REVIEW: ‘Stargirl The Lost Children,’ Issue #6

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Stargirl The Lost Children #6 from DC ends the story that introduces a slew of characters to the DC Universe. The final issue is written by Geoff Johns, illustrated by Todd Nauck, colored by Matt Herms, and lettered by Rob Leigh. Stargirl has grown up quite a bit on the time-lost island in her search for history’s missing superkids. The gates have been stormed. It’s all or nothing. Stargirl. The sidekicks. In confrontation with Childminder and the buyer who wants to claim the kids, a surprise superhero by the name of Hourman.

Not the Golden Age hero or his son, but the one from the 853rd century, the fun android from DC’s 90s era. But Hourman claims he is under the control of another and must act in this person’s interest. This puts Courtney in the position of having to fight against her own teammate from the Justice Society. Well, there’s no turning back. It’s forward, or else.

The last two issues were action-packed. But Johns outdoes those with the sheer number of characters in motion on just about every page: Stargirl, all of the kids (those who were hiding, plus the ones trapped in Childminder’s castle recently set free), those goofy but cool eggbots, and Hourman. This has steadily become like a miniature Crisis On Infinite Earths. Johns gives us a Courtney Whitmore, who has grown over six issues. It’s been a thrill watching her become a responsible hero while maintaining the stubborn streak that got her the belt and Cosmic Staff. But he also forces her to make heroic decisions in this final issue while showing how empathetic she is. Loved it. This is one of my favorite characters of the past few decades, and it’s so, so nice seeing character development take place.

Now I’ve gone on before about Nauck’s brilliant, animated, bubbly style and Herms’ outrageously bombastic colors, Leigh’s poppy lettering FX, but here, in the chaos of this issue, they’re shining stars. Just witness the opening bout, that magnificent double page spread. Go in a bit further to the close up on Childminder. This issue pumps out crystal clear, electric art with resplendent colorations and judicious use of ink, not to mention I should pause for a second to note how I love the vintage stylings of all the sidekicks’ costumes.

Now there are a ton of kids here, but let’s not forget this is Stargirl’s book, and this is where the sidekick herself, I feel, finally becomes the stand-on-her-own hero. This is a loving tribute to the character’s beginning and now, to her maturity. It fits because, in these pages, she’s forced to make heroic choices. They’re deep but come across with the feel of a superb Silver Age book. And that’s how this limited series felt overall, like a well-honed tribute to the heroics of the Golden and Silver Ages.

Stargirl the Lost Children #6 is a winner that ends in a glorious Golden bang. It’s pure fun, with amazing new heroes to enjoy, a cool plot that wraps up neatly, and hints we will see more of these folks soon enough. I encourage you to get all six, or at the very least, snag the trade once it comes out later this year. Stargirl is an excellent hero who deserves her own series. So do the sidekicks!

Stargirl The Lost Children #6 is available wherever comic books are sold.