Who is the Woman of Tomorrow, Kara Zor-El or Milly Alcock?

By: Ash Devgan

Superheroes have been a source of enjoyment for as long as I can remember, enjoying comics as a kid and seeing these characters come to life on the big screen. Superheroes have gone through countless different adaptations and media formats, from videogames to movies, there has always been one question that adaptations need to consider: What is the value of staying true to the original comic lore when making a movie adaptation, and how does that effect viewer enjoyment and type of audience?

“Supergirl”, staring Milly Alcock, is based on Tom King and Bilquis Evelys comic “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow”. Following an extremely successful “Superman”, this adaptation had significant expectations surrounding it. Although the movie changes several important aspects of the original, I found that Supergirl proved that successful adaptations are not always a carbon copy of the original source material. Instead, the importance of adaptions should be the preservation of the message, character, themes, and tone, while still allowing existing fans to find comfort and allowing a new audience to feel welcome. 

So, do the choices that made the movie faithful make it more enjoyable or were the new twists the highlight of the film? There are a few different angles pertaining to this question; the familiarity of the correct comic references brings joy and contentment to previous fans but adds no value for those that are just film enjoyers. While on the other hand, the changes and cinematic freedom bring criticism from old fans but accessibility for new ones. In my opinion, “Supergirl” shows that the value of staying true to the comics lore and storyline may not be confined to reproduce exact details. For longtime fans, the nostalgic characters, themes, and moments can form positive connections between the comic and the film. While for the creators, the adaptation needed new freedoms in order for the story to work as a film adaptation independent from the comic to pertain to new viewers.

As a long time, DC comic fan, there are three things I use to analyze an adaptation: characterization, story, and themes.

CHARACTERIZATION

Did Supergirl in the adaptation feel like the same superhero as the Kara Zor-El  I know and love from Woman of Tomorrow? Honestly, this is where one of the most significant differences can be found. In the comics, Kara is a fiery self-proclaimed “cosmic wanderer” who is hardened and weary due to her past trauma of losing her family and planet Krypton. These things are imperative to her characterization; her anger distinguished her from a typical female hero stereotype. In hopes of creating a relatable mid-twenties hero they almost entirely lost the independent hero that Supergirl pioneered. While her humor and lowkey personality made it easier for a new audience to connect with the story, these changes reduced Kara’s real personality, which is incredibly important to the plot and storyline. Aside from the fact it impacts every discission and rational she uses, it also influenced her interactions with Ruthye Marye Knoll—another main character—a young girl who Kara takes under her cape. 

THE STORY

The film also creates large changes in plot points; while both follow Kara and Ruthye as they battle the main villain Krem, the entire movie is based around the time constraint needed to save Kara’s puppy Krypto after he gets poisoned. This again can add to the relatability of the hero, but in reality Krypto gets saved almost immediately in the comic and Supergirl opts to keep this information from Ruthye hoping she can help the girl face her grief. 

The most significant change occurs at the end of the movie. In a surprising turn of events Supergirl ends up killing Krem after endless preaching to Ruthye about how killing him would not solve her grief and only amount to more pain and a continuation of bloodshed. This is very different from what happened in the comic, as she does not kill Krem, stays true to her influence, and acts as a positive role model for Ruthye. The difference changed the meaning of Supergirl’s relationship with Ruthye the film ending created a murky interpretation of this message as it can make her previous preaching seem null and void, while also blurring the importance of her relationship with Ruthye.  

THEMES

Despite these characteristic and plot differences, the movie stays relatively close to the core themes of the source material. In this aspect, the adaptation is fairly strong. They keep up themes of revenge, rebuilding after grief, battling feelings of alienization, and understanding what it means to be a hero. Growing up, these stories gave me plenty of guidance and played a key part in who I am today. As long as the core ideals of the film stay true to the heart of Supergirl and inspires another little girl to believe that she too can lead, be strong and be powerful, then Supergirl—whether it be Milly Alcock or Kara Zor-El—will have done her job.