Radical Kryptonite
How Supergirl's Pilgrimage-Odyssey aides Grieving
The DC Compact Comics can be the gift that keeps on giving for our geeky reader selves that continually want to engage with modern mythology, at only $13.50 each Canadian. King, Evely and Lopes’ Supergirl: The Woman of Tomorrow 8 parter is encapsulated in a collection that is no bigger than a paperback. Why does this matter, is for fans looking forward to the June release of Supergirl this is what is termed the “source material”.
The story though intersects with some things that can aid caregivers, and our world today. Some may not have any knowledge of Supergirl except for the 1980’s movie, or the pre-crisis Supergirl that died during Crisis on Infinite Earths, or perhaps, the triangle era Matrix one that was the companion/significant other of Lex Luthor (his own clone) Jr., or perhaps the Angel era, or New 52, like Superman, there is a Supergirl for every era.
This is one for the 21st Century. There is nods in the short eight chapters to lore, whether it is Comet the Super Horse (who is actually a man — trust me, it’s a cool easter egg), or a Kryptonian’s best friend in Krypto.
The story opens as we find most of those on the day they become “legal” whether it be 18, 19 or 21, in a bar drinking. The challenge for Kryptonian survival—
Ooops. Let me back up, as dear reader may not know the Supergirl Lore. We all are familiar with Superman’s back story mirroring Moses. See Kara Zor-El, was Kal-El/Clark’s cousin. She was not sent outwards as a baby, rather as a teenager, with the hope to not only save her, but to care for Kal (depending on the era) on Earth. Some timey wimey hijinks ensue, and she arrives late to the party, and baby Kal-El is not adult Clark, and well, Kara is still a teenager, roughly 14ish years old.
Earth of course having been selected, because the yellow sun gives Kryptonians powers.
A red sun (like their homeworld), takes them away.
So on her 21st birthday we find Kara, on a planet with a red sun.
It is a planet stratified with violence. And a villain, Krem. Whose arrows find an wound Kara, and Krypto as they attempt to intervene after a farmer is killed by him, and to protect his daughter. As Krem steals Kara’s ship to join the baddies of the galaxy, as the daughter of the murder victim seeks revenge, and Kara emboldened to find out what has poisoned her dog.
The eight chapters unfold like a Greek Odyssey. Exploring ideas of scapegoating, burying genocide, harm to neighbour, and standing in the breach. Pushing beyond our own abilities, resting into compassion fatigue and burnout.
Also what is one’s word worth, when it becomes possible to have that which you desire in revenge?
As the odyssey unfolds, we discover more of Kara’s lost lore. Of the virus that overtook Krypton in its death pangs. Of her time as an end of life caregiver for others. The losses endured, if not processed.
And then the biggest loss of all.
Her world literally.
And yet…
As the daughter of the farmer stood, with Supergirl sword raised to exact “justice” upon her father’s murderer—
Radical Acceptance.
It isn’t always traditional forgiveness of self or others.
It isn’t not missing the one or ones who have gone on to the grand tea party before hand.
It is about accepting what is, what has been, and…
as she shares about Kara—
Walks on.
There is release in the radical acceptance of life when it is authentic that stems the tide of burn out and compassion fatigue.
And that is the heart of the odyssey of Woman of Tomorrow aiding neighbour through a trauma, a loss. Through grieving, to understand that the new is not a new normal, it is simply a new that we are in and can choose to let bitterness consume us over what could’ve and should’ve been.
Or radically accept what is.
And walk forward.