By: Matthew Sturges (writer), Hendry Prasetya (artist), Jessica Kholinne (colorist)
The Story: Showing up somewhere in the same outfit as 5,000 other people sure is awkward, ain?t it?
The Review: I?ve said my piece about women and comics this week, but considering the story we get in this issue, let me put in a couple more cents.? Even though it?s a no-brainer that women should have equal standing to men, there should be a few conditions on that point.? The most important is we shouldn?t merely promote women for the sake of promoting women, an act as false as choosing a man over a woman simply because he is a man.
On that note, Power Girl?s fourth wall-breaking speech works on a lot of levels.? In context of the story, where she attends a convention dedicated to her, it?s a very appropriate speech for the attendees.? But her words have a lot of value to us readers as well, particularly those of you who are women.? Her advice is right on the money: ??be vigilant, be true to yourself, and have the courage to speak out and to confront evil??
Left as is, Karen?s discourse would seem to encourage the self-righteous stridence that marks most feminists, but as the rest of the issue shows, this story is less about women as heroes, and more about what makes a hero.? Once the action gets going, gender becomes irrelevant.? Whether you or the characters are male or female, anyone can appreciate ? a hero doesn?t hurt people?to get what she wants,? and ?I could do more than just wear the costume?I want to deserve to.?
All very well and good, and accompanied by a rather fun premise.? I?m always curious to know how our heroes would deal with the otaku culture that would undoubtedly spring up in their wake, and really, it all works out much as you?d expect.? P.G. acts the reluctant celebrity, coming as a guest only for charity, and deals with her adoring and at times awkward (love Marnie?s paralyzing shyness just as she gets the much awaited chance to talk to Karen) cosplaying fans.
That said, this issue really bets on the cuteness of its premise and the touching points it has to make, because the whole basis of the antagonist makes very little sense.? Not for one second do you believe Rana Arenta can be a whit sympathetic, even with a clearly underwritten sob story about her planet enslaved by the ?overlords of Azar for over a hundred years.?? She immediately defeats her attempt to sell herself with her selfish, senseless, and unreasonable demands.
And while the idea of all the Power Girl cosplayers coming to the rescue sounds cute on paper, it feels like Sturges forced the scenes in there instead of letting them unfold naturally.? After all, Karen should be much more capable of handling herself, or what?we should believe some magical golems are all it takes to subdue her?? Anyway, the cosplayers end up underused, and predictably so, so the value of giving them such prominence seems a little questionable.
Prasetya?s manga-ish look for this series works very well, allowing Karen to look her usual strong and sassy self, but still retain a feminine girlishness, living up to both parts of her heroic name.? His style is to-the-point, not given to much depth, which somewhat works given the simplicity of the plots and emotions, ?but still seems flat about half the time.
Conclusion: Charming in some ways, but clearly biding the time until this title disappears off the stands entirely.
Grade: C+
- Minhquan Nguyen
Some Musings: - Honestly, more than being true to themselves and confronting evil, I?d appreciate it if certain girls would stop speaking in questions. ?I?m talking to you, Kira. ??I guess I?m distracting you??From that??
Margo?s reasoning for wanting to be a superhero: ??you don?t have to wear pants.?? Well, being a girl, you don?t have to either.
Filed under: DC Comics, Reviews Tagged: | DC, DC Comics, Hendry Prasetya, Jessica Kholinne, Kara Zor-L, Karen Starr, Matthew Sturges, Power Girl, Power Girl #26, Power Girl #26 review
Source: http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2011/07/25/power-girl-26-review/
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