[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Mike S. Miller
Colors: J. Nanjan
Summary
Most of us are familiar with Superman’s origin and his escape from Krypton. There are particular story beats that are essential. We are not necessarily as familiar with Supergirl’s similar experience. Injustice 2 #6, provides us with a view of this event from Kara and Zor-El’s perspectives. It also shows Jor-El in a new perspective. Perhaps, being a parent colors this story, but I believe that the rocketing from Krypton of either Kal-El or Kara prompts an emotional response in most people.
On Krypton, before it was destroyed, Zor-El and Jor-El fight together against Brainiac. They’ve already developed a contingency should they fail. The rockets with which we are already familiar have been built and prepared for Kal-El and Kara. Krypton’s core is unstable due to Brainiac’s interference. In the battle Zor-El dies, and Jor-El promises him that Kara will find safety on Earth.
There is a disturbance that separates Kara and Kal-El’s rockets and shunts Kara into a time warp, thus arriving on Earth 35 years after Kal-El. She is discovered not by Superman, but by Black Adam. Black Adam is a fervent follower of Superman. The Superman of this world. From Black Adam, Kara learns of Superman’s past and the perspective is tainted…this is a Black Adam who is in league with the atrocities Superman has committed. And Kara is now ready to help her cousin….
Positives
For those who remember the development of Black Adam under Geoff Johns, it will come as no surprise as to how he is portrayed here. Redemption is a mighty thing. Black Adam seems to fall somewhere between that redemption and stern protector of Kandaq.
This is not only a familiar take for many readers, it focuses on character. In fact, the entirety of the issue focuses on character. The first few issues of this series seemed to try and push a plot a long. The past couple have really made character the priority and elevated the quality of this series. Even though Black Adam is on the wrong side here, his perception of the world seems worthy of at least some sympathy. The strength of his characterization sells this point. Despite providing alternate versions of Kara and Black Adam, the characterization is so strong that it draws the reader. While knowing that Black Adam’s perception of events is flawed, it doesn’t stop the reader from feeling empathy for his opinion. We aren’t pulling for the bad guys, but as Johns did with Black Adam a few years back, he’s a complex character, not a simple villain.
Negatives
If you aren’t into alternate takes on characters then this won’t be a book for you, and that’s about the only negative I can find.
Verdict
This series keeps getting better! The focus on character has made this series worth reading! It doesn’t really matter that I don’t care about the Injustice 2 video game, the stories are putting character first and telling engaging tales that find a truth about familiar characters in an unfamiliar world.
