DCU Comic Book Reviews

JSA CLASSIFIED

Power Trip: Part 4 of 4

December 2005

Written by Geoff Johns

Pencils by Amanda Conner

Inks by Jimmy Palmiotti

Cover by Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti

Synopsis

Psycho Pirate has Power Girl tied up to the spaceship that was used to bring her to Earth.  But he tells that she belonged to a different Earth.  She was from Kandor on Kryptonian and was sent to Earth by her parents to join Kal-l.  Psycho Pirate then tells his story of being sent to prison by his father and learning of the Medusa Mask, which bestows upon the wearer the power to project emotions onto others.  He tells that he is not mad, that they are both spared by history and Psycho Pirate wants to know why.  He tells her that she is real, but that she is not supposed to exist.  Power Girl just does not remember.  Later she returns to JSA headquarters.  She feels al alone and she tells herself one day she actually will be okay with it.   Elsewhere, Psycho Pirate tells Luthor that Power Girl is ready for him.  And back at Power Girl’s apartment, waiting for her is Clayface.

Review

A rather anti-climatic ending.  What the hell purpose did this just serve, other than another tie-in to the Infinite Crisis series about to launch?  Part of me is annoyed that nothing of consequence was solved in this issue, but another part of me is glad I’ve read it, so that when it does crop up in the Infinite Crisis, I’ve got the background and will know what’s going on.  But, I think, I’m really annoyed.  It looked as if Johns was going to finally provide some answers to Power Girl, perhaps even a definitive answer to her origins and all we get out of its :  “Why did you live?”  Well, a lot of Heroes from Earth-2 lived:  Jay Garrick, Alan Scott, Ted Grant, and so forth.  I suppose the answer to her origin is that she is from Krypton and she really is Superman’s cousin, but if she doesn’t believe it or remember, then what impact will it have on the DCU or on her.  Yeah, so.  Maybe I’m to blame for expecting a story that would mean something, rather than puttering to this ending.  Silly me.

As usual, Amanda Conner did a great job.  I adore the final shot of Power Girl, alone on the blank page looking over her shoulder and I like the brief panel of her trying her best not to cry.  However, while, Power Girl’s mother and Huntress look fantastic, I’m beginning to wonder about the way she draws some of the men.  Robin’s chest just does not look right to me and what his Ted Grant looking a on the two-page spalsh?  It is interesting to look at that page and see not only how many survived the original Crisis, but how many had origins and histories changed (see:  Hawkman) or in some cases, new characters become the same old heroes (see:  Dr. Mid-Nite) as a result of the original Crisis.  About the only one who has not gone through massive changes is Jay Garrick.  Even Alan Scott went through some changes.-- MRB