What do you think?
Rate this book
JSA: Classified #1-4
Power Girl
Written by Geoff Johns, Paul Levitz and Paul Kupperberg Art by Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti, Joe Staton & Dick Giordano and Mary Wilshire Cover by Adam Hughes Discover the origins of one of the DCU's most powerful heroines in this new collection featuring Power Girl stories from SHOWCASE #97-99, SECRET ORIGINS #11 and the sold-out JSA CLASSIFIED #1-4! Is Power Girl the cousin of Earth-2's Superman? Granddaughter of an Atlantean mage? From the future or an alternate dimension? All Karen Starr knows is that she exists in a world that doesn't fit. When her powers begin changing or blanking out altogether, she searches for answers long denied her. The clues lead her to the deranged Psycho-Pirate, who may break her mind before she learns the truth. This collection features her first solo adventure, plus her second secret origin and the sold-out first four issues of JSA CLASSIFIED, key stories tied to the cosmic events of INFINITE CRISIS!
176 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2006
2 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Geoff Johns
2,705 books2,414 followersGeoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s in search of work within the film industry. Through perseverance, Geoff ended up as the assistant to Richard Donner, working on Conspiracy Theory and Lethal Weapon 4. During that time, he also began his comics career writing Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and JSA (co-written with David S. Goyer) for DC Comics. He worked with Richard Donner for four years, leaving the company to pursue writing full-time.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 7, 2020
Power Girl’s origin story has changed a bunch over the years. The writers at DC couldn't make up their mind about whether she was Kryptonian or magical. They couldn't decide on her skill set, power levels or weakness (she was susceptible to tree branches at one point). It reminds me of another blond-haired DC mainstay whose origin was constantly in flux: Aquaman. The solution for both characters seemed to be the same—let Geoff Johns handle it. He never shies away from acknowledging a character's more problematic traits. By doing so he reassures the reader that he understands the character he's writing for, and has a good sense of how they need to be developed.
The origin of Power Girl definitely needed to be addressed and resolved. The origin of her "boob window" on the other hand, didn't require such a detailed (and surprisingly heartfelt) explanation.
Superheroes choose impractical outfits all the time without rhyme or reason. Black Canary and Zatanna decided crime fighting should be done in fishnets. Wannabe tough guy Hawk thinks he can best intimidate people with bright red party ribbons taped to his back. Batman forced a teenage boy to fight crime in skimpy green underwear. On second thought, that last one definitely requires an explanation. Geoff, get on it!
While not quite the slam dunk that was New 52 Aquaman, Geoff Johns irons out some of the wrinkles in Power Girl's backstory and gives her a nudge in the right direction.
The origin of Power Girl definitely needed to be addressed and resolved. The origin of her "boob window" on the other hand, didn't require such a detailed (and surprisingly heartfelt) explanation.
Superheroes choose impractical outfits all the time without rhyme or reason. Black Canary and Zatanna decided crime fighting should be done in fishnets. Wannabe tough guy Hawk thinks he can best intimidate people with bright red party ribbons taped to his back. Batman forced a teenage boy to fight crime in skimpy green underwear. On second thought, that last one definitely requires an explanation. Geoff, get on it!
While not quite the slam dunk that was New 52 Aquaman, Geoff Johns irons out some of the wrinkles in Power Girl's backstory and gives her a nudge in the right direction.
![Profile Image for [Name Redacted].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1347082397i%2F287915._UY200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
March 12, 2017
1970s-1980s Power Girl is goofy, but tough and cool and fun.
1980s-2000s Power Girl is a jumbled, nonsensical mess.
2000s Power Girl is pure, unadulterated awesome.
To whit:
"I've got a rep for being stubborn, headstrong and brash. I'm called a lot of things behind my back by other heroes. Main one rhymes with witch. And I'll be honest. It's not an act. Not completely.
"I DO have confidence. I AM smarter than a LOT of the other costumed cops out there...And maybe I could learn a thing or two about mutual respect.
"But you have to understand something, girls.
"If I was Power-Man. If I was stubborn, headstrong and brash. If I didn't take to authority well. No one would think anything of it.
"Do I worry about what others think? Sometimes. But am I going to hold back and follow THEIR lead? Play sidekick and girlfriend. Be a cheerleader for the football team?
"Hell, NO."
Attagirl!
1980s-2000s Power Girl is a jumbled, nonsensical mess.
2000s Power Girl is pure, unadulterated awesome.
To whit:
"I've got a rep for being stubborn, headstrong and brash. I'm called a lot of things behind my back by other heroes. Main one rhymes with witch. And I'll be honest. It's not an act. Not completely.
"I DO have confidence. I AM smarter than a LOT of the other costumed cops out there...And maybe I could learn a thing or two about mutual respect.
"But you have to understand something, girls.
"If I was Power-Man. If I was stubborn, headstrong and brash. If I didn't take to authority well. No one would think anything of it.
"Do I worry about what others think? Sometimes. But am I going to hold back and follow THEIR lead? Play sidekick and girlfriend. Be a cheerleader for the football team?
"Hell, NO."
Attagirl!
May 4, 2020
I reviewed the individual issues for this 4 issue story.
To sum it up it's a story about her origin and it ties into COIE as well as leads into Infinite Crisis.
This is a fun brisk read and I wish DC was doing books in collaboration as well as solo with the very fun, busty, funny, empowering Power Girl.
Since they are not I suggest you track down these and other PG stories!
To sum it up it's a story about her origin and it ties into COIE as well as leads into Infinite Crisis.
This is a fun brisk read and I wish DC was doing books in collaboration as well as solo with the very fun, busty, funny, empowering Power Girl.
Since they are not I suggest you track down these and other PG stories!
July 21, 2012
Just who the hell is Power Girl? I love DC comics, specifically the Bat-verse, but I'm not too aware of the events or peripheral characters of the greater DC Universe. I think I initially dismissed Power Girl out of hand as another huge-breasted female super-hero cynically created to appeal to the male nerd stereotype. After actually reading some Power Girl in her 2009 solo series I found this prejudgment to be totally wrong. Power Girl is actually an engaging and independent character and not just another Superman clone.
Anyway, back to my original question; who the hell is Power Girl? Turns out that the actual writers of Power Girl over the years have struggled with the same question and this volume collects three of the 'answers' to the question by essentially giving us three different origin stories. I'm not going to bore you with the convoluted details of the stories but I will give a brief review of each.
The first story has an old-school charm and was a fun read. The second story is just plain bizarre and made very little sense to me. The third story tries to coalesce the previous two stories and create a singular definitive power Girl origin and at the same time create a prelude in Infinite Crisis. The story is a mess but has a few good scenes and Amanda Conner's art looks amazing.
Anyway, three stars based essentially on the strength of Amanda Conner's art. Worth a look if your library has a copy.
Anyway, back to my original question; who the hell is Power Girl? Turns out that the actual writers of Power Girl over the years have struggled with the same question and this volume collects three of the 'answers' to the question by essentially giving us three different origin stories. I'm not going to bore you with the convoluted details of the stories but I will give a brief review of each.
The first story has an old-school charm and was a fun read. The second story is just plain bizarre and made very little sense to me. The third story tries to coalesce the previous two stories and create a singular definitive power Girl origin and at the same time create a prelude in Infinite Crisis. The story is a mess but has a few good scenes and Amanda Conner's art looks amazing.
Anyway, three stars based essentially on the strength of Amanda Conner's art. Worth a look if your library has a copy.
July 4, 2021
This was extremely good! While of course some issues and pages are clearly dated it's still worth the read!
This book essentially guides you through Power Girls long and confusing history and origin and although you don't get a definite answer at the end it makes you understand her much more than just jumping back and forth between each one.
The early issues are nice, she was quite strong considering the time period and it was far less sexual.
The modern issues on the other hand? Conner absolutely obliterated it, there were some moments in which Karen was clearly going through depression and Conners art forced it to be about her boobs. Don't get me wrong sometimes the writing did call for that type of page but not when she's flying away sad with her arms pushing her boobs out.
Outside of the sexualisation in later issues this was amazing and definitely worth the reading!
This book essentially guides you through Power Girls long and confusing history and origin and although you don't get a definite answer at the end it makes you understand her much more than just jumping back and forth between each one.
The early issues are nice, she was quite strong considering the time period and it was far less sexual.
The modern issues on the other hand? Conner absolutely obliterated it, there were some moments in which Karen was clearly going through depression and Conners art forced it to be about her boobs. Don't get me wrong sometimes the writing did call for that type of page but not when she's flying away sad with her arms pushing her boobs out.
Outside of the sexualisation in later issues this was amazing and definitely worth the reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
August 2, 2023I liked this a lot. I love Power Girl.
The Bronze age issues were alright - hard to put too much stock in them knowing already (from JSA) that they were going to be retconned and revised so soon, but they were a fun, quick read.
The real gem here is the JSA Classified miniseries by Geoff Johns, which I genuinely adored. Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti’s art is a delight to look at - cartoony, yes, but always so vibrant. I don't want everything to look like this but it perfectly suited the story of Psycho Pirate's freaky mind games and PG's insecurity. I loved it.
This, too, ends with a lead-in to Infinite Crisis so I guess I need to stop procrastinating and actually read it.
The Bronze age issues were alright - hard to put too much stock in them knowing already (from JSA) that they were going to be retconned and revised so soon, but they were a fun, quick read.
The real gem here is the JSA Classified miniseries by Geoff Johns, which I genuinely adored. Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti’s art is a delight to look at - cartoony, yes, but always so vibrant. I don't want everything to look like this but it perfectly suited the story of Psycho Pirate's freaky mind games and PG's insecurity. I loved it.
This, too, ends with a lead-in to Infinite Crisis so I guess I need to stop procrastinating and actually read it.
December 18, 2021
Is she Superman's cousin? Does she come from Atlantean magic? Who knows... but what I do know is that she is written as a lonely character every story in this book. Past and present. That appeals to me. Its why I always loved Superman, he always seemed alone... at least before they gave him a wife and kid. Anywho, glad I read it. There's also cheesecake... Power Girl and Huntress, yes please.
June 15, 2019
It was ret con after ret con, but I still enjoyed it.
June 5, 2022
power girl is so slay
June 1, 2016
Let's all be honest just as Karen says her eyes are not the first thing we see, and for comic book readers the first time Power Girl catches our eyes it's quite obvious it's two reasons. However, she is more than skin deep.
World: I love Conner/Palmiotti art, it's full of charm, character and emotions, plus the colors are beautiful, I just love it. This team just makes books so much better. The world building here is also great, the mystery of where Karen comes from and the world around her is an interesting one. This is a mystery and it's great how the world is presented to the reader as we experience it with Karen. It's great and I won't say more because experiencing her world is part of the best part of this story.
Story: This is a wonderful introduction story, it's simple it's well paced and it visits enough of the DCU for it to be a fun ride. Karen is a fun character and the story with the villain it's a trip. It was also tonally very good with it feeling very different from other DC books giving this a breath of fresh air in the doom and gloom of other books. It's good.
Characters: So yes, when you first see Karen you of course see the body, there's no denying it, that's the whole point of her design and that's why she's immediately recognizable. When I was a teenager that was what drew me to her also. But she's a wonderful character, and in the right hands she is an absolutely fantastic character. Her origin, her story, her personality are all great great things about her and Johns does so well in presenting Karen to the reader. Yes she has a gaping hole in her costume and it's pretty much swimwear but it makes sense for her character and her personality, it's a fine line you have to walk to not make it yucky and disregarding it altogether and Johns does a very good job. I love Karen's personality she's fun, she's a fun person to be around and she's certainly different from other DCU heroines. Her arc is fun in this book, it's a wonderful look at the DCU but also a good starting point for new readers because we are also finding her origins just like her. Her story is interesting and a tragic one, but it's not too dark and she's human about it. My favorite 2 pages was her dialog about her costume to Superman and also her scene with Ma Hunkle she made me tear up. She's amazing.
I love Karen she's a fun character and yes one does notice the appearance but it's the character I stay for and when written by good writers she's a wonderful wonderful character.
Onward to the next book!
World: I love Conner/Palmiotti art, it's full of charm, character and emotions, plus the colors are beautiful, I just love it. This team just makes books so much better. The world building here is also great, the mystery of where Karen comes from and the world around her is an interesting one. This is a mystery and it's great how the world is presented to the reader as we experience it with Karen. It's great and I won't say more because experiencing her world is part of the best part of this story.
Story: This is a wonderful introduction story, it's simple it's well paced and it visits enough of the DCU for it to be a fun ride. Karen is a fun character and the story with the villain it's a trip. It was also tonally very good with it feeling very different from other DC books giving this a breath of fresh air in the doom and gloom of other books. It's good.
Characters: So yes, when you first see Karen you of course see the body, there's no denying it, that's the whole point of her design and that's why she's immediately recognizable. When I was a teenager that was what drew me to her also. But she's a wonderful character, and in the right hands she is an absolutely fantastic character. Her origin, her story, her personality are all great great things about her and Johns does so well in presenting Karen to the reader. Yes she has a gaping hole in her costume and it's pretty much swimwear but it makes sense for her character and her personality, it's a fine line you have to walk to not make it yucky and disregarding it altogether and Johns does a very good job. I love Karen's personality she's fun, she's a fun person to be around and she's certainly different from other DCU heroines. Her arc is fun in this book, it's a wonderful look at the DCU but also a good starting point for new readers because we are also finding her origins just like her. Her story is interesting and a tragic one, but it's not too dark and she's human about it. My favorite 2 pages was her dialog about her costume to Superman and also her scene with Ma Hunkle she made me tear up. She's amazing.
I love Karen she's a fun character and yes one does notice the appearance but it's the character I stay for and when written by good writers she's a wonderful wonderful character.
Onward to the next book!
August 12, 2013
As DC Comics tried (once again) to make Power Girl am "A-list" hero (or at least "B-list") again in 2005-2006, they recognized that the character had been given SEVERAL origin stories as retcons, etc had altered her Earth-2 heritage. Bring in Geoff Johns, who was already wowing fans & creators alike with his incredible writing, and task him with making Power Girl work was DC's plan, and it worked like gang busters!
The first 1/2 of this trade paperback, or graphic novel, is devoted to collecting some of the earlier attempts at explaining Power Girl's background. This helps readers make sense of the next part as Geoff Johns and Amanda Conner's 4 issue limited series draws on (& explains) all of the character's origins before finally revealing Power Girl's new/original origin story.
Definitely some of both creators' best work, this GN is still worth picking up even with the new NEW 52 relaunch/retcon!
The first 1/2 of this trade paperback, or graphic novel, is devoted to collecting some of the earlier attempts at explaining Power Girl's background. This helps readers make sense of the next part as Geoff Johns and Amanda Conner's 4 issue limited series draws on (& explains) all of the character's origins before finally revealing Power Girl's new/original origin story.
Definitely some of both creators' best work, this GN is still worth picking up even with the new NEW 52 relaunch/retcon!
February 26, 2013
I decided to check this trade out to learn more about Power Girl and where she comes from. After reading it I can say that I'm more confused now than ever before. While the book contained different origin stories from the seventies, eighties, and the modern version all I got out of was that no one has come up with a definitive origin yet. The book is a hodgepodge of Power Girl and the modern main storyline serves no purpose as PG is just as confused as readers. The art by Amanda Conner is decent yet not spectacular. One thing that does bother me about her art is the constant smirk on her characters faces. It usually doesn't mesh with the story. Overall, I think this book can easily be passed by.
August 22, 2011
It's no joke that Power Girl is one of the most confusing superhero stories out there. This novel was cool in that it had some of the older comics that attempted to explain her origins (1970's and 80's). The new update just made things more confusing. The overall story was good, a self-realization story on steroids. We learn why Power Girl has a big hole in her costume, and it's not because she's "lewd", but because she just doesn't know who she is and doesn't know what symbol to go with.
December 20, 2010
Any book drawn by Amanda Conner makes it a must read. From what I remember this series was drawn well from beginning to end, but the story wasn't anything to write home about. IIRC it started out fine, but I suppose the writer was commited to too many other titles to properly give this one a send off.
sounds-interesting
April 8, 2015Showcase #97-99 (1978)
Secret Origins Vol 2 #11 (1987)
JSA 32, 39 (2002)
JSA Classified 1-4 (2005)
1978-2005
First origin story = Showcase 97
Post-COIE origin story = Secret Origins Vol 2 #11
Lead-in to Infinite Crisis = JSA stories
Read Showcase 97-99 before COIE
Read Secret Origins Vol 2 #11 after History of DC Universe
Read remainder after Supergirl: Power but before Infinite Crisis
Secret Origins Vol 2 #11 (1987)
JSA 32, 39 (2002)
JSA Classified 1-4 (2005)
1978-2005
First origin story = Showcase 97
Post-COIE origin story = Secret Origins Vol 2 #11
Lead-in to Infinite Crisis = JSA stories
Read Showcase 97-99 before COIE
Read Secret Origins Vol 2 #11 after History of DC Universe
Read remainder after Supergirl: Power but before Infinite Crisis
December 21, 2009
Not perfect, but pretty close attempt to take the 'babe of steel's' convoluted history and push it into a shape that at least makes sense.
Johns has a nice handle on PG's personality, despite the rather dumb attempt to explain PG's costume as other than 'hot'
Great art too.
Johns has a nice handle on PG's personality, despite the rather dumb attempt to explain PG's costume as other than 'hot'
Great art too.
April 21, 2010
Pee Gee's unique history and variable origin stories set her apart from every other character in comics. She explicitly was born in a world that doesn't exist, never existed, and by all accounts SHE shouldn't exist. She's the "Hero without a Home" taken to the extreme.
July 21, 2012
I read a couple of other Power Girl books and really enjoyed the heck out of them. Really looked forward to reading some of the history, but sheesh! The only kinda awesome thing was seeing the different manifestations throughout the years.
July 13, 2015
What's the true story behind Power Girl? Well, it's changed over time, and this book explores those different histories. Some are silly, some are fun, and once you get to the story with the Amanda Conner art, it's amazing.
August 18, 2010
meh, nothing awe inspiring, especially considering the author.
September 28, 2010
Awesome overview of a fun character's ever-changing origins, offering a glimpse at how she's evolved over the decades (though her chest has remained just as large).
Read
August 5, 2011While the Johns/Conner piece is very good, the reprint issues from the 70's are almost an endurance test. It really goes to show how far the medium has come though.
October 7, 2011
Made me LOL and entertained me like crazy
Read
July 24, 2012I love the explanation of Power Girl's outfit as being the reason she doesn't need to wear a mask. Half light-hearted cheesecake superheroics, half continuity wank.
November 21, 2012
Oh, this is bad...except for the old 1975 Levitz story. That story is just old. In my book she is the cousin of Earth-2's Superman...
Read
May 19, 2014ppppppppppppppp
December 21, 2014
Thanks to my friend Dustin at work, I finally get an introduction to the enigmatic Power Girl. I have a stack of 5 TPBs, so I am ready to get to know her. ;-)
September 20, 2015
Huh. I liked a Geoff Johns story. It was heavily based on DC continuity and I liked it. Perhaps all Johns collections should come with Editor blurbs between issues.
January 4, 2016
Laugh-out-loud fun, well drawn in crisp lines and bright colors.
Power Girl at her best.
Power Girl at her best.
March 19, 2016
read 2/18/16
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews