****This article contains spoilers for Stargirl: The Lost Children #3. ****
There comes a point in every story where exposition reaches its peak; a moment where narrative transforms from catch-up to action. This was it—it’s smooth sailing from here!
Stargirl: The Lost children has been a quest—not a task or labor, but a venture into an unknown called The Golden Age. Being as such, it is hard to tell what Geoff Johns created specifically for this story apart from authentic golden characters. That is part of the attraction, only few people get all the references that are surely happening, only few people recognize all these forgotten names—yet it is not enough to turn off the casual reader. Most importantly, there are moments of shock and intrigue, like the reveal of a long-lost daughter of a legendary golden age hero. Moments like these are history-making. And they are happening right here.
This issue begins with the villain—or rather someone appearing villain-esque, called Childminder—rousing Emiko Queen from her sleep. Emiko awakens to find herself being another plaything of Childminder, another child submitting to Orphan Island, destined to be trapped there for all eternity—or whatever the scheme is, though that assumption seems to fit.
Meanwhile, Courtney, having been rescued by a small band of sidekicks, mistakenly tries to find a way off the island. She fails miserably, calling the attention of the island goons again, needing to be rescued by Wing for a second time. At this point, Wing leads Courtney to a cave filled with caped-crusading kids—this is the moment Courtney meets The Lost Children.
Among the barrage of young sidekicks are Rosibell Rivera (Lady Bug) Jimmy Martin (Tick Tock), Molly Pitcher, Betsy Ross, The Newsboy Legion, John Henry Irons (Steel), and many more! But what is most interesting is there are sidekicks to cor JSA members—Tick Tock was Hourman’s sidekick; Quiz Kid was Mr. Terrific’s sidekick, Salem was Doctor Fate’s sidekick. These should have been characters who time could never forget, yet here they are. Forgotten.
Lastly, there is Corky Baxter, a child who claims to be a protege of the legendary time traveler, Rip Hunter. Though it is impossible to get a read on this child; be he an angel figure or devil figure, it is far too early to tell. Perhaps he is the ultimate evil of the island. Perhaps he is just a kid. If Childminder is to be believed, she may be protecting the children from a great danger and that danger could be Corky Baxter. It seems coincidental he is a time master/time related hero when the island is lost in time. Too coincidental.
The issue ends with Emiko speaking with the girl in the cell next to hers. The child of a core JSA member. The daughter of the one and only Jay Garrick. That’s right! Jay Garrick has a daughter! Her name is Judy Garrick and she is known as “The Boom”. History seems to have forgotten her, but she is still trying to get home to Joan and Jay Garrick!
Geoff Johns is the great invigorator, breathing life into the past and often taking liberties. Here is the biggest one he has taken in a long time, creating a brand new character as the daughter of the legend himself, Jay Garrick. The question then becomes how does Jay not know she’s missing? Is she canon to the rest of the DC Universe? Will she be in Flash’s Minute War?
There are so many questions which need to be answered! Jay Garrick has a daughter! We have a new speedster! What will happen next?!
The only way to find out is to keep checking your local comic shop for the next issue of Stargirl: The Lost Children!
Conclusion:
Rating: ⅘ Stars. The story is getting better. It actually feels like a Geoff Johns story, which is something it was lacking at the beginning.
Suggested reading: If you like Jay Garrick, you might want to pick up The Flash by Mark Waid omnibus and learn about the entire Flash family. Though The Boom is not in the story, you can learn about all the other speedsters while understanding Jay Garrick’s pivotal role as the father of the Flash Family.
Of course, make sure you are up to date with the latest Justice Society of America title also being helmed by Geoff Johns! These comics all tie together!
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