Written by: Paul Levitz
Penciled by: George Perez & Kevin Macguire
Inked by: Scott Koblish
Colored by: Hi-Fi & Rosemary Cheetham
Lettered by: Carlos M. Mangual
Cover by: Perez & Hi-Fi
Edited by: Will Moss
May marks the introduction of Earth 2, just one of the many alternate Earths within the Multiverse. And somehow, Kara Zor-El and Helena have been taken from their universe and plopped into the current universe that we, the readers of DC Comics know the best. Thus begins the journey of two polar opposite superheroes attempting to cope with their new life in Earth One’s universe (At least I’m assuming the universe the new 52 is focusing on is Earth One) and becoming valuable citizens of it.
The two heroes are just as we remember before the reboot; Huntress always having difficulties coming to terms with anything that alters her plans, and Kara moving forward, despite any change, with ease and having fun while doing it. But while Helena has difficulty accepting her new life, obvious from her inability to choose a definitive alter-ego, she has accepted her fate as a permanent resident on Earth One. By the same degree, Kara has found a new place as a wealthy business tycoon, and has theoretically found a way back to their universe, unable to let go of the chance of going home. Lots of money goes a long way!
The two heroes are very different; one has the power to rotate planets, while the other is awkwardly jumping from rooftop to rooftop, shooting things with her handheld crossbow. However, the two also have a bond that cannot easily be broken due to the transport from Earth One to Two, which is where this issue succeeds completely!
Both have lost important and nourishing parts of their lives, their families and their home. I suspect (should this series grow and last in popularity) that these two will become an oddity in sensational duos, much like Harley and Ivy were before the reboot. And that is something I can get behind!
Costumes are definitely a hot topic here! Huntress bares very little difference, but Power Girl (as I’m sure you can see from the cover) is lacking the enormous gaping hole where her chesticles shimmered for all to see. I honestly LOVE the new PG costume, (which is definitely rated PG this go round) even with the exceptionally noticeable camel toe. But don’t worry, if you’re one of those people who needs the crude “boob” humor that always seemed to follow Power Girl like a curse, here is Paul Levitz and George Perez’s way of calling back to what we’re familiar with…
All the more reason to have a costume…something specifically tailored not to BURN UP!
My pet peeve…artistic toggling! George Perez, as always, goes balls to the wall with his pencil work, showing off the fact that he really is amongst the best artists in the business. The flashback sequences by Kevin Macguire are done well too…not my favorite, but still well done. But to meld the too artistic styles together, where I favor one over the other, simply doesn’t work for me. Two very talented artists, but the jolt from one style to the next irks me like no other!
Back to the story…I was a bit confused about Helena’s situation. So the Earth One Helena has died, opening up this invitation of easy integration for Earth Two’s Helena. (Should I just call her Huntress?) Yet she feels uncertain and conflicted about WHO her mild mannered alter ego should be. Even though she IS from another universe and Bruce Wayne of Earth One isn’t TECHNICALLY her dad, there shouldn’t be a question as to who she becomes. More will develop on this, I’m sure, but it’s a bit perplexing to say the least.
Another little confusing moment for me, take a look…
What are these people scared of???
Just keep looking at the bookends, does it seem as if the spectators are scared of something? Do they somehow see the flowing images of Kara and Helena’s past lives in the window? I don’t know, maybe on Earth Two, people’s reflections portray a person’s true self? I looked and looked and looked and couldn’t figure out WHY these people look as if they expecting the worst of our two protagonists.
All in all, this was a fantastically enjoyable issue. A few gripes here and there, but in no way does it deter me from loving it! Thank you Levitz! Looking forward to issue #2.
8.5 out of 10 stars
