The Ultimate Superheroines Forum

Forgot to make a topic about the new season... time to change that!
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Short review of episode 1 (season 3):
https://maskripper.org/stargirl-season- ... ort-review
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Regarding masked women in this episode:
Up to 4 masked women... but only 2 very short scenes with little action.
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Mostly a lot of talk about Courtney's acceptance of people changing.

Forgot this was debuting (thanks Maskripper!) so I'll watch this tonight.

Whatever the Big Bad is this season, it better be overwhelming and high-stakes if it needs up to a dozen total protagonists to combat it.

Shiv, Stargirl and Wildcat look great in their tight costumes, as usual. Other than The Boys (which is on a whole different level), this is the only current American superheroine-related series doing it right in live-action, like watching a fun TV show from the 90s. We'll see if the magic continues in S3.

p.s. I didn't know until now that "frenemy" has been in the Webster's Dictionary since 2009, along with 'webisode', 'flash mob', and 'staycation'.
We speak the most awesome language!

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Watched the first two episodes. As Maskripper said, there's not much real action in them. The whole thing is a setup for the ongoing murder mystery,
so it's a bit like Nancy Drew with superheroes. (reminds me of the "Who Killed Retro Girl?" central arc in the Powers TV show and comic)

This show is great because it's very coherent and wholesome. Because it's supervised by Geoff Johns, it doesn't have any motives other than simple dramatic entertainment. There was only one postmodern term mentioned in the first 2 episodes, and it was played off in context as a phrase that's too ridiculous to be used in real life.

Brec Bassinger really carries the cast quite nicely - she's still just this cute corn-fed Midwest American blonde (the use of a certain Neil Diamond song gave me a chill from my youth) who's eternally optimistic about life, her family and her friends. Joel McHale (as Starman) and Owen Wilson (Pat) also project lots of charisma. What I like about Starman is that he's not seen as some kind of male threat like other shows would portray him - he's finding his way along, and acting as a positive mentor to Courtney. And lastly, Meg DeLacy as Shiv/Cindy continues to be a great 'mean girl' foil and looks almost as good in her costume as Brec.

True, the buildup is slow, and there's a ton of dialogue-heavy scenes, but rather than the 'talking in hallways' from the other CW shows, it's more similar to the 'talking in old garages' or 'talking on the porch' which also happens in the equally bucolic Superman & Lois, which has been accepted for its easy mass appeal. I'm willing to give this series a shot, since it hasn't lost much of the steam it had at the beginning, and let's find out who the Big Bad is.

And guess what? DC Comics is going to do something smart, and capitalize on the momentum of the Stargirl series by putting two new titles on the stands, both written by Geoff Johns: a Stargirl series and a JSA series! It all begins with a one-shot in November called "The New Golden Age" which will also feature Jerry Ordway. A nice way to get back to basics with superheroes.

https://bleedingcool.com/comics/geoff-j ... rl-series/

A picture that illustrates all the Stargirl scenes (or other masked women) in this episode:


(NO scene with any masked woman at all....)
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My short review of episode 2:
https://maskripper.org/stargirl-season- ... ort-review
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Imho, the first two shows of the new season were pretty snoozy to me. I don't expect four fight scenes every show but this pace is really quite slow. Didn't have that problem with the first season. Shevek is spot on when he says its Nancy Drew with superheroes. Hoping things pick up a bit. On a side note, I do like the comedy side bits they have going with Cindy's folks trying to fit in.

This season is pretty much Starman looses his temper and attacks an ISA member. I'm waiting until he runs out of them and it's revealed that he killed the Gambler.

DrDominator9 wrote: ↑

1 year ago

Imho, the first two shows of the new season were pretty snoozy to me. I don't expect four fight scenes every show but this pace is really quite slow. Didn't have that problem with the first season.............

Yeah, I wasn't exactly snoozy for me, but I just expect more action from such a show. And yeah, season 1 had solid screentime of Stargirl and Co, season 2 had two or three episodes with plenty of screentime and the rest had barely any scenes with them at all.
And when a TV show is called "Stargirl" I just expect to see that title character in a good amount of scenes. (like at least 4-5 minutes per episode, that isn't asked too much)
Right now the more fitting name would be "Courtney & Friends"
Yeah, I know, action scenes cost much more time and money than some guys hanging around and chatting....but it's a superhero show, so it should have more of that in it.
But, the good thing is there will be more action in the coming episodes (as there basically can't be less).

My short review of episode 3 of "Courtney and her Friends":
https://maskripper.org/courtney-and-fri ... ort-review
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#they did it again

Doh, I don't seem to have access to Season 3 just yet but I liked the progression of Season 2. The depths that Calypso would sink to in order to shatter the team was well done so making their climb back out the mental hole he tried to box them even more satisfying. It's going to be fun I hope watching as some of the former enemies try and integrate. Cynthia is going to have to learn to be nice, and hopefully Artemis will take some anger management classes because if she gets that under control she'd be pretty awesome.

Episode 4 was more of the same: Starman's life sucks since he has no marketable skills, whodunit case still unraveling slowly, slight romance for Courtney and Mr. Freeze Jr., oh and yeah, there might have been a scene with a few people in uniform basically standing around looking perplexed. If there was an action scene, I forgot it. This show is not must-see TV for me anymore. Sigh!

The was more action in the movie that Pat and Sylvester were watching.

At least one short scene with Stargirl and Wildcat in this one:
https://maskripper.org/stargirl-season- ... ort-review




+plus the next episode seems to include some superheroine action scenes (trailer) :-)
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@DrDominator9:
Yeah, quite some patience is needed for this season, but don't give up yet ;-)

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Re Episode 4: I have to say - despite the slowness of the plot, the nature of this show is commendable.

Many times in the dialogue, Pat and Courtney have mentioned the importance of "balance" (you could also call it fairness, or nuance, or equanimity).
And (I'm assuming due to Geoff Johns), that's literally the attitude that this show projects.

The writers have taken the time to chart development arcs for pretty much of all of their male characters (Pat, Sylvester, Cameron, Rick),
as much if not more than their female characters. And this is in a series called "Stargirl". While others of a certain bias may see this as a shortcoming that this show doesn't take the same tack as Supergirl, Flash, Batwoman and Naomi (and even to some extent, what Arrow was starting to be like near its end), they are simply not correct. This thoroughness is an asset which increases overall appeal - the same way both Black Lightning and Superman & Lois made their case through a family dynamic.

And I'm sure the pendulum will swing back to Courtney. Brec just looks so cute and hopeful all the time, and it was so great seeing her get her first kiss. Even if you just know the ice boy is gonna snap at some point - he's just so emo about everything.

It's also very interesting - huh, Maskripper? - that we are seeing both Cindy/Shiv and Regina/Valentina (who apparently go to the same hairstylist) evolve into reptilian villainesses at around the same time as their respective series (Stargirl vs Darna) are being broadcast, with both shows being so solid to watch. I'm so glad that I'm doing another shoot with Serpenta on Mon Nov 7: we've got to keep up with the Joneses!

If it's the Indiana Joneses , good luck with that!

Well, other than some similar serpentine villainesses, looks like there is some crossover in the offing very soon,
according to Brec Bassinger's Twitter account.

The first photo is just Brec and Yvette looking super cute on set.
But this one shows her in Toronto clearly filming on the set of Titans Season 4. Probably just a one-episode cameo as she was there for one day.
Looks like the actor playing Beast Boy is covering up his costume with a robe.

A lot of teenie drama, and very little superhero stuff (again).
https://maskripper.org/stargirl-season- ... ort-review


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Clearly, Starman is a pretty bad influence on the new JSA. I guess they're sort of making the point that The Boys has been making over its multi-season run, except in a far less psychotic manner: Being a superhero can bring out the very best AND the very worse in a person. It takes an inner moral compass for a superhero to remain on the side of right and justice. Even then, it can be pushed. That said, it'd be nice to have more action in this season. Every show seems to be a soapy lead up that never quite pays off in any genuine action. It's all... oooh, that bitch this or ohhh, that could go badly for him that. Wake me when something genuine goes down.

Episode 6:
Finally a decent fight with Wildcat in this one! :-)
https://maskripper.org/stargirl-season- ... ort-review


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Agreed, finally some action. That said, I did think the conversation between Sylvester and Courtney was enjoyable and insightful on the nature of being a Superhero. A rare moment of maturity from Sylvester. Pat listening in was an interesting touch.

Finally, a bit more of a reason to maintain why this is a good show. And not just the occasional catfights, which are always appreciated.

Unlike She-Hulk, which seemed thrown together, the writing here seems to maintain a bunch of plot threads which all seem to be going somewhere
(no doubt, a final conflict between the JSA and whoever is behind the surveillance cameras).

There was also a very humorous line which caught me off guard: "I had my heart broken by a chimney sweep's least favorite daughter."
And Brec just looks as attractive concerned and crying as she does when she's beaming with a smile. We see both here.

Enjoyable Episode 6. Looking forward to seeing where the mystery goes, and hope some more fights are in the offing soon.

In the meantime, I decided to look up where that intro song "Do U Like Me Now" came from (it seemed a bit jarring compared to some of the other smoother music they've used in other episodes to convey more of a 'heartland' feel). It reminded me of white-girl rap-crossover stuff from a decade or more ago, like the UK's Lady Sovereign, or SF's Kreayshawn, or Peaches, or maybe Hanin Elias from Atari Teenage Riot.

It's a song that's at least two years old from an artist named Dana Dentata, a female rap-metal artist who's also been called goth. She's a protege of
Marilyn Manson, and is signed to metal label Roadrunner Records. If you look up her Youtube channel, you'll find some kinky videos. In the video for "Do U", she kills her dad with the help of some S&M goth chicks. In "Pantychrist", she is strapped down by clown nuns in a hospital and then bound to a cross. In "DStock 99", she is kidnapped in a van by some horny metal dudes, and she transforms into a Hulk with huge muscles and man pecs. In "Apology", she writhes among crystal shards in a tight spandex catsuit and open-chested business suit. On her merchandise, a lot of her items are emblazoned with the motto, "Trust No Dick". And she has a following amongst the Juggalos. I think you see where this is going, and frankly I'm kind of surprised a song like this was placed in Stargirl, but maybe they are trying to be "edgy" plus it might be a reference to Shiv.

Episode 7:

Oh boy....
After the last episode had FINALLY a decent fight scene with Wildcat... this episode has nothing to offer again in that department.
Again, Stargirl and Wildcat aren't in the episode at all.
I mean this was episode 7 of this season. If I count all the minutes where Stargirl and Wildcat are on screen.... I probably end up around 10 or 12 minutes in TOTAL.
Plus the episode was actually quite... boring. I don't care about all the Green Lantern stuff and stopped paying full attention as the whole thing was explained.
Too much fantasy with folks I don't care about.
The next episode will be part 2 (of 2) of this "Infinity" arc.
So, I don't have much hope for some superheroine action there as well.
This season really stretches my patience big time.
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Maskripper wrote: ↑

1 year ago

Episode 7:
Plus the episode was actually quite... boring. I don't care about all the Green Lantern stuff and stopped paying full attention as the whole thing was explained.
Too much fantasy with folks I don't care about.
The next episode will be part 2 (of 2) of this "Infinity" arc.
So, I don't have much hope for some superheroine action there as well.
This season really stretches my patience big time.
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Agree to disagree. Now that I know we're settling in for more of a dark murder mystery feel, I'm all in with the way that Geoff Johns and James Dale Robinson are introducing more and more cool DC characters.

Now we're getting both Jenny (Jade) and Todd (Obsidian) of Infinity Inc. The (Jerry) Ordway Home of Wayward Children.
We're getting Helix, but not in the sense of the group of villainous misfits who opposed Infinity Inc.
Instead, Helix is an Institute, run by Mister Bones (who was a member of Helix in the comics, and later helmed the DEO) and Nurse Love (a gender flip of Dr Benjamin Love, who ran the illicit experiments on the Helix kids).
Also, by inference, since Jenny and Todd are half-Asian and their dad was blonde white dude Alan Scott, that means that the sexy anti-heroine Thorn (Rose Canton) is Asian. Wonder if we'll see an elderly version of her in this show - always wanted her to appear in the Arrowverse but she never did.

Three (or four) legendary DC characters introduced in one episode - not bad!

My only remaining question is how does the show get away with mentioning Clue, Dungeons & Dragons, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups?
I would have thought those would be trademarked and they'd have to get permission.

The membership of Infinity Inc fluctuated quite a bit in the 1980s when that comic was around. They are essentially the children of the JSA.

Here's the cover of Infinity Inc. #9 with a cover of Jade and Obsidian fighting their Dad. Hope that explains it a bit for you, Maskripper! It's a real shame that they aren't putting the actress who plays Jenny (Ysa Penarejo) in that cute tight costume. Or...will they?

^ Well, I don't know any of these Infinity characters, and when they aren't female and have a nice mask and/or a sexy costume.... I don't care.
Plus I don't like it when there are so many heroes and villains present. Too many cooks.... etc.

From the teaser for the next episode, it looks like we get a fantasy-mystery episode without the superheroines.
I hope the episode will have more to offer (for my taste).

Episode 8:
Well, I'm not a comic expert and don't know these Infinity characters, I didn't care about them.
So, episode 8 was .... actually.... the worst Stargirl episode so far. Quite boring with way too much fantasy.
Wanna guess how long Stargirl and co were in this episode? ;-)
ARGGGHHHHH!
The good news is that they will be in episode 9, judging from the trailer. At least something.
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There won't be a topic here about season 4:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv ... 235251789/

Well, the way the season is going so far... I'm not terribly sad about that news.
And the CW is dead to me anyhow.
I hope that masked heroines will be featured in the title role (or at least as a side role..) on other networks.

It's all about the Benjamins. The show was giving the profits to the studio and not the network.

Not sure if I was beaten into submission by lack of action or I just decided that searching for my SHIP fetish in a mass audience tv show was a silly exercise, but I finally keyed into the detective aspect of the show and am finding it more intriguing now. The quote by one of the producers in the story that they suspected it would be the last season of Stargirl gave them time and license to wrap things up by series end in a gratifying end. That makes me pleased that at least things will be resolved, and viewers won't be left hanging. So, I will watch the rest of the season and enjoy the subtle pleasures that come with a story circling around a solid conclusion.

DrDominator9 wrote: ↑

1 year ago

Not sure if I was beaten into submission by lack of action or I just decided that searching for my SHIP fetish in a mass audience tv show was a silly exercise, but I finally keyed into the detective aspect of the show and am finding it more intriguing now. The quote by one of the producers in the story that they suspected it would be the last season of Stargirl gave them time and license to wrap things up by series end in a gratifying end. That makes me pleased that at least things will be resolved, and viewers won't be left hanging. So, I will watch the rest of the season and enjoy the subtle pleasures that come with a story circling around a solid conclusion.

"Infinity Inc Pt 2" is pretty great, introducing many of the actual members of Helix! Who are incarcerated in the Helix Institute. Tao Jones, Kritter, Penny Dreadful, and Carcharo (the shark boy) are shown to be trapped in their cells. So, after all, the Helix team does exist (Mr. Bones decides to put the team together), it just has a different origin than in the comics (where the kids all grew up in a house belonging to Dr. Love).

It's also very fun how the twins resolve to link up with Sandy Hawkins, the successor to the JSA Sandman. (no relation to Neil Gaiman's universe)
That could have paved the way for an actual Infinity Inc. show, had the CW-verse continued. Alas, alack.

Also, The Shade clearly states that Jenny and Todd (not called Jade and Obsidian yet) are Alan Scott's children. Which, as I've mentioned, begs the question who is their mother? Todd obviously gets his 'darkness' from somewhere, right? We all know the comic book answer to that, but so far Geoff Johns has avoided giving us a Rose Canton/Thorn, who has by default been flipped to Asian. Looks like he might not do it.

It's been stated that Johns and Co. planned to wrap this series nicely in a bow given that they suspected it would be cancelled after Season 3. So here's something it would be really great to see: Barbara telling Pat that she's pregnant. That would be the harbinger for Courtney's redheaded half-sister in the comics, Patricia, who grows up to be Starwoman (in a very tight costume, btw). Let's see if that happens by the final episode. That would really put the shiny bow on the project! Will it happen?

Episode 9:
After last week's episode was my least favorite one of the season, episode 9 was MUCH more interesting!
Finally, we have a pretty long scene with Wildcat and Dr. Mid-Nite.
And also with good action in it!



Not exactly the hottest match as Wildcat was fighting against "Grandma Freeze" as I call her, but with some nice perilous moments included.
Ironically Stargirl is again missing from her own show as "only" Courtney is in that house as the action unfolds.
I am very curious to see how the show is going on forward after this episode, there are 4 episodes left and it's time that we can see the plan of the bad guy.
And what will happen to Snakegirl aka Cindy?
Also, Rick is out of control right now, and that has to be fixed.
It was nice that Dr. Mid-Nite finally had her first real fight after she discovered the combat mode of her goggles.
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I dunno about EP9. I want to like it, but I have some questions:

- Why invite all the problems with the Mahkents? They could have made a better plan to sneak in and check them out (as far as whether they were the ones behind the cameras) while the old couple were asleep, without alerting Cameron. (like they did at the Helix House)

- 'Grandma Freeze' is the right name for her. How do these two old people have the stamina and strength to conduct an all-out exerting fight?
And how does Cameron survive multiple blows from a super-strong Hourman? Shouldn't his bones have cracked, rendering him immobile?

- I know you're glad to see masked ladies in action, such as Wildcat. But you gotta admit: Artemis' mask is just terrible. What the heck is that rhino-horn thing on her face?

- The new character unveil is classic - he's never been in a live-action episode of any DC show before. You gotta imagine Geoff Johns is proud of himself for bringing him in (hint: the last time I saw him in a fight with a DC superhero, it was Power Girl's 'Power Trip' TPB).

What's funny, Maskripper, is that we still don't see who the 'bad guy' is. Obviously there's going to be some kind of ultimate reveal.
Thing is, there's so much going on, it's going to be a chore wrapping up all of these plot threads in the last four weeks.

^ Yeah, Artemis' mask isn't very interesting or stylish... but at least a good disguise.
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Episode 10 of Courtney and Friends:
A nice episode with some reveals, but once more....NO masked ladies!
https://maskripper.org/stargirl-season- ... ort-review
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Episode 11 of Courtney and Friends:
Interesting story, but NO masked ladies AGAIN (except in a flashback)!

.....that's the whole post.


P.S.: I'm sure the showrunners would be able to make an ANIMAL documentary without showing any animals
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This show is all about bringing the JSA and the frenemies together in the end, with Courtney's positive attitude winning out somehow, despite the ending of Episode 11. At least that's what I believe.

Spoiler

Very sad that Artemis lost her parents. I was starting to like them. Icicle has a lot to answer for. Sort of on Starman's side on this but we'll see how Johns plays this script out.

It's not the show I wanted but it's also keeping my attention more than I expected at the start of the season.

Yes, unfortunately very little costumed superheroing going on for the past few episodes on Stargirl.

Episode 11 ends with the prospect of two unexpected baddies possibly collaborating to take down both the young JSA and what's left of the ISA.
I'm thinking the climactic battle actually happens in Episode 12 (since it's titled "The Last Will and Testament of Sylvester Pemberton" which
might mean Starman heroically sacrifices himself for the good of the cause) and then Episode 13 is more of a denouement and wrap-up for
Geoff Johns' series (since Johns is going to be writing the final installment himself) with loose threads being tied up.

After a break, Stargirl did return this week with episode 12.
This means that next week's episode 13 will be the last one of the season and the show.
Episode 12 is really a good one as it has quite some nice twists and reveals.

But.....
....you may know what comes next.....
..... NO masked women ....again!

It's hilarious (and sad) that in a show with the title Stargirl... the titular heroine hasn't appeared for the last 4-5 episodes...and before she was also only in for some minutes this season!

Luckily, the whole season was building up toward a big action finale, and that is what we gonna get next week.
Checked the trailer and at least the masked ladies will be finally showing up again!
Easily possible that they will have more screentime in episode 13 than in all the 12 previous episodes combined... which isn't that hard ;-)
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Yeah, the only costumed female in Episode 12 was Cindy. She looked great, though.

Very good plot twist that you'll have to watch to figure out.
What's amazing is that they had the villain shovel dirt very slowly into a hole, when it could have been done much faster with super powers,
and the reason for that was simply that they needed to tie up the plot threads and have the villain recite a pretty long villainous monologue.
Luckily, the editors broke up all that talking with flashback clips.

And speaking of flashbacks, was it necessary to film the *entire* 1940s scene (flashback to an actual comic book plot from all the way back
in Action Comics #21!!) in black-and-white? I think there's a bit of reaching anyway, since the first Academy Awards show TV broadcast wasn't
until 1953, and the plot is from 1940! Taking a bit of liberties with history there.

The final episode of Stargirl had some action and a nice (self)unmasking as a farewell gift:
https://maskripper.org/stargirl-season- ... ort-review

(review + video on the blog)



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Pretty satisfying ending overall.
I love how dedicated Geoff Johns is to the JSA lore, and how optimistic and positive he is about the nature of comic book stories in general.
(they literally NEVER END. and they never should!)

Great guest appearance at the end by a legendary DC shows actor, whom I had the pleasure of meeting in person at two different Comicons,
and he was always super nice. Watch it to find out!

I guess I only have one question. I understand that there is magic involved in some of the characters' powers (such as Jakeem's wishes with the
Thunder pen). But how does manipulation of ice give its users the power to literally *disappear* in front of your eyes? I'm not sure that wasn't a bit of an overstep. Unless that's just simply magic, too.

Also, one main complaint: I never felt that the Artemis in this series was *anything at all* like the Artemis/Tigress in the comics or in the Young Justice animated series. This one was just 1) ugly and resentful; 2) had a terrible costume and mask; and 3) her story went nowhere, in fact it kind of hit a dead end. The characterization and development of this character was a bit unfortunate.

Brec has always been so ideal for this title role. I really hope she gets to continue into the future, maybe even as Starwoman.
And what a photo of a "grown up" Cindy at the end...so beautiful that it should be made into a wall poster.
I'm very happy with this series - even if it was very slow at times this year, it never wavered and never tried to preach.
The Stargirl show was just the perfect live-action comic book.

Today I got to see three actresses from Stargirl live a convention, Brec Bassinger, Meg Delacy and Yvette Monreal. All three are beautiful and seemed very nice. Tomorrow I will meet them at the autograph session.

VegaTaxeca wrote: ↑

11 months ago

Today I got to see three actresses from Stargirl live a convention, Brec Bassinger, Meg Delacy and Yvette Monreal. All three are beautiful and seemed very nice. Tomorrow I will meet them at the autograph session.

Good post!

This lineup is from "The Ultimates", a DC convention in Birmingham UK May 5-7 at the Hotel Metropole.
It's a pure "TV fan" event (like going to a Supernatural convention) - there are no comic book or pop culture knick-knack features.

But you missed a few: this is the actual full lineup of the DC actors who are there. Many names which have been talked about regularly
on this forum. All of these actresses are incredibly hot (although one of them, um, is not like the others).

If you can post any photos of these actresses (especially the 3 Stargirl actresses you listed, and *****Conor Leslie!*****) please don't hesitate.

So gratified that shows like Stargirl, Titans and Superman & Lois have enough of a loyal fanbase to make events like this happen
(and I'm sure Maskripper would throw in Batwoman for good measure...)

^ Damn! Great lineup....
But as I am on another continent... I won't be there.
Hopefully, they will be in Germany at Comiccon in the next years.

Yeah, it was late, when I wrote my post. Therefore I fell asleep before I could add the other stars.

It was a great event. Everybody was very nice.

Unfortunately I did not do any photos myself, but I can add this one picture (showing the stars on Friday night):


I hope this link does work.

VegaTaxeca wrote: ↑

11 months ago

Yeah, it was late, when I wrote my post. Therefore I fell asleep before I could add the other stars.

It was a great event. Everybody was very nice.

Unfortunately I did not do any photos myself, but I can add this one picture (showing the stars on Friday night):


I hope this link does work.

It does. Shows how the casting leaned for the past few years on the CW. Hot younger women, essentially.
Glad you had a great time, and thanks for the awesome report!