GASPAR SALADINO in THE DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL

All images © DC Comics. From THE DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL #1, Nov 1982

I considered saving this to add to other Supergirl series, as it’s only a 13 issue run with this title, but Gaspar Saladino lettered all the covers except one, so I decided to give it a separate article. Supergirl had been around since the 1950s, and had long runs as a backup in ACTION COMICS and the lead in ADVENTURE COMICS. I suspect the reason for this new series launch was an upcoming film about her then in the works. I designed the logo including the top line, and the burst is by Gaspar. The burst shape is a bit unusual in that the points all curve in the same direction, as if it’s rotating slightly.

From THE DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL #2, Dec 1982

This cover has Saladino blurbs in two places as the book adds a Lois Lane backup. The word CRISIS would become important at DC in a few years, but here it’s just an exciting description. I love the pun of BOGIE-MAN.

From THE DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL #4, Feb 1983

The Saladino burst on this cover has an even more rotational look, almost suggesting a saw blade. Perhaps this was Gaspar trying out a new idea. And have the words SECRET IDENTITY every been lettered better? I say they haven’t.

From THE DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL #5, March 1983

Sorry if this one gives you a headache, it is hard to look at, but Gaspar’s blurb following the concentric circles is beautifully done in a kind of rock poster way.

From THE DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL #8, June 1983

I like these three captions, though the color in REACTRON is making it hard to read. Pink in a caption is rare outside of romance comics, but it contrasts well with the blue color hold.

From THE DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL #10, Aug 1983

This is my favorite cover of the run. Gaspar did a great job on the captions, giving the second one a classy feel, and he also lettered the signs and cover artist credits I think.

From THE DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL #13, Nov 1983

With the final issue still using this title in the indicia, the logo has changed to just SUPERGIRL using the style of the movie logo, but simplified, and her new costume is closer to the one in the film (and perhaps what DC was shown for that). Gaspar’s two banners work well. This series went on as just SUPERGIRL for ten more issues. Sadly, the film was not a hit, and that may have affected sales, but the character has been revived and reinvented many times.

To sum up, Saladino lettered the covers of issues 1-10 and 12-13, twelve in all. Other articles in this series and more you might like are on the COMICS CREATION page of my blog.

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