Just a Reminder That Supergirl Isn’t Superman (& You Should Really Read Woman of Tomorrow to Understand Why)

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If you’ve only encountered Supergirl through secondary sources or the CW series, you might assume she’s just a female version of Superman, but this couldn’t be more misleading. Kara Zor-El may possess similar powers to Superman, but she stands as her own unique character, distinctly separate from the Man of Steel. Some found her portrayal in James Gunn’s Superman surprising, yet her free-spirited, party-loving persona aligns perfectly with Tom King’s depiction of her in his praised comic series, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which serves as the basis for her upcoming movie. Now is an excellent opportunity to explore Supergirl’s character and appreciate how she differs from Superman.

Supergirl Is a Survivor

The main distinction between Superman and Supergirl lies in their origin stories: While Superman was rocketed from the dying planet Krypton as an infant, Supergirl, known as Kara, grew up on the same planet. As a teenager, she witnessed Krypton’s devastation as earthquakes and explosions claimed her neighbors, loved ones, and the indifference of the Science Council. Despite the impending doom, Kara’s father built a protective barrier around Argo City to shield it from the explosion, which was later launched into space with the remaining Kryptonians aboard. However, their respite was short-lived as the ground beneath them transformed into Kryptonite, a deadly radiation that claimed more lives. They managed to place a lead layer over the toxic ground, but this too proved ineffective due to a meteor storm. With no means to counteract the radiation, Kara’s father constructed a spaceship to send her to safety, leaving her as the lone survivor of Argo City and the last remnants of Krypton. In essence, Supergirl lost her world not once, but twice—first when Krypton exploded, and second when she was compelled to abandon her family to their fate.

Growing up on Earth, Clark wasn’t aware of his tragic past until later in life. However, Kara experienced the devastation of her home planet and witnessed the gradual fade of her people’s last hope. The suffering she endured has left deep scars, but rather than succumbing to despair, she continues to stand up for what is right. Although Supergirl represents hope, Clark does so out of idealism, whereas Kara embodies hope due to her ongoing grief. Despite her daily mourning for her people and home, she still fights for Earth and the innocents across the universe. She understands loss more intimately than most, yet chooses to spread kindness despite every reason to harbor hatred. This theme of perseverance in the face of adversity is central to Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.

Supergirl’s Revenge Odyssey

The tale of “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” commences with Supergirl visiting a planet under a red sun to celebrate her birthday and getting intoxicated. Unfortunately, tragedy befalls when a young girl named Ruthye’s father is slain by Krem from the Yellow Hills, a criminal from an intergalactic gang that ravages entire planets. In his flight, Krem wounds the powerless Krypto with a poisoned arrow, prompting Ruthye to ask Supergirl for assistance in locating and exacting revenge upon him. Supergirl consents to escort the girl towards Krem, embarking on a cosmic journey to track him down. Their quest for vengeance leads them through planets ravaged by Krem’s army, and as Supergirl grows increasingly enraged, Ruthye learns more about her.

In this retelling, Ruthye follows Supergirl as she pursues Krem and his gang across various devastated worlds. At each juncture, Supergirl demonstrates compassion, listening to a sick old man and providing him sustenance, fighting a monster intent on destroying a ship even before regaining her powers, and embarking on this journey with Ruthye, who initially desired Krem’s death. However, Supergirl sought to teach Ruthye that revenge was not the answer, instead showing her the importance of letting go of anger. Eventually, it was Ruthye who prevented Supergirl from killing Krem, reminding her that she had shown there is still goodness in existence. The comic book Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow portrays a universe that seems harsh and unfeeling, yet filled with kindness simultaneously. As Ruthye puts it, Supergirl is like a tempestuous storm. While Superman becomes more aggressive when fighting, transforming himself to do so, Supergirl is the opposite; she must slow herself down and cool her anger to live peacefully.

Kara Zor-El is a tempestuous being, constantly grappling with turmoil and distress, yet she persistently upholds what’s just. She bears the burden of an entire planet’s sorrow, but she decides to be a beacon of inspiration. Clark is optimistic due to his exposure to hope, whereas Kara has navigated through darkness and opts for optimism instead. She is an exceptional character who stands apart from Superman, and that’s not a negative aspect. I am genuinely thrilled about the prospect of her leading her own film, particularly if it’s inspired by such a captivating narrative.

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2025-07-21 23:10