Worlds' Finest #1 Preview/Discussion

[Fate's Faith]

Helena Betinelli was only ever a stand-in for Helena Wayne.

I think I'm going to have to disagree with that. I mean, sure she shifted over to the new formed DCU familiar looking but I liked her origin much better than I did before. Granted, the origin before had lots going for it. Batman and Catwoman together as many think they should be and gaining a somewhat normal life. She takes on the mantle of her father continuing the legacy of Batman. Used to love the images of her against the moon looking like the Batman till you see its the Huntress. But I liked the new orgin more for the way it reflected Batman's. Her crusade was just as personal and just as devastating but it opened the way for a darker version who also happened to be female. At times, she was more scary than Batman because you aren't sure just how far she will go. She may have started as a standin but she was much deeper than that due to having to be.

Now from what I've heard about Earth 2, this Huntress can maintain that edge. She's not Helena Bertinelli but then she's not the old Helena Wayne either. I think the legacy of Helena Wayne ensures she exists but it seems they are taking the personality cues from Helena Bertinelli. I would have been happier if they had just left her as she was as Helena Bertinelli. I think I would have liked seeing Helena Wayne as she used to be for nostalgia reasons. This is a compromise but not one I can't support even though neither is exactly who I think the character should be. In a fashion, she's the combination of the two I hope. Parental origin as before but costumed one as after. Or course this is all based on hope since I don't have the issue in hand yet. And besides, I've already picturing how Helena Bertinelli could make a return though it would consist of a much more convoluted origin than before... (mafia princess takes on identity of visiting hero who had taken on her real life identity of a mafia princess).

[Flashpoint]

You're dead to me. And I just met you!

Which I find fascinating given that I've been reading and replying to thousands of posts here (including yours) for the past 18 months.

[The Animal Man]

did they ever say why this comic had to be Earth-2 Supergirl and earth-2 robin instead of the usual power girl/huntress? i got no problem with it to be honest but it just seems weird and i know some people out there are angered immensely due to Power girl in this(A online bud of mine included)

it's just we have a book about building upon the world of Earth-2 and it's heroes and this book is about two Heroes from Earth-2 that get transported to our earth where they end up becoming Power Girl And Huntress

[gwydion]

did they ever say why this comic had to be Earth-2 Supergirl and earth-2 robin instead of the usual power girl/huntress? i got no problem with it to be honest but it just seems weird and i know some people out there are angered immensely due to Power girl in this(A online bud of mine included)

it's just we have a book about building upon the world of Earth-2 and it's heroes and this book is about two Heroes from Earth-2 that get transported to our earth where they end up becoming Power Girl And Huntress

It seems to me to have been an executive decision. There were fans complaining all along that Power Girl was too confusing, being an alternate universe Supergirl, so TPTB must have thought---"Let's make her Supergirl explicitly! Then there won't be any confusion!"

So, some very vocal fans got what they wanted---or at least what DC thought they wanted, though I think that in this, as in most things, DC got it wrong. In the meantime, something unique about PG was taken. Fortunately, I think she can survive having been called Supergirl, as it's really up to Levitz to preserve her character and keep her the PG people loved. As for Huntress as Robin, I think she was just along for the ride with Supergirl. Which does kind of leave me wondering what happened to Dick Grayson on Earth 2...

Still, I'm optimistic for this, horrible costume aside. I think if people want to change that; the only real way would be to go to the conventions and attend the panels, and constantly bring up how horrible PG's costume is----in front of Didio, Lee, and Johns. Tell them that it should be based on her old costume, with some minor changes. Even let them know that there's fan art all over the internet that does it better than the official version. Perez and Maguire know this, the DC Trinity of Didio, Lee, and Johns should hear it constantly.

[The Animal Man]

although why would she wear the classic costume? would she purposely make a costume with a boob window?

[gwydion]

although why would she wear the classic costume? would she purposely make a costume with a boob window?

Why did she in the first place?? But there are tons of fan art redesigns out there on the internets that have no window, and even pants, but are still recognizably derived from the classic costume, using the classic colors and elements---and many of them are far better than what DC came up with. Plus, most of them practically scream "Power Girl" to anyone with even a passing familiarity with the character.

What we've got is the result of design by committee, never a good idea. And neither Maguire nor Perez will own up to doing the final design, even as a result of a laundry-list of DC demands. I'm hoping that TPTB at DC, namely the big Three, hear just how well the costume has gone over, and why fans don't like it---and allow a redesign somewhere down the line. But they'll only really hear that, or care about it if people complain at conventions, without bashing the character or book itself.

[Flashpoint]

Why did she in the first place?? But there are tons of fan art redesigns out there on the internets that have no window, and even pants, but are still recognizably derived from the classic costume, using the classic colors and elements---and many of them are far better than what DC came up with. Plus, most of them practically scream "Power Girl" to anyone with even a passing familiarity with the character.

What we've got is the result of design by committee, never a good idea. And neither Maguire nor Perez will own up to doing the final design, even as a result of a laundry-list of DC demands. I'm hoping that TPTB at DC, namely the big Three, hear just how well the costume has gone over, and why fans don't like it---and allow a redesign somewhere down the line. But they'll only really hear that, or care about it if people complain at conventions, without bashing the character or book itself.

It amazes me that no one has seen what I think is fairly obvious about Power Girl's new look: it has a marketable insignia to go with ALL of the other ones DC Entertainment has...







The reason Power Girl now has a giant "P" logo on her costume is so DC Entertainment can slap it onto everything--buttons, T-shirts, hats, etc--and sell it. I mean, even Cyborg has a giant "C" insignia, too.

[Flashpoint]

It seems to me to have been an executive decision. There were fans complaining all along that Power Girl was too confusing, being an alternate universe Supergirl, so TPTB must have thought---"Let's make her Supergirl explicitly! Then there won't be any confusion!"

So, some very vocal fans got what they wanted---or at least what DC thought they wanted, though I think that in this, as in most things, DC got it wrong. In the meantime, something unique about PG was taken. Fortunately, I think she can survive having been called Supergirl, as it's really up to Levitz to preserve her character and keep her the PG people loved. As for Huntress as Robin, I think she was just along for the ride with Supergirl. Which does kind of leave me wondering what happened to Dick Grayson on Earth 2...

Still, I'm optimistic for this, horrible costume aside. I think if people want to change that; the only real way would be to go to the conventions and attend the panels, and constantly bring up how horrible PG's costume is----in front of Didio, Lee, and Johns. Tell them that it should be based on her old costume, with some minor changes. Even let them know that there's fan art all over the internet that does it better than the official version. Perez and Maguire know this, the DC Trinity of Didio, Lee, and Johns should hear it constantly.

Despite the oft-quoted and posted Paul Levitz/Joe Staton sequence from All-Star Comics in the Seventies, Power Girl choosing to call herself Power Girl just to be different was always a weak justification. Why not call herself Marvel Girl or Ultra Girl or, better yet, Power Woman? A true feminist wouldn't give herself a t!t window and call herself a girl. Try selling that rationale to the National Organization For Women--and good luck with that.

And again, sales and marketing is king. I mean, really, does Cyborg honestly need a giant C on his chest?





No, he doesn't. Using this rationale, Iron Man, Captain America and Thor need giant letters on their chests, too, so people know who they are. The only reason for all these insignias is to market the character, increase brand recognition and help sell more merchandise.

[Fate's Faith]

although why would she wear the classic costume? would she purposely make a costume with a boob window?

I know it will give me lots of hate but if they wanted to keep the boob window, why not make it part of her profession. Instead of a software executive or whatever tech business she's in just made her a porn actress and thus explained why she would choose to show them off

[shark]

I know it will give me lots of hate but if they wanted to keep the boob window, why not make it part of her profession. Instead of a software executive or whatever tech business she's in just made her a porn actress and thus explained why she would choose to show them off

You have to be a porn actress in order to show off your body?

[blackphoenix]

I really hate when sites other than CBR host previews. I cannot see a damn thing! Only the two page spread would enlarge--the rest stayed tiny.

ANYWAY, I have strong reservations about this book, but for once I am going to reserve judgment until I read it.

[Fate's Faith]

You have to be a porn actress in order to show off your body?

No. But I can't think of too many women that do show off their body that aren't attempting to profit from the showing. And its not showing off of the body because all heroes do that to an extent. Its that one specific area which also happens to have some sexual overtones has attention drawn to it. I mean, if a male hero wears a costume with arrows pointing to his groin, am I assumed to think he just likes arrows or he's wanting attention in that area? Its not even a question of her being proud of her breasts. Its the cleavage that's featured and that window has gotten bigger and bigger the bigger they have gotten. If someone's asking me to believe this character's other attributes are on equal display then I think they have to be blind. She's covering almost everything up except her breast and her hips. Neither of which need to be exposed in order for her to operate. I'm not saying don't like the costume just don't be surprised if the costume isn't holding the actual character back to some. I think the new costume was designed to cool down the sexual overtones of the previous. Rather it's the best choice is debatable but if the old costume is more favored then why not stop being afraid to embrace that its sexual in nature. It would be a first certainly and maybe there's nothing wrong with being a porn actress.

[Fused]

It amazes me that no one has seen what I think is fairly obvious about Power Girl's new look: it has a marketable insignia to go with ALL of the other ones DC Entertainment has...

The reason Power Girl now has a giant "P" logo on her costume is so DC Entertainment can slap it onto everything--buttons, T-shirts, hats, etc--and sell it. I mean, even Cyborg has a giant "C" insignia, too.

Ahhh. Marketability. Power Girl merch! The statue pic attached is one of the sweetest ones in my collection from a very successful statue line.

Yeah, good luck selling any statues with Costume Disaster Girl. I feel sorry for any retailer foolish enough to get saddled with NuPowerGirl merch as it collects dust on their shelf space.

[Maximum Impact]

[Sacred Knight]

Karen needs a boob window.

DENTAL PLAN!

Karen needs a boob window.

DENTAL PLAN!