Power Girl (comic book)

Power Girl is the name of several American comic book titles featuring the character of the same name and published by DC Comics, beginning with four-issue limited series which debuted in June 1988. The series returned as an ongoing title in May 2009 and continued until October 2011. After a hiatus, it was relaunched again in May 2023, beginning with a one-shot special as part of the Dawn of DC relaunch.

The second volume was launched in 2009 after its announcement at the 2008 New York Comic Con. The early issues were written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray, and illustrated by Amanda Conner. The series aimed to balance Power Girl's superhero and personal lives, distinguishing her from Earth-one counterpart Supergirl with a lighter, action-focused narrative. Critics praised the early issues for their storytelling and artwork.

The third volume launched in 2023 with a one-shot special introducing her new powers after Lazarus Planet and Dawn of DC, the ongoing series focuses on Kara's identity struggles and her complex relationship with the Superman family, where she adopts the name Dr. Paige Stetler, who is a scientist. She confronts new foes like the space pirate Amalak. The debut issue in November 2023 was well-received, ranking as the 36th best-selling comic and praised for its engaging storytelling and art.

Publication history

The second volume of the series was first announced at the New York Comic Con in 2008, although it took about a year for the comic to be released, with the first issue debuting in May 2009. The delay occurred because Amanda Conner, the series’ artist, was still finishing up work on the Terra miniseries. Later on, DC has announced that Judd Winick will take over as the writer and Sami Basri as the artist for the series, starting with issue #13, following the departure of the previous creative team.

In 2023, DC announced a third volume of Power Girl series, set to debut as part of the Dawn of DC initiative in September 2023. The series written by Leah Williams and illustrated by Eduardo Pansica. Prior to the series launch, a special one-shot titled Power Girl Special #1, featuring Williams and artist Marguerite Sauvage was released on May 30, 2023 as an induction to the series.

Content and themes

Volume. 2 (2009 – 2011)

Jimmy Palmiotti explained that the Power Girl second series focused on balancing Kara Zor-L's superhero life with her personal life, particularly her secret identity as Karen Starr. Their goal was to distinguish Power Girl from her Earth-1 counterpart, Supergirl, by making her story lighter, action-packed, and fun, avoiding the darker tones often seen in other DC stories. The series is set in and around New York City, introducing a new supporting cast and "old villains" like Ultra-Humanite, and exploring Kara's personal challenges, highlighting her independence. Palmiotti and Gray wanted to blend intense superhero action with intimate, character-driven moments, making Power Girl relatable through her personality, attitude، and relationships. Artist Amanda Conner's "expressive" work was noted for playing a vital role in the series' success, adding depth through detailed facial expressions and body language, enhancing the storytelling in a style compared to the works of Bruce Timm and Darwyn Cooke.

Following the departure of the previous creative team after issue 12, Judd Winick recognized their contributions while seeking to build on their work with a fresh perspective. His storyline connected Power Girl to Justice League: Generation Lost, revisiting her history with the Justice League International. This allowed Winick to explore themes of legacy and identity, showing Power Girl grappling with her past relationships while continuing to grow as a character. Winick aimed to maintain the lighthearted tone established earlier, avoiding a purely bleak approach. He believed readers would appreciate Power Girl as a standalone character, emphasizing her distinct identity separate from Superman and the Justice Society.

Humor played a key role in Winick's approach, as he described the series as one of his "funnier superhero books." He stressed the importance of balancing humor with drama to make Power Girl's self-awareness and comedic personality shine. Winick also teased a new villain named Crash, who combines physical power with humor, further blending action and comedy to cement Power Girl’s place as a strong solo hero.

Volume. 3 (2023 – present)

The third Power Girl series kicked off with a one-shot special, introducing her new powers and mission following the events of Lazarus Planet and DC Comics' Dawn of DC. In Power Girl Special #1, Power Girl faces Johnny Sorrow, a villain obsessed with her who holds Earth hostage. This issue delves into her vulnerabilities, emphasizing that even heroes as Kara Zor-L struggle with emotional challenges. The story highlights the importance of relying on friends and allies as she confronts her inner turmoil. Following the special, the ongoing series starts with Power Girl #1, where Kara deals with her new powers. This series looks at her identity and emotional challenges, especially her complicated relationship with the Superman family. Feeling like an outsider, Power Girl tries to find her place in the world by taking on the identity of Dr. Paige Stetler, a scientist focused on sustainable technology. She faces new enemies, like the space pirate Amalak, who disrupts her fundraising event. This conflict shows her determination to prove herself as both a scientist and a hero while exploring where she truly belongs in the DC Universe.

Critical reception

Volume 2 (2009—2011)

Power Girl has received a mixed response from critics since its debut. According to Doug Zawisza of CBR, the first issue provided Power Girl with "a clear purpose and potential for growth," marking it as a "fun, bombastic superhero title" with wide appeal. While Zawisza emphasized its strong lead character and meaningful challenges, IGN's Dan Phillips found the issue lacking in execution. He acknowledged the exciting premise—Power Girl battling an evil gorilla in Manhattan—but felt that the writing dampened the comic’s energetic potential, suggesting a more straightforward narrative could have improved the issue's pacing and tone.

The series’ tone evolved in subsequent issues, earning praise for its balance of humor and emotional depth. Zawisza highlighted issues 2 and 3 for successfully establishing Power Girl's presence in New York and revitalizing classic villains, while maintaining an engaging, character-driven story. In CBR, Chad Nevett reviewed issue 7, noting its reliance on familiar superhero Clichés but praising its entertainment value, humor, and cliffhanger, which maintained reader engagement. Critics also drew comparisons between Power Girl and other superhero narratives. In issue 9, Nevett found the comic reminiscent of classic Spider-Man stories, particularly in its lighthearted tone and focus on the duality of Karen Starr's personal and superhero lives. Similarly, Miguel Perez of IGN lauded the series for its ability to blend superhero action with relatable, everyday struggles, calling it one of DC’s "most overlooked titles." Perez urged readers, even those unfamiliar with Power Girl, to explore the series for its charm and accessibility. As the series neared the end of its run, CBR's Timothy Callahan reflected on the impact of the creative team’s impending departure after issue 12. He praised the comic for its "smart, funny, whimsical, and emotionally charged" approach, underscoring its rare balance of superhero action and personal storytelling. Callahan expressed concern that the comic might lose its unique qualities under a new creative team, encouraging readers to "enjoy it while it lasts."

The series continued to receive praise as Judd Winick and Sami Basri took over. In issue #14, CBR lauded the creative team for building a rich cast of characters that added depth to the story, striking a balance between Karen Starr's daily life and Power Girl's adventures. They appreciated Winick's straightforward enthusiasm for superhero storytelling, with Karen jumping into action with excitement. However, by issue #16, some noted a decline in the series' tone, with Power Girl's portrayal seen as overly serious and less engaging compared to earlier issues.

Despite this dip, issue #17 saw a return to form, with Zawisza praising Winick and Basri for restoring the series to its former strengths. Zawisza highlighted Power Girl's growth as a character and the creative team's dedication to maintaining the comic's consistent quality. He also pointed out that there was no filler content, demonstrating the team's commitment to the character.

The final issues of the series continued to maintain a positive reception. Zawisza described issue 19 as an excellent example of DC's female-led comics, using the battle with the Royal Flush Gang’s Ace as a metaphor for Karen's resilience. Issue 20, reviewed by Greg McElhatton, offered a "fun trip" into Power Girl's world, delivering a lighthearted yet enjoyable story. Though artist Sami Basri’s work was compared unfavorably to Amanda Conner’s earlier art, particularly in terms of emotional resonance, critics still acknowledged Basri’s skill with dynamic scenes and strong character moments.

Volume. 3 (2023—Present)

According to ICv2, the debut issue, released in November, ranked as the 36th best-selling comic in September 2023. Charlie Ridgely from ComicBook.com noted that the first issue sets the stage with a balance of character development and action, making it enjoyable for new readers praises it as a "fun, fresh start," while GeekDad noting the intriguing dynamic between Paige and Omen, though he raises concerns about Superman's portrayal as more of a mentor than an equal. In the second issue, Ridgely continued to express enthusiasm, calling it an absolute blast with high stakes and fun storytelling. He appreciated that the narrative stands on its own, independent of Superman's adventures. Meanwhile, in Issue 3, Ridgely highlighted Paige's relatability, describing her as complex and messy, making the series one of DC's standout character studies. GeekDad rated it 8.5/10, noting its emotional depth as Paige seeks solace in the Fortress of Solitude, emphasizing the poignant bond formed with an elderly Kryptonian lion.

Issue 4 showcases the development of an ongoing nemesis that elevates Power Girl's character. Ridgely observed that this ongoing saga adds excitement to her narrative, while GeekDad appreciated the thrilling conclusion of the arc where Paige's attempt to aid a dying lion leads to her being possessed by a symbiotic entity, sparking immediate conflict. Issue 5, Ridgely described the installment as a breezy adventure with minimal dialogue, calling it one of the week's most delightful comics. GeekDad rated it 8.5/10, finding it cute and animal-centric, though he noted that the peril faced by animals might overshadow its lightheartedness. The art received praise, and while "fun and experimental," it didn't quite match the timeless charm of classic stories. In issue 6 GeekDad praised the strong dialogue and intriguing plot twists, highlighting Marguerite Sauvage's guest artwork as the issue's standout element. He appreciated how Sauvage's art transitions between her usual gorgeous style and a more cartoony aesthetic to depict an alternate world, enhancing the comic's appeal. Ridgely noted the compelling narrative of Power Girl navigating a new world after losing her powers. While he recognized the issue's effectiveness in setting up future developments, he felt that it lacked excitement at times, serving more as a setup than a thrilling installment. In Issue 7, critics praise its fun and adventurous tone, highlighting writer Leah Williams' ability to blend humor with high-stakes storytelling. The issue is described as over-the-top yet entertaining, with excellent visuals and clever jokes that playfully critique some of the common tropes about Power Girl. Issue 8 serves primarily as a setup for future events, tying into the larger Superman storyline. While not as standalone-exciting as previous issues, it effectively builds anticipation for what's to come. The issue is praised for being action-packed yet lighter in tone compared to the more intense main storylines by Josh Williamson, offering a glimpse into smaller moments of the ongoing invasion plot that might otherwise be overlooked. in issue 9 highlights the dynamic between Power Girl and Crush, with both reviewers praising their powerful team-up and the potential it brings to the story. The issue increases the stakes, and both critics express hope that Crush remains a key part of the cast as the series progresses. The comic is seen as quickly finding its stride, offering an exciting continuation of the narrative. In issue 10, the series continues to receive high praise, with Leah Williams' writing being lauded for maintaining strong momentum. Both reviews express enthusiasm for the current arc, with Geek Dad calling it the best one yet. The issue is highly rated for its storytelling and character development, showing the series at its peak so far.

Collected editions

Title	Material collected	Pages	Publication date	ISBN
Volume 2 (2009—2011)
A New Beginning	Power Girl #1–6	160	April 14, 2010
Aliens and Apes	Power Girl #7–12	144	October 6, 2010
Bomb Squad	Power Girl #13–18	144	June 22, 2011
Old Friends	Power Girl #19–27	200	February 15, 2012
Power Trip	JSA Classified #1–4 and Power Girl,#1–12	392	February 12, 2014
Volume 3 (2023—Present)
Power Girl Returns	Lazarus Planet: Assault on Krypton #1, Action Comics #1051–1053, Power Girl Special #1, and Knight Terrors: Action Comics #1–2	88	October 3, 2023
Electric Dreams	Power Girl #1–7	144	August 2024
More Than a Crush	Power Girl #8–16	136	February 2025
Other
Power Girl	JSA Classified #1-4, Showcase #97-99 and Secret Origins #11	176	June 7, 2006

See also

• Superman (comic book)
• Supergirl (comic book)
• Superboy (comic book)
• List of Superman comics
• List of DC Comics imprints