Entertainment
If You Love Superhero Stories, This 3-Part DC Series Was Made Just for You
For several years, The CW was filled with superhero shows ranging from Arrow to DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, but one of the channel’s best examples of the genre is too often forgotten. Though most of these existed in the same universe, allowing for major crossover events, some of the later ones remained separate, as is the case with Stargirl. Coming out as the Arrowverse was ending, the series never interacted with the others (though a brief glimpse in “Crisis on Infinite Earths” implied that it takes place on another earth within that multiverse). While its separation from the other series caused the show to fall under the radar, Stargirl has a lot to offer.
Following a group of teen heroes, the 2020 series tells an exciting story full of action and complicated family dynamics. Throughout its three seasons, Stargirl forces the characters to grow, both in their work as heroes and in their personal challenges. With compelling protagonists and fascinating villains, the series never has a dull moment. Though too often forgotten, Stargirl is the kind of show that you can watch over and over without getting tired of it.
What Is ‘Stargirl’ About?
While there are many superhero series out there, Stargirl sets itself apart by centering on the second generation of heroes rather than starting at the beginning. The series begins years after a tragic fight between the JSA and the Injustice Society that destroyed the heroes. Afterward, the villains continued to work on their plan for the small town of Blue Valley in peace, at least, until a handful of high school students pick up the former heroes’ mantles. The star is Courtney Whitmore (Brec Bassinger), who discovers the sentient Cosmic Staff in her basement and learns that her stepfather, Pat Dugan (Luke Wilson), used to be Starman’s (Joel McHale) sidekick. Bonding with the staff, Courtney becomes Stargirl, and begins to think that maybe the Cosmic Staff chose her because Starman is her long-absent father.
With a hero to challenge them, the Injustice Society quickly reemerges, and Courtney cannot fight them alone. Pat mentors Courtney and tells her about the JSA, which inspires her to revive the team by recruiting her peers to become heroes. Yolanda Montez (Yvette Monreal) becomes the next Wildcat, Beth Chapel (Anjelika Washington) becomes Doctor Mid-Nite, and Rick Tyler (Cameron Gellman) continues his father’s legacy as Hourman. These newly minted heroes must stop the Injustice Society, led by Icicle (Neil Jackson), and their mysterious “Project New America” to save their home while juggling all the complexities of high school. While their superhero lives are the center of the show, each character has their own personal struggles. With so much going on, Stargirl remains engaging, even if you already know what will happen.
‘Stargirl’ Thrives on Its Unique and Intriguing Characters
Out of everything Stargirl has to offer, the characters stand out the most. Structured to give each aspiring hero their own emotional arc, Stargirl relies on its many strong characters even as the stakes rise. While Rick deals with his pent-up anger, Beth struggles with feelings of abandonment, and Yolanda faces bullying, each has their own emotional story in addition to their roles as heroes. Meanwhile, Courtney remains the center as she searches for the truth behind her past and discovers that family is about more than genetics. In fact, the Whitmore/Dugan family is central as they grow together through unusual circumstances. Family, as a whole, is an important theme as the series explores the complex relationships between the Injustice Society and their children, like Cindy (Meg DeLacy), Artemis (Stella Smith), and Cameron (Hunter Sansone), showing a darker side to legacy. All of these stories work together to create a well-developed cast that fans can both sympathize with and admire.
HBO Max’s 2-Part Superhero Series Is the Perfect Binge Before Season 3 Premieres
If you’re itching for something a bit more wholesome, this is your next weekend watch.
One thing that stands out about Stargirl‘s characters is that the series doesn’t rely on DC’s most popular characters. The JSA has a long history in DC comics, but it doesn’t include many of the most recognizable names. Even the heroes people know, like Flash or Green Lantern, are not the most popular incarnations. This allows Stargirl to draw on lesser-known stories, separating it from other DC content, and ultimately, it is a better story because of that. The strong characters and unique story make the series worth watching, even if you’ve already seen it.
- Release Date
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2020 – 2022-00-00
- Network
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The CW
- Showrunner
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Geoff Johns
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