Artist Dean Trippe, who drew the awesome pic of Supergirl displayed above, has offered some sensible suggestions on how to “fix” Supergirl.
His observations on Kara include this perceptive critique of her current series:
The ‘nutshell’ epiphany I had was this: Imagine young Clark Kent, Peter Parker, Steve Rogers, Bruce Wayne or any of the incredibly selfless, awesome HEROES we know and love, and run them through the ringer of degrading stories Kara Zor-El has been put through since her reintegration into the DCU. She’s not had her own story, she’s not had hope, and she’s not had a good costume. If Peter Parker was portrayed in the recent Spider-Man movies as a ‘typical teen’ in the manner that Kara has been, I really doubt anyone would have enjoyed it. The same goes for Clark Kent on Smallville (though in that instance, they may have erred too far in the whitebread direction). Of course Peter Parker shouldn’t be drawn making out with his cousin. Of course Clark Kent shouldn’t be nearly naked in every show. Of course Bruce Wayne shouldn’t have his origin story mired in knowing every single character in the DCU. Of course not, but wait, is it because they’re males? Or because they’re supposed to be heroes?
When you attempt to put a hero you actually like in the same situations with the same responses as Supergirl, it becomes clear that the Supergirl team doesn’t think of her with the same feelings that they they of other ‘real’ heroes. She hasn’t shown any characteristics people admire in heroes and she hasn’t been given a chance to stand on her own (even if it’s within a powerful legacy).
If nothing else, Eddie Berganza’s recent appeal for women to pick up Supergirl has proved that a lot of fans have strong feelings for the Maid Of Might.
The Keeper hopes - but, sadly, isn’t terribly optimistic - that DC is listening.
