Graphic Novel Review - 'Supergirl Vol. 1: Misadventures in Midvale' by Sophie Campbell (Writer, Artist), Rosi Kämpe (Artist), Paulina Ganucheau (Artist), Tamra Bonvillain (Colourist), Marissa Louise (Colourist), Kendall Goode (Colourist), Becca Carey (Letterer)

I figured I'd read more 'Supergirl' comics, what with the new film coming out this year, and the new comic, 'Supergirl Vol. 1: Misadventures in Midvale', is one of them.

Up until now, 'Supergirl: Being Super' was the only 'Supergirl' comic I liked (a reread of 'Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow' would also rectify this, but that's for another review), and although 'Supergirl Vol. 1: Misadventures in Midvale' is far from perfect, and kind of a confused mess that doesn't seem to know who its target demographic is, it is a fun, funny, bright and colourful superheroine comic.

I'm not sure how old Supergirl/Kara Zor-El/Linda Danvers is supposed to be here, when she looks and sometimes acts like a teenager, albeit a very responsible and seasoned one with more of a level head than she is often given credit for. But regardless, there is zany and silly stuff to be had in 'Misadventures in Midvale', such as an imposter Supergirl (Lesla-Lar, later called Luminary, and she has a pet bunny rabbit named Kandy), Krypto the Superdog, Streaky the Supercat, Tinytano the tiny super gorilla, Lena Luthor, the daughter of Lex Luthor (who is plenty goth, and seems to be connected to Brainiac somehow?), Luna Lustrum the psionic goth girl (there are a lot of L-names in the Super-Fam stories), Kandor, Princess Shark and her shark invasions, Supergirl being turned into Satan Girl, a goth party, an adorable and funny issue starring the Super-Pets, Nightflame, and Kara experiencing her worst nightmares and memories, and she breaks through and overcomes it all with the power of female friendship, and realising that her darkness is her strength, not her weakness (the tone really gets muddled there, in the final issue, but it's good character development for Kara).

I'm glad I'm giving Supergirl another chance, at least with her modern incarnations. Between this and the much darker 'Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow', I properly see now that she isn't Superman's frivolous, smiley and moody teenage cousin and distaff counterpart - Kara Zor-El is a truly tragic character, having experienced so much loss and devastation when she was just a child; the weight of her whole destroyed planet, civilisation, and family on her small shoulders. Unlike Superman, she remembers Krypton, and her Kryptonian family - she had a whole life on another world, that she took for granted, and only survived out of pure luck. While she always tries not to show it, under a youthful, sunshiny, compassionate and hopeful persona, she is a supernova of pain and grief.

But she will not let it end her. She will not let the memory of Krypton die with her. She will keep going; keep moving; keep flying.

And she will not let anyone else suffer like she has.

As Supergirl, she will use her godlike powers to help others, to do good, after having faced the worst the universe had to throw at her, as an innocent young girl, no longer so innocent and naïve.

Supergirl - a Schrodinger's cat of being both hopeful and happy, and despairful and sorrowful. Not quite a teenager, not quite an adult. Young and continuously learning, yet has experienced enough for multiple human lifetimes. Like a less "perfect" Wonder Woman.

Supergirl is a survivor. The epitome of strength and endurance and perseverance, in a stereotypical young, small, skinny, pretty, weak, female body.

What an inspirational heroine. Finally allowed to shoot like the brightest, fastest star, out of her cousin's shadow.

Power Girl isn't the only interesting female Super-Family member, after all. My apologies, dear, dear Kara. You are a miracle, a girl of hope, come to earth from the stars.

Final Score: 3.5/5