Hello there friends, comic readers, and members of CBM.com, today I like to talk about a subject that has astounded me since its recent amount, making question how many sane people are left in field of interest. I’m talking about the uproar and outrage over the new costume of Power Girl on the recent cover of the upcoming series World’s Finest. Now I’m doing this article based on perspective that is neither prudish nor perverted, I’m coming at this from a reader and fans point of view and one for optimism. Our site, the forums on Comic Book Resources, and the recent picture from the talented artists that contribute to The Gutters (a really funny web-comic series about the industry) are the catalysts to the creation of this editorial.
So for those who are not in the know, Power Girl also known as Kara Zor-L is the Earth 2 equivalent of Super Girl aka Kara Zor-El. She first appeared in All-Star Comics #58 in 1976, she was also a survivor of Earth 2’s Krypton. She dresses in more revealing attire and her most notable attributes are her well-endowed bust. Since then she has come and gone with various stories and has joined many different teams over the years. That was all good and perfect until the major event Crisis on Infinite Earths changed the DC universe, now her Krypton origin was removed and then came in a new origin that she was the daughter of a powerful wizard of Atlantis, where she was given a whole new set of powers and costumes. Then the 90s occurred and many bad things happened. However thanks to brilliant talent of Geoff Johns, has removed all the craziness from her backstories and has returned her precious Earth 2 and gave back all of her Krypton origins, powers, and outfit.
She then was given her own series thanks to Gray and Palmotti who created a fun 13 issue run, then Judd Winick was given a chance to write for her character and gave her a much needed dramatic tone. Both runs were amazing and readings worth being read. Then we had the event known as Flashpoint, which has changed the very fabric of the DC universe which is where we have the upcoming WORLDS FINEST that will feature Power Girl and Huntress in the new DCU, trying to find a way home or embrace their new surroundings.
So out of all of that history she has gone through, the various changes in continuity, the different costume changes, the return to form thanks to a talented group of writers, why is it now that these so called “fans” are upset over this. So I’m going to give reasons as to why the new look of Power Girl is a good thing.
SHE HAS FOUND HER SYMBOL
Here is the image provided from the artists over at THE GUTTERS, they showcase the two images of Power Girl, which really showcases the new costume design in a much better light. As you can see that both costumes are drastically different in their design. The major complaints are that Power Girl no longer has the cleavage window, which as many know is the memorable feature of her costume. However there is one thing I’m sure many people DON’T KNOW about the costume is that there is a reason for her cleavage bearing top. The following image is the easiest thing as to why…….
that’s right; she has never found the symbol to call her own like her cousin Superman. This new costume features no cleavage window; instead we now have a front to her costume which features a red triangle with a symbol that features a P in the design. So there you go fans, we have a reason as to why she has her new costume, she has followed in her cousins footsteps, and Power Girl has discovered a symbol to call her own.
FRESH CONTINUITY
With many of the events we have seen with the new 52, we have seen a bevy of new continuity stories, many have been drastic changes to the overall look and feel of each characters that have been hit by the changes. Here is the image of the new launch of WORLDS FINEST….
. as we can see in the background, it showcases Power Girl and Huntress of Earth 2 in what appears to be former costumes of Super Girl and Robin respectively. This could mean a whole new shift in the character, that she was at a time Super Girl but has grown up and changed for the better, thus becoming Power Girl. Now Paul Levitz made mention that Power Girl in the story will be the Karen Star from the Mister Terrific series, which will be cancelled after issue 8 or this could be a totally new character altogether, we got to wait and see in May.
MODEST DOESN’T EQUAL BORING
The one aspect I keep hearing is that this new uniform is that she has become “Modest”, since when was being modest a bad thing. The problem a lot of “fans” see this costume change as a sign that DC is being careful after the “controversy” in the First Wave releases of Catwoman and Red Hood and the Outlaws. The complaint those two were attacked for overly sexualizing these two characters, which for one of those female characters should be ruled out. In Catwoman’s case, she is a sexual character; she uses her femininity to meet her own means whether it is stealing men’s hearts or their money. So that is why Judd Winick continued to create her in that vein. As for Star Fires case, she is unknown to human and earth based customs and cultures so naturally her using her body as means to bond with whoever she chooses to “bond” with at the time. Power Girl’s case is ENTIRELY different; Power Girl never uses her sexuality as a means to meet her goals or is morally loose. Power Girl was raised on the same morals as Superman so naturally his influence, so not to tarnish the good name she would dress in a more modest costume. There a dozen of other well-known female heroes that wear outfits that downplay their sexuality but embrace being powerful enough to defend them from anything that comes at them, Power Girl is the truest sense of Girl Power in this day and age.
MORE THAN JUST A PAIR OF BREASTS
I think the bulk of the reaction is stemming from the loss of the cleavage window, listen up…..SHES MORE THAN THAT! Power Girl is one of the best DC female characters around, she represents a mature super powered woman, she’s combines the various traits of being both a superhero and a savvy business woman. In her prior series she was the head of STARR Enterprises and helped out many people thanks to her contributions. The Gray and Palmotti run made her an upbeat and takes things as they come kind of woman. She then was given a dramatic turning thanks to Judd Winick, his run gave Power Girl a true sense of character, she became flawed and fragile, and he truly gave her character a humanistic quality. She is more than just bombshell, she is a character worth exploring her emotions and what makes her who she is.
OLD SCHOOL INFLUENCE
The team that is kicking off this new release of World’s Finest is Paul Levitz and George Perez; both are old school writers and artists. They were around when these two heroines were just getting into the swing of things in the DC universe but when Crisis on Infinite Earths came around, they were not given the best treatment around like some of the other characters. Now that we have a fresh take and an entirely new universe to explore, we may see the influence of two titans of old school. Giving us modern and younger readers a sense of good old fashion 80s comics before the Dark Age came around. Those were the days when characters were the driving force of the story, not a cheap gimmick like an event comic released on a yearly basis. They may not stay long with the series but will have a lot of influence on the next creative team that will most likely take over eventually.
LETTING GO
Finally the last aspect is that these “diehard” fans of Power Girl need to let it go, stuff like this happens all the time, comics are a creative medium where changes to a character, story, or costume is inevitable. Power Girl has grown from a buxom character to a well-developed person that has embraced her new role in the world and so should the fans. I’m for nostalgia and bringing back the best things of our lives but this case is a moot one, the minor complaints over a simple change of costume is really pushing it my friends. There has and always will be terrible, horrible, no good, very bad costumes in the world of comic book heroics, just look at the catalog of Rob Liefeld and other 90s abominations that are around. DC has made a great comeback, finally being able to outsell Marvel comics thanks to this reboot. If this change is good then I’m all for it, if it falters then I can look back at the 27 issues that made her character that much more awesome. Embracing change is good thing; don’t be afraid of something until you see what it can truly do. Power Girl is a character that has been through the best and worst moments throughout the DC universe since her creation, and with this new take in the New 52, I welcome it with open arms.
Hope you all enjoy this look into a good aspect of a character, looking beyond the exterior and finding what truly lies inside any character….heart, determination, motivation, and courage. Take care everybody and I take whatever comes with the comments.