Writer: Leah Williams
Penciller: Eduardo Pansica
Inker: Julio Ferreira
Colors: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letters: Becca Carey
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 26th, 2023
The Symbioship is back in Power Girl #4! It was the rocket that brought Power Girl to Earth, but eventually transformed into a malevolent Terminator-like being. Now, it has taken control of Power Girl in the Fortress of Solitude, setting up a battle between her and Superman! Help is on the way though, as Omen (formerly Lilith) heads to the Fortress of Solitude, but will she get there in time?
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The Story
After last issue’s fantastic cliffhanger ending, Power Girl #4 gives a chilling backstory of the Symbioship before launching into a titanic battle between Power Girl (now possessed by the Symbioship) and Superman, who was totally caught off-guard by her attack. Power Girl’s battle happens on two fronts, as she battles with the Symbioship insider her psyche, trying to wrest back control of her body, as her physical form has one hell of a knock-down drag-out fight with Superman. The battle with Superman is fierce. Power Girl has always been a street fighter and the Symbioship is no different, using every power at Paige’s disposal to launch a blitzkrieg assault on Supes. It’s always fun watching heroes battle other heroes, especially when their power levels are equal, but this battle’s especially fun.
The Symbioship is terrifying. It’s relentless and seems unstoppable. No matter how much you incinerate, pulverize or freeze it, it keeps going. When it’s not possessing a body, it’s a yellow lobster-like alien (made in a Kryptonian lab) with a dozen tendrils and a veiny pulsating red light across it’s body. It makes the creature in “The Thing” look cuddly and adorable by comparison. THIS should be Power Girl’s main nemesis. It should be her Lex Luthor, her Joker. As the two battle inside Power Girl’s mind, it’s evident that the two are linked because of their Kryptonian origins, which makes the Symbioship even more of a great enemy for Paige.
Omen (formerly Lilith) makes a great appearance this issue too and I love the deep friendship between her and Power Girl. I don’t think it will ever bud into a romance like Harley and Ivy, it’s more like Fire and Ice’s friendship, two people with opposite personalities who complement each other and bonded through tough times. I was always a fan of Lilith since her days with the pre-Wolfman/Perez Teen Titans and it’s great seeing her in action again and a major part of Power Girl’s book. I hope she stays in the book a long time.
The Art
Eduardo Pansica’s art on Power Girl #4 brings out the horror in the Symbioship with its chilling design. When it possesses Power Girl, Pansica twists Power Girl’s form in a grotesque manner, merging attributes of the Symbioship and Power Girl into a twisted version of her. It gives weight to how dire a threat and how malevolent the Symbioship is. The fight scenes are powerful and you can almost feel the pages rattle when Superman and the possessed Power Girl are trading punches.
Final Thoughts
Power Girl #4 continues to be a fantastic series, building a solid Rogues Gallery for her, making her more complex than she’s ever been in previous appearances, and making Omen an equally fascinating member of her supporting cast. This issue is filled with action and the Symbioship adds a touch of horror to the book. Recommended.