Artgerm Supergirl #20 Variant

I have been pretty impressed with the variant covers that Artgerm has been producing for the ongoing Supergirl title. While it is abundantly clear that Artgerm is a 'good girl' artist, the pieces are so beautiful I can forgive if they occasionally veer to cheesecake.

And in particular, I have loved his more recent covers showcasing the different costumes the Supergirl character has worn over the years. I spotlighted the 70's hot pants cover for Supergirl #18  here. And didn't share the equally gorgeous 'white shirt' costume cover he is putting on Supergirl #19.

But when this variant for Supergirl #20 was out on the internet late last week I had to show.

People who have been coming to this blog for a while know that the belly shirt costume designed by Michael Turner is, without a doubt, my least favorite costume for Supergirl. In particular, when it was taken to it's extremes, growing ever tinier, I cringed.

But there is something about this cover that made me smile. So I want to tip my hat to Artgerm for honoring Michael Turner here. Because this pose by Kara is pure Turner.

 Because that pose of Kara with her arms out stiff, angled away from her body a little is pure Turner.

This is the pose she is in when she is introduced by Superman to the rest of the DCU in Superman/Batman #13. In fact, the Artgerm cover might be an homage to that very moment given he is in the background. It's a strong pose and classic for Turner's Kara.

He used it often, here it is again on her Who's Who page by him.

Heck, you can even see it a little in his cover for Supergirl #50!

Heck, it is the pose for the statue  based on his art! That was *his* pose for Kara.

While I might not like this costume or even his art, there is no denying that Turner was a big reason that Supergirl returned with the splash that she did. He was an incredibly popular and influential artist at the time. His name had buzz. And so when it was announced he was drawing her return, suddenly Supergirl was a commodity again.

I have to respect what he did for the character back in 2004 and so I am glad that his work is being honored in this way. And I think that cover is beautiful.

And now the bad news.

It looks like this is the last of the Artgerm covers on Supergirl.

I have some concerns about sales afterwards (and frankly the title itself a little). But more on that later this week.

Posted in: Reviews