Hi there, Supergirl
Here is some honesty- I am not a comics expert. I often struggle with continuity issues, often I will find myself searching this site when I encounter a character I do not know. Thusly, this review will not be from the point of view of someone who knows the DCU inside and out. Rather, I am an informed enthusiast, a life-long fan of both characters if not always an avid collector of their material (though that is changing). So in reading this review keep in mind the author's point of view- enthusiast. Not expert.
Not being a whiz at all things DCU I found this particular issue absolutely wonderful. It seems made for people of my ilk- unsure about what exactly happened at the end of Crisis on Infinite Earths, we want to embrace a story with timeless characters anyway. Thus, some out there might condemn the issue for some continuity gaffs (though I have no idea what they would be) but I found the lack of specialized, insider knowledge a breath of fresh air. This is a great stand-alone work, and when you take it on it's own terms it really starts to shine.
Loeb's writing was terrific. Dynamic, dramatic, full of gravitas, and yet he manages to keep in this humorous tongue-in-cheek attitude that makes the reading so much more fun. I dont think that I need to remind everyone just how well Loeb knows these characters, especially Supes. From what I know of his history, he has a lot of experience in plumbing the depths of the Kryptonian mind, and you see that come through here. His Superman is strong, confident, yet laid-back and thoroughly Supermanesque in his optimism and humor. His Kara is thoroughly innocent, yet with a strong Kryptonian streak, namely pride (just see what her reaction is to Bruce tying her up). If anything, his Batman recieves short shrift. He just does not play into the story all that much, the focus is on Supes and Kara, which is okay. Batman will get plenty of attention soon, and what is there is quality. In the first three pages you get this sense of the Superman/Batman brotherly dynamic which is compelling and touching while still being light. I just wish there was more of it- but this is a first issue. Its not the whole course, it is just the appetizer. Loeb gives you just enough to come back without overloading you with backstory. Which is fine by me, this version of Kara is relatable, understandable, he gives her a great deal of humanity for being an alien. I never really got a firm grasp on the Supergirl as bonded angel thing, so Kara Zor-El from Krypton is a lot easier to wrap your mind around, which I think makes her a more enjoyable character. We enjoy things we can understand.
A note, however. I bought this issue in the trade paperback version- which I recommend becuase it has the Kryptonese language guide in the back. You need it to get 1/3 of what is being said. It is really not that difficult to decipher, just a straight conversion of signs from English, but it definitely helps. While some might consider this a drawback ("what the deuce am I translating this comic for, is this Lord of the Rings?") I actually had fun figuring out what was going on behind the cool looking symbols. And the extra work is worth it- you get so much more story for your buck.
Now, my favorite part. Michael Turner's pencils. Great scott, this is some beautiful work. The style is sketch-book, which throws you back to early comic's pulpy origins. The edges are harsh, sharp, the slightly unkempt pencil work gives an air of gritty darkness to the whole thing- perfect for Gotham where the story takes place. Even the vehicles depicted in the comic are 1940s style. Pete Steigerwald's coloring is a perfect match here- vibrant, eye-catching and yet understated at the same time (for the exact opposite of this gritty, pulpy sketchbook style that Turner does so well wait till we get to a Ed McGuiness/Dexter Vines issue. Totally different story there). The shadows take up much of the coloring work, the whole thing being mainly done in reds, browns and yellows. Really makes that red, yellow and blue of Supes seem that much brighter in the environment that Turner has created, and Batman's black seems blacker. His work on Kara is particularly wonderful- her relatively soft lines seem so out of place in this harsh, sharp, dirty world that Turner makes, which feeds right into the theme of the whole work (Kara feeling unwelcome and frightened by her environment, kind of makes you start to think about alienation etc...).
Overall- wonderful work. At the end you have this happy satisfaction, and want to read the next one.
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