Road Trip

## Road TripEarth-Prime: Stargirl #4

* Comic Cover
* Variant Cover

**Road Trip** also titled, **Earth-Prime: Stargirl #4**, is the fourth issue in The CW's approved six-issue comic strip. Road Trip is an adaptation of The CW series *Stargirl*. The comic is written by *DC's Stargirl* writers James Dale Robinson and Paula Sevenbergen with art by Jerry Ordway. It is available for purchase as of May 17, 2022. It takes place directly between the Season 2 finale,"*Summer School: Chapter Thirteen*" and the Season 3 premiere, "*Chapter One: The Murder*".

## Synopsis

### Overall

Spinning out of the hit CW shows, Earth-Prime continues the adventures of your favorite heroes from the small screen. While each issue focuses on a different Arrowverse series, a threat lurks in the background, out to finally bring these heroes to their knees! This exclusive mini-series based on the The CW's 2021 superhero television series slate, highlighted the adventures of the combined heroes. While each issue focused on a different series, it alludes to a larger threat bringing them all together in the end.

### Road Trip

The Dugan-Whitmore family vacation is in full swing, but something sinister lurks in the woods, stalking Pat Dugan. Can Stargirl and S.T.R.I.P.E. face down the threat from Pat's past and preserve their summer trip, or will it come to a tragic end?

## Plot

The Whitmore-Dugan family are on vacation across the country, and have stopped in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Zeek has an unexpected visitor at The Pit Stop when an older man comes by looking for Pat personally. Back in the park, Courtney and Pat are the only two willing to go for a hike, as Mike would rather stay where the Wi-Fi is strong, while Barbara is ready to lounge with a book. As they hike, Courtney and Pat briefly discuss Eclipso and the Crock's before they are interrupted by a boy scout troop.

They push on to find a dead animal corpse and are interrupted by a man calling himself Pat's archenemy. After a moment, Pat recognizes him as The Needle. Needle comments on Pat's youthful appearance as opposed to his own, which has been tainted by prison. Pat remarks that the Time Vortex will do that, prompting Courtney to ask how old he is, a comment that Pat brushes off for now. The pair prepare for a fight, though Needle is only looking to give his thanks to Pat. He knows he has to tell his story and starts at the beginning.

In the Golden Age of heroes, there seemed to always be a new hero with a new power, which was bad for villains. The Star-Spangled Kid had Stripesy along with the other annoying sidekicks with their one-liners and punches. After them came the ill-named Seven Soldiers of Victory, who teamed up with Star-Spangled Kid and other heroes to take down bad guys. Needle augmented his power to shoot needles from his body instead of a silly gun, but even then, it wasn't enough. Star-Spangled Kid and Stripesy took him down after he threatened to bomb the Sherman Tower. Needle went to prison where he struggled to accept his part in the hand he was dealt. He found it difficult to accept responsibility for his actions. As the years passed he did reach an understanding and acceptance through meditation and self-improvement. He was released from prison and found love in a waitress named Melanie, graduated business school, and hid his former life from his new wife.

Melanie suddenly died a week ago and Needle wants to thank Pat for putting him on the right course to finding Melanie and his new life. Courtney finds it wonderful wile Pat is skeptic. They hear a commotion where a bear is about to kill the boy scouts by pushing them over a cliff. Courtney uses the staff to distract the bear, wile Needle sends needles into its arm. Pat realizes the bear is protecting its cubs. Courtney stuns the bear while Pat tries to get the kids clear. A boy slips on the rocks but Pat saves him just in time, though he goes over the cliff himself. Courtney saves him using the staff while Needle tries to protect the scouts from the bear. They lock eyes as he insists no one wants to hurt her or her cubs, so the bear passes.

The trio hikes as Needle compliments Pat for training Courtney so well, though he brushes it off as her being self-taught with the help of the staff. Needle insists that he should take the compliment and be proud, which Pat is - of both Courtney and Needle. Needle meant that Pat should be proud of himself too, as Courtney isn't the only one who shines a light. Needle heads off into the woods while Courtney and Pat decide to see more on the way ahead.

Needle, meanwhile, finds his car when a vortex opens behind him and a man calling himself Magog appears. He doesn't wish Needle harm, but the man isn't scared, only startled. Needle critiques the entrance for being a theatrical light show at best, but urges Magog along with his story. Magog offers a pact as he comes from a different Earth and a different time. He wants to eliminate his Earth's Flash and his offspring, though Needle isn't certain if he wants to help as he's become reformed. He's old and his power isn't very intimidating. Magog offers him a reformed youth from a future science that can enhance his powers to make him emit projectiles of all kinds with unlimited force.

He envisions a battle surrounded by falling heroes they could defeat together. Heroes such as Supergirl, Black Lightning, Hawkgirl, Nora and Bart Allen, Hawkman, and more. Despite the temptations, Needle refuses out of respect or his progress and late wife. Magog threatens to kill him for refusing but Needle will die at peace with things, unlike Magog. Ultimately, Magog lets Needle leave in peace. Instead, Magog decides to clone Needle's powers using a Needle that landed in his arm. Magog decides he's done with this worlds villain's and heroes.

Courtney flies above the mountains on the Cosmic Staff while Pat watches happily.

## Characters

* Stargirl/Courtney Whitmore
* Pat Dugan/S.T.R.I.P.E.
* Barbara Whitmore
* Mike Dugan
* Buddy
* Yolanda Montez
* Rick Tyler
* Beth Chapel
* Cindy Burman
* Jakeem Williams
* Zeek
* Boy Scouts
* Scout Leader
* The Needle
* Seven Soldiers of Victory
* The Dummy
* Red Dragon
* The Hand
* Melanie

## Credits

* James Dale Robinson and Paula Sevenbergen - Writers
* Jerry Ordway - Artist
* John Kalisz - Colorist
* Tom Napolitano - Letterer
* Kim Jacinto - Cover
* Matt Sayles - Photo Variant Cover
* Andrew Marino - Editor
* Katie Kubert - Senior Editor
* Kim Roberto and Richard Flores - Special Thanks

## Continuity

* This "road trip" might be the one Barbara and Pat wanted to go on during "*Summer School: Chapter One*", but was deterred because of Courtney's education. However, they had strict rules preventing Courtney from bringing her Stargirl paraphernalia, which she brings along in *Road Trip*.
* Yolanda Montez seemingly has her job back at Richie Rock's Diner, despite having quit during Season 2 and being told not to return by her mother.
	+ "*Chapter Four: The Evidence*" confirmed that Yolanda's mother allowed her to return to Richie's as a result of her father losing his own job.
* There are a few events confirming that *Road Trip* takes place after the Season 2 finale, "*Summer School: Chapter Thirteen*".
	+ Zeek works on Pat's car in the presence of S.T.R.I.P.E. He learned about Pat's secret identity in the Season 2 finale.
	+ Courtney mentions her and the JSA's battle against Eclipso.
	+ Pat and Courtney discuss the Crock's, who have moved in next door to the Whitmore-Dugan's.
* The S.T.R.I.P.E. suit on the comics cover has several differences from its live-action counterpart, including a spiked helmet and different armor around the arms of the robot.
* Needle confirms that The Flash was killed, which aligns with the continuity of Stargirl, when many JSA members died during the Battle of Los Angeles.
* The Whitmore-Dugan family returns from their trip to Yellowstone Park in the Season 3 premiere episode, "*Chapter One: The Murder*". Some headlines from newspaper articles confirm the events of the comic, including Courtney stopping a robbery, the lost scout troupe being saved by a shooting star, and more.

## Notes and Trivia

* This is the only issue in the EARTH-PRIME series to have one, forty-page story story over the entire issue. It also features one creative team while the other issues had multiple.
* Despite the comics being based on the television series DC's Stargirl, many fans pointed out the lack of resemblance between the comic characters and their TV counterparts
	+ Additionally, the super suits on the cover of the comics have been altered from their original live action appearances.
* The comic stands alone in its portrayal of the characters, with the long-term affects of the comic largely unknown.
* Unlike the comic title suggests, the comic does not take place on the Arrowverse's Earth-Prime, instead, only on a separate Earth. The only time Earth-Prime is seen is during a vision of the future.
* The events of the comics were approved by CW producers, however, the storylines within the comics do not all take place within the set timeframe of each show.
* While the events of the comic are canon to *DC's Stargirl*, the comic writers used the idea of the DC multiverse to culminate a new story that stands alongside the television series.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 **AIPT Comics:** EXCLUSIVE DC First Look: Earth-Prime: Stargirl and Legends of Tomorrow
2. ↑ **Comicbook:** DC Reveals First Look at Stargirl and Legends of Tomorrow Earth-Prime Comics
3. ↑ Geek Dad: Review – Earth-Prime: Stargirl #4 – Escape From Blue Valley
4. ↑ **Screenrant:** The CW's Superman & Lois Gets Own DC Comic In Earth-Prime (Interview)
5. ↑ **CBR:** Everything We Know About Earth-Prime, The First Arrowverse Crossover Comic Book