'Power Girl Returns'
And return she does.Hooray, another 'Power Girl' comic, and it's one that I like!
I'd only ever liked 'Power Girl, Vol. 1: A New Beginning', which I read ten years ago! I wanted more of Power Girl, where she is 1) written well, 2) treated respectfully, 3) not treated like a joke - for example, regarding the (in)famous boob window on her costume, 4) not overly sexualised, and used as a lazy excuse for female objectification fanservice, 5) not a throwaway victim with no thought put into her character and her trauma, 6) not a random, last minute throwaway victim with no thought put into her character and trauma, and 7) allowed to reach her full potential.
Like she matters.
Because she does.
Not because she is "sexy". Not necessarily because she is one of the strongest superheroines in the DCU, physically. But because she is a sassy, savvy, self-aware, funny, witty, smart, technologically-and-logically-minded (she's not really a meathead who just likes punching things), moody, badass, rough (not like that!) yet warm, and complex heroine.
Thankfully, the contemporary comic, 'Power Girl Returns', understands this about her. She even swears a lot in it, albeit censored by DC Comics. And there is no overt, obnoxious fanservice in the art in sight.
Sure, 'Power Girl Returns' can be taxing, confusing, convoluted, inconsistent, awkwardly paced, and annoying at times, but in spite of its obvious problems, I enjoyed it. I'm just happy to see Power Girl receive over a modicum of the respect she's always deserved.
The artwork in every issue is great, too. Very colourful, crisp, creative, and bright, even in the later, darker storyline.
The gist of 'Power Girl Returns', its reason for being, is: Power Girl just came back from nearly dying in the 'Lazarus Planet' DC storyline, which I have not read, and this Kryptonian/first-proto-Supergirl who's survived two crisis events and universe rewrites now has psychic powers, because of Lazarus Rains or trauma or something. She uses her new powers to become a psychic psychotherapist for fellow superheroes, alongside Omen, whom I've wanted to read about properly in comics for years, and am glad she is given her moments to shine, and be Power Girl's new best friend (where's Atlee, aka Terra? Idk).
With PG's psychic powers comes the ability to astral-punch, to go with her regular punching.
Power Girl herself, understandably, has severe psychological troubles and obstacles to overcome. These include self-esteem issues, self-loathing issues, suppression issues, abandonment issues, identity crises, imposter syndrome, mood swings, blocking out love from others and herself, letting go of her true emotions, letting go of her past, social anxiety, and self-isolation and avoidance when it comes to the "Superman family" or the "Super-Family". There are many traumatic events in her life to process and pick through.
She finally becomes friends with Supergirl, and comes to accept the Kryptonians on Earth - the Supermen, women, kids, and pets - as her family, where she is in fact loved and welcomed by them.
It's where she belongs, where she's always belonged, if she only lets them in, in her lonely, confusing, "insignificant" existence.
Past, present and future, Power Girl matters. She's no longer a victim, either.
Then suddenly she isn't psychic anymore (or at least she's not telepathic), and is trapped by night terrors/simulations, looping over and over again, in DC's 'Knight Terrors' event.
Typical.
We go from a light, funny, hopeful, clever, thoughtful, caring, individual and personal character angle and study of Power Girl, to dark, grim, repetitive, DC mass event canon BS.
Oh well, it's all really interesting on the whole.
Oh and PG's new civilian name is Paige, given to her by Superman's son Jon, after Omen's nickname for her, Peej. She's not Karen Starr, CEO of a billion-dollar science and engineering company, anymore, I guess.
As well as Power Girl, I am borderline stanning the superheroines featured and spotlighted here:
Omen - telepath, redhead, and PG's new superhero partner, friend and roommate, and who is very much her free therapist.
Supergirl, aka Kara - her and PG's interactions, and them finally getting to know one another and coming to an understanding, a meaningful bond, a shared-soul sisterhood, is something that's needed to happen for decades, and it is wonderful, powerful and glorious.
And Catwoman suddenly appears on one page to beat a monster of her own. The reader doesn't see her interact with Power Girl or anyone else.
There's also Kara's Kryptocat, Streaky (seriously with that name?), who reminds me of Carol Danvers's alien cat.
Other superheroes who appear are Zatanna and Mary Marvel in a 'Lazarus Planet' flashback at the beginning of the comic, and Nightwing, Beast Boy, and Superman. A sweet, caring, embracing Superman. Good. Excellent.
'Power Girl Returns' - it's a much needed fresh start for Power Girl. Even though it could have been a lot better, it could have been a lot worse, too. I'm going to take what I can get out of this superheroine's solo books, which are few and far between.
I'm happy I read it. I'm happy to own it.
Now I'm going to review its sequel (I think?), 'Power Girl Vol. 1: Electric Dreams'.
Leah Williams's comic run of PG looks interesting, experimental, dynamic, and well-thought out so far.
Go, Power Girl, go!
Final Score: 3.5/5
EDIT: I just learned that the two women on either side of Power Girl on the back of the paperback volume are Fire and Ice. I have barely heard of them, and they are not in the comic itself. And why does PG look so much like Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel? The blonde hair, the costume, the powers, everything. It can't be the cat connection, surely!
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