Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.

Smallville’s “Absolute Justice” put me in the mood to check out both Stargirl and Geoff Johns' comic book debuts. Finding a nice price on the 2 volumes for “Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.” I purchased both and settled in for a good nights read.

A little set up: Though I’m a fan of Johns work, I don’t think I’m as big a fan as others. Granted, what he did on Green Lantern... the way he brought back Hal Jordan was brilliant, intelligently written. I believe that was Johns at his absolute peak. But, I feel he gets a bit too busy as he goes on. I wasn't as impressed with the popular Sinestro Corps War or even Blackest Night. They are loaded with sound and fury, but little else. Neither have the depth of character or story for something I’d consider great. Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing was great, as was John Ostrander’s Spectre. Both were able to tackle a huge storyline and offer compelling character development as well. Generally, neither Johns nor his big events reach those levels of artistry.

I compare his writing to a candy bar – both are tempting and sweet tasting. While it might not be filling, that’s okay, I like a “Milky Way” now and again. Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E is probably Geoff at his most light and fluffy and Milky Wayish. It is -in his own words- rather green, especially at the start. The narrative doesn’t flow seamlessly and there is little character development, as the primary figures simply bicker and do little else. As the series went on we can see Geoff’s growth as both he and his protagonist mature.

The premise: Pat Dugan, who used to be the sidekick Stripesy to golden age hero The Star Spangled Kid, has just remarried and moved his new bride and her teenage daughter Courtney Whitmore, to a small town. Courtney expresses her unhappiness with this situation frequently. She’s pretty much a brat, treating Pat like dirt and doing whatever she can to get under his skin. She gets an opportunity to do just that when she discovers Star Spangled Kids’ cosmic belt and costume among Pat’s belongings. She adapts the uniform and wears it to a costume party/dance knowing it’ll bug her new stepfather. When baddies attack the dance she’s thrust into action, with Pat – now suited in robotic armor – looking to protect and keep her out of harms way.

The first volume sees the new Star Spangled Kid learning the ropes; there are strange goings on at her School and new town to keep her busy. S.T.R.I.P.E tags along and gets no end of grief from Courtney – loveable is not a word I’d use for her, she’s of High School age so it fits, but it took me a while to warm up to the girl. In these 8 issues the duo team up with the likes of Captain Marvel and Young Justice and do battle with goofy baddies such as… Paintball?

The art by Lee Moder is cartoony. I like his line work and composition. There’s a nice movement and flow in his pages. Unfortunately he can draw some ugly looking woman, maybe not Jack Kirby ugly, but ladies faces frequently foil him. Marked by large eyes, a narrow chin (rather light bulb shaped heads) and rubbery lips. Check out page 33 in Vol 1, Gaa! Is that supposed to be the face of a young girl or a Zanti Misfit?

His designs and renditions for S.T.R.I.P.E remind me of a Saturday morning cartoon figure, very old school in style. I like it, though the barrel-chest come off a bit exaggerated in some panels. Lee’s fight sequences aren't bad - not the best or the best choreographed, but not bad. They are clean and easy to read, if too static in places (for example: Vol 1, pg 158 panel 2 - the scene is too stiff, which lessens the clairity and impact of the moment). Lee would give way to the workman like Scott Kolins in later issues. Kolins is more realistic, but his panels are not as dynamic and crisp as Moder’s.

In Volume 2 the duo team up with the new Starman and the old Shining Knight, and wrap up their feud with the evil Dragon King and his daughter Shiv. We get to meet Pat’s annoying son from another marriage. He’s not an asset. And Johns bogs down some pages with excessive exposition (especially in the pages devoted to Shining Knight's comings and goings). But he also gives Courtney a few more layers. She jumped into the hero game so quickly and seemed pretty fearless for the most part, so it was nice to see her softening up a bit. There’s a heartrending sequence when her biological father shows up at her doorstep, and she and Pat have some nice moments, which were a welcome respite from the bickering.

All told these early tales of the future Stargirl were overall enjoyable fun. She's not as noble a young female hero as Supergirl. She’s not as kick ass cool as the Huntress or Marvel's Black Widow. As far as teenage heroes go; I didn’t find her as likeable and relatable as say, a Peter Parker. But Courtney does have her moments. She’s got spunk, and Johns and Moder kept me entertained with her and Pat's fast paced, colorful adventures. So... good candy!

Note: DC could have done a better job of filling in the gaps, provided a page directing us to crossovers (there is one obvious jump between issues in vol. 1) or told us where to go next for more Star Spangled stories. Research lead me to “JSA: Justice Be Done”, but DC could help themselves –sales wise- and do us fans a favor by giving us a quick and easy directory in their trade paperbacks