Supergirl: Survive #1 Is a Rushed But Interesting Origin Remix for the Hero (Review)

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Like many DC characters, Supergirl’s origins have been retold in different ways. However, the central story remains consistent: Kara Zor-El escaped the destruction of Krypton from the surviving city of Argo City. When a meteor shower threatened Argo City’s protective shield, her parents sent her – along with her baby cousin, Kal-El – to Earth to protect them from deadly radiation. With a Supergirl movie coming soon, DC’s new story, Supergirl: Survive, offers a fresh take on this classic origin, placing Kara and baby Kal in a dangerous struggle for survival in a harsh and unforgiving universe.

The first issue of Supergirl: Survive, written by Ethan S. Parker and Griffin Sheridan with art by Rod Reis, doesn’t drastically change Supergirl’s origin story. However, it presents a fresh take on Kara Zor-El, focusing less on her feelings of guilt and her relationship to Superman. Instead, it shows her as a clever, resourceful, and relatable teenager dealing with the aftermath of a world-ending event, trying to survive with one other person, and figuring out how she even ended up in this situation.

Rating: 3 out of 5

PROS CONS
Interesting new perspective into Kara’s life. Pacing is too rushed.
Great art.

An Interesting If Rushed-Feeling Introduction to a Potentially Great Story

The first issue quickly introduces Kara and her normal life before a sudden, devastating event changes everything. We see her as a typical teenager: she cares for her young cousin, attends high school (the Kryptonian version!), and worries about projects, exams, and even the usual teenage anxieties like dances and dates. It’s a welcome look at who Kara is before her life falls apart, particularly her growing connection with Ben-Lo.

Throughout the story, hints suggest that Krypton is facing serious problems. There’s tension between Kara’s parents over Kal-El’s birth, and the planet seems to be in decline. At school, they even practice drills for an “atomic attack.” We also see glimpses of Krypton’s unstable political climate, with Emperor Zod harshly labeling protestors as terrorists. Before Kara—or the audience—can fully understand what’s happening, she and Kal are launched into space in an experimental ship headed for Earth. However, the ship is damaged and crashes, allowing Kara to witness the complete destruction of her home world.

The story moves quickly, almost like it’s rushing to get to the main conflict in the next issue. While understandable for a limited series – speeding through the setup allows more space for the survival story and how Kara and Kal end up on Earth – it feels a bit jarring. The quick glimpses of Krypton’s destruction work well when viewed through Kara’s teenage perspective, as she’d likely be more focused on her own immediate problems. However, for readers, these fragmented clues can be confusing, especially when trying to reconcile them with established origin stories. This story aims to be unique, and that’s important. Overall, it’s enough to keep you interested in what happens next, but the pacing isn’t perfect.

The End of Krypton is Stunning (And Bodes Well For Art In Future Issues)

The real strength of Supergirl: Survive #1 lies in its artwork. This version of Krypton feels incredibly authentic, resembling our own world more than previous depictions. Kara’s school and the city itself are very relatable, with familiar elements alongside the alien technology. This grounded aesthetic – making Krypton look and feel like a place we recognize, even with its own political issues – adds a powerful emotional layer to the story and draws readers in.

This sets up an exciting next phase of the story, as Kara and Kal struggle to survive in their new surroundings. The ending hints at danger from the creatures or people who live where they crashed. Considering how good this book looks, fans can expect a beautifully drawn and potentially brand-new part of the DC universe as Kara’s journey continues.

Overall, Supergirl: Survive #1 is a good comic book. The idea of a new take on Kara and Kal-El’s escape from Krypton is compelling, and while it’s not groundbreaking yet, it’s refreshing to see Kara portrayed as a fully developed character. We get a strong sense of what she’s lost and how far she’ll go to survive, making for an emotionally engaging beginning. While the story could have used a bit more detail and pacing, it’s a solid first issue and leaves me wanting to see what happens next.

Supergirl: Survive #1 is on sale now from DC Comics.

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2026-06-03 17:41