Showcase #97
Published and © by DC, February 1978
Title: “Power Girl”
Synopsis: Power Girl battles some high-tech electronics thieves while slowly recalling her past and clashing with the media.
Writer: Paul Levitz
Penciler: Joe Staton
Inker: Joe Orlando
Review: Prior to his star turn on the Legion of Super-Heroes, eventual DC big boss Paul Levitz was already establishing a reputation with strong work on All-Star Comics. This Showcase spinoff expands his Earth-Two playground and gives Bronze Age heroine Power Girl space to shine. In a classic example of show don’t tell, Levitz uses action to run through the checklist of OG Kryptonian powers, then turns to flashback to build out the character’s origin. Joe Staton’s cartoony style isn’t the perfect fit for this story, but it’s certainly serviceable. A promising start to this maid of might’s first title stint.
Grade: B
Second opinion: “The artwork varies in quality too much.” – Jim Crawford, AFTA #1, February 1978 … “(This issue) suffers greatly from some basic character inconsistencies, as well as from the apparent inability of Joe Staton and Joe Orlando to work well together.” – Marilyn Bethke, The Comics Journal #38, February 1978 … “Of quite a high standard.” –Alan Brightmore, Comics Unlimited #51, October-November 1979 … “Her origin and journey to Earth were very fully and satisfyingly detailed in Showcase #97-98.” – Margaret O’Connell, The Heroines Showcase #14, Summer 1978 … “Power Girl … appeared in #97-99, cleavage very much in the fore.” – The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003 … “Butch and busty, Power Girl seemed like a combination sex symbol and feminist.” – William Schoell, “Superhuman: The Bronze Age of Comics Volume 1,” 2016
Cool factor: Before Roy Thomas came to DC, Paul Levitz was carving out a nice little niche on Earth-Two.
Not-so-cool factor: This might be a personal bias, but Power Girl is a bit rough on journalists.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 12p British variant of this issue. … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant.
Character quotable: “One of these days I’m just going to have to find a place for myself on this alien world.” – Power Girl, internal monologuing
Editor’s note: This review was written Aug. 13, 2026.
