Double-Sized Issue Reviews!

Continuing Courtney Whitmore and Emiko Queen’s quest to find the lost children, the pair of girls descend into the “Arrow Cave”—clearly Oliver Queen (Green Arrow) has secretly been playing Batman, though he lacks a whitty butler and giant penny. As they enter the Arrow Cave, the girls are greeted by Ollie’s memorabilia from the Seven Soldiers of Victory—and one of the girls mocks Ollie for not having a beard back then. But Ollie claims only villains had facial hair. It is while staring at the statues of the soldiers that Emiko has a revelation—a personal, profound one. 

Emiko blames Ollie for not saving her from Starfish island—the place where she was trapped and nearly made an assassin by her captor. She’s mad Ollie never came looking for her. No one did. “But you would have,” Emiko says to Courtney. This foundational, heart shattering moment demonstrates the reverence Emiko has for Courtney—not for Stargirl, but Courtney. In this, we learn the faith of Emiko, the faith that Courtney will never let her go (hint hint).

The girls embark on a voyage to the island Dan Dunbar (Dan The Dyna-Mite) had been researching. While Emiko slumbers mid-investigation in the boat, Courtney contemplates on the deck when a figure made of energy appears and warns her to turn back—and BAM! The ship is hit by an out-of-panel force. Courtney gets dragged under the ship deeper and deeper. If not for Emiko finding her and pulling her to the surface, the 6-issue miniseries would be over. 

As the girls land on the shore, Courtney realizes the beach sand is not regular sand—instead, it is Miraclo, the substance which gives Hourman his powers (extra credit to everyone who knew the sand was Hourman’s)! But while the girls get their bearings, they’re ambushed by “Child Collectors”, which are egg shaped machines who “nest” children—whatever that means.  Emiko is captured! And Courney is about to be abducted, when someone saves her. Someone by the name of “Wing”. 

Overall, this issue was a nice mid-point story. Clues and exposition were set up, the Miraclo, the memory lapses of the children on the island. Everything is being set up that will tie into The New Golden Age. 

Rating: ⅘ Stars. Engaging story which moves at a nice pace, but does not evoke extreme emotion in the conclusion.

Suggested: If you know Golden Age heroes and sidekicks, this series is for you!