Each Friday, we'll be letting a different DC.com writer share what they'll be reading over the weekend and why you might want to check it out. Here's this week's suggestion for a perfect Weekend Escape!
 

One of the greatest joys in my life has always been discovering new and often under-read comics. When I was a kid, I would find them in the back issue bins at my local comic shop or flea market—a pastime I still love to indulge in—but thanks to the DC UNIVERSE INFINITE app, I can now discover stories and arcs that I've never come across in the 25-cent short boxes.

One of the most exciting new finds in my house is the dynamite ten-issue 1972-1973 Supergirl series that also happens to be the hero's first self-titled comic. Featuring an impressive roster of creators including Cary Bates, Art Saaf, Vince Colletta, Arnold Drake, Marv Wolfman, Len Wein and Don Heck, this is a delightful adventure that transposes the tone and tropes of 1960s romance comics onto the framework of superhero storytelling.
 

The Premise:

Shining a colorful spotlight on Linda Danvers (who you might know better as Kara Danvers or Kara Zor-El), the story sees the young girl head to college and make her way in the world. Whether she's fighting crime, solving killings or falling in love, Supergirl keeps you entertained as we follow her on her crazy adventures. Linda balances her personal life with important tasks like melting and refreezing cavemen and going into outer space. (You know, your usual college pastimes.)

One of the standouts when it comes to this series, though, are the awesome Zatanna backups, which not only deliver a second female DC star for the price of one, but eventually dovetail into a crossover story in later issues. And just like the Supergirl stories, the Zatanna chapters aren't afraid to get dark, delving into the gothic and spooky in a way that feels ahead of its time for "girls" comics.
 

Let’s Talk Talent:

The first issue's main story features legendary DC creators like Cary Bates, Art Saaf and Vince Colleta. Bates has had a wildly prolific career at DC with work on titles like The Flash, Superboy, Action Comics and The Legion of Super-Heroes, including some books with the legendary Superman artist Curt Swan. Saaf is a Golden Age DC artist who worked on many of the biggest titles at the publisher. And of course, Vince Colleta is a romance comics trailblazer and Jack Kirby's inker.

The delightful Zatanna backups were no less impressive, with the first two issues being written and drawn by the unbelievable pairing of Marv Wolfman and Len Wein in their early days at DC. Later, two other massive stars would join with Doom Patrol creator Arnold Drake and Marvel Comics stalwart Don Heck bringing their talents to the table.

So yes, this series is stacked.
 

A Few Reasons to Read:

• It's a surprisingly spooky take on Supergirl: One of the most fun things about this book is that it was created during the loosening of the Comics Code Authority, meaning that Cary Bates and crew were able to lean into the spookier aspects of superheroes. It's also an interestingly prescient take on coming-of-age stories. Today, horror-tinged YA stories are beloved by young women everywhere, but in the 1970s they were far less easy to find in mainstream American comics. Supergirl delivers there, though, as she breaks into morgues, messes with murders, and does it all while looking cute and stylish as heck!
   
• The series features some truly iconic covers: In a charming holdover from the romance comics that had made such a huge impact on the industry in the ’50s and ’60s, Supergirl has a lot of fun with dialogue covers that often show the Maid of Might in wild situations. From kissing a man who could end the world to lamenting the fact that her powers can't get her a boyfriend, these are a wild ride through some seriously meme-worthy covers.

• Enjoy a historical moment for the beloved hero: As we mentioned above, this is Supergirl's first solo series, which seems wild when you think that she debuted thirteen years prior in 1959's Action Comics #252. This first Supergirl is an enjoyable and easy-to-read series that not only delivers great Supergirl action, but also has a ton of fun with Zatanna and the outrageous love triangle that the pair find themselves in. It’s a vital read for Supergirl completionists, but is also a great adventure for any DC fan.
   

Why It’s Worth Your Time:

Though the historical relevance of the book is massive, that's far from the only reason to check out the first Supergirl series. This is a radical romp through romance comics blended with the action of caped heroics and a dynamic lineup of powerful women. Something really lovely about the version of the story that's currently on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE is that the pages are original scans of the ’70s comics, meaning it really feels like you're flicking through an old issue of Supergirl. It's also a really cool example of how playing with the structure of sequential storytelling (in this case the backups) can be used to expand the experience of reading a monthly comic!
 

1972’s Supergirl can be read in full on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE.

Rosie Knight is an award-winning journalist and author who loves Swamp Thing, the DC Cosmic and writing the monthly gossip column here at DC.com. You can also listen to her waxing lyrical about comics, movies and more each week as she co-hosts Crooked Media's pop-culture podcast, X-Ray Vision.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Rosie Knight and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.