Whatever happened to the original Supergirl? I mean...last time I checked she was .....
just kidding nightwing...wouldn't want you to have to go through all of that yet again!!!
btw. great job on the synopsis. Thanks!
arghhhh ! not again ! THE MATRIX YEARS When DC hired John Byrne to 'fix' the Man of Steel, one of the stipulations in the reconstruction of legend would be that Superman would remain 'The Last Son of Krypton,' thus the character would be more in keeping with his 30's and 40's origins in comicdom. And this Byrne did, thus avoiding peripheral baggage such as a Fortress of Solitude and a Super-Family that would eventually get in the way of creating compelling stories again. But eventually DC and Byrne had to figure out how to make Supergirl live again, not only in order to placate the many Supergirl fans who decried her demise in the Crisis, but also because Supergirl could be a valuable trademark for the company again, if she were ever to be recreated right. There was still a lot of apprehension in how to go about it, so Byrne came up with a device for a three-issue storyline, based on a 'classic' Superboy tale, as a way to test the waters for a return. Thus 'The Supergirl Saga' was introduced in Superman #21 (September '88). This new being that would later be nicknamed 'Matrix' (or Mae, as Ma and Pa Kent were fond of calling her) was an artificial lifeform with shape-changing, invisibility and telekinesis powers, and was also imprinted with the memories of Lana Lang. She was created by a good Lex Luthor in an alternative 'pocket universe,' where three Kryptonian criminals were using a scorched earth policy to take over the Earth there. The criminals were defeated, but in the battle, Supergirl was reduced to a protomatter state. Superman brought her to his universe's Earth, where she was cared for by Ma and Pa Kent until she regenerated.
While she slowly recovered, Matrix's mind began to get mixed up, until she mistakenly believed that she was actually Clark, and changed her appearance to that of Clark/Superman. When confronted by Superman, she realized her mistake; but instead of helping to repair the damage she caused by impersonating the Man of Steel, Matrix flew off into space. At this point that Matrix was jettisoned out of the Superman books for awhile. But the fans clamored for more, so eventually Supergirl returned during the Superman storyline, 'Panic in The Sky.'
Unfortunately, the same problems that had earlier plagued Kara Zor-El began manifesting themselves in the new Supergirl. Because Byrne and DC hadn't really created Matrix for a permanent spot in the new Superman mythos, the conception of the character was only vaguely realized. So the writers who succeeded Byrne on Superman had to grapple with 'what to do with Supergirl' all over again. First they had her fall in and out of love with this Earth's Lex Luthor. During this period Supergirl developed an oddball 'berzerker' appearance whenever she became angry. Then DC plopped her into the limping 'New Titans' book, which lasted a few more issues until it was mercifully cancelled. None of these moves could redefine the inherant flaws built into Matrix's character: an artificial lifeform, with no sense of her origins or reason for being, other than being a Superman peripheral character.
Still, Matrix DID have some sense of purpose during her timespan. She understood the responsibility that goes with putting on the S-shield. She understood that people expected a special commitment from those who chose to wear it. And she tried her damnedest to live up to the image, even scolding Superboy on one occasion when he seemed to be faltering from it. Matrix also had a lot of faith in people to do the right thing. These character traits would come into play in the next incarnation of Supergirl, an incarnation that included her in the mix.
THE EARTH ANGEL YEARS
There's been a storm of controversy regarding Supergirl's new incarnation as an Earth-born angel. Some old fans just cannot accept it. 'Why couldn't you connect her to Kara Zor-El instead of making her an angel? I HATE those wings!' seems to sum up their complaint to the current creative team. But as a longtime observer of the character, I find it interesting that writer Peter David has brought up the idea of Supergirl being an angel. An ANGEL?! In the back of my mind I thought: now why didn't I ever think of that before? In an eerie way, it fits! But WHY does it fit?
In order to satisfy my curiosity and desire for historical precedent, I started to go through the books. First, I concentrated on the context of the current book. Hey, let's take a look at Linda Danvers before she became Supergirl....
Linda always had an artistic streak in her. Sculpture was her outlet for her creativity. And Linda had a positive outlook on life, thanks to the influence of her parents. Her father, as a cop, was someone to look up to. His attention to law enforcement gave Linda the comfort that justice would be served and the 'bad guys' wouldn't get away. Linda's mother provided the spiritual nourishment, however. Being a devout church-goer, Sylvia Danvers installed in Linda the belief that many things were possible, through one's faith in them. Linda began to dream of angels, and the inspiration flowed into her art.
However, as Linda grew up, she began to notice that the world wasn't such an idyllic, wonderful place, where the good guys always win and faith sees one through the rough spots. She began to distrust some of her elders, such as Reverend Meeke. Meeke preached forgiveness and love, but Linda, through innocent observations, began to suspect that he had done something horrible and unspeakable to his wife, who had encouraged Linda's art in times past. one day, Meeke's wife was reported to have left him for another man. But Linda, through observations of her own, feared much worse. She feared that Meeke, in a blind rage, had killed his wife. Cynicism and confusion began to grow within Linda, and it was at that time when Buzz came into her life and corrupted her. But at the onset, angels were her inspiration. Now that Linda has become Supergirl, she has come full circle, back to the inspirations of her early youth. She has begun to think of angels again, and oh MY! Has she now achieved the power to make real what she's always believed in?
Is that enough ? if you need anymore supergirl stuff just e~mail me and i will get to work on it. hope it helps
NIGHTWING (apparantley the official supergirl helper of A.C.S)
