC Comics

One of the great mysteries of comics as of late has been why on Earth DC would cancel the New 52 Supergirl title. They knew full well that a TV series starring that very character was getting ready to launch. Consequently, on the surface, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

After reading Supergirl: Rebirth #1 though, I’m really, really glad they did.

The New 52 version was nothing like the superhero that starred in the first season of the Supergirl TV series. The New 52 Supergirl was dour, angry and almost like a grim and gritty version of the Girl of Steel. By contrast, the one on the television show was filled with hope, positivity and an overall sense of fun that the comic was sorely missing.

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Supergirl: Rebirth brings the fun back along with the character we all have known and loved for decades.

Writer Steve Orlando wisely jettisoned almost everything from the prior series and totally reinvented the title. Does Supergirl the comic now very closely resemble Supergirl the television show? You betcha. As a result the Kara Danvers secret identity is there, as are adoptive parents for Kara Zor-El. In addition, Orlando has moved Kara to National City and even gotten her a job at the D.E.O.

And it all works perfectly.

Orlando has taken Kara and made her stand apart from her more popular cousin while at the same time embracing her history as well as the TV show that bears her name. Orlando has said that this series is all about establishing the character of Supergirl apart from Superman and giving her a sense of purpose.

So far, things are off to an outstanding start.

On the art side, Emanuela Lupacchino and Ray McCarthy have gotten rid of the hyper-sexualized superhero we have see recently and instead given us a character who looks like a regular 16-year-old girl. No heaving breasts or ridiculous cleavage, instead we get a Supergirl (with the focus on the girl) in her classic costume that looks and feels 100 percent appropriate.

In addition, we get some great visual storytelling as well as detailed backgrounds and character designs that stand apart, making Supergirl: Rebirth a feast for the eyes as well as the mind.

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The Bottom Line: Supergirl: Rebirth #1 is a return to form for the character that is long overdue. Orlando pays homage to what has gone before while also using the popular TV show to send Kara in a whole new direction that is at once familiar yet unknown.

As a result, you can add Supergirl: Rebirth to the long list of Rebirth launches that does everything right while fixing what was wrong. Consider it added to my reading list and you should really do the same.