Supergirl Vol. 1: Reign of the Cyborg Supermen (Rebirth)

Just poor all round. Childish artwork confused story and not a patch on the new 52 relaunch.

Great Xmas present.

Great story we'll told, but the artwork wasn't up to much. Looked too much like a manual comic or cartoon.

Supergirl TP Vol 1 Reign of the Cyber SuperMen (Rebirth)  collects the opening six issues of the Rebirthed series, along with the Rebirth issue.There isn’t much “rebirthing” going on with Supergirl – the New 52 continuity continues, though with a relocation to National City and the trappings of the “hit TV series”, as the DEO (run by Cameron Chase) takes her under their wing to help her with her power-loss problems from the New 52 series, which are sorted by page 8 of the Rebirth issue.The establishing story, however, sees Kara placed with foster parents to help her get acclimatised to Earth – Eliza and Jeremiah Danvers, both DEO agents, and also sees her getting a work-placement with Cat Grant’s CatCo.This merging of the TV show background with the comic book doesn’t appear to be forced, as the DEO has a long-established existence, and the reasons given for Supergirl being adopted by them fits in with their established history; and Cat Grant, while behaving like the TV character, also brings her own history with her.The main ‘action’ storyline involves the New 52’s Cyborg Zor-El who has now found a way to reanimate the dead inhabitants of Argo City, but needs ‘life energy’ to do so, and has chosen a certain Earth city to donate it.This is actually quite a good story, as, with flashbacks, the story of Argo City and Zor-El’s struggles to save its inhabitants are depicted, showing how the flaws in the Kryptonian way of life and thinking have led him to become the character he is today; one which Kara is determined to save and ‘reprogram’.Apart from being depicted as a bit younger than in the New 52 series – which may be a result of the cartoony art on the regular series – this is still the ‘current’ version of Supergirl; and to be honest, the Silver Age Supergirl didn’t really have much in the way of continuity that needed to be carried forward into a modern version (apart from Brainiac 5 and the Legion – and that can always be developed as she grows into the role as and when they are brought back into continuity – and they are there: remember the final scene of the Rebirth 80-page special and the girl with the Legion ring).THE SPOILER ZONE“You’re clear to approach the Argo wreck, Dr Henshaw”…

So I wasn't expecting much from this book but I'm surprisingly impressed. This effectively takes place after new 52 and before cw Supergirl but Kara is somehow 16 again and going to school rather than working. Get your head around that and your good to go.Couple of minor changes are that kara doesn't have a step sister and rather than manhunter running the DEO, its an unrelatable woman called cameron who looks kinda like a female Constantine. Guess thats a girl power move.Anyway the story is fine for a first arc, more death of krypton stuff which felt like filer to introduce all the characters they want to use. I found the earth home stuff a little more interesting overall.I have no interest in the forced diversity of today's comics, she has a black friend, 2 female bosses and a mum with a missing hand but it hasn't taken away from the story so far and that's good. I prefer it done a little more subtle if they must do it.Overall a fun read and although she is a little younger and weaker, she's still my new 52 kara at heart, a badass who will not be anyone's prisoner.

I thought I'd like Kara but I LOVE her. And I love the story, how Kara's struggles to adjust are woven so seamlessly with CYBORG SUPERMEN KILLING EARTH and then back to Kara struggling to fit in among humans. This is just so well written, and after Superwoman Volume One (which I did not connect with), it was such a surprise and delight. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the art. It has such a charming quality to it and suits Kara perfectly. PLus I'm extra happy with how the story arc wraps up cleanly in this one volume, but still has threads to follow into the next volume. It really bugs me when a volume ends with the story unresolved.I'm so happy I read this. I cannot WAIT for the next volume.