Power Girl Vol. 1: Electric Dreams

Power Girl (2023) #1

by Leah Williams, Eduardo Pansica (illustrator)

A long-dormant Kryptonian threat has returned to take down Superman and his family. Who could possibly stop it? According to the Man of Steel, it’s Power Girl!

As a Kryptonian virus rapidly spreads along the coast, Power Girl departs Metropolis looking to redeem herself for her catastrophic mistakes. It’s not easy being a part of the Super-Family, but Paige has never let the pressure get to her before. She just needs something to punch. And she’s found her target in space pirate and hater of all who hail from Krypton: Amalak!

Power Girl will head to Superman’s Fortress of Solitude to study up on the mysterious virus…but she’s not alone! Something is lurking in the shadows of the Man of Steel’s most secret of headquarters, and it won’t stop its hunt until it’s the last one standing!

Will Powergirl be able to fight off this mysterious threat? Find out now in Power Girl Vol. 1!

Collects Power Girl (2023) #1-7.

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics, Fantasy, Mystery

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2024

About the author

Leah Williams is an American writer originally from Oxford, Mississippi. She has written comics for Marvel, BOOM! Studios, Vault Comics, and is working on more. Her debut novel was a YA Fantasy book titled The Alchemy of Being Fourteen and she is currently writing its sequel, The Divinity of Hitting Fifteen. Leah has nonfiction articles and essays published in The Atlantic, Oprah Magazine, and Salon.

Reviews

[Anna Quilter · Rating 3 out of 5]

reboot of Power Girl....aimed at younger readers (?).
it's fun but different stories and different artists don't let it flow.

[Khurram · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first Power Girl book I have read, so I was not sure what to expect. I am not really impressed. The book seemed to set up a few things for later, but nothing groundbreaking happened in this book. For a Kryptonian, she seems pretty ordinary.

Power Girl is a bit of an outsider to the Super family. So, given a mission by Superman himself, it is a big opportunity. However, the mission might turn out to be her greatest nightmare.

Streaky takes centre stage. Superman had Krypto, Power Girl has Streaky the cat. What adventure could he get up to, and how will it affect Power and Super Girl?

Strangely, the two gag-type issues 5 and 7 were my favourites of the book. Most action was the fight between two Kryptonians, nothing much else. I think I will give this series one more try to see how things play out.

[Oscar · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first Power Girl comic and it's good

[Mohan Vemulapalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Power Girl: Electric Dreams" is an engaging, but disjointed book that contains three different story arcs that never quite mesh. This book reintroduces Power Girl, now using the civilian identity of Dr. Paige Stetler, and lays the ground work for her future participation with the Super Family. The first story arc starts out strong, but quickly devolves into a semi-coherent mess that also seems to serve the purpose of an origin story for a new super villain. The second story arc consists of one issue/ chapter that focuses on Streaky and his heroic, pet-oriented crime fighting efforts. The final story arc is where Power Girl finally seems to come into her own. This story sees Paige and Kara going on a team up and features some fun fantasy sequences and distinctive artwork. Expect a PG that seems to be more balanced than past portrayals, a costume update that is true to the original concept but more realistic and more in line with modern sensibilities, a strong supporting role for Titan alumna Omen, a weird and sort of sad villain origin story , lots of female bonding and some great scenes for Streaky.




Much of this book reads more like a 4, but I am boosting it the four and a half stars on the sole basis that Streaky gets some great air time, including his own issue as protagonist.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This resurgence for Power Girl is a breath of fresh air, honestly. While I can't really get behind the whole 'Paige' moniker, I do like how DC are integrating her into the Super-Family in a way she never really has before (for understandable reasons).

This first collection of her new series sees Power Girl face off against a familiar-but-different foe, with some surprisingly heartfelt story beats as well. Eduardo Pansica's artwork is a treat on every page, he's always reliable.

There's also an entire issue about Streaky The Super Cat, and I always appreciate these kinds of issues, and then there's a two-part story with beautiful artwork from Marguerite Sauvage that has both Power and Supergirl(s) head into a storybook land to face a social media-type foe. This is a bit more off-kilter than the first few issues, but it's still pretty fun, and having Kara and Paige together is a recipe for some discussions they should have had a while ago.

It's been a while since Power Girl had her own series, but she's proving why she deserves one here, for sure.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.8 stars

[Arianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first story wasn't that bad. It's weird that Power Girl is calling herself "Paige" and her characterization was really uninteresting, but overall it was okay. Then we get a story about her cat (which resembles the one that was done about Nightwing's dog). It's painful to read through stories of superhero pets narrated from the pet's perspective, but whatever, at least it was short. The last story about an alternative dimension realm was terrible - for some reason the writing changes to YA and is complemented by the ugliest art style known to man.

[Ronald · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you don't want to write a character, please don't. DC seems to be pushing Power Girl out there to make her a thing. But then the final product is bad. This volume is just really bad. It is sexists and racist. Power Girl's personality is totally different from what I remember a few years ago. DC just gave her new more different powers with the Lazarus event and then she does not use (or can't use) any of those powers.

Superman is such an uncaring rude sexist jerk in this story. Totally not the character we have come to love. He knows Power Girl is being mind controlled yet just keeps punching. ugh

[Joe Bogue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the writing, just wish the artist didn't keep changing. I don't think all the styles were always right for their script/Made a single storyline feel like two separate plots. The exception being Issue #7, which is probably the best in the volume.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the most fun power girl stories I've read in a while.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.
Power Girl starts her run in the "Dawn of DC" with 3 storylines in this first Volume:
1) A Kryptonian virus that came in the capsule with Dr Paige Stetler (her current secret identity) and is finally beginning to rear its head, spreading faster than can be contained. Finally possessing Power Girl herself, a showdown with Superman and her new companion and bestie telepath Omen gets the entity transferred secretly into Kelek, now calling himself Symbio. (This will definitely come back in a Supes-Family book)
2) A solo issue involving Streaky, PG's cat with powers. Very funny to see the language that the cat hears from us.
3) A team-up with Supergirl! Tracking the creators of a new drug on the street, they end up in the land of Ferimbia, becoming defenders of the realm and shutting down the drug trade.

Overall a pretty good new start for the character. Definitely want to see how this one unfolds.
Recommend.

(PS Why do I get such a Spider-Woman vibe from this comic? Like an important character in her own right, but usually connected to a section controlled by a big superhero? Just my thoughts...)

[Dean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me. Art was fine. I think it was a dialogue and narration problem for me.

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting better with every new collection...

I've been pretty vocal that I disliked the results of 'Lazarus Planet'. Power Girl was one of the characters that was given a major new power to stack on her Kryptonian powers. It felt forced and tacked on. As time has passed, they pumped the brakes on this new power and anchored her back into the Kryptonian family that she'd forever been on the outskirts of.

It totally swerved the character. She became not just another female character exploited for her choice in superhero gear (AKA 'boob window' tops), but a hero that could use her new friends (Omen from Teen Titans) to deal with more inner turmoil than we've seen before.
====
This volume has her establishing her alter ego as a science reporter/ entrepeneur. She gets to team up with Supergirl on a interdimensional drug trip/kidnapping spree. She even has to deal with the fallout from Knight Terrors and face something from her past that JUST WON'T QUIT.
----
I really enjoy this series...so far (call me a pessimist, but I don't know how long things may last)
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Bonus: Surprised that they haven't mentioned her outfits of the past. Can't hide in leather jackets forever...

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish they'd properly labelled this as a Vol. 2 because it relies on a who bunch of stuff collected in Power Girl Returns, also by Leah Williams. I'll have to pick that up and see if it helps. It's a good series, but for something labelled "Dawn of DC" with a vol. 1, it feels very much like a volume 2. There's not even a recap at the start or anything indicating that this isn't as big a jumping on point as one might believe. anyway, on with the review:

This is a fun series. The first arc is pretty cool with anti-alien protests and an alien virus that leads to a cool new villain. The second arc starts well with the Streaky issue, but the following two issues feel somewhat crunched. I wish the series had gone into the MMORPG aspects or explored the Isekai genre more. There's just not enough room to establish a whole new dimension and characters and villains. There are several artist who keep it fun and light. The side characters are distinct and represent different aspects of Paige's life.

[Obi Juan · Rating 4 out of 5]

La edición de Panini está muy bien, incluyendo varias portadas alternativas. La historia principal mola. Lo mejor, el número protagonizado por Streaky.
Por desgracia, me parece que hay una tendencia a infantilizar a los personajes femeninos. Luego de leer el malísimo “Ice & Fire: Welcome to Smallville”, veo que el patrón se repite.
Los dos últimos números son una historia con dibujo tipo manga o similar. De mucha mejor calidad que la historia de Ice y Fire, sí. Pero tremendamente infantiles. Para agravar el parecido, está historia es un team up de Supergirl y Power Girl, completamente desaprovechada.
A pesar de esto, aunque sólo sea por la historia de Streaky, es recomendable.

[Ángel Javier · Rating 2 out of 5]

¡Hey, amigos, coñazo a la vista! Menudo bodrio se han marcado con esta cole de Power Girl. El dibujo no está mal, pero la historia no mantiene el interés ni del powergirlmaníaco más entusiasta. La prima crecidita de Clark demuestra que tener dos colecciones de primas de Clark es excesivo, y como la de Supergirl no está mal, pues esta ni mirarla. La historia de Streaky es de vergüenza ajena, y el fin de fiesta, en el que se requiere a Kara (la Kara original) para salvar los trastos, un pestiño con haditas y cosas así. Para olvidar.

[Peter Van Der Raaij · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall an enjoyable read. I am not 100% sure about this new version of Power Girl though. Her astral-punchjng thing is a bit weird, but I guess they want to differentiate her from all the rest of the super family. And when did she get a doctorate? Surely she wouldn’t fake something like that. I liked her interaction with Supergirl even if that story was a little different to what came before.

[Kara Whicker · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you were created during a time of the oversexualization of women superheroes, so much so that your biggest characteristic is your humongous boobs, but in the long run they save you because instead of trying to figure out the sexiest position to put yourself in, you are instead having some of the best writing in the DC universe take you and your giant boobs on amazing adventures. And I stand by that statement.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read Power Girl in years but this felt like a fun reboot with a new secret identity, a new best friend (in the sassiest version of Omen I've ever read), and a tone of humor and adventure. I understand if Leah Williams isn't writing the Power Girl readers expect, but I think she's writing a great version!

[Hijo de Krypton · Rating 2 out of 5]

• No lo recomiendo como primera lectura del personaje •

Mi primer acercamiento al personaje y no me ha convencido nada este primer número de Power Girl que nos trae Panini, no sé si porque desconozco todo su entorno o si porque no es la mejor historia para conectar desde cero con ella.

Espero tener más suerte con el #2.

[poier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story-wise, it’s fine. I wasn’t wowed, but I wasn’t put off.
But man, the art here is top-notch. Costume designs are great. Pansica and Ferreira lay down some beautiful line work, expressive but not overly detailed. Sauvage’s work is equally excellent.
A good-looking book makes a huge difference.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed in how many retcons this character has had to endure and how few were actually explained fully with info dumps.

While I like some of the direction they’re going with PG, her own core character built over decades has been abandoned and she’s merely a plot device in her own book

[Belfry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

[Zach · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book sucked

[Will Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, Power Girl running from a Kryptonian technovirus. Cool.

[Hermione Volino · Rating 3 out of 5]

This comic was okay. I really don't know if I really do like this comic. I will give it one more chance and then, if I don't like it, I will drop it.

[Erik J · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Power Girl. Always have. So I was excited she was getting her own comic again and looked forward to reading it. So far ... it's awful Like really really awful.

Overall - 2/5

[Daniel Butcher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just a little disconnected for me.

[Kurt Lorenz · Rating 3 out of 5]

1-4, ☆☆☆☆
5, ☆☆☆
6-7, ☆☆☆

[Javen Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

More Amalak plz?

I was gonna say more lion but we def got more of that haha

Also didn't realize Power Girl was Super Girl from another universe/dimension until reading this