Supergirl: Survive #1: In Space, No One Can Hear Krypton Explode

Supergirl: Survive is the newest Elseworlds title from DC Comics, arriving at the perfect time to coincide with the release of the Supergirl film later this month. This first issue serves as a reimagining of the classic Superman origin story, retaining many of its familiar elements while shifting the focus to Supergirl’s perspective. Kara is introduced as a typical high school student dealing with the usual teenage problems, except for one major difference: she lives on Krypton, a planet destined to explode. Throughout the issue, her personality is gradually revealed, presenting an almost stereotypical portrayal of a modern teenage girl struggling with common insecurities.

The absolute highlight of the issue is the artwork by Rod Reis. He expertly captures the tone and atmosphere surrounding this high school-aged version of Supergirl, making her experiences feel surprisingly relatable. Outside the school setting, Reis’s colors truly shine, showcasing Krypton in a way that emphasizes its science-fiction roots while distinguishing it from modern-day Earth. Because this introductory issue focuses primarily on setup, action is limited until the latter portions of the story. Once it arrives, however, the artwork elevates everything to another level. Whether or not the story itself resonates with readers, there is no denying that the art and coloring help this interpretation stand apart from previous versions of Superman and Supergirl’s origins.

Unfortunately, the issue struggles somewhat when it comes to its depiction of Krypton. The creative team spends so much time drawing parallels between Krypton and Earth that the two worlds begin to feel almost indistinguishable. While the setting includes plenty of advanced technology and familiar Kryptonian tropes, the high school environment feels nearly identical to one found on Earth. Students use lockers, teenagers experience the same anxieties about approaching someone they’re attracted to, and there is even a school dance. While some of these similarities are understandable, they become harder to ignore when the dialogue begins incorporating Earth-specific slang and references. At one point, Kara’s friend refers to an older woman as a “cougar.” While certain parallels to Earth culture make sense, it feels strange that even the vernacular appears to have developed in exactly the same way.

Those concerns aside, and they may ultimately come down to personal preference, the issue does an effective job establishing its characters and ensuring readers understand who Kara is as a person. There are also clear hints that the series will venture deeper into science-fiction horror territory as it progresses, and the groundwork laid here should help strengthen the emotional stakes when that shift occurs. By the final pages, the point of divergence from the traditional origin story becomes apparent, opening the door to a wide range of possibilities for where this version of Supergirl’s journey might lead.