On Supergirl, Woman of Tomorrow
Last month, I got to see the new Supergirl movie that came out in theaters. I came away a bit disappointed, mostly because I think it pales by comparison to the original 2021 story it adapts, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King, which I love.
The original has so much literary and artistic richness, emotional depth, and a comfort with vulnerability, exploring a life shaped by grief that King is an expert at. Perhaps, a spectacle-centered movie running under two hours was probably never going to accomplish all of that. My feelings on the move reminded me that what I go to comics for is often quite different from what many people go to the theaters for.
Artist: Bilquis Evely
Some of the changes from the original story, particularly the ending, dilute and undercut the original story’s deepest themes. How do we live with grief and pain, and what places do redemption – as well as revenge – have within them? How do we advise others to process their grief? Do we practice what we preach to others, when we find ourselves staring down the same predicament? These questions are powerfully explored in the book. In the movie, they feel lost in the action and spectacle.
I’m still hopeful about the future of DC Comics on the big screen, especially after really enjoying James Gunn’s Superman movie from last year. But I’ll keep contending that, with DC Comics, it is always worth going back to the source material of comics for the best stories (or the best versions of them, at least). The movies and shows based on the DC Universe, many of which I love, may succeed or fail in different ways – but comics remain where many of these characters have been explored with the greatest depth by writers and artists who most understand what makes them endure to fans.
I strongly recommend Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King as a great example!