Review: Supergirl Volume 4 - Out of the Past

After defeating the villainous H'el with a Kryptonite dagger, Supergirl is left poisoned and has only a short time to live. Not wanting to spend her final days on Earth, she takes off into space in hopes of finding some closure and peace only to wind up in the middle of one of Brainiac's schemes.

Supergirl Volume 4: Out of the Past collects issues #21-25 of Supergirl and Superman #25, with writing by Michael Alan Nelson and Scott Lobdell, as well as art by Diogenes Neves, Paulo Siqueira and Kenneth Rocafort. 

With Michael Alan Nelson officially taking over the writing chores for Supergirl in this collection, there's been a notable shift in the tone of both the title and the character. Previously, Supergirl focused on the character's adjustments to living on Earth and was built upon finding a niche for her in this new world. She was also more wide-eyed and demure, despite having a wild and aggressive streak. Nelson moves the title into space and begins writing her as being much more angst-ridden and sassy. It's rather jarring, especially during a scene where Supergirl and Siobhan get into an argument. The move into space and Supergirl's sudden attitude adjustment feels inorganic since it takes away much of what made the comic so enjoyable in the first place.

The overall premise for this collection sees Supergirl being taken in by (a new) Cyborg Superman and she is given hope that she can live out her final days surrounded by a simulacrum of Krypton. The general narrative of Supergirl slowly dying is bogus, as readers know they're not going to kill off the titular heroine. It's a contrived storyline that just doesn't fly. Furthermore, Nelson begins to shift his focus from tending to Supergirl's thoughts and feelings regarding her impending death and instead focuses almonst entirely on Cyborg Superman. This is especially evident in the included Action Comics #23.1, where Supergirl is present for all of one page. Yes, the issue was one of the villain-centric releases from the Forever Evil lead-ins, but it serves as a reminder that Supergirl has been written as a supporting character in her own title.

Following the conclusion of the Cyborg Superman arc, the final two issues in this collection focus on the Krypton Returns crossover. To put it nicely, these issues are a mess. A casual reader will not be able to follow the narrative, strictly due to the fact that the issues included are only two parts of a four-part crossover. Immediately, the reader has to begin piecing together the holes in the plot and must desperately try to play catch-up. Much like with H'el on Earth, this crossover is a diversion from the main events of the series and does nothing to build upon Supergirl's character. The only good thing about the Krypton Returns issues is the amazing art. Both Paulo Siqueira and Kenneth Rocafort are superstar artists, so they bring their A-game and deliver the most stunning art present in the New 52 Supergirl trade paperbacks since Mahmud Asrar left the title.

If there's one thing Supergirl: Out of the Past teaches us as comic book readers, it's just how important a strong creative team is. Under Mike Johnson's pen, the title was one of the best DC Comics had to offer as part of the New 52. Mahmud Asrar's art only made it that much better. With a different writer and artist, the title really failed to keep its momentum. These creative team shifts paired with the title's inclusion in Superman crossovers haven't really done it any good. Sadly, this is nothing new for Supergirl. The preceding series she headlined suffered much of the same fate. Can't a Maid of Might ever catch a break?

Rating: C