I’m not going to sugarcoat this, I’m crushed that The CW’s Stargirl received’t be getting a fourth season. The superhero drama has a lot coronary heart, and it’s turn out to be considered one of my all-time favourite DCTV productions. I do know that I’m not alone on this feeling. However, I’m happy to say that though Stargirl is coming to an finish, Courtney Whitmore will reside on. Stargirl: The Lost Children is a brand new comedian guide restricted sequence that captures the spirit of the TV present.
Some cynical folks studying this would possibly assume I’m utilizing Stargirl’s cancellation to advertise a brand new comedian, however each phrase I’m saying is honest. When I opened up Stargirl: The Lost Children #1 it gave me that very same sense of surprise I get after I watch the tv sequence. This ought to actually come as no shock since the comedian is written by Geoff Johns. In addition to creating Courtney Whitmore (in 1999’s Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.) Johns has been the showrunner for Stargirl for its complete run. It’s secure to say that no person is aware of Courtney Whitmore and her world higher than Geoff Johns.
Unlike the Earth-Prime particular from earlier this yr, this sequence doesn’t happen in the continuity of the present. However, don’t let that deter you, and don’t fear if you happen to’re new to comics. Stargirl: The Lost Children is fully new reader pleasant. In truth, there are many acquainted components that may make you’re feeling such as you’re watching the present.
Some of this is because of the proficient Todd Nauck. The gifted illustrator went above and past in incorporating imagery that Stargirl followers will acknowledge. For instance, at one level we see downtown Blue Valley and it is drawn precisely like the city seems on the tv sequence. As someone who has walked through the filming location many times, I instantly acknowledged and appreciated the little touches.
By the approach, if you happen to watch the present then you definitely may need observed that the movie show marque in downtown Blue Valley often accommodates an Easter egg for one other DC property. Nauck continues that custom right here, with the marque promoting a movie referred to as “Young Just Us.” This is a double Easter egg. In addition to referencing Young Justice (which has a few of Todd Nauck’s most interesting work), the title is a reference to a selected joke from the first difficulty.
I ought to point out, if you happen to occur to be a fan of the ’90s Young Justice comedian, then Stargirl: The Lost Children could have you grinning from ear-to-ear. Certain moments and ideas from the sequence are mentioned, together with Old Justice, a gaggle of geriatric superheroes. (They additionally point out Merry Pemberton, Girl of 1,000 Gimmicks, who was a current subject in our month-to-month Ask…the Question column.) But don’t fear if you happen to haven’t learn these points and even know who these characters are, all the pieces is defined clearly for new readers, so that you received’t really feel such as you’re lacking something.
This is a superb time to speak about the plot, which shares some thematic beats with the tv sequence. The sequence picks up on the occasions from final yr’s Stargirl Spring Break Special #1, that are reintroduced and defined in case you haven’t learn it or have forgotten what happened in it—although, if you happen to’re curious you’ll be able to test it out on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE. Issue #1’s story focuses on Stargirl and Red Arrow looking for a gaggle of former child sidekicks who’ve gone lacking.
This is a theme that may appear acquainted to followers of the tv sequence. After all, season considered one of Stargirl was all about discovering the youngsters of the JSA. The lacking sidekicks is an fascinating plot thread, nonetheless. We don’t know a lot but about what’s happening, solely {that a} mysterious island is concerned, together with an enemy referred to as the Childminder.
Stargirl: The Lost Children additionally captures the sense of surprise that is lacking from lots of as we speak’s darkish and gritty superhero tales. The opening pages are instructed from the perspective of Dyna-Mite, teenage sidekick to the early superhero TNT. We see TNT by way of Dyna-Mite’s younger eyes and it’s downright healthful. It captures the surprise and pleasure any child would have being a superhero in the Golden Age.
I hope the comedian may give you that very same sense of pleasure and idealism, whether or not you’re a longtime comedian reader, or a brand new fan choosing up your first difficulty. Whether you’re a fan of the Golden Age superheroes, otherwise you’ve by no means heard of them, Stargirl: The Lost Children is a breath of recent air. Stargirl’s TV present could be coming to an finish, however as this comedian proves, heroes by no means die.
Stargirl: The Lost Children #1 by Geoff Johns, Todd Nauck and Matt Herms is now accessible in print and as a digital comedian guide.
Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, films and comics for DC.com, is a daily contributor to the Couch Club and writes our month-to-month Batman column, “Gotham Gazette.” Follow him on Twitter at @TBUJosh.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed on this characteristic are solely these of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and don’t essentially replicate these of DC Entertainment or Warner Bros.
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