DC has never shied away from controversial costume choices, especially for its female heroes and villains, and few have sparked more debate than Power Girl. Her iconic suit, particularly the infamous “boob window,” has faced plenty of valid fan criticism over the years. However, one in-story explanation may just flip the script, offering a surprisingly powerful reason that could reshape how fans and critics alike view her look.
Power Girl has one of the most distinctive and recognizable costumes among DC’s heroines, but her iconic suit has long been a source of controversy, primarily due to its signature ‘boob window.’ Over the years, this design feature has drawn heavy fan criticism, with many arguing that it lacks practicality and serves only to oversexualize the character.
While DC has often sidestepped the issue, one in-story justification may finally shift how fans view the design. This explanation appears in JSA 80-Page Giant 2011 #1, a collection of stories by writers such as Adam Beechen, Ivan Brandon, and B. Clay Moore, and it offers a fresh perspective that may lead readers to see the suit in a more thoughtful and even appreciative light.
Maxine “Cyclone” Hunkel Gives Power Girl’s Controversial Costume Choice Meaningful Context
Comic Comes from JSA 80-PAGE GIANT 2011 #1
JSA 80-Page Giant 2011 #1 features a moment between Maxine “Cyclone” Hunkel (the granddaughter of the original Red Tornado) and Kara Zor-L as the two heroines do laundry. After a misunderstanding in which Kara thinks Maxine is criticizing her costume, specifically the provocative ‘boob window.’ Maxine is horrified by the assumption, and she quickly clarifies that she wasn’t criticizing Kara’s outfit and even goes so far as to say that she loves it. Surprised, Power Girl responds, “Most women don’t react quite that way,” implying that she’s used to receiving criticism from other women about her costume design.
Maxine then offers her interpretation of the outfit, explaining that from a theatrical point of view, the somewhat revealing nature of Power Girl’s costume is actually perfect for who Kara is and what she represents. She goes on to say that the costume is all about contradictions: “The hole draws the eye precisely where everyone knows they’re not supposed to look… putting anyone you’re dealing with off balance. The name says girl, but the costume says woman… it says, ‘I’m tough enough to handle everything I am. Are you?’”
This is a particularly brilliant in-story justification for Power Girl’s costume because it doesn’t deny the sexualization, but instead embraces it and puts an empowering spin on it. By owning the costume’s boldness and framing it as a source of strength, DC places the power back in Kara’s hands. Rather than the design exploiting the female body, it becomes a statement of embracing her femininity and turning it into a source of confidence. Whether fans love or hate the design, this perspective is likely to change how they view Power Girl’s iconic ‘boob window.’
In the current continuity, Power Girl goes by the name Paige Stetler. However, in older portrayals of the character, she went by the names Kara Zor-L and Karen Starr.
DC’s Other In-Story Justifications for Power Girl’s ‘Boob Window’ Costume
Comic Comes from Leah Williams’ Action Comics #1051 (2023) - Art by Marguerite Sauvage
The in-story justification for Power Girl’s ‘boob window’ in JSA 80-Page Giant 2011 #1 isn’t the only in-narrative explanation DC has offered over the years. In Action Comics #1051 by Leah Williams, Marguerite Sauvage, and Becca Carey, a conversation between Power Girl and Omen presents a more practical take on the costume. Power Girl tells Omen that the chest window provides her with much-needed “ventilation” to prevent boob sweat. This humorous explanation contrasts sharply with Maxine’s more symbolic interpretation of the design.
Another notable in-narrative explanation comes from JSA: Classified #2 (2005) by Geoff Johns and Amanda Conner. In this story, Power Girl experiences a minor existential crisis during an encounter with Superman. She explains that the chest window isn’t intended to be provocative, but stems from her desire to create a personal symbol, much like Superman’s iconic “S” shield. She initially left the space open with the intention of filling it later, but could never decide on a symbol, thus the open chest remained. As seen through these different stories, DC has provided fans with various in-universe explanations for Power Girl’s controversial costume that prove that there is more to the 'boob window' than meets the eye.
JSA 80-PAGE GIANT 2011 #1 is available now from DC Comics!
