REVIEW: Supergirl: Survive #3

In Supergirl: Survive #3, Kara Zor-El and her cousin Kal-El have been through—and continue to go through—the wringer since K-Day, the destruction of Krypton that left them as the last children of their homeworld. Writers Ethan S. Parker and Griffin Sheridan, along with artist and colorist Rod Reis, have taken us on a nonstop, frightening journey as Kara and Kal make their way through the vastness of space.

We have witnessed Kara and Kal’s first meeting, her promise to protect him with her life and the moment they watched their planet die from a nearby world. Since then, they have been on the run from the Lobo Gang while trying to reach Earth. Along the way, they crossed paths with the Lantern Corps, which they first encountered, following Krypton’s destruction. After a terrible battle and heartbreaking loss, Kara has now become a Blue Lantern and remains determined to protect the little cousin who has become like a younger brother to her.

This month’s covers are beautiful, powerful and meaningful, so let’s look at them before diving into issue #3. The standard cover by Reis presents a stunning image of Blue Lantern Kara Zor-El in her new uniform, surrounded by a brilliant blue aura. Her eyes and power ring glow while she floats among towering blue constructs. Her intense concentration shows her using the power of hope to bring those structures to life.

Taurin Clarke’s variant cover expands upon Kara’s hope, memories and determination by revealing that those structures are not ordinary buildings—they are Kryptonian. Kara and Kal stand in a bustling Kryptonian city center filled with blue constructs of buildings and people. Kal, now a little older, looks upon the culture and world he was too young to remember with complete awe. The joy on his face brings Kara a rare moment of happiness after K-Day.

Kara and Kal float together through space on Stephen Byrne’s variant cover. The two cousins embrace while Kara’s Blue Lantern ring glows around them, protecting them from the cold, airless void. An asteroid field surrounds them, while a planet and yellow sun can be seen in the distance. The quiet, emotional image captures their love and Kara’s promise to keep Kal safe.

Together, these covers remind us that no matter what Kara and Kal have endured, they still have each other. They also show that Kara will do everything in her power to preserve Krypton’s memory and teach Kal about the world they lost.

Reis’ artwork and colors are outstanding, especially during the flashbacks, which sometimes resemble photographs brought to life. Each character feels like a rendering of a real being, whether human or alien, while the muted colors tell readers they are witnessing the past. Reis is especially skilled at communicating emotion through posture, glances and subtle facial changes. He knows when to let body language carry a scene and when to focus on Kara’s eyes. Those moments reminded me of how Morticia Addams’ eyes were dramatically highlighted in the 1990s Addams Family movies. When the story transitions into the present, everything becomes richer and more vibrant. Reis uses multiple shades of blue without allowing the pages to become visually muddy. Every aura, uniform and construct remains distinct, sharp and dimensional. When he switches to black and white with only a touch of blue, the artistic choice carries tremendous meaning.

Speaking of the story, Parker and Sheridan deliver a beautiful exploration of hope, loss, rediscovering hope and sharing it with others. It is told in such a unique and emotional way that the issue stayed with me for hours. Kara has lost almost everything and has been forced to grow up quickly, not only to protect herself but also to care for Kal. Kal does not fully understand what he has lost because he is too young to remember Krypton, so Kara does everything she can to teach him about their homeworld and give him something meaningful to hold onto. That alone would have been enough to make this a memorable issue, but the writers also introduce a familiar villain, occasional ally and frequent nuisance to talk things through with Kara. The unexpected conversation adds another emotional layer by examining what Kara’s actions as a Blue Lantern are truly doing for both her and Kal. The surprise character offers Kara sound advice she desperately needs, but what the character asks for in exchange for helping them could lead to disaster Kara may come to regret her decision and be forced to correct it later.

(10/10) Supergirl: Survive #3 is another excellent addition to this Elseworlds story about Kara and Kal’s journey toward Earth. At its heart, this issue is about hope—hope for the future, a new home, a life beyond survival and the possibility that happiness can still exist after unimaginable loss.