Elsa Charretier Joins Conner and Palmiotti to Take Kori Underground in ‘Starfire’ #9 [Exclusive Preview]

This current Starfire series continues to be a ton of fun, especially considering she was perhaps the character who suffered the most damage in the 2011 New 52 reboot. Pulling her back from that disaster and rehabilitating her into someone who longtime fans can actually stand to read a comic about has been a major project, and may be a factor in her getting a solo comic in the first place.

With issue #9, that comic is getting a new artist. The Infinite Loop's Elsa Charretier joins series writers Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti for four issues, bringing a simple, fun art style that's noticeably reminiscent of Bruce Timm, the visual architect of the classic DC Animated Universe. And she can actually make a giant caterpillar look cute, which is really quite an achievement.

Starfire #9 also launches a new story arc, in which Kori and sheriff Stella accompany their friend Atlee (AKA Terra) to her home in the secret underground city of Strata. There's no telling what things will be like when they get there, and this preview gives us none of that.

Personally, I'd be pretty happy if Strata features fewer straight dudes who openly leer at Starfire, as that remains my least favorite thing about the series.

Here's a little blurb from DC:

Homeward bound, under-ground! Starfire and Stella journey underground to visit Atlee’s home—but it’s changed since she left! While things heat up near the Earth’s core, will Sol and Kori’s romance follow suit?