In this review of Supergirl #17, Supergirl must stop Ursa from wrecking the timeline before major damage is done.
SUPERGIRL #17
Written by SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Art by JOE QUINONES
Main Cover: LUCAS MEYER
Variant Covers: KARL KERSCHL, STEPHANIE HANS, JOE QUINONES, MARK SPEARS
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 9/9/26
This review contains spoilers
Supergirl #17 picks up where Superman #41 left off, with Kara and Superboy (Young Clark) trapped in the time sphere with Ursa on their way to Krypton’s past.
As soon as they make it there, Ursa bolts off in search of Zod. Kara tells Clark to wait in the sphere and she heads off to catch Ursa. During the chase, Kara can’t help wondering if Krypton can actually be saved.
Meanwhile, everyone back on Earth continues to struggle with the Green K infection. Steel and Nat have determined how the Green K is infecting the planet, but have yet to figure out how to stop it.
Back on Krypton, both Kara and Ursa are captured by Kryptonian soldiers. Kara refuses to answer any questions, but Ursa is quite pleased when General Zod arrives to determine what’s going on, bringing the issue to an end.
Analysis
Writer Sophie Campbell continues to juggle the main Supergirl storyline along with what’s happening with all the other heroes, giving everyone a little time to shine in part 5 of the “Kingdom of Zod” event.
In Supergirl #16, Campbell had Kara stepping into a leadership role, able to handle stressful situations and making decisions to keep everyone safe. In Supergirl #17, Kara continues that progression as a leader. While she gets overwhelmed and distracted for a moment by being back on Krypton, she’s able to re-focus on the objective of capturing Ursa.
Campbell explores our connection to home and the past through Kara’s reactions to being back on Krypton and Clark’s desire to get out of the sphere to explore. Both are drawn in by a place and time that no longer exists for them, which is something many comic collectors and readers can appreciate. For long-time collectors, an old issue can easily transport you back to a time when you had far fewer worries. How many of us get caught up in longing for a visit to the comic shop of our youth?
Supergirl is still dealing with the mysterious voice in her head, but its presence continues to grow. It doesn’t seem to be someone or something who means her harm, although there’s still not much in the way of clues as to who or what it is.
After General Zod’s surprise death in Superman #41, I didn’t figure he’d be gone for long (the event is named after him, after all), but I was hoping he’d show up a little sooner than the final page in this one. While we don’t get much time with him, this past version certainly poses a threat to the heroes, especially paired with Ursa.
Joe Quinones and Bruno Frenda handle the pencils and inks, while Quinones and Luis Guerrero provide color to the drawings. As was the case in Supergirl #16, there’s a difference in styles between these creators, but the whole issue looks great. While there are no major battles on these pages, each is arranged neatly and efficiently, generally featuring a few large panels with a focus on the characters. The linework is solid and the colors have good highlighting / shading.
Final Thoughts
Supergirl #17 isn’t as action packed as other entries in the “Kingdom of Zod” event, but it does well with keeping the story moving forward while keeping us updated on all characters involved in the event. Packing so many details into one issue isn’t easy, but Sophie Campbell manages it nicely. Have fun, comic lovers!
