Monday, October 26, 2015

Devil Comics Review | Supergirl Season 1 Pilot

The Supergirl series premieres on CBS during the Fall TV season of 2015. The Pilot episode begins as we learn Kal-El is sent to Earth and Kara is sent to protect him however after Krypton exploded the shockwave sends her ship into the Phantom Zone. When she managed to escape Kara arrives on Earth and is greeted by a grown Kal-El who is known to the world as Superman. He takes her to be adopted by the Danvers. 

Now known as Kara Danvers, she works at a media empire Catco in National City with her boss Cat Grant. Kara also meets James Olsen who transferred from Metropolis. Unknown to Kara at the time when she escaped the Phantom Zone she was followed by Kryptonian prisoners who wants to target Kara since her mother put them away. Their first target is her sister Alex Danvers who was taking a plane to Geneva before it was sabotaged. Kara saves the lives on the plane however makes her presence known to the world as Supergirl.

Kara puts on her costume and begins fighting crime however she is quickly targeted by DEO agents Hank Henshaw and her own sister Alex. She discovers her arrival on Earth brought the prisoners of Fort Rozz from the Phantom Zone. 

Kara’s first villain is Vartox who was more than she could handle during their first fight. She is saved by her sister and DEO agents. Later Alex gives Kara a Kryptonian time capsule which contains a message from her mother telling her to find her own destiny. Kara takes on Vartox again and turns his weapon against him. The finale reveals James Olsen knew Kara’s identity as Superman’s cousin and gives her a new cape from Kal-El’s baby blanket and the leader of Fort Rozz is Kara’s aunt. Overall the series packs a punch and borrows the best from past. 

Some of the Easter Eggs include the Danvers being played by the Helen Slater and Dean Cain. Helen Slater played the original Supergirl in the 1984 film while Dean Cain was Superman on the 1990s Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman series. Saving passengers on a plane is reminiscent of the original Superman film with Christopher Reeve as well as Superman Returns with Brandon Routh. Much like how Lois Lane named Superman, media mogul Cat Grant names Supergirl. Hank Henshaw is introduced as the head of the Department of Extranormal Operations and in the comics he becomes the Cyborg Superman. Vartox communicates with Supergirl using a high frequency broadcast like Lex Luthor did in the original Superman film. Borrowing from the past is a great way to move the legacy forward as it connects the fans of yesterday to today.

RECOMMENDED - 4 OUT OF 5