“What is he going to do–put me in time-out?”
Since Dawn of DC began, Superman and his extended family have seen a surge in new books, as well as a number of creative talents both old and new to spearhead them. While Philip Kennedy Johnson has been steadily laying the foundation for a larger narrative in Action Comics, its backup stories have done significant legwork in bringing us character-focused tales about members of the family who haven’t had much limelight in recent years.
Helmed by writer Leah Williams who has been joined by penciller Eduardo Pansica, Power Girl #1 is the first time in over a decade that the Supergirl of Earth-2 has headlined her own series. Continuing to build on the blocks placed by Williams in Action Comics backups and Power Girl Special #1, we are now in the midst of daring new adventures for Kara Zor-L as she debuts her new mission and a brand new alter ego to boot: Dr. Paige Stetler.
That mission? Hosting an auction for alien biomaterials. This being for the sake of improving environmental sustainability in an age of modern science as well as having her new identity make a big splash in the tech world. But all is easier said than done with the continued presence of the anti-alien Blue Earth movement and the emergence of threats far more personal to Paige and her anomalous heritage.
Right off the bat, Williams showcases how the relationship between Omen and Power Girl has grown since the backup: the two have gotten significantly closer, with the former having a near-permanent mental link with Paige as she laughs saying “she likes it in there” in reference to her partner’s mind, which also serves as a constant narration throughout the story shared with Paige. Omen, otherwise known as Lilith Clay, is a character in need of reinvention for a long time thanks to her lesser-known status on the Titans. Her inclusion does wonders for Paige’s all around deconstruction, not to mention makes Omen feel like the unlikely wise-cracking and nicknaming deuteragonist Williams has built her up to be.
Despite the rush into action, Power Girl #1 uses Omen to effectively aid in getting inside Paige’s mind in order to have her reflect on the outside world, specifically with her views on Blue Earth and how she’s trying her best to fit in amongst the Superfamily. However despite her renewed efforts, she keeps making mistakes that further damage the image the House of El has already been struggling to maintain in Metropolis. Williams is leaning into a sense of writing for her which benefits the clumsy but charming demeanor Paige carries; it is quite reminiscent of Keith Giffen’s history with Power Girl in the ever-classic Justice League International, yet still leaves room for Williams’ own unique brand of wit.
The well-balanced comedic and dramatic tone is bolstered by the expressive and engaging action. Pansica’s sleek, action-heavy narrative presentation is a tonal far cry from Marguerite Sauvage’s brighter and highly metaphorical paneling from the special, which helps establish how this book will move forward as the plot progresses. So if you were expecting the book to have the same sensibilities as the special, this may not be for you. Williams and Pansica are so far approaching this first arc like a spin-off of Johnson’s Action Comics run with the focus on Blue Earth and the alien immigration problems in Metropolis, and are using that to lean into the new conflict between Krypton’s history and Paige’s unique ties to it. Not to mention that the tonal shift can be somewhat jarring at times and makes for various pacing issues that lead to an awkward ending reveal that leaves much to be desired.
The series is likely to evolve into a state of complexity as the story continues, especially with the growing influence of the multiverse and broken temporal realities present in Superfamily comics of late. Despite everything, what makes Power Girl’s presence in this new era of Superman important is that Williams and Pansica are doing something for the first time since the eighties, and that’s making her actually feel like an alternate Supergirl. This is only enhanced by the fact that Kara is currently evolving into a darker version of herself whereas Paige has taken the place her doppelgänger left as a more fun and endearing mess that channels Paul Kupperberg’s action-heavy Daring New Adventures of Supergirl from the ’80s. Kara Zor-El grows bitter and slowly loses all, while Kara Zor-L has people to grow with.
Williams and Pansica clearly have ambitions despite the issues the first installment carries and if anything, this comic is going to be a learning experience for the two creators. All around, Power Girl #1 is a fun but flawed first issue with messy pacing and some stiff moments, yet it remains an entertaining debut with plenty of engaging moments and exciting teases for the future. The creators are definitely passionate about their current work and that feeling of excitement and glee very much show all throughout the writing and art. We can’t wait to see what Williams and Pansica deliver…next time in Power Girl.
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