One of the boldest of the creative moves made in ‘Superman‘s debut split the fan base on the spot. The movie showed that Jor-El and Lara didn’t send Kal-El to Earth to be its protector. Instead, their message indicated that they wanted him to conquer humanity and rebuild Krypton with his great power.
Some thought the message was bogus, doctored by Lex Luthor, or that there was missing context. However, ‘Supergirl’ has now made it much more difficult to back up those theories, and it’s clear that this controversial new origin for Superman is exactly what the DC Universe wants.
‘Supergirl’ Reinforces DCU’s Boldest ‘Superman’ Decision
Instead of going back to the events of Superman, ‘Supergirl’ confirms the revelation through Kara Zor-El. As she tells of Krypton’s demise, she recalls seeing baby Kal-El’s escape pod depart the planet. Most importantly, she tells him that Jor-El sent his son off to conquer other worlds.
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The account is from a first-hand witness of Krypton’s destruction, making it more credible than the damaged recording found in the Fortress of Solitude. It implies that the message was not changed or misinterpreted, but rather it was Jor-El’s true message. It’s a small moment. However, it does put an end to one of the most popular fan theories about the movie.
The Twist Could Redefine Superman And Supergirl’s Relationship
The announcement alters the perception of Superman’s Kryptonian parents, but it doesn’t redefine Clark Kent. One of the main points of the DCU’s Superman is that people are defined by their actions, not their birth. Clark defies the fate his parents had in mind.
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He chooses to live with the compassion and humanity Jonathan and Martha Kent have given him. However, as Superman and Supergirl spend more time on screen in future DCU projects, that philosophy could get even more interesting.
Kara has first-hand knowledge of Krypton and knows the ideals many Kryptonians had before their world was destroyed. It’s an interesting juxtaposition to Clark’s steadfast belief that kindness is always the right way to go, whether she agrees with Jor-El’s vision or just takes it as historical fact.
It’s a concept that can be explored in future movies without compromising the heroic image of the Man of Steel. This isn’t a twist that’s meant to be undone. The DCU’s take on Jor-El may be controversial, particularly to long-time comic readers. However, Supergirl makes that point abundantly clear.
