saramarie08's review against another edition
5.0
This story sets down a new origin story for Kara Danvers, also known as Kara Zor-El, and her life looks an awful lot like another famous Kryptonian. Kara's pod crash lands in a corn field outside Midvale, a farming community somewhere in the United States. Kara is taken in by a couple and raised as their own. Now, Kara's a teenager, battling normal Earth-teenager things like zits and homework, but it's all compounded with her secret powers and trying to figure out who she is. She keeps having this strange dream of people saying goodbye to her. Luckily, she has two amazing best friends, Jen and Dolly, who keep her grounded, even if they don't know about her abilities. Then, at a track meet, a powerful earthquake brings tragedy to Kara's life. Kara must overcome her grief, and figure out her powers, in order to stop a much more sinister plot from destroying her town, and everyone she loves.
This story of loss and self-discovery is complex. The novel is narrated throughout with the inner monologue of Kara, and her concerns echo what many teens go through daily (aside from the super-powers part). Most of this story is about Kara figuring out her life and battling her grief, and the super-powers and Krypton portion comes in the last third. The ending is unresolved, hinting at a continuation of the story. My main detractor from this story is that Kara's origin is almost exactly the same as Superman's. Kara's origin in other stories does differ from Kal-El, so I'm not quite certain why in this, she had to be so similar. Jone's illustrations are extremely detailed and beautiful. The color palettes alternate between two main ones: yellows for inside, blues for outside. Special pops of color are used sparingly in the first half (note: the review copy I had was black-and-white through the second half, so the color schemes could be completely different in the second half of the final version).
DC rate this for Teen. The main element elevating this from lower grade levels is death and grief. There is some violence, but no bloodshed.
Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability Level: Grades 7-12
This review was made possible with an advanced reader copy from the publisher through Net Galley. This graphic novel will be on sale July 7, 2020.
Read more graphic novel reviews at www.graphiclibrary.org.
This story of loss and self-discovery is complex. The novel is narrated throughout with the inner monologue of Kara, and her concerns echo what many teens go through daily (aside from the super-powers part). Most of this story is about Kara figuring out her life and battling her grief, and the super-powers and Krypton portion comes in the last third. The ending is unresolved, hinting at a continuation of the story. My main detractor from this story is that Kara's origin is almost exactly the same as Superman's. Kara's origin in other stories does differ from Kal-El, so I'm not quite certain why in this, she had to be so similar. Jone's illustrations are extremely detailed and beautiful. The color palettes alternate between two main ones: yellows for inside, blues for outside. Special pops of color are used sparingly in the first half (note: the review copy I had was black-and-white through the second half, so the color schemes could be completely different in the second half of the final version).
DC rate this for Teen. The main element elevating this from lower grade levels is death and grief. There is some violence, but no bloodshed.
Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability Level: Grades 7-12
This review was made possible with an advanced reader copy from the publisher through Net Galley. This graphic novel will be on sale July 7, 2020.
Read more graphic novel reviews at www.graphiclibrary.org.
octanexit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
lattes_lipstick_literature's review against another edition
4.0
I am not usually a DC comic reader (No idea why), but I wanted to branch out and why not branch out with Supergirl? Supergirl: Being Super tells the origin of super girl before she dons her cape. We find out how she came to earth though flashbacks in her memories and we also gain some insight to her life on the farm that she grew up on. This very much seems a coming of age comic that involves friendship, death, trust and betrayal.
The Graphics/ Artwork
The artwork by Jones was great. Every character had such a individualized look to them that made them standout, even the characters in the background. I loved the use of colors for each scene that made things pop. I just really liked it, will look for more of Jones work.
The Story
Like I said before this seems like a coming of age story, which surprisingly did not take away from the overall arc. I did see the betrayal coming, but I honestly was not sure that it was meant to be a surprise. If it was then it was a bit easy to see through. Overall I did enjoy the story and I really want to see how it develops in the next arc, especially after the ending
Our Heroine
Kara is very much a teenage girl, she just happens to have super powers. This is how she is portrayed, and it does not let you forget. This is a good thing. It shows her struggle to deal with these two clashing traits and how it affects the relationships she has around her. I like the way that Tamaki handled it and made Kara seem very real.
Overall
Overall it was a pretty great Origin arc and it did end in a way that made me want to continue reading about KAra's journey in to becoming Supergirl.
The Graphics/ Artwork
The artwork by Jones was great. Every character had such a individualized look to them that made them standout, even the characters in the background. I loved the use of colors for each scene that made things pop. I just really liked it, will look for more of Jones work.
The Story
Like I said before this seems like a coming of age story, which surprisingly did not take away from the overall arc. I did see the betrayal coming, but I honestly was not sure that it was meant to be a surprise. If it was then it was a bit easy to see through. Overall I did enjoy the story and I really want to see how it develops in the next arc, especially after the ending
Our Heroine
Kara is very much a teenage girl, she just happens to have super powers. This is how she is portrayed, and it does not let you forget. This is a good thing. It shows her struggle to deal with these two clashing traits and how it affects the relationships she has around her. I like the way that Tamaki handled it and made Kara seem very real.
Overall
Overall it was a pretty great Origin arc and it did end in a way that made me want to continue reading about KAra's journey in to becoming Supergirl.
lattes_lipstick_literature's review
4.0
*Thank you to NetGalley, The Publishers, the illustrator and Author for letting me read this for a fair and unbiased review*
I am not usually a DC comic reader (No idea why), but I wanted to branch out and why not branch out with Supergirl? Supergirl: Being Super tells the origin of super girl before she dons her cape. We find out how she came to earth though flashbacks in her memories and we also gain some insight to her life on the farm that she grew up on. This very much seems a coming of age comic that involves friendship, death, trust and betrayal.
The Graphics/ Artwork
The artwork by Jones was great. Every character had such a individualized look to them that made them standout, even the characters in the background. I loved the use of colors for each scene that made things pop. I just really liked it, will look for more of Jones work.
The Story
Like I said before this seems like a coming of age story, which surprisingly did not take away from the overall arc. I did see the betrayal coming, but I honestly was not sure that it was meant to be a surprise. If it was then it was a bit easy to see through. Overall I did enjoy the story and I really want to see how it develops in the next arc, especially after the ending
Our Heroine
Kara is very much a teenage girl, she just happens to have super powers. This is how she is portrayed, and it does not let you forget. This is a good thing. It shows her struggle to deal with these two clashing traits and how it affects the relationships she has around her. I like the way that Tamaki handled it and made Kara seem very real.
Overall
Overall it was a pretty great Origin arc and it did end in a way that made me want to continue reading about KAra's journey in to becoming Supergirl.
I am not usually a DC comic reader (No idea why), but I wanted to branch out and why not branch out with Supergirl? Supergirl: Being Super tells the origin of super girl before she dons her cape. We find out how she came to earth though flashbacks in her memories and we also gain some insight to her life on the farm that she grew up on. This very much seems a coming of age comic that involves friendship, death, trust and betrayal.
The Graphics/ Artwork
The artwork by Jones was great. Every character had such a individualized look to them that made them standout, even the characters in the background. I loved the use of colors for each scene that made things pop. I just really liked it, will look for more of Jones work.
The Story
Like I said before this seems like a coming of age story, which surprisingly did not take away from the overall arc. I did see the betrayal coming, but I honestly was not sure that it was meant to be a surprise. If it was then it was a bit easy to see through. Overall I did enjoy the story and I really want to see how it develops in the next arc, especially after the ending
Our Heroine
Kara is very much a teenage girl, she just happens to have super powers. This is how she is portrayed, and it does not let you forget. This is a good thing. It shows her struggle to deal with these two clashing traits and how it affects the relationships she has around her. I like the way that Tamaki handled it and made Kara seem very real.
Overall
Overall it was a pretty great Origin arc and it did end in a way that made me want to continue reading about KAra's journey in to becoming Supergirl.
bbboeken's review against another edition
4.0
Hm. So I really liked this and now I'm hesitant to get the next one in the series because I'm afraid it will disappoint (but then again this is from the people who delivered _This One Summer_). So please tell me there is more.
(This (fortunately) is nothing like the televised series. )
(This (fortunately) is nothing like the televised series. )
topaziumm's review against another edition
4.0
This probably the fifth or sixth superfamily member origin story graphic novel read, which for a comic book fan isn’t actually all that many, but I was pleasantly surprised to find this one had its own unique identity that definitely makes it stand out from other Superfam coming of age stories. As a fan of Mariko Tamaki’s works I kind of had high expectations and maybe that’s why I wasn’t completely blown away and felt compelled to give it five stars, but I truly enjoyed the way the story unfolded and Kara’s characterization here. The highest praise I can give this is just the way that it’s very specifically just a teenage girl’s coming of age story treated with all the respect and drama and humor it deserves, which I think there’s still not nearly enough in the superhero comic book canon.
lspishock's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
krakow54's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
random_37's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25