Showcase #99
Published and © by DC, April 1978
Title: “The Crater That Was Keystone City”
Synopsis: Power Girl establishes a secret identity, then leaps into action to rescue Keystone City – and her Justice Society teammates!
Writer: Paul Levitz
Penciler: Joe Staton
Inker: Dick Giordano
Review: Power Girl wraps up her initial cover-feature stint with the establishment of a secret identity – as software specialist Karen Starr – and a showdown with longtime JSA foe Brain Wave. While her new cut-from-whole-cloth alter ego can be a bit of a leap, Paul Levitz addresses the problem well enough to maintain the suspension of disbelief. Kara Zor-L’s civilian identity should also help humanize the hard-headed heroine, who had often been defined by impetuous behavior (such as refusing to release her captured teammates!) On the art side, Dick Giordano’s inks help ground Joe Staton’s cartoony pencils. A solid debut arc.
Grade: B
Second opinion: “The secret identity she finally chose … was a severe disappointment.” – Margaret O’Connell, The Heroines Showcase #14, Summer 1978
Cool factor: Much as with the new Doom Patrol (see reviews), Power Girl deserved to graduate to her own title.
Not-so-cool factor: Alas, it was not to be.
Notable: The “Critics Corner” letters page reveals that supporting character Andrew Vinson and the Symbioship were based on comic-book fan Jeff Kapalka, with prototype-design sketches by Joe Staton.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “Learn I am far more real than flying saucers – and far more deadly!” – Brain Wave, big headed
Editor’s note: This review was written Aug. 28, 2026.
