Supergirl #34

This is something I have never said before and, for the life of me, never thought I would say. Supergirl was the best comic I read this week.
Now I might be able to attribute this to it being such a small week, but I also have a stack of back issues and trades that I haven't read. Supergirl was honestly a damn fine book.
I would check in on Kara every now and then since this latest series began. There were some cool spots every now and then, but most of the time it was utter crap unless she was involved with a team like the Titans. I think that is what this book has finally gotten right.
Kara, by herself, is boring. She's Superman but without the good 'ole American heartland upbringing. Oh and she's a teen so there's the excuse to have her make bad decisions. Honestly though the character didn't really lend itself to any new stories. Now, thanks in no small part to editorial I'm sure, Sterling Gates is able to stand on the shoulders of giants like Geoff Johns and James Robinson and use the characters they've reinvigorated in their Superman titles as a good foundation for some Kara stories.
With a supporting cast, even one being shared between three books, Supergirl finally has a point. Gates pulled a meta-comment on us when he used the stories, or lack thereof, in the past Supergirl issues to show that the character had not had a point. She flew around and beat people up but wasn't ever trying to be human. Now that he is trying to make her human, it appears that Gates may be able to do the unthinkable and make Kara a likeable and relatable character.
From this issue, and admittatedly a few interviews and solicits, it appears like Lana will become Kara's mentor and kind of guiding light. Clark had his parents growing up, but Pa Kent said it best when he said that they were too old to really talk to Kara. Lana is the perfect big sister role model that she needs.
I haven't mentioned the art not because it was bad, but because it was subtle enough to not jump out at me, and that's a good thing. It complemented the story very well and did what good comic art should do and not detract from the story by being so above and beyind good that it overshadows the story or so gag-inducingly horrible that it ruins it.
I hope this issues is a good sign of things to come. It should atleast be able to last through the "New Krypton" crossover just on story points left over from Johns and Robinson. After that though, I hope to be able to see Gates influence o  the character as it seems like he may have a good handle on providing some much needed progression.
I would recommend this book as a great jumping on point for anyone looking to get a handle on the character before the crossover begins. Let's just hope I don't have to eat my words if in 5-6 months Gates isn't getting the job done and DC editorial decides it's time for another change.