Supergirl

• Title: Supergirl #37
• Comic Vine: link
• Writers: K. Perkins, Mike Johnson
• Artist: Emanuela Lupacchino

Supergirl #37 begins Kara‘s training in the specialized academy for super-humans (think Sky High but in space). Despite Kara making friends and fitting in to her new life, writers K. Perkins and Mike Johnson waste little time in revealing to readers that the Crucible Academy has more nefarious items on their agenda than simply training tomorrow’s super-heroes leading (one would expect) to the rug pulled out from underneath Supergirl once again.

But for now the Crucible story works well allowing readers to explore the hero facility through Kara’s eyes and better introduce both Maxima and Tsavo, the later Kara goes out on a mission with as they discover his homeworld is being attacked by Crucible rejects led by Tsavo’s brother.

I’m enjoying Emanuela Lupacchino’s art for a second straight issue, but the reveal of the Crucible planning to kidnap and clone Superboy vastly limits the scope of the storyline going in by narrowly defining the group at the outset and setting up yet another hard choice for Kara involving sacrifice no matter what she chooses. Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

• Title: Supergirl #36
• Comic Vine: link
• Writers: K. Perkins, Mike Johnson
• Artist: Emanuela Lupacchino

Supergirl goes to Sky High? New writers K. Perkins and Mike Johnson start Kara’s latest adventure with another attempt to live among humans by attempting once again to carve out a normal life. Of course that soon goes to hell when Supergirl is abducted by an exclusive school for super-beings and put through a series of test to determine whether or not she is worthy to join.

The first offering from the new team is a mixed bag. Although I enjoyed the art by Emanuela Lupacchino, choosing to put Kara in armor defeats the purpose of the character and, as I’ve said with the New 52 Superman, is akin to putting Chewbacca in a fur coat. It’s not only completely unnecessary but it looks ridiculous.

Both her short stint as a super-barrista, including another argument with Clark (when will these two be NICE to each other?), and her testing in space continue the trend of an angry young girl whose rage (sadly) may not have burnt out during her stint as a Red Lantern (its only saving grace). I’m far from sold on the book’s new-ish direction which lacks the wit, humor, and style of the new Batgirl. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]