DCU Comic Book Reviews

SUPERGIRL #47

Pain And Responsibility

January 2010

Written by Sterling Gates

Pencils by Matt Camp

Inks by Matt Camp

Cover by Joshua Middleton

Synopsis

Years ago…Zor-el romances Alura, whose scientific, analytical background can not process the feelings she has for him.  But she does love him.  Now…Alura tells Major Krull (aka Reactron) that she hates him because he killed her husband, Zor-el.  She also tells him he will stand trail, will be found guilty, and he will be killed.  Later, Alura is confronted by angry citizens who heard rumors that Reactron was being held captive.  Alura denies they have Reactron.  At the trial the next day, Dyn-Xe suggests that all charges against Reactron be dropped.  He is not Kryptonian and thus should not be tried by Kryptonians.  He should be tried on Earth.  Alura disagrees.  At that moment, angry citizens storm the council room, seeking to kill Reactron.  Alura and Supergirl protect Reactron.  As they fight, Reactron escapes.  Commander Gor kills him.  Satisfied justice has been served, the angry citizens leave.  Later, Alura visits Zor-el’s grave.  She promises to never forget what he taught her.  Because of that, she tells him that Reactron is still alive, but held captive.  He is to be tortured by Commander Gor to learn who on Earth is prepared to move against Krypton. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Isn’t the title of this book called Supergirl?  Shouldn’t the title character be, you know, the focus of the book?  I’m just sayin’ 

That little nitpick aside, this was a very good issue, delving deeper into the complexity of Alura as a wife, mother, and leader of New Krypton.  She is a very conflicted person and this story captures those conflicts beautifully as well as the pressures she is under as the leader of New Krypton.  At the same time, the story provides a lot of insight in Krypton and the class structure with the guilds, highlighted by the differences between Alura and Zor-el as well as Alura dealing with the angry citizens of Krypton.  I think the last scene is the key to the issue, not only in terms of its characterization of Alura, but also placing it firmly within the overall storyline with Superman, General Lane, and the upcoming war.  I liked the fact that Gates has not forgotten that the events in this book affect everything else while at the same time focusing on Alura and her role in those events.  This was a very effective issue.  I just wish Gates could do something similar with the title character rather than a supporting character. 

I liked the scene of Alura and Zor-el in the bottle, with Zor-el advocating logic and reason while Alura is wrapped up in the emotional need to kill their captor.  This scene is the opposite of the first flashback, when Zor-el was the emotional artist and Alura the scientist analyzing the biochemical effects of being in love.  Then, at the end, Alura has come somewhere in the middle with her emotions spilling out of her as she explained the logical decision she made to keep Reactron alive to interrogate him.  It is a nice scene at the end, with Alura talking to her dead husband and it shows how much inner conflict she deals with, in addition with dealing with the people of Krypton. 

I also liked the argument made by Dyn-Xe regarding Reactron’s trial.  It makes sense.  Moreover, I am sure it will be used against the Kryptonians down the road to show that they are full of bloodlust for killing a man without due process. 

ïPREVIOUS	Main		Page	NEXTð

Home ●  Blog ● Who Are We? ● Site News
Alive and Well since April 16, 2006

 DC Universe Reviews.  All Rights Reserved
  Characters, trademarks, brands are property of DC Comics

For problems or questions regarding this website, please contact our kindly webmaster.
Last updated: 08/06/11.