Read Supergirl Being Super. Read it. What are you even doing reading my review? Read it now. Read Full Review

So overall this worked well for me. This is really the foundation for this series, the first act of four. We get a very solid sense of Kara's life and the people around her. We feel how unsure she is with her identity, kind of floating through life, this massive mystery in her past. And it all is visually spectacular. Can't wait to see where this is all going. Read Full Review

Supergirl: Being Super is a 4-part series that has the potential to be one of the best recent iterations of Kara Danvers yet. Jolle Jones' art is great " a calm tone that fits the character-driven pace of the comic, with realistic-looking characters of several shapes and sizes. I'm happy to stick around for it. Read Full Review

This origin story isn't restricted by a pre-existing main plot that it has to follow, it's allowed to be as slow and as explorative as it likes. And it wonderfully tells us a story of a girl growing up in high school and realising she's different. It allows the reader to connect with Kara on a level that some comics may miss out on. The writer, Mariko Tamaki clearly knows how to write interesting, three dimensional characters – and we can't wait to see where she takes the story next. (Read her new Hulk series featuring Jennifer Walters) If you're looking for an action packed thrill ride, Supergirl: Being Super #1 isn't the one for you. If you're interesting in an impressively written coming of age story that allows it's characters to flourish then you're definitely in the right place. Read Full Review

DC have really pulled out all the stops with this book by looking to get the best “indie” creators to write a story set within a specific time frame. This means that they have asked creators to work to their strengths, especially with Mariko Tamaki. The end result is a 48 page Book One, that whilst doesn't offer anything new, is a fun and engaging read and is head and shoulders above its ongoing series sister.I will definitely be picking up Book Two, despite the high $5.99 price tag. Read Full Review

Fans of Supergirl should enjoy the focusSupergirl: Being Supergives Kara. Tamaki dives into Kara's personality and what drives her while giving her a refreshing origin, but one that focuses more on her as a teenager coming into adulthood than declaring she'll use her powers to become a superhero. Jones' artwork is nicely detailed with a lot of emotion coming off the various characters while Fitzpatrick gives some vibrant and popping colours throughout the book. It is a very good jumping on point for fans of the TV series or anyone new to comics. Read Full Review

Supergirl: Being Super is the perfect comic to hand to a young girl to get her interested in comics as an art form (as long as she is from a tolerant/progressive family, since there is a diversity of characters that certain conservatives may not approve of). This first issue is mostly teen drama and story setup, but there is the promise of some action (and maybe even a costume) coming up in part two. I suspect this will be collected into a single volume, that may be the preferable way of getting this into the hands of young readers. For people who have been around comics for a while, especially if you like series like Giant Days or Jonesy, don't let this one pass you by. Read Full Review

Overall though, Supergirl: Being Super is a very promising debut. It's got a great voice and some fantastic talent behind it, as well as the potential to tell a really great Supergirl story from scratch. I'd definitely recommend it, especially to people who the character has never really clicked with. It's a very different book from DC and one that I'm excited to see more from. Read Full Review

For those disappointed or underwhelmed with the Rebirth Supergirl, Mariko Tamaki and Joelle Jones have finally delivered the Supergirl fans deserve! Read Full Review

Unfortunately, it's not me. I can recognize the skill with which Tamaki is drawing Kara as a more relatable character; more down to earth both idiomatically and literally. Likewise, I can recognize Jones' pencils here to be every bit the equal of those I'd previously praised in American Alien. Being as objective as possible, Supergirl: Being Super is an absolutely superlative comic. But subjectively, it's not an issue I derived a great deal of enjoyment or insight from. I hope one day DC does put out another Supergirl title in the vein of Loeb and Churchill's. But Being Super definitely is not that comic, and it's definitely not for me. Read Full Review

Based on this first issue, Supergirl: Being Super might not be everyone's cup of tea. The focus on character over action may turn away some readers. Those who have been looking for a good comic to give the super girls in their lives who love the Supergirl TV series, however, will find this series to be a welcome treat. Read Full Review

It's a beautiful, exuberant blast of positivity in a comic, and it sure made me feel a tiny bit better. Read Full Review

There's unlimited potential here for this four-part series that showcases the combined talent of Tamaki and Jones is a force to reckon with, but let's hope we don't lose focus on something more exciting in the meantime. Read Full Review

Overall, this is really good. The characters make a good first impression and I want to see more of them. The writing in both dialogue and narration works well with some nicely integrated humor. The art is great throughout and enjoyable to look at on its own. Every problem I have with the book is more about personal preference and taste; there is nothing technically wrong with the book. However, my personal tastes did make the book somewhat less enjoyable. It's still a solid read and I recommend people check it out. Read Full Review

Supergirl: Being Super is a great story of a young girl's quest for identity. This book is an ideal book to introduce young girls or boys to the world of comics. Even though this story was not originally a DC Graphic Novels For Young Adults title, it fits right in with these great titles. Read Full Review

Kara Danvers is a high school student on the verge of her sixteenth birthday. She runs track, hangs out with her friends, tries to relate to her parents and flies. Where is she from, where does she belong, and where does she begin? Read Full Review

This book won't be for everyone, but for those who are looking for a Supergirl story that any teen can relate to, this is your best bet. It is a bit on the slow side, and lacks significant action elements, but the friendship between Kara, Dolly, and Jennifer tends to make up for most of that. Read Full Review

If you are looking for a Supergirl book with a more indie feel to it, your search may be over.  Mariko Tamaki gives readers a very grounded look at Supergirl with some fully fleshed out characters.  However, the story as it is presented here is paper thin and nothing really makes me want or need to come back for more. Read Full Review

I could see how the end of the issue might hook someone, but for me it honestly fell a bit flat. I couldn't help but feel like not quite as much happened as I would've like, and I don't think I liked the characters quite as much as I'm sure they would've liked. I get why Kara is characterized the way she is, but I can't say it makes her all that interesting to follow. Despite that, will I read the second issue? Sure. It's a slow start, but it feels like it can go somewhere interesting. Would I recommend picking it up? Only if the premise sounds particularly interesting. Otherwise, maybe hold off on this one. Read Full Review

SO MUCH BETTER than the actual Supergirl ongoing series. Can we cancel that one and just have this one please? Or even better - the old Adventures of Supergirl? KTHXBAI.

I love Supergirl. I fell in love with the character back when Jeph Loeb was writing her, and nothing since his days really captured my attention. Steve Orlando's Rebirth run was just so uninspiring and boring to me, I quit reading it only just few first issues, and returned to reading the series when Marc Andreyko took over. And then there's Mariko Tamaki with her Being Super limited series. I've ignored it for a while, mostly because lack of spare time to give it a try, but I recently just picked it up, and I am stunned with its quality combined to general reception it received from critics and readers. Spoiler alert - despite the name, there's nothing super about it.

The story is awfully boring and slow paced. I don't mind exposition and building up backstory, as well as protagonist's personality, but the entire comic reads like a soap opera. It feels like a filler, and the worst part is, it's not filler - things we see, and characters we meet are essential to the plot, and serve a purpose. Too bad this purpose is just not interesting, and none of the side characters really matter to me. With so much time spent on dialogues, I'd expect to feel any sympathy to Kara's friends, but I don't. They feel like stereotypical props (especially Dolly), not real human beings.
Everything ends up with an unexpected earthquake, which reminds me of silly silver age stories with very, very little sense and logic. Of course there's an earthquake in this particular place and time, why not? There's no Bane with bombs, destroying the stadium, there's no commentary on fracking and its disasterous consequences... Nope. Just a random earthquake, just because.

The only good thing about this issue I can see is the art. It's nice, but at times uneven, which is especially noticeabl when you compare splash pages with some irrelevant small panels. There is significant quality drop on the latter, with shadows, coloring and backgrounds.
Remaining illustrations, though, are pretty good, and seem to be a nice stylistic fit for a comic focused around a teenage girl, with teenage girl's problems.

Overall I'm very disappointed - for a comic with so positive reception, I've expected something that... wouldn't feel like a young adult soap opera masquerading as something super. The issue lacks any proper balance between action, heart and story, it's boring beyond belief, and definitely doesn't Kara any justice. She deserves some good stories, and Being Super drops the ball. If you look for good Supergirl origin story, grab Loeb's Superman/Batman #8 to #13. more