In DC’s Future State, Kara Zor-El rebrands herself as Superwoman upon her arrival to the Moon Colony. Now the protector of her new home, Kara Zor-El fulfills her intended role that she was originally meant to do upon her arrival to Earth, and realizes she does it better than the original Superman could have. Previously known as Supergirl, Kara left Earth due to the mantle of Superman being passed on to Clark and Lois’ son, Jon, after a disgraced Clark was exiled from Earth.
Supergirl, created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino, first appeared in Action Comics #252. Kara Zor-El is the biological cousin of Superman, also known as Kal-El. Kara was a teenager and Kal-El was a baby at the time of their escape from Krypton. She was sent to Earth to protect her baby cousin, only to be halted on her way. By the time she arrived her cousin had already grown up and become Superman.
In Future State: Kara Zor-El, Superwoman #1, Kara reflects on her relationship with Superman. Superwoman says she has achieved what Superman could have done, but didn’t, by taking refugees and animals to find a new home. Kara has always lived in the shadow of her cousin, but now she realizes that she is “twice as good and second best.” Ultimately, Marguerite Bennett’s new comic acknowledges that Superwoman is a better hero than Superman, but is often overlooked.
Superwoman knows she is a better hero than Superman, but it’s not just in terms of who is stronger, but mainly who has done better and kinder deeds. Kara is the protector of her new community, where she basks in her new peaceful life, away from Earth’s threats. Upon being asked by Lynari, a new alien refugee, why she doesn’t ask for thank you’s, Kara states “it’s the doing of the thing, not the rewards that makes it valuable.” This sense of selflessness is a complete contrast to the new Superman Jon, whose morning routine consists of reminding Metropolis that Superman is there to protect them. Superwoman did all the heroic acts Superman did, but with extra compassion and consideration for others. But just because her cousin came first Kara has always been regarded as second best.
It is Superwoman’s caring deeds that make her a better hero than Superman, as evidenced by the ending page of Future State: Superman/Wonder Woman #1. Jon’s overconfident behavior is challenged when he suddenly drops from the sky during his morning routine. Yara Flor, Future State‘s new Wonder Woman criticizes Jon for going along with deforestation and over-farming in the Amazon. Wonder Woman calls Jon and the Justice League “self-righteous,” which echoes Superwoman’s thoughts of the Man of Steel.
In the end, Superwoman is aware of her greater heroics, but cannot surpass Superman’s long-time status as the Earth’s protector. It led her to do what Superman could do but never did, by creating and protecting a new colony away from danger. While many fans continue to wonder who the better hero is, it is evident to Kara that Jon is far lesser a hero than she. Superman’s somewhat condescending actions are in contrast with Superwoman’s mantra, “Help others. Do not condescend, but do your best to teach others to help themselves.” Reflecting back on the comic book history of Superman in comparison to Superwoman, it seems evident that she is a more empathic hero, which makes Superwoman “twice as good” as Superman.
