Stargirl debuted on DC Universe and The CW in May of this year. The series follows a high school teenager named Courtney Whitmer who is chosen by a powerful staff to wield its mysterious powers. Like all good superhero shows, it’s packed with action and special effects, making it an entertaining television series for both young and old.
But Stargirl does more than entertain.
Courtney Whitmer Isn’t Typical
Created by Geoff Johns, an American comic book writer and screenwriter who is also the executive producer for the series, Courtney Whitmer isn’t your typical teenage girl. The viewer doesn’t see her fawning over boys or obsessing over her face. She’s not the kind of girl who posts selfies all over social media.
While she does have her share of high school dilemmas, they revolve around the fact that she doesn’t give in to peer pressure. Because she feels chosen to use superpowers, she feels she has to behave differently from the typical teenager.
Her Friends Aren’t Typical, Either
There are bad guys in town who call themselves the Injustice Society of America. This group of nefarious men and women defeated the original good guys making up the Justice Society of America a decade earlier.
In order to defeat them, Courtney Whitmer decides to form a new Justice Society. This means she has to find a person to fill each void that was created when the original group was defeated, including her magic staff’s original user, Starman.
Her new Justice Society is made up of other teenagers, some of whom who have big issues. Taking on the role of being a member of her new league is sure to hurt their chances of creating new friends and becoming popular in the school. But because each of these characters has their own individual issues at home and at school, it’s a risk they’re willing to take.
Yolanda is recruited first. Humiliated before the entire high school after inappropriate pictures she shared with her boyfriend were circulated, Yolanda has nothing to lose, and she’s got seriously impressive boxing skills.
Beth is a talkative nerd who is an outcast among her peer groups for that very reason. However, her intellect quickly becomes an indispensable commodity to the new league.
Rounding out the new team is Rick, whose uncle is verbally abusive and holds Rick back from personal success at every chance he gets.
The Message of the Justice Society
It’s no mistake that social outcasts were chosen to be heroes in their small but shady town. This group of kids exists to give hope to other teens watching the show who may be doubting they matter.
Before joining the Justice Society, Courtney, Yolanda, Beth and Rick didn’t matter to the popular groups, which to many teens, is the only group whose acceptance matters.
Stargirl and friends make great role models as they sort out moral dilemmas and make choices that often take them down the road less traveled.
While this theme isn’t exactly new, it also isn’t the norm. It’s refreshing to see role models for kids who have been bullied or who have social issues that prevent them from easily making friends. As the Justice Society has been able to demonstrate, everyone matters.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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