Review: Power Girl #9
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Leah Williams
Art: Eduardo Pansica and Julio Ferreira
Colors: Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Letters: Becca Carey
Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd
Summary
Power Girl and Crush team up with the Holliday Girls to fight some Czarnians. There’s a surprise lurking in the shadows that should prove to be bigger trouble for PG as her past seems to literally be following her.
Positives
The best part of this issue, like many others in this series is the cover. The cover artists, this time Yanik Paquett, don’t seem to understand the changes wrought on Power Girl and continue to produce covers that capture the personality of the character that readers know instead of what Williams has reduced her to since she began writing PG in Lazarus Planet and Action Comics in 2022.
This issue somehow sidesteps lots of the elements that plague Williams poorly conceived take on Power Girl. While some aspects are inescapable like the “S” shield on her costume, Power Girl is not demeaned overly. Though there is some, it seems to take a backseat in this issue. This allows the plot to move forward and not be weighed down by the mischaracterization that hinders this series.
The action in Power Girl #9 is darn good when we get it. Pansica and Ferreira do a good job of delivering the visuals on the fights. There are even a couple iconic shots of PG in action. Bringing in the Holliday Girls is a solid idea. Michael W. Conrad and Becky Cloonan reintroduced them into current continuity in Wonder Woman #780 about two and a half years ago. Williams makes the connection to Etta Candy in this issue so readers have a chance of knowing where to look for more about them.
The issue also teases the return of what appears to be the symbioship that featured as the villain in the first four issues of this series. It’s a little unclear what’s going on, but it’s a nice connection to what’s already transpired in this series. It’s a logical callback and a good use of the plot point for a greater impact as an overarching storyline.
Negatives
While Williams doesn’t focus on Power Girl’s characterization in Power Girl #9, it’s can be seen lurking in the corners. You’d like to see PG take charge of the situation more strongly. It would make more sense if Power Girl had a stronger reaction to the situations. When one of the Holliday Girls tells her she has a dumb name, Power Girl wouldn’t let that slide without a strong comeback. She wouldn’t throttle the non-powered Holliday Girl, but she’d put her in her place. Additionally, as an experienced, former Tech executive, when Power Girl asks how they can stop all the Czarnians technology at the same time, it would make sense that PG would be able to come up with the answer on her own.
As a tie in to House of Brainiac, Power Girl’s involvement feels very small and insulated. While smaller moments are useful and needed to balance stories out, the focus seems off for this tie-in to such a massive attack in Metropolis. This should’ve been the opportunity to showcase Power Girl’s Superman level ability in saving Metropolis instead of relegating her to a fight with essentially a biker gang. Along the same lines, some of the action tries to be more funny than exciting. It demonstrates how Williams’ doesn’t understand the humor associated with Power Girl. These “funny” moments come off as childish and pointless. Also, Williams’ dialogue is often too cutesy and it also misses the point that Power Girl is a Superman power level character, who SHOULD be (along with Helena Wayne, the Huntress) the preeminent hero of her Earth, not an insecure novice.
Unfortunately, Pansica’s depiction of Power Girl varies in this issue. When she’s in action she usually looks good and begins to feel like the depictions that are seen on the covers. However, Pansica tends to draw PG with a smaller physique, not just her chest but also her arms and shoulders. The ferocity he captures in the action sequences is gone when she’s static, looking meek and unsure of herself. Unfortunately, it’s a reminder of the damage Williams has done to PG’s character. For whatever reason it’s more noticeable in this issue than some others.
Verdict
Overall, Power Girl #9 is much more enjoyable than previous issues of this series. With elements that hurt the series downplayed there are not as many distractions. There’s just enough with the action and the surprise at the end that make it readable. It’s by no means good, it’s just not quite as bad as most of the issues have been.
