REVIEW: Power Girl #20
Power Girl #20, “Time to Fly” may be the series finale but there’s nothing final about Paige’s story or future possibilities. That’s not to say the issue doesn’t come to an ending, just that broader story elements remain that could be built upon. One of those details is it seems Paige Stetler remains Power Girl’s alter ego.
The standard cover is by Yanick Paquette and Arif Prianto. Power Girl and Karen Starr are back to back but only one seems happy about it. Paquette and Prianto have done some fantastic cover work for the series and this issue is no exception. Without knowing anything about what’s inside, their art gives us a glimpse of what to expect.
This issue’s only variant is by W. Scott Forbes. Our super fab four dressed to the nines and going out in style is a perfect image for this final installment. Hopefully this isn’t the last time we see this crew of characters together, but if it is, at least there’s an air of positivity about them.
David Baldeón and Colorist Romulo Fajardo Jr. finish out the series as the interior art team. There’s a lot going on this issue as it’s obvious an entire story arc was shortened to a single book. That being said, Baldeón and Fajardo Jr. don’t hold back and gives us a send off worthy of their talents. Our final panels with Power Girl are extra heartfelt as the art helps shift the perspective of an inner monologue to break the fourth wall and directly address us fans.
Leah Williams, lettered by Becca Carey, wraps up some dangling story threads nicely but makes sure to add elements that could impact future stories with all characters involved. Most of the story is framed around the backdrop of The Daily Star launching a new social media/news platform, but the big announcement is threatened by an imposter Karen Starr. The imposter’s reveal wasn’t a huge surprise but it allows Power Girl to definitively move away from her old alias and fully adopt the Paige Stetler identity. Their after party celebrations sets everyone up for reflection and new possibilities which vocally sums up the entire theme of the series. Considering the title was cancelled, there’s a slight rush to the pacing but Williams does a good job bringing the story to a satisfying resting place.
(7/10) Having to quickly resolve the imposter Karen Starr plot makes it feel like an after thought in what is otherwise a decent enough finale under the circumstances. Naturally, I would have liked at least 5 more issues, but hopefully Power Girl will continue to make regular appearances within the Superman family of comics.
