Review: Supergirl Vol. 1- Reign of the Cyborg Supermen
Quick Summary
Pros: This volume introduces a ton of interesting changes for Supergirl as a character, many of which mirror the TV show. These changes allow for some great moments near the collection’s climax. The main narrative is exciting. The artwork looks great throughout the volume.
Cons: Some of the changes made here are poorly justified. Some of the action and drama feels contrived in a way that comes across as inauthentic or out of place.
Overall: Though not everything about this volume is great, it works as a solid start to a new Supergirl series. This volume immediately shakes up the Supergirl status quo in a way that advances character development while bringing in elements from the Supergirl TV show. This creates an exciting story that is backed up by some beautiful visuals. The only problem is that some of the changes are not justified well and even some of the action ends up feeling forced. Overall, this is a volume for fans looking for a new take on Supergirl or for those who enjoy her TV show and want to give her comics a try.
Story
The first volume of the Supergirl Rebirth series introduces some interesting changes to the Girl of Steel’s status quo and presents a moderately optimistic start to her latest stretch of adventures. This volume takes several cues from the Supergirl television series and fully incorporates Supergirl into Earth society, a change from her mostly individualistic adventures of the past. This and other changes create several points of interest that allow her to stand out as a character. Meanwhile, her encounters with the titular “Cyborg Superman” create intense situations full of action and emotion. The problem is that there are places here where the story fails to properly justify some changes, leaving them with less meaning than before. There are also points where the action and drama feels forced and doesn’t make sense given the circumstance. For the most part though, Supergirl Vol. 1: Reign of the Cyborg Supermen, by Steve Orlando, is a mostly positive collection that gives me hope for this new series.
(spoilers start here)
Some of the most immediately noticeable features in Reign of the Cyborg Supermen come from the changes made to Supergirl’s character between this series and the last one. In the last series, Supergirl was a loner, torturously struggling with her identity on Earth and unable to keep a friend or ally for very long. In this series, Supergirl starts with a host of friends and allies and even makes more as the collection progresses. This change reaches its peak when Supergirl makes an awesome and inspiring stance against her father, standing up for her new allies and adopted home world. For myself, this change was appreciated, as it seems like Kara is finally establishing somewhat of a life on Earth, which feels like a progression that had been put off for too long.
In addition, changes come in the form of adaptations of the Supergirl TV series. This comic turns Supergirl into a DEO agent, has her become an intern during her time as “Kara Danvers”, and propels Cat Grant to CEO status. All of these changes will likely appeal to fans of the television series and most of them are interesting to see on their own, as they allow Supergirl’s world to stand out from her contemporaries. However, a few of them feel a little rushed and unexplored; readers never really see why Kara wants to be an intern at Catco and the decision is poorly justified within this volume. Hopefully, future volumes will elaborate on these points.
Outside of the changes and character development, Reign of the Cyborg Supermen also tells an exciting story filled with action and intensity. At first, this just involves Supergirl taking on a few random villains and defeating them pretty easily. Then, before too long, it escalates into a zombie-Kryptonian army descending on a major US city. Though the action isn’t the collection’s main draw, it is still fun to see play out.
The downside to this is that there are plenty of places where the action and drama feels contrived. Supergirl’s earlier conflicts come out of nowhere and her main conflict starts with her attacking her father before he even reveals the evil part of his plan. Meanwhile, the rebellion against the DEO creates very little drama considering the fact that we haven’t seen Supergirl work with them or establish a relationship with them at all. In general, the action and drama in this volume feels like what I would expect to see in the third or forth volume of a series, not the first.
(spoilers end here)
Art
The artwork in Reign of the Cyborg Supermen is positive throughout the volume. Right off the bat, Brian Ching’s charmingly stylized visuals and Michael Atiyeh’s bright colors imbue the book with a great sense of optimism. The artwork here reflects the story’s positive outlook on Supergirl’s future. In this way, the book’s visuals are a wonderful complement to what is taking place within the narrative.
It also helps that the artwork just looks good. The specific style used here is seriously endearing and makes each of the characters look great in their own way. Cat Grant looks stylish and intimidating, Kara’s new parents are strong but approachable, and the Cyborg Superman is as intimidating as he needs to be. All the while, Supergirl is emotionally expressive and stands out on every page. Plus, the book is laid out well, with page structures that highlight key developments or important moments. All in all, this is a good-looking book with plenty of positives going for it.
Continuity
Supergirl Vol. 1: Reign of the Cyborg Supermen is the first volume in the Rebirth Supergirl series. This new series is a successor to the Supergirl Vol. 6, which ended with Supergirl Vol. 6: Crucible (Review), series and continues some of its plot points. More directly, the status quo from this series is derived from Supergirl’s appearances in the Superman: The Final Days of Superman (Review) (Reading Order). For more information about exactly which issues she shows up in see the end of the New 52 section of our “Supergirl Reading Order“.
The story here continues in Supergirl Vol. 2: Escape from the Phantom Zone (Review).
This volume also references other comic books, detailed below:
- Many of Supergirl’s New 52 era adventures are mentioned throughout this volume.
- Her arrival on Earth is presented across Supergirl Vol. 1: Last Daughter of Krypton (Review).
- Her last visit to Argo City happened in Supergirl Vol. 6 #5-6, collected in Supergirl Vol. 1: Last Daughter of Krypton (Review).
- Her first encounter with the Cyborg Superman happened in Supergirl Vol. 6 #21-24, collected in Supergirl Vol. 4: Out of the Past (Review).
- She briefly lost control of her powers and started working with the DEO across her appearances in the Superman: The Final Days of Superman (Review) (Reading Order). For more information about exactly which issues she shows up in see the end of the New 52 section of our “Supergirl Reading Order“.