Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King & Bilquis Evely

Blurb:

Named by James Gunn as an influence for Gods and Monsters, the first chapter of the new DC Universe film and television slate! This story will be adapted as the upcoming film SUPERGIRL: WOMAN OF TOMORROW.

It’s Supergirl like you’ve never seen her before, in a character-defining sci-fi/fantasy masterpiece from Mister Miracle writer Tom King and Wonder Woman artist Bilquis Evely!

Kara Zor-El has seen some epic adventures over the years, but she now finds her life without meaning or purpose. Here she is, a young woman who saw her planet destroyed and was sent to Earth to protect a baby cousin who ended up not needing her. What was it all for? Wherever she goes, people only see her through the lens of Superman’s fame.

Just when Supergirl thinks she’s had enough, everything changes. An alien girl seeks her out for a vicious mission. Her world has been destroyed, and the bad guys responsible are still out there. She wants revenge, and if Supergirl doesn’t help her, she’ll do it herself, whatever the cost. Now a Kryptonian, a dog, and an angry, heartbroken child head out into space on a journey that will shake them to their very core.

This volume collects Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #1-8, the complete story.

Review:

I really love what James Gunn is doing with the new DCU reboot, with Superman (2025) being an absolutely fantastic watch. Knowing that he was producing a Supergirl movie based on this comic made me want to pick it up. Besides, it’s available on Kindle Unlimited, so I thought, why not?

I am so glad I read it, because I can’t wait to relive this epic galaxy-spanning adventure on the big screen. 

SPOILERS AHEAD!

What I liked:

Right off the bat, we’re introduced to the primary conflict of this series: Krem of the Yellow Hills killing Ruthye Marye Knoll’s father in an unjust, dishonourable way. She is now seeking vengeance, enlisting the help of Supergirl. We see this entire story unfold as an account told by an older Ruthye, which I believe is the best way to experience the tale. After all, Supergirl/Kara Zor-El is such an overpowered character that only a secondary POV that looks at her with awe can truly capture the near-mythic character that she is. And Ruthye’s POV does justice. 

Supergirl is celebrating her birthday on a planet with a Red Sun, which allows her to get drunk. Unfortunately, it also leaves her and Krypto vulnerable to Krem’s attack. This, I believe, made the story a lot more interesting. The struggle to regain her powers by finding a Yellow Sun actually built the tension enough to make this journey feel daunting and serious. While Supergirl remains a powerful being throughout this story, her powers only kick into full throttle in the finale, unleashing a super-barrage upon the Brigands. 

I know I’m getting ahead of myself, but the overall plot is quite straightforward and predictable. This actually allows for Tom King to explore different societies that Supergirl and Ruthye visit along their journey, shedding light on societal evils like racism and discrimination. Plus, the genocidal Brigands that take advantage of these problems further illustrate a brutal economy of life and death that persists in the galaxy outside. Given the nature of current affairs, you can’t help but wonder which of the many ongoing conflicts this reflects.

In addition to the societies, we also get a deep character study of Ruthye as well as Supergirl. Ruthye is an ordinary girl who lived a near-idyllic life. Her quest for vengeance is uncharacteristic, but reasonable, given how deeply she is hurt. On the other hand, Supergirl’s personality becomes clear as we learn her backstory as well. The lone survivor of Krypton who actually remembers the slow, painful death of her home, her society, and her family. No wonder she has pledged to use her powers for good, despite still being haunted by the nightmares of her worst traumas. 

Lastly, I want to talk about the illustrations. As brilliant as Tom King’s story is, Bilquis Evely’s illustrations are just as spectacular in capturing the twisted beauty of this tale. From the way the panels seamlessly flow into each other, to the use of cascading visuals, to even the full-page illustrations of epic alien environs and battle sequences, Evely’s illustrations elevated this profound experience by a massive margin. The film adaptation has huge shoes to fill. Even if the film looks great, I’d urge you to check out the graphic novel, because almost every other page is a piece of art.  

Overall, an absolutely moving, rich, and beautiful story that is going to stay with me for a very long time. 

What I didn’t like:

Ruthye remains the narrator for the entirety of the comic. While I really loved her character, her voice and narration were a little tedious to read at times. I get the need to have something overly literary at times. And it also fits, given how she’s now an old woman and is recounting her younger days. Yet, the narration and voice broke my immersion at times. Now, this is subjective, and you might enjoy what I didn’t. So, take a call based on your own judgement. 

That’s it, however. I genuinely loved everything else about this comic. It’s a spectacular story with heart and soul, and I really can’t wait to see it adapted onto the big screen!

Conclusion:

A spectacular galaxy-spanning adventure that is as epic and brutal as it is emotionally moving. If this is the basis of the Supergirl movie, I’m doubly stoked!

TL;DR:

WHAT I LIKED: Supergirl, action sequences, exploration of trauma, ending

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: The narration felt a little tedious to read at times