Stargirl: 5 comic series to read while waiting for season 2

Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.

Does this title look familiar to you? Well it should as this was the title that was used for the final two episodes of season 1 of Stargirl and, as it happens, it’s also the title of the series that introduced Courtney Whitmore to the world. Starting with issue No. 0 and continuing to No. 14, this is the first appearance of Courtney Whitmore in the world of DC Comics by co-creators Geoff Johns and Lee Moder and it’s an absolutely wonderful series.

The series has some noticeable problems, as it is Johns’ first writing credit for a comic, but what’s great about it is how it makes up for those problems in spades. Courtney, like in the show, is very easy to latch onto and love from the beginning. She’s snarky and impulsive, but with a kind spirit that really makes you want to love her. Plus, the relationship she has with Pat is wonderful in the series as well and we get to see a bit more of her rebellious side.

This series also serves as the basis of adaptation for season 1 of Stargirl. There are countless similarities between the show and this series and even if the show executes some of the ideas presented better than the comic does, it’s absolutely still worth reading. And somehow, this is still her only solo title to exist, 20 years later.

Oh, and Courtney doesn’t have the Cosmic staff in this series. She gets that later. And she goes by Star-Spangled Kid and not Stargirl, another name which she takes on later in the comic chronology (i.e. the show streamlined stuff, which makes sense).