Supergirl #5

Writer: Steve Orlando

Artist: Brian Ching

Colourist: Michael Atiyeh

Publisher: DC Comics

Kara’s finally managed to escape from Argo’s grip and is about to have a serious confrontation with her cyborg-father. The fate of National City lies in her hands as she tests her newly reacquired abilities against family.

Even though Supergirl has extraordinary powers, the story never truly revolves around that. When faced with a cyborg- Superman of her father with his own abilities that may overpower hers, her alien powers are always secondary to where her true strength lies, and that’s her heart. While the climax of Kara’s first arc since her DC Rebirth has finally peaked in this issue and it certainly delivers to expectations but what really makes this issue stand out is Kara’s humanity shining through.

Kara starts the series as your average angsty teen. She doesn’t fit in, her parents don’t quite get it despite how hard they try, and she’s just angry because she’s going through a lot emotionally and no one else can really relate to her. She lashes out, understandably, but when she thinks she’s about to get all she ever wanted, she learns the hard way that, there’s such a thing as being too good to be true.

Supergirl finally gets that fire in her, to protect Earth, to protect humanity, to save a world that doesn’t always understand her, but that doesn’t matter, everyone is worth saving. Director Chase was right, Kara Danvers is Supergirl’s greatest asset. While the battle between Kara and Zor-El is executed well, what makes this issue memorable and the highlight of who Supergirl becomes, is when Kara defends Jeremiah as her family. The heart of the series leads to that point, because her fight against Zor-El isn’t over yet, but now she has something worth fighting for.

Overall Orlando did well with the pacing of this issue: the stress of those on Earth trying to understand and deal with what’s happening as cyborgs are waging war on Earth, alongside Zor-El’s own conflict in his fight for his daughter Kara, as well as Kara’s own rush to try and save the day. There’s not a page that doesn’t move the plot forward or doesn’t serve the story. As for the art Ching’s style can be rather divisive among fans but seems to serve the story well. Action panels seem animated, not static, and flows well. Characters’ body language are dynamic and expressive. Adults are given more angular faces while Kara has a sweeter heart-shaped face with fuller cheeks, clearly showing her youthfulness as the teenager she’s clearly meant to be in the series.

Supergirl’s rebirth so far has kept to what makes for a quintessential superhero story. Despite having super ability, it’s how one handles adversity that makes them great.