Comic Book Review: Power Girl #21

Written By: Judd Winick

Artist: Sami Basri

Colorist: Jessica Kholinne

Cover Artist: Basri & Sunny Gho

Letterer: John J. Hill

Editor: Joey Cavalieri

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

I think the Brightest Day plotline has been much more interesting in its crossover titles.  Generation Lost, from what I’ve been hearing, has been phenomenal as well as the other titles connected with this major DC event.  Power Girl, ever since Judd Winick came on board, has been fantastic as he’s been able to incorporate both the typical Power Girl brilliance and the Brightest Day storyline without feeling too weighted down.

Issue #21 of Power Girl begins the resolution of the Maxwell Lord Mystery and why he’s wiping the memories of every hero except for the J.L.I.  Power Girl flies off after a brutal fight with her former teammates to jog the memories of her friends in hopes of bringing the fight Maxwell Lord.  But if Power Girl can’t even convince the greatest detective of all time, Batman, what chance does she have with anyone else?

One of the most appealingly funny attributes of Power Girl is how much bigger she is than most males in the DCU.  She still has than fantastic sex appeal that every artist that’s ever sketched Power Girl out hopes for, but she’s definitely given a stature that towers over most men. (Face up to it guys, we all fantasize about girl’s who are tougher, taller and stronger than we are.)  I understand the reason for it as Superman himself is above average when it comes to size, but that didn’t keep me from laughing hysterically as Power Girl looks down at Batman during their conversation.

Judd Winick really is doing a great job with Brightest Day within Power Girl, but I was a little jolted with two Batmen standing side by side…and there’s more to come!  Just like with Superman #708 and the Superman Squad of the future, I have a sneaking suspicion the same thing is going to happen with Batman; we’ll never know when we’re looking at Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, or whoever else ends up wearing the cape and cowl.  I’ll say it again…Damn you Grant Morrison!

The story itself is actually quite good despite the reminder of the Batman atrocity.  Being someone who enjoys nostalgic storylines, getting to see Ted Kord wear the blue suit again was icing on the cake.  The emotional impact of the book is effectively portrayed through Power Girl’s constant scolding of herself for not staying with Blue Beetle the day he was killed.  As often as Ted keeps returning in flashbacks since Blackest Night began, I’ve been wondering to this day if they plan on bringing him back from the dead.  What a nice change it would be for DC to divert from their typical storytelling technique and leave Kord dead.  Here’s to hoping!

I know Basri has been getting a lot of criticism for his artistic style, but I think his combination of anime and contemporary American comic book art has worked quite well for this title.  Jessica Kholinne’s mastery of appropriate colors has been a major contributor to Basri’s excellence as well. 

It seems that any woman that has the honor of being apart of Power Girl's title seemed to be required to expose a certain amount of cleavage.  That's OK, it's part of the running gag in this book...cleavage, cleavage, and more cleavage.  But of all the women in the DCU, I never thought Ice would made also be forcibly inducted into the Super-heroine boobage circus.  Oh well, she'll still remain the sweetheart of DC Comics.

One thing I wasn’t completely clear on however was how abruptly Booster asked Power Girl to leave.  I understand that she nearly mopped the floor with the J.L.I., but these five aren’t the type to simply ask someone to get out of their face, especially when they understood that Karen was under the influence of Maxwell Lord’s mind control.  The explanation was given that she needed to leave in order to see if anyone ELSE can remember, but the departure felt like baggage was still remaining between the J.L.I. and her. 

My Majestically Climactic Conclusion

All in all, this issue is very good and incredibly intense while never wavering from the comedic impact that Power Girl is supposed to have.  And hopefully, after Generation Lost #22, Power Girl will be bringing us some new adventures to love and cherish.

8 out of 10 stars.