Starfire #1

Starfire is a difficult character to get right (you need look no further than the backlash Red Hood and the Outlaws created). The new series by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti seeks to strike a difficult balance of the sweet yet still highly-sexualized Tamaran princess turned slave turned hero. Going back to basics, the writers embrace Starfire's fish-out-of-water tendencies used so well on Teen Titans Go! by transporting Starfire to Key West to begin a new life post-Outlaws.

Starfire #1 is quite a fun read. Although there's nothing all that special about the story of Starfire meeting the local sheriff and a few of the townsfolk, there's a twinkle in the character's eye that has been missing in comics for some time. Emanuela Lupacchino's art certainly helps sell the vivacious character who is equal parts innocent girl and strong woman.

I enjoyed Palmiotti's work on Ame-Comi Girls (a female-character-driven title I was sad to see disappear for DC's digital line-up) and the team-up with Conner seems to be a good match. I'm curious to see where the pair and Lupacchino choose to take the character from here. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]