Super Powers Which Way Book #2: Supergirl, The Girl of Steel

Growing up, I loved those Choose Your Own Adventure books. Being given the chance to be your own director and guide was such a novel idea that I fell in love with. It's a genre of book, that if I find a comic or graphic novel that follows the Choose Your Own Adventure format, I will read it and review it.

I'm also a member of a Facebook group devoted to Kenner's Super Powers lineup. It's where I discovered the existence of this book. From 1984, this novel dropped during an important time for the Maid of Might. Supergirl was set to take the world by storm with a live action film starring Helen Slater. Unknown to fans, the existence of Supergirl in the DC Universe hindered on the success of the film. Unfortunately, it was a flop. Thus, the axe fell on Superman's cousin, resulting in her death in Crisis on Infinite Earths #7. Also on the chopping block was Kara Zor-El's inclusion in the Super Powers toy line.

This interactive novel debuted a year after book #1 starring the Man of Steel did. A Wonder Woman and a Darkseid heavy Justice League volume were both slated to join the lineup. Later in the year, fans got to control the JLA's fate against the New God despot. Batman was given the CYOA treatment in 1986. Ultimately, Wonder Woman's adventure never came about.

With this Supergirl time, there are essentially 4 main story lines that readers can explore:

Direction A: Resist or assist Mr. Mxyzptlk in a 5th dimension contest of strength.

Direction B: Research the days of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table for a school project by going back in time.

Direction C: Save Superman from the clutches of Brainiac.

Direction D: Escape From the Land of Oz after being transported into the pages of L. Frank Baum's masterpiece due to a mad scientist!

There's also a minor 5th plotline where Supergirl remains in her secret identity of Linda Danvers and helps a classmate struggling with math.

One peeve I had with 'select your fate' books would be if you made a wrong turn and the story ends after literally only making 3 or 4 choices. This time around, I made sure that I would explore as many story lines as possible. The cover to this book informs you of the 4 main paths to take Supergirl. You'll have to dig to find that secret identity plot and there could be more. I dug deep. But maybe I didn't hit the absolute bottom line of material available.

I liked that Supergirl battles traditional villains such as Brainiac and Mxyzptlk. I'm torn over the inclusion of Superman. He's only in 1 plotline. Yes, I'm more than aware how much the Kryptonian cousins fared in each other's titles. But did Supergirl guest in Superman's book? Or did writer Andrew Helfer or this book's editor lose faith that the Girl of Steel could lead the book on her own?

I enjoyed the heck out of this book. Now I've got to figure out a way to display it in my office because this is going into my Supergirl collection!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

What Happens Next?: Talent Show Troubles (Family Comic Friday)

Parents and guardians, if you were a fan of Bantam's Choose Your Own Adventure series of books, then you should introduce the young readers in your life to What Happens Next?. While nowhere near as violent as the beloved series that ran from 1978-1998, I did find myself dying pretty quick the first time I tried this interactive graphic novel. True, my death was in a dream. And I was attacked by some pretty pesky sea gulls. But it was a much funnier and less traumatic way to go than some of those CYOA novels.

In Talent Show Troubles, readers guide Megan Hathaway through a very chaotic day. She slept super late! Should she stay home or do her best to make it to school where she's in charge of the talent show? Now Megan has lost her notebook with all of the plans for the event. Does Megan put on an animal act or go with the kid in the sparkly suit? Now one of the teachers wants Megan to pass a note to another teacher in the audience. Should she do it or should Megan start helping her dad who brought snow cones for all?

This book promises over 100 paths. I probably followed about 20 of them before reviewing this book. Talent Show Troubles was just a zany romp that had the added fun of getting to make all of the character's choices throughout. Written and illustrated by Jess Smart Smiley, What Happens Next? continues the tradition of gamebooks, a genre where readers are able to play the part of story navigator. The only difference is that this story is done in graphic novel form!

I've encountered comic book versions of Choose Your Own Adventures before. Usually they involve the reader having to skip panels or follow story threads through to the next page. It's awfully confusing. Smiley makes sure that each decision takes the readers to a separate page making for a smoother transition, allowing the reader to stay immersed in the story. 

If the kiddos enjoyed the misadventures of Megan Hathaway, they can spend another day at school with her in Science Fair Frenzy. Newsroom Nonsense about Megan's time at the school paper will debut in Spring, 2024. Start the school year right with What Happens Next? and watch for things to go wrong for one precocious middle schooler!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.