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Power Girl (2009) #1-2
Power Girl: Power Trip
The fan-favorite writing team of Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray (JONAH HEX, TERRA) team with popular aritst Amanda Conner (JSA CLASSIFIED, TERRA) for the rip-roaring solo adventures of Power Girl. She bursts from the pages of the JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA to star in her own series.
Collects CLASSIFIED #1-4, POWER GIRL #1-12
Collects CLASSIFIED #1-4, POWER GIRL #1-12
392 pages, Paperback
First published February 18, 2014
About the author
Geoff Johns
2,574 books2,305 followersGeoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s in search of work within the film industry. Through perseverance, Geoff ended up as the assistant to Richard Donner, working on Conspiracy Theory and Lethal Weapon 4. During that time, he also began his comics career writing Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and JSA (co-written with David S. Goyer) for DC Comics. He worked with Richard Donner for four years, leaving the company to pursue writing full-time.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
March 14, 2022
Power Girl: Power Trip collects JSA Classified 1-4 and Power Girl 1-12.
This has been out of print for ages and I thought I got a good deal on it from Amazon. Well, someone got a good deal and it wasn't me. This is an ex-library book for one thing and for another it looks like someone read it out in the rain without an umbrella. Water damaged as hell.
Anyway, Power Girl: Power Trip is a fun book. Amanda Conner's Power Girl is cute and bouncy but not ridiculously so. Gray and Palmiotti wrote a love letter to both Power Girl and her convoluted place in the DC Universe. Old favorites like Psycho Pirate and the Ultra Humanite make appearances, as well as lesser known characters like the current version of Terra and Vartox, a Sean Connery from Zardoz ripoff from the 1970s.
I wasn't crazy about all of it, though. There's a cringey explanation of Power Girl's boob window that isn't "guys like to look at boobs" and an attempt to give the Ultra Humanite a sympathetic origin. Some times bad guys are just shit heads.
Given how convoluted Power Girl's origin has become over the years, the book is surprisingly accessible. Power Girl is trying to figure out her place in the world and Terra and the readers are along for the ride. A lot of humor comics wear thin after a while but I thought the jokes landed very well in this. DC could easily make Power Girl a more humor oriented character ala Byrne's She-Hulk if they wanted to devote more resources to her. They won't because she's not part of the Bat-Family but the potential is there.
Aside from the ridiculous condition of my copy, I enjoyed this very much. Power Girl: Power Trip is hilarious and the most accessible DC book this side of Scooby-Doo Team-Up. Four out of five boob windows.
This has been out of print for ages and I thought I got a good deal on it from Amazon. Well, someone got a good deal and it wasn't me. This is an ex-library book for one thing and for another it looks like someone read it out in the rain without an umbrella. Water damaged as hell.
Anyway, Power Girl: Power Trip is a fun book. Amanda Conner's Power Girl is cute and bouncy but not ridiculously so. Gray and Palmiotti wrote a love letter to both Power Girl and her convoluted place in the DC Universe. Old favorites like Psycho Pirate and the Ultra Humanite make appearances, as well as lesser known characters like the current version of Terra and Vartox, a Sean Connery from Zardoz ripoff from the 1970s.
I wasn't crazy about all of it, though. There's a cringey explanation of Power Girl's boob window that isn't "guys like to look at boobs" and an attempt to give the Ultra Humanite a sympathetic origin. Some times bad guys are just shit heads.
Given how convoluted Power Girl's origin has become over the years, the book is surprisingly accessible. Power Girl is trying to figure out her place in the world and Terra and the readers are along for the ride. A lot of humor comics wear thin after a while but I thought the jokes landed very well in this. DC could easily make Power Girl a more humor oriented character ala Byrne's She-Hulk if they wanted to devote more resources to her. They won't because she's not part of the Bat-Family but the potential is there.
Aside from the ridiculous condition of my copy, I enjoyed this very much. Power Girl: Power Trip is hilarious and the most accessible DC book this side of Scooby-Doo Team-Up. Four out of five boob windows.
June 29, 2024
Power Girl is fun, first and foremost. And sexy, but not in a 90s 'bad girl' comic way that's aged badly, in a fun way that acknowledges issues like sexism while still empowering the character. This book may be downright silly at times, with plenty of senseless violence as well actually and just don't think too much logistically about those parts.
I enjoyed the Geoff Jones revised origin story in the first four issues of JSA Classified, which even had a heartfelt in-universe reason for the window in her super suit. So many origins and then picking the perfect one for this poor post-Crisis character, although that may have been the unfortunate start of Johns overusing the multiverse as a plot point.
In the series, using Vartox for comedic effect was a great idea. And the new Terra as a sidekick, Ultra-Humanite as arch enemy. And above all, the art by Amanda Conner is gorgeous and cute and just plain fun.
I enjoyed the Geoff Jones revised origin story in the first four issues of JSA Classified, which even had a heartfelt in-universe reason for the window in her super suit. So many origins and then picking the perfect one for this poor post-Crisis character, although that may have been the unfortunate start of Johns overusing the multiverse as a plot point.
In the series, using Vartox for comedic effect was a great idea. And the new Terra as a sidekick, Ultra-Humanite as arch enemy. And above all, the art by Amanda Conner is gorgeous and cute and just plain fun.
May 20, 2014
This is the entire collected run of Palmiotti/Gray/Conner on Power Girl, and I make a wholehearted recommendation to read this to anyone who enjoys stories that don't have to take themselves so damned seriously.
Fun, amusing and doesn't take itself so friggin seriously. Wait, did I say that about another Power Girl comic already? The writing is excellent, but this book wouldn't be half as much fun without Amanda Conner's deft flair for slight exaggeration. PG's facial expressions alone are worth reading this book.
I love the inside joke eye-rolling between characters, and G/P make for some fun interactions between characters. There's more than a slight hint of Atomic Robo here in the writing and the art, so if that's you're kind of comic (or of you just happen to enjoy that on the side), c'mon down to Gray/Palmiotti/Conner country.
Let's address this head-on: the team are embracing the boob window here, even to the point of an over-the-top prop comedy moment that would normally send me into a rage rant. Instead, I see the CU Next Tuesday t-shirt and I'm grateful for the irreverent Mike-biased sense of humour here.
Anne, if you haven't read this stuff yet I think I see a gifting opportunity...
I don't know what it is exactly about this kind of storytelling but it seems so effortless, casual - none of the trumped-up fists-on-their-hips-and-trumpeting-their-bravado garbage. I *try* to get into that shit, but I just feel so relaxed reading stories like this. Why aren't there more books like this, Robo and Hawkguy?
There's villains and space aliens and corporate science research and cat-bathing...all the usual silliness to enjoy, none of the frowny-faced brutality or brooding grit. Are G/P usually this good, or just when they're working with great artistic talent? Hell, even the colourist is brilliant - lovingly makes all the figures and scenery just pop.
The second half of this collection continues to have a helluva lot of fun. PG gets mixed up with a space-born lothario who needs to repopulate his planet, and found PG was his ideal candidate. The action is ridiculous, the dialogue is over the top and the interactions are so down-to-earth silly and low-tension - it's just the most playful ride I've had since discovering Atomic Robo. I grew to actually like the sleazy emperor of a remote planet who cop's with anyone he likes, and is just oblivious to reasons why a self-determined female wouldn't drop at his feet for the chance to experience his charms. *That's* how well this creative team sells the story - fun, witty and playful.
The battle story with old foes was pretty cool, self-aware and a little saccharine. Here we're seeing more of Palmiotti/Gray's "PG is a softie on the inside" writing for our hero, and I'm willing to go along with it as long as they don't make her out to be a total sap. Which they come damned close to, but I give them a pass for not exaggerating - just spending a little quality time with the inner, not-entirely-sure-who-she-is Kara.
Kara gets sucked in to a therapeutic session with her sidekick and ends up having some more emotional moments, and while I'm wary of being a little over-condescended-to by a couple of dudes trying to wax feminine, it's not a bad scene - just feels a little forced.
Overall though I had a ton of fun with this team on their PG run, and I'm going to seek out both the writers and the artists and pray they channelled these fun/comedic/witty talents in other books too. Please?
Fun, amusing and doesn't take itself so friggin seriously. Wait, did I say that about another Power Girl comic already? The writing is excellent, but this book wouldn't be half as much fun without Amanda Conner's deft flair for slight exaggeration. PG's facial expressions alone are worth reading this book.
I love the inside joke eye-rolling between characters, and G/P make for some fun interactions between characters. There's more than a slight hint of Atomic Robo here in the writing and the art, so if that's you're kind of comic (or of you just happen to enjoy that on the side), c'mon down to Gray/Palmiotti/Conner country.
Let's address this head-on: the team are embracing the boob window here, even to the point of an over-the-top prop comedy moment that would normally send me into a rage rant. Instead, I see the CU Next Tuesday t-shirt and I'm grateful for the irreverent Mike-biased sense of humour here.
Anne, if you haven't read this stuff yet I think I see a gifting opportunity...
I don't know what it is exactly about this kind of storytelling but it seems so effortless, casual - none of the trumped-up fists-on-their-hips-and-trumpeting-their-bravado garbage. I *try* to get into that shit, but I just feel so relaxed reading stories like this. Why aren't there more books like this, Robo and Hawkguy?
There's villains and space aliens and corporate science research and cat-bathing...all the usual silliness to enjoy, none of the frowny-faced brutality or brooding grit. Are G/P usually this good, or just when they're working with great artistic talent? Hell, even the colourist is brilliant - lovingly makes all the figures and scenery just pop.
The second half of this collection continues to have a helluva lot of fun. PG gets mixed up with a space-born lothario who needs to repopulate his planet, and found PG was his ideal candidate. The action is ridiculous, the dialogue is over the top and the interactions are so down-to-earth silly and low-tension - it's just the most playful ride I've had since discovering Atomic Robo. I grew to actually like the sleazy emperor of a remote planet who cop's with anyone he likes, and is just oblivious to reasons why a self-determined female wouldn't drop at his feet for the chance to experience his charms. *That's* how well this creative team sells the story - fun, witty and playful.
The battle story with old foes was pretty cool, self-aware and a little saccharine. Here we're seeing more of Palmiotti/Gray's "PG is a softie on the inside" writing for our hero, and I'm willing to go along with it as long as they don't make her out to be a total sap. Which they come damned close to, but I give them a pass for not exaggerating - just spending a little quality time with the inner, not-entirely-sure-who-she-is Kara.
Kara gets sucked in to a therapeutic session with her sidekick and ends up having some more emotional moments, and while I'm wary of being a little over-condescended-to by a couple of dudes trying to wax feminine, it's not a bad scene - just feels a little forced.
Overall though I had a ton of fun with this team on their PG run, and I'm going to seek out both the writers and the artists and pray they channelled these fun/comedic/witty talents in other books too. Please?
June 27, 2018
Power Girl: Power Trip is a small side-trip in my own comic-reading trip (heh heh). I know I likes it a great deal, but I find myself at a loss to describe precisely "why".
Maybe a tally will help.
In the plus column, individual arcs are solidly written, with wit and insight. (I know, we don't expect that in a comic book, for goodness sake!) There is good connectivity between plotlines, and plenty of character depth and growth. I liked the brief hints of a meta commentary about writing and art and villain motivation and rants and the comics industry; it added further depth. Art was wonderful; action and details were always clear, with further subtle clues and messages. Color was bright and cheery and fun for the most part, with subtle darkness for the villains and the battles.
To the minus side, there are two plot disconnects between arcs of the story, that a keen editor should have addressed. There is a huge hole in character and plot and theme following the first quarter of the collection, and the brief Wonder Woman story at the end is chronologically out of place in a very obvious way. (The first arc was originally a mini-series, and has some plot twists they really muddy the water when the reader cannot separate the truth from the fiction.) Although the script often rails against men's attraction to women's physical attributes (of which Power Girl has, well, more than most), it is belied by the artist's focus on showing her physical attributes.
In total, most of the 'fun', positive nature of the series makes this a win. There is still something missing that keeps this from being a 'great' book. Maybe the fact that the chapters/issues seem more disconnected than in other series is what brings it down for me, or that she seems too powerful to be fun? I don't know... but if you are looking for a fun comic super-heroine romp with a dash of wit, and either prefer, or don't mind, blonde eye-candy, this is a fun diversion.
Maybe a tally will help.
In the plus column, individual arcs are solidly written, with wit and insight. (I know, we don't expect that in a comic book, for goodness sake!) There is good connectivity between plotlines, and plenty of character depth and growth. I liked the brief hints of a meta commentary about writing and art and villain motivation and rants and the comics industry; it added further depth. Art was wonderful; action and details were always clear, with further subtle clues and messages. Color was bright and cheery and fun for the most part, with subtle darkness for the villains and the battles.
To the minus side, there are two plot disconnects between arcs of the story, that a keen editor should have addressed. There is a huge hole in character and plot and theme following the first quarter of the collection, and the brief Wonder Woman story at the end is chronologically out of place in a very obvious way. (The first arc was originally a mini-series, and has some plot twists they really muddy the water when the reader cannot separate the truth from the fiction.) Although the script often rails against men's attraction to women's physical attributes (of which Power Girl has, well, more than most), it is belied by the artist's focus on showing her physical attributes.
In total, most of the 'fun', positive nature of the series makes this a win. There is still something missing that keeps this from being a 'great' book. Maybe the fact that the chapters/issues seem more disconnected than in other series is what brings it down for me, or that she seems too powerful to be fun? I don't know... but if you are looking for a fun comic super-heroine romp with a dash of wit, and either prefer, or don't mind, blonde eye-candy, this is a fun diversion.
September 25, 2016
So...I dived into the latest Shallow buddy-read.
No one better than Power Girl to fulfil the criterion of an embarrassing amount of cleavage on display, am I right? I mean, she's on the banner and all.
Though at this point it's gone beyond the event horizon of cleavage...
Anyway, this is a fairly fun volume to read. I didn't realize how big the page count was, so I kept wading through it, more and more confused. Then I glanced down (at my digital copy) and saw it was over 300 pages...
Most of PG's random encounters with random villains, in the midst of a personal crisis about her identity. It's more light-hearted after the initial Psycho-Pirate story, and generally I just found them vaguely entertaining, not riveting.
Can we just take a moment here to reflect on the fact that Psycho-Pirate looks and sounds like an antivirus software?
Terra was a cute addition to the cast, but honestly the cat was my favorite. The Vartox story was unexpected and Ultra Humanite got old really quick. I kept forgetting who Satanna was even though she kept turning up every other panel.
Generally the writing was okay, and while I really liked the surprise ending with Wonder Woman, I have to nitpick on how they never resolve PG's fish-out-of-water syndrome. I spent a good chunk of time dealing with her identity angst and then suddenly she's running a company? What on earth?
I see what you did there...I think.
The art was cute, matching the general cheeriness and I liked how they made PG's eye-rolls really expressive. So overall, good for reading in chunks and to pass the time.
P.S. Even if I could swallow the reasoning behind the peekaboo bust, that doesn't explain why PG's outfit has such little coverage on her rear...
No one better than Power Girl to fulfil the criterion of an embarrassing amount of cleavage on display, am I right? I mean, she's on the banner and all.
Though at this point it's gone beyond the event horizon of cleavage...
Anyway, this is a fairly fun volume to read. I didn't realize how big the page count was, so I kept wading through it, more and more confused. Then I glanced down (at my digital copy) and saw it was over 300 pages...
Most of PG's random encounters with random villains, in the midst of a personal crisis about her identity. It's more light-hearted after the initial Psycho-Pirate story, and generally I just found them vaguely entertaining, not riveting.
Can we just take a moment here to reflect on the fact that Psycho-Pirate looks and sounds like an antivirus software?
Terra was a cute addition to the cast, but honestly the cat was my favorite. The Vartox story was unexpected and Ultra Humanite got old really quick. I kept forgetting who Satanna was even though she kept turning up every other panel.
Generally the writing was okay, and while I really liked the surprise ending with Wonder Woman, I have to nitpick on how they never resolve PG's fish-out-of-water syndrome. I spent a good chunk of time dealing with her identity angst and then suddenly she's running a company? What on earth?
I see what you did there...I think.
The art was cute, matching the general cheeriness and I liked how they made PG's eye-rolls really expressive. So overall, good for reading in chunks and to pass the time.
P.S. Even if I could swallow the reasoning behind the peekaboo bust, that doesn't explain why PG's outfit has such little coverage on her rear...
July 10, 2017
Jesus. What a childish heroine is Power Girl depicted to be. I understand being sad about her origins and confussed by the mad guy playing with her head, but she doesn't seem to be very smart... Instead of talking to her colleagues she just seems to chose the most silly way to act. Not to talk about her enormous cleavage always on perfect display on the page. Nope. Not for me.
July 30, 2014
Power Girl has - in my mind - always gotten a bit of the short shrift when it comes to the luminary paragons of DC. With power, abilities and ethics approaching that of her pseudo-cousin Superman, it's never made a lot of sense that she seems so frequently stuck with villains from the rogue's galleries of others. But such seems to be the case for most female heroes, especially those that are crafted from the mythos of an extant male one (Superman, in this case).
The biggest failing of the book is that it reveals very little about her past or where this volume sits in the greater continuity, or if it's part of the New 52 or whatever. As I am still new to the mainstream DC continuity (Marvel and Image are far more familiar properties), this was a bit of a disappointment for me. We are told in snippets and asides that she is from another universe and if you are paying attention, it's obvious that she is Supergirl from that universe (just a little older, a little...bigger). Most people know this but many won't and it constitutes a weak spot in an otherwise strong book. In other words: in typical comic book fashion, you're left to sink or swim with regard to the backstory. That can be a selling point or a detriment dependent on who you are.
Partway in, I realized it wasn't New 52, but rather a part of an ongoing story that seems to branch out of (or at least intersect with) Supergirl's return in Superman/Batman: Supergirl and then in the Supergirl series immediately following (collected in Supergirl: Power and Supergirl: Candor). There are, in fact, several panels that this volume and those share.
But on to the actual book and it's story:
This book is pure fun. Unlike all the self-congratulatory and cynical deconstruction that's all the rage in some quarters, Power Trip revels in being a superhero book in a way few others do. Power Girl (Karen Starr, or more accurately, Kara Zor El) struggles to be 'normal' despite having no idea what that means. Her villains are silver-age crazy and even though it doesn't shy away from a few sharp edges, it's full of hope and optimism and makes you want to cheer. There are man-apes, a 70s vintage conqueror, vengeful sidekicks, super tech and mad scientists and team-ups and...well, you get the picture.
It doesn't spend a lot of time with agendas, but does touch on gender and feminism and exploitation a bit. It isn't heavy-handed about it even as it doesn't shy away from it, acknowledging it even as it indulges in it. In the end, it enhanced rather than detracted from the experience.
But the art. Good grief the art. It's beautiful, kinetic, sexy, silly, expressive, honest. Sure sometimes the expressions Conner draws look a bit like someone that's been punched in the face (when no such punches have been thrown), but most of the time, they're remarkably true to life. Often I found myself lingering on a panel just for the expression Kara is wearing. I didn't know I was an Amanda Conner fan until I read this book.
Though you won't like it if you are more into deconstruction and 'realism,' this is a great superhero book in nearly every way. Pure unadulterated fun in spandex. I loved it.
The biggest failing of the book is that it reveals very little about her past or where this volume sits in the greater continuity, or if it's part of the New 52 or whatever. As I am still new to the mainstream DC continuity (Marvel and Image are far more familiar properties), this was a bit of a disappointment for me. We are told in snippets and asides that she is from another universe and if you are paying attention, it's obvious that she is Supergirl from that universe (just a little older, a little...bigger). Most people know this but many won't and it constitutes a weak spot in an otherwise strong book. In other words: in typical comic book fashion, you're left to sink or swim with regard to the backstory. That can be a selling point or a detriment dependent on who you are.
Partway in, I realized it wasn't New 52, but rather a part of an ongoing story that seems to branch out of (or at least intersect with) Supergirl's return in Superman/Batman: Supergirl and then in the Supergirl series immediately following (collected in Supergirl: Power and Supergirl: Candor). There are, in fact, several panels that this volume and those share.
But on to the actual book and it's story:
This book is pure fun. Unlike all the self-congratulatory and cynical deconstruction that's all the rage in some quarters, Power Trip revels in being a superhero book in a way few others do. Power Girl (Karen Starr, or more accurately, Kara Zor El) struggles to be 'normal' despite having no idea what that means. Her villains are silver-age crazy and even though it doesn't shy away from a few sharp edges, it's full of hope and optimism and makes you want to cheer. There are man-apes, a 70s vintage conqueror, vengeful sidekicks, super tech and mad scientists and team-ups and...well, you get the picture.
It doesn't spend a lot of time with agendas, but does touch on gender and feminism and exploitation a bit. It isn't heavy-handed about it even as it doesn't shy away from it, acknowledging it even as it indulges in it. In the end, it enhanced rather than detracted from the experience.
But the art. Good grief the art. It's beautiful, kinetic, sexy, silly, expressive, honest. Sure sometimes the expressions Conner draws look a bit like someone that's been punched in the face (when no such punches have been thrown), but most of the time, they're remarkably true to life. Often I found myself lingering on a panel just for the expression Kara is wearing. I didn't know I was an Amanda Conner fan until I read this book.
Though you won't like it if you are more into deconstruction and 'realism,' this is a great superhero book in nearly every way. Pure unadulterated fun in spandex. I loved it.
September 17, 2015
Before I read this series, I always thought Power Girl was dumb. I wonder why that is?
Oh yeah! Hold on, let me back up a bit so I have the room needed to properly rolls my eyes.
Ok, I feel better now.
The Johns issues are… not great. He tries way too hard to rationalize everything in PG’s world like the above groan inducing scene.
Now the Jimmy Palmiotti/Justin Gray/Amanda Conner issues? They're just pure fun.
Karen Starr is the CEO of a tech company called Starrware. She's one part smart, one part smartass. But Starr also goes by another name – Power Girl! She’s a superhero with the same power set as Superman, albeit with a much more convoluted origin. (Thankfully, this story doesn’t require any prior knowledge of the character. She's Superman’s cousin, that's all)
In these issues, Peej fights an intelligent gorilla! She mentors a new, teenage hero! She spurns the advances of an alien who needs her help in repopulating his planet!
Gray and Palmiotti are clearly having a blast on this title. The stories are equal parts smart and silly. Nothing is taken too seriously and it feels like we’re laughing with Power Girl, not at her, in these issues.
The comic is also a satire of the “boobs and butts” style comic that the general audience might perceive this book to be. They really do a good job subverting expectations.
The scripts are good, but the art is great. Amanda Conner’s Power Girl actually looks powerful! Her art is very expressive, so you always know how Peej is feeling, even without the captions. Characters all have distinct body types, too.
Being more of a Marvel person, I’d describe this book as DC’s “She-Hulk.” The Dan Slott whimsical, meta, tongue in cheek “She Hulk.” Both are stories about successful career women with powerful physiques, colorful friends and a habit of ending up part of wacky adventures. It's a little cheesy at times, but a lot of fun.
kit: Twitter | Tumblr
Oh yeah! Hold on, let me back up a bit so I have the room needed to properly rolls my eyes.
Ok, I feel better now.
The Johns issues are… not great. He tries way too hard to rationalize everything in PG’s world like the above groan inducing scene.
Now the Jimmy Palmiotti/Justin Gray/Amanda Conner issues? They're just pure fun.
Karen Starr is the CEO of a tech company called Starrware. She's one part smart, one part smartass. But Starr also goes by another name – Power Girl! She’s a superhero with the same power set as Superman, albeit with a much more convoluted origin. (Thankfully, this story doesn’t require any prior knowledge of the character. She's Superman’s cousin, that's all)
In these issues, Peej fights an intelligent gorilla! She mentors a new, teenage hero! She spurns the advances of an alien who needs her help in repopulating his planet!
Gray and Palmiotti are clearly having a blast on this title. The stories are equal parts smart and silly. Nothing is taken too seriously and it feels like we’re laughing with Power Girl, not at her, in these issues.
The comic is also a satire of the “boobs and butts” style comic that the general audience might perceive this book to be. They really do a good job subverting expectations.
The scripts are good, but the art is great. Amanda Conner’s Power Girl actually looks powerful! Her art is very expressive, so you always know how Peej is feeling, even without the captions. Characters all have distinct body types, too.
Being more of a Marvel person, I’d describe this book as DC’s “She-Hulk.” The Dan Slott whimsical, meta, tongue in cheek “She Hulk.” Both are stories about successful career women with powerful physiques, colorful friends and a habit of ending up part of wacky adventures. It's a little cheesy at times, but a lot of fun.
kit: Twitter | Tumblr
July 14, 2014
I already own (and love) the two Gray/Palmiotti/Conner's collections but the library had this collected edition with the addition of the Geoff John's PG focussed JSA Classified 1-4.
I'll say it again, but the solo series is brilliant. I only intended to read the stories that were new to me but I kept right on - there was nothing lost on re-reading and a lot to gain.
Similar to what Fraction and Aja have achieved with Hawkeye recently, Palmiotti and Gray manage to create a little magic in taking a somewhat redundant character and just running with the freedom that allows. They have a light deft touch, full of grace and humour, embracing yet poking fun at the cheesecake and crafting a lovely relationship between PG and Terra.
The real hero though is Amanda Connor. She is awesome! Truly she shines, with a vibrant, dynamic style, wonderfully expressive faces and eye rolls, an aggressive action style and some wonderful inking (something that I don't often pay much attention too, but here is very powerful). I cannot sing her praises enough - she elevates these stories.
The stories themselves are fun (especially the playful seduction ofZed, Vartox) but really, it's the little moments that shine. Karen taking Atlee to the movies, feeding/cleaning the cat, her morning routine. Magic.
If anything the preceeding Johns scripted tale is a let down. Bit harsh perhaps - it's a perfectly servicable tale that cleverly plays on the 'multiple origins' history. However, it feels completely different to the playful tone that follows and really, there's no continuity.
In contrast, the Conner's scripted short with Wonder Woman is a lovely tale featuring my favourite feline sidekick. Really, the best super pet outside of Pizza Dog. It's just a shame they did't collect the Terra miniseries as well for completion.
If you haven't picked up the solo runs then do so - they are some of the best comics in the last 5-10 years. Well worth some time and great for re-reading.
I'll say it again, but the solo series is brilliant. I only intended to read the stories that were new to me but I kept right on - there was nothing lost on re-reading and a lot to gain.
Similar to what Fraction and Aja have achieved with Hawkeye recently, Palmiotti and Gray manage to create a little magic in taking a somewhat redundant character and just running with the freedom that allows. They have a light deft touch, full of grace and humour, embracing yet poking fun at the cheesecake and crafting a lovely relationship between PG and Terra.
The real hero though is Amanda Connor. She is awesome! Truly she shines, with a vibrant, dynamic style, wonderfully expressive faces and eye rolls, an aggressive action style and some wonderful inking (something that I don't often pay much attention too, but here is very powerful). I cannot sing her praises enough - she elevates these stories.
The stories themselves are fun (especially the playful seduction of
If anything the preceeding Johns scripted tale is a let down. Bit harsh perhaps - it's a perfectly servicable tale that cleverly plays on the 'multiple origins' history. However, it feels completely different to the playful tone that follows and really, there's no continuity.
In contrast, the Conner's scripted short with Wonder Woman is a lovely tale featuring my favourite feline sidekick. Really, the best super pet outside of Pizza Dog. It's just a shame they did't collect the Terra miniseries as well for completion.
If you haven't picked up the solo runs then do so - they are some of the best comics in the last 5-10 years. Well worth some time and great for re-reading.
April 29, 2016
I liked the storyline with Ultra-Humanite and it was great to see the everyday stuff as Karen Star. Plus, who doesn't like a grouchy cat along for the ride with a superhero owner (as evidenced in Marvel by Carol and Chewy)? Also great to see Terra/Atlee, who I know from Starfire! But I hated a lot of the artwork, especially the overabundance of bobs and it's use for comic relief. I hated the storyline with Vartox as well (who I found to be an awful, sexist sack of shit), and didn't buy the ending of that plotline. Overall more meh than anything, which is unfortunate. I was far more hopeful to like Connor/Palmiotti's work after loving their take on Starfire - I did not.
November 14, 2015
So, Power Girl is awesome. She is a superhero but with human struggles just like the rest of us. She's trying to come to terms with an identity and her origins and on top of that, she doesn't always understand the needs of her cat. Who can't relate to this? These stories are fun, especially when she is joined by her good friend Terra as theirs is a very sweet and genuine friendship.
If these stories weren't enough of an adventure, Amanda Conner's art is virtually perfect.
If these stories weren't enough of an adventure, Amanda Conner's art is virtually perfect.
June 5, 2014
Cute and fun book as have been all of them from this book series. I was not head over heels for the "Cheetah" wannabe character, but it was still a fun book.
July 4, 2015
could not finish. Vomit.
May 15, 2020
Power Girl Power Trip
Collects
JSA Classified #1-4
Power Girl #1-12
And a 3 page story called Fuzzy Logic with PG and Wonder Woman
I Specifically collected Power Trip because of the first 4 issues, the JSA Classified #1-4 as I already own Power Girl #1-12 in two volumes Power Girl A New Beginning and Power Girl Apes and Aliens.
Of course I'm reviewing the whole book but I haven't read the PG #1-12 issue for over a year now, though those reviews can be found also under those specific book titles.
JSA Classified
The first 4 issues of the book are all about revealing Power Girl's origin, if your at at all familiar with the character the conclusion won't be to suprising, this story is apparently a lead into Infinite Crisis but it's been a while since I've read that story I can't say how important a part Power Girl played, as a recall it was rather small part.
The Classified story had some particularly memorable moments with Jimmy Olsen and Huntress, with appearances by the Crime Syndicate and the Legion of Super-heroes. Though as the villian is revealed it becomes harder to determine what is real and what is delusion.
Power Girl #1-12
Aka
A New Beginning / Apes and Aliens
As I said I'd already read these 12 issues and I have reviews written under there books.
To sum it up shortly this solo PG series was amazing, from the bombastic babe art to the fun playful humor and stories, it's all sexted up but in a pretty cute and tongue and cheek harmless way. This series made me a real fan of PG and I just ordered a load of books from her New52 Worlds' Finest series run, what I've read so far I've loved.
Ultimately if your a new PG fan your gonna have a bit of a rough time, books are hard to come by new or even used, some 6 issue volumes can cost over $100 big ones easy. The old stuff is hard to come by and no new PG solo exists and she isn't making much of any appearances in other series books.
When you seek out why DC won't do anything with PG it seems to come down to the #Metoo culture or the increasing PC culture that seems to wanna demonize or punish large breasted women.
PG was created in the more swinging sexual 70s and represented an empowered sexually strong woman... but big boob women aren't fairing so well now a days... at least in DC Comics.
Cross your fingers and pray to the comic gods that some artists and writers get brave and bring Power Girl back into the main stream! Maybe we'll even get a muscular busty vixen starring in a big screen DC movie...
Truly A New Beginning
Collects
JSA Classified #1-4
Power Girl #1-12
And a 3 page story called Fuzzy Logic with PG and Wonder Woman
I Specifically collected Power Trip because of the first 4 issues, the JSA Classified #1-4 as I already own Power Girl #1-12 in two volumes Power Girl A New Beginning and Power Girl Apes and Aliens.
Of course I'm reviewing the whole book but I haven't read the PG #1-12 issue for over a year now, though those reviews can be found also under those specific book titles.
JSA Classified
The first 4 issues of the book are all about revealing Power Girl's origin, if your at at all familiar with the character the conclusion won't be to suprising, this story is apparently a lead into Infinite Crisis but it's been a while since I've read that story I can't say how important a part Power Girl played, as a recall it was rather small part.
The Classified story had some particularly memorable moments with Jimmy Olsen and Huntress, with appearances by the Crime Syndicate and the Legion of Super-heroes. Though as the villian is revealed it becomes harder to determine what is real and what is delusion.
Power Girl #1-12
Aka
A New Beginning / Apes and Aliens
As I said I'd already read these 12 issues and I have reviews written under there books.
To sum it up shortly this solo PG series was amazing, from the bombastic babe art to the fun playful humor and stories, it's all sexted up but in a pretty cute and tongue and cheek harmless way. This series made me a real fan of PG and I just ordered a load of books from her New52 Worlds' Finest series run, what I've read so far I've loved.
Ultimately if your a new PG fan your gonna have a bit of a rough time, books are hard to come by new or even used, some 6 issue volumes can cost over $100 big ones easy. The old stuff is hard to come by and no new PG solo exists and she isn't making much of any appearances in other series books.
When you seek out why DC won't do anything with PG it seems to come down to the #Metoo culture or the increasing PC culture that seems to wanna demonize or punish large breasted women.
PG was created in the more swinging sexual 70s and represented an empowered sexually strong woman... but big boob women aren't fairing so well now a days... at least in DC Comics.
Cross your fingers and pray to the comic gods that some artists and writers get brave and bring Power Girl back into the main stream! Maybe we'll even get a muscular busty vixen starring in a big screen DC movie...
Truly A New Beginning
October 3, 2023
Mixed bag. Art was good, but a good chunk of the stories were reminiscent of an older Supergirl story that I didn't like at all at the time. This version is better but felt unnecessary.
Girl's Night Out was definitely my favorite of this collection. That was a lot of fun.
Girl's Night Out was definitely my favorite of this collection. That was a lot of fun.
May 9, 2023
It certainly was novel for its time but it doesn't escape some of the usual sexist trappings of super heroine. However it is still enjoyable, super cute and fun. The fans of Zardoz do not want to miss this one either.
March 31, 2020
Can’t recommend enough. Review pending.
April 27, 2022
This was so well done. Made more of Kara/Karen than the usual “mad superhero” or fish out of water. Gave depth to the character that was long overdue.
March 2, 2015
This is a pretty female-positive book, and shows a healthy and well-rounded (as in showing all-around life) relationship between women. I love the Birds of Prey, but their lives outside missions aren't shown much. And as great as the characters are, they always seem to have a problem with their male romantic interests in the back of their minds. Gotham City Sirens are great too, but there's always a lack of trust between group members and the tendency to betray each other - on top of romance problems. In "Power Girl: Power Trip", readers are treated to THREE ENTIRE PAGES of Karen (Power Girl) and Atlee (Terra) JUST at the movies together - two-and-a-half of which is them simply interacting with each other as friends. It's relaxed, warm, and we don't see nearly enough of heroes being normal people in comics. There are other similar moments like this in the book. The normalcy sets Power Girl apart. You get to SEE she's at least trying to live a balanced life between work, heroism, and just being herself. It's so refreshing.
One issue I had with this book was the ending of the "Power Trip" arc. It might have just been me, but I feel like it wasn't properly resolved before we see Power Girl back to normal and seemingly all sorted out in the next issue. I would've appreciated seeing how she dealt with learning she's actually from another universe. Maybe it was dealt with and just not included in this collection, I don't know. But it would've been nice to have it here.
Another problem is the way Karen/Power Girl is sexualized. It's always pointed out as something Karen doesn't like, yet the comic keeps showing her in situations where the reader /will/ sexualize her, or another character is. I think the writers were trying to point it out ironically, but it happened so often it backfired, to the point of it becoming a bit of a nuisance.
Other than that, I love this book and I'm in love with Power Girl as a character. She's smart, sassy, and kicks ass while maintaining healthy relationships and keeping things fun. Can't recommend it enough. The stories are light and fun, but also humanizing, and the art is LOVELY.
One issue I had with this book was the ending of the "Power Trip" arc. It might have just been me, but I feel like it wasn't properly resolved before we see Power Girl back to normal and seemingly all sorted out in the next issue. I would've appreciated seeing how she dealt with learning she's actually from another universe. Maybe it was dealt with and just not included in this collection, I don't know. But it would've been nice to have it here.
Another problem is the way Karen/Power Girl is sexualized. It's always pointed out as something Karen doesn't like, yet the comic keeps showing her in situations where the reader /will/ sexualize her, or another character is. I think the writers were trying to point it out ironically, but it happened so often it backfired, to the point of it becoming a bit of a nuisance.
Other than that, I love this book and I'm in love with Power Girl as a character. She's smart, sassy, and kicks ass while maintaining healthy relationships and keeping things fun. Can't recommend it enough. The stories are light and fun, but also humanizing, and the art is LOVELY.
October 15, 2014
I was torn on what to rate this, wavering between 3 and 4 stars. It's incredibly cheesy at times, so you have to be willing to deal with some over-the-top humor from Palmiotti.
One of the strongest moments for me was early in the trade, in one of the issues written by Johns. He gives a memorable reasoning for PG's infamous "boob window," which I found touching. He has a way of making characters relatable that I've never found in any other comics writer (if you don't believe me, check out his Green Lantern run).
Palmiotti writes most of the trade, and I've always found him to be a bit hit-or-miss. This trade encapsulates the best and worst aspects of his writing. He does a great job making characters "cool," or witty, but I've always felt that they lack depth. Johns gives PG some depth in the early issues, but it's not maintained throughout. HOWEVER, Palmiotti has some great comedy in store for you and his characterization is done well enough to make this comic worth reading for most DC fans.
One of the strongest moments for me was early in the trade, in one of the issues written by Johns. He gives a memorable reasoning for PG's infamous "boob window," which I found touching. He has a way of making characters relatable that I've never found in any other comics writer (if you don't believe me, check out his Green Lantern run).
Palmiotti writes most of the trade, and I've always found him to be a bit hit-or-miss. This trade encapsulates the best and worst aspects of his writing. He does a great job making characters "cool," or witty, but I've always felt that they lack depth. Johns gives PG some depth in the early issues, but it's not maintained throughout. HOWEVER, Palmiotti has some great comedy in store for you and his characterization is done well enough to make this comic worth reading for most DC fans.
May 11, 2016
This is one of those collections in which I was a bit confused about what the creators were trying to accomplish, but gave up wondering and just enjoyed it for what it was. For the first few issues it seems they are going for a serious character study and an effort to bring some relevance/significance/justification to Power Girl's infamous "boob window" costume. I appreciated the effort but I started to like it better when they dropped the seriousness and opted for a lighter, goofier tone. When they went for all the insane Zardoz references in the middle of the book, I completely caved in. Great zany fun for the most part, with delightful art.
November 10, 2014
WOW. This was fun, light-hearted and full of references to DC continuity that can appeal to both experienced and newbie readers. Power Girl is a GREAT character and the plots here are strong throughout, alternating between hilarious, heartfelt and heavily original often times on one page. I HATE the costume and the boob-obsession but this is still one of the strongest DC trades I've read. No amount of gratuitous cleavage and cleavage jokes could change that. Which is in it's own way utterly shocking.
December 12, 2014
This is a barrel of laughs. Amanda Conner's art is just totally amazing. The space lothario Vartox was a hilarious story, the Ultra-Humanite and Satanna bring some genuine jeopardy and scares, but it is mainly pure fun on a bun! Karen and Atlee have an appealing friendship and I want a cat like Stinky!
April 9, 2014
Amanda Conner's Peej is the absolute best and I'm so glad that they've put it pretty much all in one book. This is a definite must read for fans of the character or just anyone looking for shelter from the crapstorm that is the New52.
July 23, 2014
Revisiting this run further cemented why Power Girl quickly became my favorite female superhero, and why she's stayed such. The best compliment I can give to Palmiotti, Gray and Conner is that I will trust anything they decide to bank on.
February 28, 2016
Huh - I didn't realize comics could still be fun! Without being too serious, the stories are still interesting - but it's the characters that really shine. Amanda Connor's art is just perfect for the attitude of this book.
Bonus points for having a cat as a character.
Bonus points for having a cat as a character.
March 20, 2014
Palmiotti is one of my favorite. This is a great read.
May 29, 2014
I needed a moment to get some orientation, but after that I just loved this!
And Amanda Connor is such a brilliant artist. The whole TPB is wonderful!
And Amanda Connor is such a brilliant artist. The whole TPB is wonderful!
June 19, 2014
Very fun read and despite the art's focus on pulchritudinous aspects of her character, PG is a surprisingly good and solid character and fun read.
August 30, 2014
Man do I LOVE this run. Fantastic art, story and characterization! If you are a Power Girl fan, this is a must buy.
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