The Supergirl Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions) [Hardcover]

Various (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563897377
• ISBN-13: 978-1563897375
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 3 x 12.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,319,270 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Supergirl from the Silver Age, April 16, 2002

By 

Gary Henderson (N. Ireland, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Supergirl Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions) (Hardcover)

This is a collection of stories which introduced us to Supergirl, the one true Supergirl, Superman's long lost cousin.

The simplicity and innocence of these stories are very appealing to me, even though some parts may be a little far fetch by today's standard. For example, we have Superman spraying amnesia gas over the town of Smallville after the people of Smallville discover Supergirl's existence. Superman then proceeds to produce new copies of the local newspaper omitting any mention of Supergirl.

Full credit to the writers who had the difficult task of keeping Supergirl's existence a secret until she was ready to face the world. This limited Supergirl's roles in the stories, but clever use enabled Supergirl to travel to the future and to the past, to be stranded on an asteroid by Superman, and even gets transformed into a superbaby.

Curt Swan has long been associated, and quite rightly so in my opinion, as the definitive Superman artist. Here we have the definitive Supergirl artist, Jim Mooney.

I don't really like the cover by Frank Miller. I would have preferred a new illustration by the main artist himself, Jim Mooney. But despite this, I still give this book a five star rating.

No news yet of a follow up edition, but the good news is that a Superboy collection is coming soon. This will make an excellent addition, and companion, for the Supergirl Archives.

In the meantime, this is an excellent addition to the Superman collection, and I give it my highest recommendation.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Enjoyable Collection, July 12, 2002

By 

jrscribbler "jrscribbler" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Supergirl Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions) (Hardcover)

I enjoyed this early collection of the origins of Supergirl, who is Superman's cousin. This is when comics had a meticulous continuity and strived to create stories that made sense to the readers. I reccomend this to those fans of the DC family. It makes a lovely gift to someone who remembers those days. It will leave you wishing for still more as it did me.

The Supergirl stories are sweet-natured as is Supergirl herself. I look forward to seeing future volumes, hopefully some that will include the era of Kurt Schauffenberger's art.

Buy this while you can.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kara Zor-El takes the stage, January 9, 2002

By 

Zack Davisson "japanreviewed" (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Supergirl Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions) (Hardcover)

"Supergirl Archives Vol. 1" collects the Supergirl back-up stories from Action Comics #252-268. It also includes the Supergirl "try-out" issue from Action Comics #123, where Jimmy Olsen wishes up a "Super-Girl" companion for his buddy Superman. It all ends badly of course, but paves the way for Superman's cousin, Kara Zor-El to arrive in a rocket 8 months later.

In these early issues, Supergirl is hidden away from the public. She is Superman's secret weapon and spends most of her time maintaining her secret identity of orphan Linda Danvers. Eventually, she goes to the future to meet the Legion of Super-Heroes and Tommy Tomorrow. Her pet, Streaky the Supercat shows up as well.

The stories, written mainly by Otto Binder of Marvel Family fame, showcase the beginning of what would become the Superman Family. Soon Comet the Superhorse, Beppo the Supermonky and the entire bottle city of Kandor would be roaming around with "The Last Son of Krypton." There is a charming innocence in the stories, and they are very well crafted silver age comics. The art, by Jim Mooney and Al Plastino, is suiting to the stories. The new Frank Miller cover is a nice addition, although an odd choice as he is not an artist one associates with the character of Supergirl.