Connect with us
Supergirl: Being Super #2 Review

Comic Books

Supergirl: Being Super #2 Review

An Earthquake has rocked Midvale and Kara is as surprised as everyone as the ground literally falls out from underneath everyone. It’s a chance to be super, but can she manage to save everyone? We delve into its pages to answer the question, is it good?

Supergirl: Being Super #2 (DC Comics)

Supergirl: Being Super #2 Review

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

So what’s it about? The summary reads:

Midvale has been torn apart by a devastating earthquake, and the death toll has hit Kara Danvers hard. As she begins to put the pieces of her life back together, Kara’s developing powers kick into high gear, and her memories of a world that shouldn’t exist begin to surface.

Why does this book matter?

Mariko Tamaki and artist Joëlle Jones have made this series feel real. It’s genuine through and through as Kara comes to grips with her powers in this coming of age story. It’s a comic book that’s very good at capturing the human condition and one that anyone, no matter their age or gender, can relate to.

Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?

Supergirl: Being Super #2 Review
It just got real.

This issue can be broken down into a three act structure that’s very satisfying for the single issue format. The first act tackles the action and tragedy of the earthquake, the second act covers the sorrow in reaction to a great loss and the third act focuses on Kara recouping via gracious loved ones and friends. I would be inclined to give this single issue to any young adult who has lost a friend or family member. Tamaki writes an issue that captures the heartbreak, confusion, and frustration incredibly well when one has lost a close friend. If you have lost someone in your life, be it friend or close family, you’ll connect to this book in a meaningful way.

Supergirl: Being Super #2 continues the first issue’s trend of capturing the teenager personality very well. That’s in part due to clever use of texting captions and also due to Jones’ incredible pencils. No matter the panel Jones captures the emotion of the characters with know-how and boy are there a large range of emotions expressed in this issue; from shock, to sorrow, to loving concern, you will feel for these characters as if they were real people. There’s a fantastic full page spread capturing these emotions in an interesting way midway through the book: after the Earthquake, Kara holds her face wearing a foil blanket and in the reflections of the blanket we see an important memory of loss and love. It’s a great way of showing the mixed emotions Kara feels in the moment, but also the complexity she’s reeling through at the same time.

I also really dig how the characters’ clothing looks too. It adds another level of realism that keeps the book grounded. The textures and patterns used in Kara’s father’s clothes for instance, look almost real and the flow and draping is top notch stuff.

It can’t be perfect can it?

The pacing of the issue is a trite slow, especially when you consider the price and page count. Layouts have three and sometimes even two panels on a page, which makes the story feel sluggish at times. Because of this I started to notice an absence of backgrounds from time to time that further reduced the detail of a scene. Take for instance a moment where Kara stops running and digs a trench by sliding. In one panel we see the trench around her as she sits in it, then in the very next panel in the same moment there’s only blue behind her. It’s a way to bring attention to the reader sure, but the lack of the ditch seemed jarring. That said, many backgrounds look gorgeous and it’s a rarity to have a splash of color as a background in the issue. Given the detail in the characters’ faces, clothing and hair it’s not a deal breaker by any means though.

Supergirl: Being Super #2 Review
How is she even holding on!?

Is It Good?

Get ready to dig into a level of realism you don’t see everyday in comic books. Supergirl: Being Super #2 is genuine and relatable in every sense of the word. The pace may be a tad slow in this issue, but it’s still good comics, especially if you love character work.

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt' Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt'

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in ‘Blood Hunt’

Comic Books

X-Men Monday #241 - Steve Foxe Talks 'X-Men '97,' 'Dead X-Men,' and 'X-Men: Blood Hunt - Psylocke' X-Men Monday #241 - Steve Foxe Talks 'X-Men '97,' 'Dead X-Men,' and 'X-Men: Blood Hunt - Psylocke'

X-Men Monday #241 – Steve Foxe Talks ‘X-Men ’97,’ ‘Dead X-Men,’ and ‘X-Men: Blood Hunt – Psylocke’

Comic Books

Films to check out at SXSW Films to check out at SXSW

Films to check out at SXSW

Movies

WWE Raw preview, full card: March 4, 2024 WWE Raw preview, full card: March 4, 2024

WWE Raw preview, full card: March 4, 2024

Pro Wrestling

Connect
Newsletter Signup