{"id":11655,"date":"2026-06-26T13:23:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T18:23:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/?p=11655"},"modified":"2026-06-30T09:25:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T14:25:39","slug":"supergirl-woman-of-tomorrow-ethics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/26\/supergirl-woman-of-tomorrow-ethics\/","title":{"rendered":"Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow Ethics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>And there was the rub of it. 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21:41:06&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:403},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1065,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/en.wikipedia.org\\\/wiki\\\/Alfred,_Lord_Tennyson&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:null,&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1060,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/en.wikipedia.org\\\/wiki\\\/Ulysses_(poem)#Autobiographical_elements&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20260604125216\\\/https:\\\/\\\/en.wikipedia.org\\\/wiki\\\/Ulysses_(poem)&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-06-26 18:26:27&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:404},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-07-02 13:20:51&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-07-06 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21:44:11&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-07-06 21:44:11&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:699,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/en.wikipedia.org\\\/wiki\\\/The_Red_Badge_of_Courage&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20260329225837\\\/https:\\\/\\\/en.wikipedia.org\\\/wiki\\\/The_Red_Badge_of_Courage&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-05-25 01:04:38&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-06-01 15:20:27&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-06-07 18:46:17&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:404},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-06-25 08:21:36&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-06-29 20:18:41&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-07-06 21:44:11&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-07-06 21:44:11&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1063,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/aiptcomics.com\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/24\\\/supergirl-2026-movie-review&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20260626183107\\\/https:\\\/\\\/aiptcomics.com\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/24\\\/supergirl-2026-movie-review\\\/&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/aiptcomics.com\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/24\\\/supergirl-2026-movie-review\\\/&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-06-26 19:45:26&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-07-02 13:28:53&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-07-06 21:46:05&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-07-06 21:46:05&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1064,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/aiptcomics.com\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/26\\\/supergirl-kara-killing-krem-problem&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20260626183120\\\/https:\\\/\\\/aiptcomics.com\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/26\\\/supergirl-kara-killing-krem-problem\\\/&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/aiptcomics.com\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/26\\\/supergirl-kara-killing-krem-problem\\\/&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-06-26 18:55:09&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-07-02 13:28:53&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-07-06 21:46:05&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-07-06 21:46:05&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1066,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.humblebundle.com\\\/books\\\/supergirl-woman-tomorrow-and-more-dc-comics-books&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20260627235146\\\/https:\\\/\\\/www.humblebundle.com\\\/books\\\/supergirl-woman-tomorrow-and-more-dc-comics-books&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-06-30 14:26:06&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-07-06 21:46:06&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-07-06 21:46:06&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;}]\"><\/span>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ruthye, speaking of Supergirl, in Tom King and Bilquis Evely&#8217;s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>With the release today of the new Supergirl film (2026) by DC Studios, I thought I would review the narrative structure and ethics of the source comics story that it is loosely based on &#8211; <em>Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow<\/em> (2021), written by <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tom_King_(writer)\">Tom King<\/a> with art by <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bilquis_Evely\">Bilquis Evely<\/a>, colors by <a href=\"https:\/\/dc.fandom.com\/wiki\/Mat_Lopes\">Mat Lopes<\/a>, and letterers by <a href=\"https:\/\/dc.fandom.com\/wiki\/Clayton_Cowles\">Clayton Cowles<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This series is my favorite Supergirl comics story, with an innovative narrative and artistic style that I will explore below. It also has one of the most mature depictions of Supergirl&#8217;s ethics (moral philosophy) that I&#8217;ve seen to date &#8211; setting her firmly as her own distinct person with defined core beliefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Supergirl is a challenging comics character to provide a comprehensive overview. To start, there is the complex and complicated nature of DC comics reboots and &#8220;rebirths&#8221; (soft reboots) over its long history, as I describe on my <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/marvel\/#dc\">DC comics page<\/a>. Although there are some characters who can be still accurately captured by a longer historical analysis (see my <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/01\/superman-ethics\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"10948\">Superman Ethics<\/a> overview page), most long-standing characters fall into the category where you are best looking at post-<em>Flashpoint <\/em>(2011) or post-<em>Rebirth<\/em> (2016) eras for consistent characterization. Indeed, the excellent DC Fandom wiki site often breaks characters up by their pre- and post-<em>Flashpoint<\/em> eras (as they do for <a href=\"https:\/\/dc.fandom.com\/wiki\/Supergirl\">Supergirl<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But exploring Supergirl is further challenged by inconsistent characterization by different creative teams within those defined time periods. Part of this reflects an attempt by some in the modern era to position the character as a young teen superhero (to appeal to tweens and early teen readers), and others (like King and company above) as a young adult superhero already carrying hefty emotional baggage. Further muddying the waters, Supergirl has always existed in the shadow of her more famous cousin <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/01\/superman-ethics\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"10948\">Superman<\/a>. This has led to some positioning her simply as a younger in-training version within his clearly defined ethics (especially during his very deontological period), while others both before and after presented her as a rebellious teen struggling to get out from under his oppressive shadow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result, you are best considering individual series on their own merits &#8211; while recognizing that nothing prior to <em>Flashpoint<\/em> would be consider as canon today. Supergirl&#8217;s first in-continuity appearance in the modern DC Universe (DCU) would thus have been in <a href=\"https:\/\/dc.fandom.com\/wiki\/Supergirl_Vol_6_1\"><em>Supergirl<\/em> Vol 6<\/a> (2011). But I consider King and Bilquis&#8217; story to be the defining modern version in terms of her moral perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As an aside, if you would like to read another distinct moral take on an established DC character, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kelly_Thompson\">Kelly Thompson<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/web-wp.archive.org\/web\/20260204083546\/https:\/\/dc.fandom.com\/wiki\/Hayden_Sherman\">Hayden Sherman<\/a>&#8216;s <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/05\/absolute-wonder-woman-ethics\/\">Absolute Wonder Woman<\/a> series (my overview is at that last link).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As always, if you would like to know more about the terms I&#8217;m using on this site, please follow the links throughout or check out my <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/ethics-101\/\">Ethics 101<\/a> page or <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/27\/glossary\/\">Glossary of Terms<\/a> post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"intro\">Introduction to the story<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The opening page from issue #1, by King and Evely:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/96238cd5-6f23-4edd-93c2-33dd9dd3b615.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This page makes clear the narrative structure of this story &#8211; the events take place on an alien world, and are being narrated by the daughter of a murdered man (from the perspective of some future vantage point in time). The narrator, who we will come to know as Ruthye Marye Knoll, delivers what is probably one of my favorite opening lines to a comic book ever!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>My father, whose name I will not record here, for I do not wish it learned, did not die a dignified or honorable death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ruthye<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>When combined with Evely&#8217;s art and Lopes&#8217; colors &#8211; soaring landscapes, silhouetted figures backlit by the failing light of a colorful sunset &#8211; this opening page strongly evokes a modern cinema trope: the <em>Western<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My first thought was the opening\/closing scenes of Clint Eastwood&#8217;s 1992 film <em><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Unforgiven\">Unforgiven<\/a><\/em>, where a similarly framed prologue establishes the gritty and forlorn premise of its main character, with an epilogue completing the narrative circle. But the second page establishes the core premise of the story, with a shocking reveal:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/0f68e845-8570-48d3-b637-a6d5f1f784de.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>That was certainly unexpected for a superhero comic book, and sets the stage for a much grittier story (and darker potential ending) than typically seen in the main DCU. For context, you might want to check out my <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/13\/the-vision-ethics\/#modern\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4926\">Vision overview<\/a> for a discussion of Tom King&#8217;s grittier take of that Marvel character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But as this premise makes clear, the more relevant Western film for this story is the Coen brothers&#8217; 2010 remake of <em><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/True_Grit_(2010_film)\">True Grit<\/a><\/em>, where an older version of the film&#8217;s protagonist Maddie Ross narrates the early events of her life &#8211; with Supergirl cast into the role of Rooster Cogburn, the grizzled former U.S. Marshall hired to enact Maddie&#8217;s vengeance. One other relevant example &#8211; more in terms of the narration style &#8211; is 1994&#8217;s <em><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Legends_of_the_Fall\">Legends of the Fall<\/a><\/em> by Edward Zwick, where an elderly Old Stab narrates the events from his younger days in a very eloquent, articulate, and poetic fashion (just like Ruthye above).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I could go on and list plenty more Westerns from late 20th and early 21st centuries, as this was a very popular narrative trope. Specifically, the narration all takes place from the perspective of a late 19th century individual, describing earlier events, and delivered in a straight-forward and blunt style (consistent with the mythology of the American Frontier) &#8211; but with clear evidence of education and a sophisticated vocabulary (consistent with the corresponding late English Victorian era). As we will see, Ruthye fits within this dual linguistic mold very well &#8211; and King has another modern literary narrative trope that he plans to introduce by the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before getting into all the details of this series (and full spoiler alert: I will be discussing the ending down below), let me provide a little bit of background on Supergirl, and the relevant ethics of comic book superheroes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"supergirl\">Introduction to Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Supergirl was created in 1959 in <em>Action Comics<\/em> Vol 1, issue #252 by <a href=\"https:\/\/dc.fandom.com\/wiki\/Otto_Binder\">Otto Binder<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/dc.fandom.com\/wiki\/Al_Plastino\">Al Plastino<\/a>. It was established in that issue that <a href=\"https:\/\/dc.fandom.com\/wiki\/Kara_Zor-El_(Earth-One)\">Kara Zor-El<\/a> was Superman&#8217;s first cousin, and had survived the destruction of Krypton when her father had saved their home city of Argo (which was subsequently destroyed in a meteor shower).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following 2011&#8217;s <em>Flashpoint<\/em> event, the currently accepted original for <a href=\"https:\/\/dc.fandom.com\/wiki\/Kara_Zor-El_(Prime_Earth)\">Kara Zor-El<\/a> on Prime-Earth remains largely intact &#8211; she was born in Argo City to Zor-El and Alura In-Ze. But while her mother Alura still survived the initial destruction of Krypton, she eventually died of radiation poisoning in the modern telling, as the Argo city asteroid slowly turned into Kryptonite when exposed to yellow suns in space. Kara was the sole survivor of the doomed asteroid city, as her father built a ship just large enough for her to survive. She eventually landed on Earth sometime during Superman&#8217;s early career. This accepted origin is retold in greater detail in issue #6 of this series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her age is generally listed at 14 years old during the destruction of Krypton, and 16 years old during her arrival on Earth (this series positions her as 21 years old presently). The teenage Kara was placed in an orphanage in secret by Superman &#8211; which, I know, is a strange twist, but it survives from the original first appearance (and as you can imagine, it later becomes a bone of contention between the cousins!). Kara is eventually adopted by a Midvale couple (retired D.E.O. agents Jeremiah and Eliza Danvers) and assumes the secret identity Kara Danvers (originally Linda Danvers in earlier stories). Things get a bit confusing around this point, with <em>Rebirth<\/em> (<em>Supergirl<\/em> Vol 6, 2016, by <a href=\"https:\/\/dc.fandom.com\/wiki\/Steve_Orlando\">Steve Orlando<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/dc.fandom.com\/wiki\/Brian_Ching\">Brian Ching<\/a>) having her adopted by the Danvers much later after moving to National City, while the current <em>All-In<\/em> series (<em>Supergirl<\/em> Vol 8, 2025 by <a href=\"https:\/\/dc.fandom.com\/wiki\/Sophie_Campbell\">Sophie Campbell<\/a>) positions her back as being adopted at a younger age in Midvale, though currently living in National City (DC comics endless continuity revisions can be cause a lot of headaches!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fortunately for us, Kara has the same abilities as any other Kryptonian on Earth. In the modern era, it has been established that Superman and other Kryptonians get their powers from Earth&#8217;s yellow sun. They function somewhat like batteries, soaking up sunlight and storing it for future use. In the presence of a red sun (like their birth planet Krypton), they quickly lose their superpower abilities. Their powers include superhuman strength, invulnerability, speed, healing and stamina, as well as super-sensory abilities (hearing, vision), along with inhuman abilities like the ability to fly, self-sustenance, heat vision, X-ray vision, and super-breath (see the <a href=\"https:\/\/dc.fandom.com\/wiki\/Kara_Zor-El_(Prime_Earth)#Powers_and_Abilities-Header\">DC Fandom wiki<\/a> site for a full list of Kara&#8217;s abilities). They are all susceptible to Kryptonite, which are fragments of their home planet, and which now come in a dizzyingly range of colorful varieties and effects (again, the <a href=\"https:\/\/dc.fandom.com\/wiki\/Kryptonite\">DC Fandom wiki<\/a> is your friend here).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One last thing to mention before getting into the ethics &#8211; the origin of the Kryptonian dog <a href=\"https:\/\/dc.fandom.com\/wiki\/Krypto_(Prime_Earth)\">Krypto<\/a> is currently accepted in the modern comics as having been a companion of Kal-El&#8217;s family back on Krypton, and eventually reunited with Kal-El on Earth. However, this 2021 <em>Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow<\/em> series positions Krypto as Kara Zor-El&#8217;s dog &#8211; a feature which has become explicit for the new James Gunn films, 2025&#8217;s Superman and 2026&#8217;s Supergirl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ethics\">Introduction to superhero ethics<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>As I explain on my <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/ethics-101\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"2554\">Ethics 101<\/a> page, there are three branches to <em>normative ethics<\/em>, which is the field of moral philosophy that considers the question of what people <em>should <\/em>or <em>ought to<\/em> do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Deontology<\/em> is concerned with doing your duty to other people, often through the lens of rights or justice. These theories are often principle- or rule-based, and focus on the moral value of the acts themselves (that is, <em>doing the right thing<\/em>). <em>Consequentialism<\/em> is seen as the opposite, focusing not on the acts but rather on their outcomes. These theories typically explore the moral burden of making good decisions (that is, <em>doing the good thing<\/em>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The third branch is <em>virtue ethics<\/em>, which shifts the focus from the act to the actor &#8211; being the best person you can be, typically by practicing virtues that align with your values and goals (that is, <em>being better<\/em>). A modern form of virtue ethics that was first developed in the 1980s is <em>care ethics<\/em>, which holds that moral action should be based on interpersonal relationships and the duty of care we have to others (it is increasingly common in comic book stories). Although I introduced care ethics on that <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/ethics-101\/#care\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"2554\">Ethics 101<\/a> background page, I have described it in more detail on my <em><a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/09\/can-caring-be-wrong\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"7639\">Can Caring Be Wrong<\/a><\/em> page?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before getting back to the story (and what it reveals about Kara Zor-El&#8217;s ethics), we need to consider the ethics of her famous cousin, Kal-El (aka Clark Kent, or Superman). You can check out my <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/01\/superman-ethics\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"10948\">Superman overview<\/a> for a full understanding of his changing ethics over time, but I&#8217;m happy to summarize it succinctly here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Superman has gone through several major ethics shifts over the years \u2013 from consequentialist in the Golden Age (Earth-2) stories, deontological in the Silver\/Bronze Age (Earth-1) stories, and virtue ethics in the Copper-Modern Age (Earth-0) stories. Although originally very classically <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Aristotelian_ethics\"><em>Aristotelian virtue ethics<\/em><\/a> in the early-Copper-Modern Age stories, I have found the recent stories show a lot more care ethics for him (especially post-<em>Flashpoint<\/em>). Yet despite these last 40 years of primarily virtue ethics framing for the character, his deontological traits still come through frequently in the modern stories. Superman&#8217;s classic form of deontology is <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kantian_ethics\"><em>Kantian ethics<\/em><\/a> (which is relatively rare in the comics, as it is hard to live up to).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we will see, Kara struggles with all of these as well, and this series positions her in interesting balance between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"premise\">The premise and ethics of <em>Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow<\/em><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Again, full spoiler alert: I will be describing the ending of this series in detail below, as it is critical to understanding the ethics. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Continuing from those <a href=\"#intro\">opening panels<\/a> above, Ruthye embarks on a mission to find someone willing to kill Krem, her father&#8217;s murderer. As Ruthye quickly discovers, dealing with the sort of unsavory characters who are willing to kill for hire is not an easy task.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/c6fc6b54-a8d9-4c53-bd15-d5a6373798fb.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Her savior here in the bar is a drunken Kara, &#8220;celebrating&#8221; her coming of legal age (in most of America):<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/764479ea-820c-4b32-97f9-1b408c0a3677.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>As we will come to learn, Kara has embarked on an incognito mission to this planet &#8211; with its red sun, like Krypton&#8217;s &#8211; in order to suppress her powers and allow herself to get drunk. Presumably, her invulnerability, stamina, and healing factor prevents her from experiencing this particular &#8230; joy &#8230; back on Earth (with its empowering yellow sun). This introduction shows that Kara is in something of a sorry state at present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite her depowered and inebriated state, Kara still makes short shift of the would be killer-for-hire. After Ruthye helps her recover from her hangover, she makes her case for Supergirl to take on the role of her father&#8217;s avenger. Kara will have none of it, and tries to brush Ruthye off (somewhat brusquely):<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/c3948f2f-f9d7-494a-acbb-0ab233514341.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>But Ruthye doesn&#8217;t take no for an answer and risks her life to follow Kara back to her awaiting spaceship &#8211; where Kara again tries to warn Ruthye off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/59d1d8ea-1aea-477e-8f37-f2a8336e8f72.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/24c424ae-49f6-449d-b878-ae01a3405823.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Of course, that strikes a chord!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/27647aca-06bc-4cb6-a0fb-eb5b2dd8c33f.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Although Kara&#8217;s thought gets rudely interrupted by an arrow to the chest (!), it&#8217;s pretty clear she was about to say how she hoped to temporarily escape her moral duty (deontology) or virtue (virtue ethics) by this little sojourn. Of course, it doesn&#8217;t work that way for either of those forms of normative ethics &#8211; you don&#8217;t get to take a holiday from your duty, or the practice of virtues that align with your values. The fact that Kara would even consider this shows how conflicted she is, and the current low she is experiencing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What happens next &#8211; and the key events from the first issue &#8211; are summarized nicely by Ruthye in issue #2, by King and Evely:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/6adb2d05-6877-47cd-a9e0-3e57210e853a.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/5c051df8-bd16-48d7-8ab0-f8767ebf7089.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/4297c72c-e77e-414e-a6a1-236bd1a62c4b.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This sets up the True Grit-like premise of this series &#8211; which is a notable departure for the superhero comics medium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Along the way to the foreshadowed conclusion, Ruthye and Kara have various misadventures and suffer many setbacks. While a number of these are depicted humorously (through Ruthye&#8217;s overly-earnest-yet-blunt narration), many are also quite tragic and heart-breaking. I don&#8217;t wish to spoil the entire series, so I will just include a couple of relevant vignettes below from issues #2-7 that show important and relevant character (and ethics) traits of the series&#8217; leads that are important to understanding the conclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is an early example from issue #2, which Ruthye herself admits is representative of how Kara often finds herself within her cousin Superman&#8217;s much larger shadow:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/03789b79-a8d6-4b41-87aa-80760e8b7059.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/6ae028e7-dc04-4e8d-8c3f-d2b01cd6b47e.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/e8658b0d-5efd-4b60-aeea-6b9425f61616.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Of significance, Kara has yet to have her powers restored at this point in the story. Along with the earlier drunken bar scene, it shows how Kara will stick up for herself as well as for others &#8211; even without any superpowers. There is a particularly amusing scene at the end of this issue when Kara deals with an alien who encroaches on Ruthye&#8217;s personal space (once her powers start to return).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But there is another interesting scene in this issue that seemingly shows a simple act of kindness on Kara&#8217;s part toward Ruthye. The fact that it runs three-full pages in length is a tip-off that this scene is actually more significant than it appears. Indeed, the aged-narrator voice of Ruthye also flags its significance for the reader:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/1eb11ac9-800c-49ff-88ba-4aa399c66882.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/4304f40e-bee2-4b73-95d3-d4c45393b1a7.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/102935ac-361b-4325-85dd-86225b712860.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Although the narration hints at an explanation as to why Supergirl would join Ruthye in a act of retribution, its significance is actually much greater &#8211; as I will explain once we get to the end of the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Issue #3 recounts a particularly heartbreaking storyline, as they follow the path of destruction Krem has left in his wake: <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/568065cf-15a9-47d3-b339-43b066fe3571.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Through their many months of travel together, Ruthye comes to know Kara quite well. This gives her a possibly unique insight into Kara&#8217;s character. Consider this perspective from issue #4, when Kara is struggling with what they have just faced in that issue &#8211; and flies into a yellow sun to safely vent and release her frustration:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/f7e714a8-ee25-4e7c-92d2-dd557a915115.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/7d5b6974-a72a-4f42-a96f-5cc9b255fea7.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:729px;height:auto\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Issue #5 is an interesting one, where Kara is laid low and has to endure great suffering (much greater than her cousin Superman had to endure in a similar situation). Ruthye takes on the role of protector in this issue, keeping Kara safe why they wait for a green sun (which acts like Kryptonite) to set. At one point, she needs to deal with a delirious Kara &#8211; and save her from herself &#8211; despite the great risk this entails to Ruthye:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/a33aaa37-362f-45ff-aab6-58361bce066f.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Issue #6 depicts the touching backstory of Kara&#8217;s life, and how it informs her current struggles. It is well worth a read!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But for now, I will skip ahead to the penultimate issue #7, where Kara has finally captured Krem, but must deal with his adopted group of genocidal mercenaries, the Brigands, who have come to rescue him. Interestingly, Kara has left the imprisoned Krem with Ruthye (!), under the watchful eye of Kara&#8217;s pet horse Comet. As Ruthye explains, this means she has no direct knowledge of the great space battle that ensued:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/ef8c3d05-8bfd-40a8-9f79-48be86cfe5c7.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Ruthye provides a very interesting perspective of the significance of this event, riffing on the famous early description of Superman in the original comics:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/fd18e66b-d8bb-4c92-874e-955c9b5e1a81.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\" id=\"suffering\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/5330940c-329a-4608-b34f-7a1d218a0768.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>King is clearly channeling a martial perspective here &#8211; something that is more commonly associated with the right-wing of the political spectrum in the Western world (and not the more progressive left-wing that typically writes comic books). But I would remind readers that martial arts are a core part of many Eastern philosophies, where they can be integrally linked into the practice of virtue ethics. Kara&#8217;s struggle to physically overcome this assault mirrors her more philosophical struggle to overcome her trauma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I would also like to offer a counterpoint to King&#8217;s (accurate) assertion above that &#8220;no one has a monopoly on power&#8221;. Similarly, no one has a monopoly on <em>suffering<\/em> either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As I describe in my <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/17\/battleworld-2025-26-vs-secret-wars-1984-86\/#suffering\">Battleworld post<\/a>, suffering can serve as a key driver in virtue ethics to <em>be better<\/em>. Specifically, it can help you develop empathy for others. I will come back to this later, but you can also read my expanded thoughts on how it relates to the concept of <em>intersectionality<\/em> in my <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/12\/dcs-dream-girls-ethics-dreamer-and-galaxy\/#intersectionality\">Galaxy overview<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In any case, at a critical juncture in Kara&#8217;s fight, Comet alerts to her great need. Ruthye promises not to kill Krem, and frees Comet to fly to Kara&#8217;s rescue. All that seemingly stands in Ruthye&#8217;s way now is her word. As she observes in the closing panel to this issue:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Now, you ever lied to a horse before? If you ain&#8217;t had that experience, I do have some obligation to warn you, it can guilt you something awful.<br>But you get over it soon enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ruthye<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The final issue #8 sees Ruthye free Krem from his bounds, and &#8211; with great chivalry &#8211; give him a fair chance to beat her in hand-to-hand combat. Despite his ruthlessness and physical skill and size advantage, Ruthye eventually gains the upper hand (in keeping with a classic Eastern martial arts approach, I may add). She delivers a speech she had prepared and then:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/d5913ef3-2359-4390-831b-35193776f297.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>It is unclear who is more shocked by this turn of events, Ruthye or Krem!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/7db25ab1-ed9f-4355-9c91-39025298b050.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Kara returns at just this moment, carrying the dead human body form of Comet &#8211; who sacrificed himself for her.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/b997f6a4-4e49-4e61-ad26-8fcc148e03e4.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Kara reveals her intention to kill Krem, resulting in this pivotal exchange:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/59dd4a10-bb3f-4404-a9ae-e79e2a19264d.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\" id=\"virtue\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/5a4a4827-a3b7-407d-ac68-279c755b3a86.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:638px;height:auto\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Kara&#8217;s intentions here get to heart of classic virtue ethics &#8211; particularly in its common <em>Aristotelian<\/em> or <em>Stoic<\/em> forms. Please see my <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/10\/a-x-e-judgment-day-conclusion\/#virtue\">A.X.E.: Judgment Day conclusion<\/a> for an explanation of Aristotelian virtue ethics, and my FML comix for <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/23\/fml-comix-ethics\/#stoicism\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"7884\">Stoicism<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To put it simply, virtue ethics begins with a recognition of your core <em>values<\/em> &#8211; which are the key beliefs that you find to be the most important in life, and which guide your choices. Virtues are then the character traits and attitudes that allow you to consistently <em>act<\/em> in accordance with your core values. Over time, through the regular daily <em>practice<\/em> of virtues, they should become the standard pattern of thoughts, feelings, and <em>behaviors<\/em> that you exhibit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A common example that I like use here is that if honesty is one of your core values (okay, it is not one of Kara&#8217;s obviously!), then truthfulness would be the corresponding virtue. You practice routinely telling the truth when it is <em>easy<\/em> to do so in order for it becomes habitual. Then, when it is <em>hard<\/em> to tell the truth, that practice hopefully translates into automatic truth-telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What the panels above make clear is that Kara realized early on that she would never be able to simply dissuade Ruthye from her thirst for vengeance by just saying so. Kara understood that simply telling someone how to behave (which some deontological systems seem to like to do) doesn&#8217;t work. So she decided to <em>show<\/em> Ruthye by her own example in their close travels together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reconsider all those earlier travel scenes now &#8211; like the hand-washing moment in issue #2. These were not inadvertent examples along the way that Ruthye just happened to notice &#8211; they were the actual <em>point<\/em> Kara was trying to make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But also along the way, Kara suffered far more than she expected. It has shaken her belief in her own values and virtue. And so, she feels as if she failed Ruthye &#8211; how could she teach Ruthye virtue if she still suffers her own trauma so acutely?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This leads to an epiphany on Ruthye&#8217;s part:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/59c09a46-fe28-44f7-b0fb-fc5d9e869d39.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Ruthye finds her voice &#8211; and what has she learnt from Kara?<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/aea0b22c-c928-40a6-a368-583825ec533d.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Ruthye has indeed learned from Kara&#8217;s daily example of the practice of her virtues. She has internalized them and made them part of herself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note the stylistic shift in style for the narration above. This is no longer the aged Ruthye narrating from the distant future. This is the current Ruthye speaking directly to Kara:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/dc63dda6-8d0a-4a6f-86a4-2036d71b7cdf.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:708px;height:auto\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/5c1f89f3-b413-4046-95aa-efcdfe6acf74.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In addition to the great, impassioned virtue ethics speech by Ruthye above, this is a lovely call back to the end of issue #3 when Kara now repeats what Ruthye once said to her when encountering overwhelming grief: &#8220;It&#8217;s too big. We&#8217;re too small.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"care\">So, what happens next? The implication is that Ruthye is successful in preventing Kara from violating her personal ethics and finding imprisonment for Krem instead of murder &#8211; thus avoiding the ending she herself has been narrating all the way through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To me, this is a great example of <em>care ethics<\/em> in action. Just as Kara has been supporting Ruthye throughout this series (and helping her develop her own sense of ethics by example), Ruthye is now able to offer the same support to Kara in a moment of weakness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Care ethics is all about the <em>relational<\/em> and the <em>specific<\/em> &#8211; as opposed to the <em>abstract<\/em> and <em>universal<\/em> of earlier moral theories (like deontology and consequentialism). As introduced on my <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/ethics-101\/#care\">Ethics 101<\/a> page, it was initially developed by feminist thinkers looking to respond to the particulars of a situation and the needs of the <em>individual<\/em>. In essence, one has a duty of care to those you are in a relationship with, proportional to their vulnerability. Their needs become a burden for you to meet &#8211; something Kara has demonstrated throughout this series, and something that Ruthye now reciprocates. To learn more about care ethics, including potential criticisms, check out my <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/09\/can-caring-be-wrong\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"7639\"><em>Can Caring be Wrong<\/em><\/a> post?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The comic gives you little time to consider the significance of all of this. Instead, it immediately jumps to the future &#8211; we turn the page and find ourselves in the present time of the aged Ruthye (who has been narrating this adventure up until now).<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/6c3e41ba-86b6-4676-b616-a9fcbe98268d.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Note the newer uniform for Kara (and shorter hair), signifying some time has passed. Clearly, Kara &#8211; and Krypto (who is in excellent health) &#8211; do not age as rapidly as Ruthye. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note as well the visuals here &#8211; calming cool blues and greens &#8211; which are very different from the fiery red and yellows from Ruthye&#8217;s youth. It&#8217;s remarkable how much the artistic team influences the interpretation of this story.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/f17e2576-fe22-4f6c-a079-8cf7d9f92bd2.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>There is a lot to unpack in the page above &#8211; it&#8217;s easy to feel a sense of whiplash after the preceding climax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kara is apparently here to carry out some sort of pre-arranged act of great importance. Ruthye suggests a nearby field, and Kara&#8217;s response strongly implies it is the field where Ruthye&#8217;s father was killed all those years ago (&#8220;Where it started?&#8221;).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kara confirms that Krem was indeed imprisoned. But her casual assertion to Ruthye that she &#8220;liked [her] book&#8221; &#8211; and Ruthye&#8217;s response that is was &#8220;fictitious fiddle-faddle&#8221; &#8211; implies an agreed-upon cover story to ensure the Brigands didn&#8217;t come after Ruthye. Or, presumably, seek to rescue Krem (as their brotherhood code demanded). This effectively protected Ruthye, and allowed Kara to &#8220;take the burden of their vengeance&#8221; &#8211; something she apparently desired. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The wording above strongly supports a care ethics framing. Kara literally took on the burden of the Brigands&#8217; animosity, and &#8220;appreciates&#8221; the psychic burden Ruthye took on &#8211; to tell a lie and keep the truth a secret (&#8220;You made a promise. You kept it.&#8221;). Personally, I take Ruthye&#8217;s rejoinder to Kara&#8217;s appreciation as a playful wink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So why is Kara here? Turn the page &#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/1938bb77-8cf5-4ea4-884c-273917e363e9.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Ah. In the modern comics, the Phantom Zone has been turned into a place of healing and recovery, instead of a prison for punishment. Think restorative justice rather than retributive justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I love Kara&#8217;s optimistic &#8220;there&#8217;s always hope&#8221; line &#8211; which aligns very well with <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/01\/superman-ethics\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"10948\">Superman<\/a>&#8216;s modern ethics. Of course, Ruthye has always seen Kara that way.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/fdda10a0-52a4-4398-9e7f-d2b4aacef2c2.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>And Ruthye&#8217;s response? <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/cdd7b624-8dbe-49f3-a9e2-58248082ee16.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This beautiful epilogue &#8211; drawn with a bright sunrise instead to the prologue&#8217;s fading sunset &#8211; clearly <em>shows<\/em> Ruthye whacking Krem with her cane, then walking away. Kara and Krypto similarly depart &#8211; leaving the repentant wretch prostrate on the ground &#8211; but very much alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But what about the narration? Recall that the original narration boxes &#8211; in the distinctive font and color of elderly Ruthye&#8217;s narration throughout this series &#8211; ended just before young Ruthye&#8217;s impassioned speech to Kara on that beach, many years ago. The narration picks up the story just at the point of the cut scene to this present time. And what Ruthye describes as happening next on that beach &#8230; is clearly very much a lie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This ending strong implies that the &#8220;fictitious fiddle-faddle&#8221; tome that Ruthye wrote <em><strong>has in fact been the narration for this story<\/strong><\/em> all along. Up until now, the narration seemed to fit the events and panels we had been seeing &#8211; but it was actually a lie intended to deceive the reader as to the outcome of this story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a trope and framing device common to modern fiction: the <em><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Unreliable_narrator\">unreliable narrator<\/a><\/em>. These can take many forms, but at their heart they all involve a narrator who, intentionally or not, misleads the reader (as the author clearly intends). The more dramatic form used here delays the revelation until the very end of the story, providing an unexpected twist ending. This forces the reader to reconsider their perspective across the entire story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this case, Ruthye is very much aware of her intended deception. It&#8217;s an example of the modern expansion of the unreliable narrator concept to one who describes the events fairly accurately, but purposefully distort their meaning (I will discuss the history of this concept as an aside down below). But the brilliance here is including such an unreliable narrator in a comic book where we also had the visuals to go by. Surely, we know what we saw, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But think back &#8211; how closely did the narration really fit the events we observed, and how much did it guide our perception of them? This story has relied <em>heavily<\/em> on elderly Ruthye&#8217;s narration to establish its context and forward momentum. How much did it shape our perceptions when reading, biasing us to interpret Kara&#8217;s actions and feelings a certain way? Specifically, a way that led us to believe Kara would indeed be capable of murdering Krem?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> To give you one example, let me take you back to the last page of the handwashing scene from issue #2:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/102935ac-361b-4325-85dd-86225b712860.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Note the somewhat inscrutable face Kara makes in the middle panel &#8211; and how she is turned away from us when she responds in the next one. Although elderly Ruthye&#8217;s words seem to fit the scene &#8211; and help establish why Kara may have turned to the dark side in her narrative &#8211; we actually only have Ruthye&#8217;s <em>words<\/em> to establish the tone behind Kara&#8217;s response. The visuals are purposely vague.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This deliberate ambiguity allowed us to readily accept Ruthye&#8217;s interpretation. Indeed, at the time (on initial read-through) Ruthye seemed trustworthy as she was also calling attention to the fact that a written book could never accurately portray the tone behind a response &#8211; requiring her to contextualize it for the reader. The irony of doing that while simultaneously showing us the carefully-crafted scene visually is a new one for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kudos to King, Evely, Lopes and Clayton for pulling this feat off so magnificiently!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"narrator\">Aside: What is an unreliable narrator really?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Feel free to skip ahead to my <a href=\"#conclusion\">conclusion<\/a> for this post. But if you are curious, bear with me while I veer off on a tangent\/rant about what makes a narrator in works of fiction &#8220;unreliable&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I staked out my personal position by the parentheses in my definition above: &#8220;&#8230; a narrator who, intentionally or not, misleads the reader (as the author clearly intends).&#8221; This is consistent with the meaning that the originator of the term, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wayne_C._Booth\">Wayne C. Booth<\/a>, provided when he coined the term in his 1961 book <em>The Rhetoric of Fiction<\/em>. In his own words: &#8220;I have called a narrator <em>reliable<\/em> when he speaks for or acts in accordance with the norms of the work (which is to say the implied author&#8217;s norms), <em>unreliable<\/em> when he does not.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, innovations in the application of any narrative framing device are to be expected once it is developed &#8211; and transferred across mediums. Sticking with literary fiction, one my favorite writers who has pushed the envelope is the Nobel prize in literature-winning <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kazuo_Ishiguro\">Kazuo Ishiguru<\/a>. He has pioneered narrators who describe events fairly accurately, but who interpret those events in an unreliable way &#8211; leading the reader to draw false conclusions about the narrator or the events (much like King does here for Ruthye!). For example, several of his books feature narrators who (unbeknownst to the reader) are self-deluded and carrying an excessive amount of unwarranted guilt. This causes them to unconsciously mischaracterize events in such a way as to make themselves look bad. Eventually, the truth is revealed to the reader, who then realizes the narrator was unreliable all along (although unlike the reader, the deluded narrators themselves often continue to remain unaware of this fact right to the end).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But I would argue that this device has now become so commonplace &#8211; and its meaning so over-extended &#8211; that it is hard for modern readers (including academics) to not see it everywhere, including in earlier works where it was never intended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A good example of what I mean is the dramatic monologue <a href=\"https:\/\/www.poetryfoundation.org\/poems\/45392\/ulysses\">Ulysses<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Alfred,_Lord_Tennyson\">Alfred, Lord Tennyson<\/a>. Written in 1833, the poem is narrated by an aged Ulysses looking back over the different periods of his life. For much of this poem&#8217;s history, readers viewed Tennyson&#8217;s Ulysses as a heroic figure, admiring him for his stated determination at the end (&#8220;To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield&#8221;). In the later 20th century, new interpretations arose that highlighted potential unintended ironies in the poem. These critics questioned the meaning of his seemingly inconsistent statements and the motives behind his apparent decisions &#8211; viewing many of them in a new, negative light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All of the above is perfectly reasonable, so long as one appreciates these are modern reinterpretations. It is clear from the historical record that Tennyson did not mean the poem ironically. His own statements asserted that he intended to present Ulysses as a heroic character. Indeed, it was the death of his closest friend &#8211; Arthur Henry Hallam &#8211; that prompted him to write it. See the excellent <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ulysses_(poem)#Autobiographical_elements\">Wikipedia entry<\/a> on this poem to learn more about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it is now commonplace to find the poem interpreted only in an ironic sense, with Ulysses commonly described as an unreliable narrator &#8211; even though he reliably conveys Tennyson&#8217;s intended message. Don&#8217;t believe me? This is what the unavoidable Google&#8217;s AI overview has to say when I searched for &#8220;Is Ulysses in Tennyson&#8217;s poem an unreliable narrator?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hosting.photobucket.com\/7f94707c-da1b-49ed-9987-8c1a46606668\/ff60c40f-b90c-4733-a84a-4128795755b6.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Long time readers of this site will know what I think of the current commercial GenAI tools (check out my <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/23\/comic-philosophy-is-fully-ai-free\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"10471\">most recent screed<\/a>). Still, that first sentence is an accurate summary of what most modern academics and critics seem to think, judging by all the actual search results that follow. However that second sentence is complete nonsense and word-salad &#8211; Tennyson was most assuredly not &#8220;forcing&#8221; the reader to do any such thing (and anyone who did would not be doing so &#8220;because&#8221; it is a dramatic monologue).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What seems to have happened here is that modern critics have adopted the view that whether or not a narrator is reliable is NOT a question of what the author intends, but rather one of what the reader expects. To quote from Ansgar N\u00fcnning on the Theoretical Considerations section of that <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Unreliable_narrator#Definitions_and_theoretical_approaches\">Wikipedia entry<\/a> on an unreliable narrator: &#8220;In sum whether a narrator is called unreliable or not does not depend on the distance between the norms and values of the narrator and those of the implied author but between the distance that separates the narrator&#8217;s view of the world from the reader&#8217;s world-model and standards of normality.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m not a narrative theorist &#8211; I&#8217;m just a retired neuroscientist &#8211; but that definition strikes me as bat-shit crazy. So, it doesn&#8217;t matter that the Tennyson <em>intended<\/em> Ulysses to be read literally as he wrote him. If a modern reader doesn&#8217;t like what Ulysses says, then Ulysses must be an unreliable narrator (or &#8220;intentionally flawed&#8221; as Google AI also put it). What is this, reliability as determined by vibes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Call me old fashioned, but I strongly identify with whoever wrote this entry from the Form section of the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ulysses_(poem)#Form\">Wikipedia page<\/a> on the poem Ulysses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The ironic interpretations of &#8220;Ulysses&#8221; may be the result of the modern tendency to consider the narrator of a dramatic monologue as necessarily &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Unreliable_narrator\">unreliable<\/a>&#8220;. According to critic Dwight Culler, the poem has been a victim of revisionist readings in which the reader expects to reconstruct the truth from a misleading narrator&#8217;s accidental revelations<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Revisionist indeed! There is incredible value in what an Ishiguru or a King does to make a dramatic narrative point and shift a reader&#8217;s perspective. It should not be equated with a confused reader misinterpreting things according to their own biases. The first is art, the second is hubris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I wrote previously of this modern trend to confuse a reader&#8217;s bias with the author&#8217;s intent (in the reverse direction) in my <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/05\/thor-ethics\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5403\">Thor<\/a> overview, when discussing <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Stephen_Crane\">Stephen Crane<\/a>\u2019s 1895 Civil War novel, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Red_Badge_of_Courage\">Red Badge of Courage<\/a><\/em>. There, the unreliable narrator is a clearly deluded young man, who repeatedly shifts his perspective over the course of the novel from one deluded state to another. At the end of novel, he abruptly shifts into a state that (intentionally) matches the typical reader&#8217;s bias. As a result, the novel is commonly taught in schools as the protagonist having come to a mature realization. But Crane <em>intended<\/em> an ambiguous ending, as he was seeking to explore courage as a human experience rather than as a heroic virtue. He was reported to be aghast at what became the standard, simplistic, and unironic interpretation that educators adopted during his own lifetime &#8211; and which apparently continues to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"conclusion\">The last word &#8230; for now<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>This series takes us on an innovative visual and narrative journey to understand the moral heart of the Supergirl character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditionally, Kara&#8217;s ethics could be presented as very similar to Superman&#8217;s &#8211; both classically written as deontological heroes acting from duty, treating actions as inherently right or wrong. You see this especially in how both refuse to kill. Over time, both characters have shown an increasing virtue ethics perspective in the comics, where they are now framed as heroes primarily through their striving to be better, exhibiting classic virtues like courage, compassion, and restraint (and in Superman&#8217;s case, hope). Alternatively (and inconsistently), Kara has also been written as a scarred teen rebelling against her cousin&#8217;s idealism and seemingly oppressive form of morality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This series thoughtfully positions Kara as her own self. Her ethics are neither a pale shadow of her more famous cousin&#8217;s moral core, nor a reactionary response to it. Instead Kara&#8217;s ethics seem to be built around her own trauma and suffering, by showing empathy, mercy, restraint, and an awareness that revenge doesn&#8217;t solve one&#8217;s problems. She is depicted as someone who clearly understands pain and anger but ultimately doesn&#8217;t treat them as a license to violate her own moral code (although she is more morally flexible than Superman!). That said, she still remains something of a cipher at times, as the series largely relies on an unreliable narrator to contextualize her actions for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As I have argued above, Kara appears to be coming largely from a place of classic virtue ethics over most of this series&#8217; run. To be fair, there does seem to be some underlying deontology to her ethics (at least as articulated in the beginning), but it seems half-hearted and delivered in a world-weary fashion. To me, her demonstrated ethics are less about abstract or universal rules and more about refusing to let suffering violate her core identity and values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At a key moment of crisis however, she falters &#8211; and the series shifts explicitly to a care ethics perspective, thanks largely to her companion Ruthye&#8217;s evolving ethics perspective. It turns out that Kara has been modeling a care ethics perspective all along, only one dressed up with the trappings of classic virtue ethics. This is a compelling and modern retelling, expertly delivered through an engaging and unusual narrative motif that I haven&#8217;t seen before in superhero comics. Bravo to all involved!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A final word of caution for those expecting to see all of this replicated in the new film. I referred to the film in my introduction as being &#8220;loosely based&#8221; on this series, even though I know the series was the inspiration for it, and it relies heavily on its characters and plot points. But blockbuster movies tend to be heavier on spectacle and somewhat shallow and flattened ethically compared to their source material. So please temper your expectations &#8211; this comics series will be hard to live up to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From the early movie reviews, it is clear they have jettisoned both the unreliable narrator and the series&#8217; core moral conclusion. I will reserve judgment until I see it for myself, but a <a href=\"https:\/\/aiptcomics.com\/2026\/06\/24\/supergirl-2026-movie-review\/\">review<\/a> by Diane Darcy on AIPT (and a more <a href=\"https:\/\/aiptcomics.com\/2026\/06\/26\/supergirl-kara-killing-krem-problem\/\">detailed follow-up<\/a> of the moral problem two days later) has called out this moral change as &#8220;going against the grain of who Kara is as a character&#8221;, and &#8220;weakened the larger point of her heroic journey&#8221;. Time will tell as to how this is received, but superhero characters are always in some degree of flux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hopefully you have found this overview helpful if you are a fan of the original series, or are looking to read it after seeing the film. I highly recommend this series on narrative, artistic, and moral grounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>UPDATE<\/strong>: There is currently a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humblebundle.com\/books\/supergirl-woman-tomorrow-and-more-dc-comics-books\">Humble Bundle offer for 29 complete Supergirl<\/a> comics series &#8211; including this one &#8211; for only $18 USD ($25 CDN). This is a phenomenal deal if you like to download and read your comics digitally (no DRM, you own the copies). And you are contributing to charity in the process! But act fast, offer end on July 18th (unless it gets extended). <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>See my <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/27\/glossary\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5118\">Glossary<\/a> post for a list of the key philosophical concepts and related links on this site.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Further Reading<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"622\" data-src=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260317_115126-1024x622.jpg\" alt=\"Covers of Superman: Space Age (2022) by Mark Russell and Michael Allred, cover by Michael Allred and Laura Allred; DC K.O. #2 (2025) by Scott Snyder and Javi Fernandez, variant cover E by Simone Bianchi; Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex by Mark Russell and Steve Pugh, cover by Yanick Paquette and Nathan Fairbairn\" class=\"wp-image-11046 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260317_115126-1024x622.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260317_115126-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260317_115126-768x466.jpg 768w, https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260317_115126.jpg 1120w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/622;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For more Superman ethics: <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/01\/superman-ethics\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"10948\">Superman<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/13\/the-vision-ethics\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"622\" data-src=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Vision_comic2-1024x622.jpg\" alt=\"Vision: The Complete Collection (Trade Paperback), 2019, by Tom King, Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Jordie Bellaire. Cover art by Michael Del Mundo\" class=\"wp-image-5646 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Vision_comic2-1024x622.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Vision_comic2-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Vision_comic2-768x466.jpg 768w, https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Vision_comic2.jpg 1120w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/622;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For more Tom King ethics: <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/13\/the-vision-ethics\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4926\">The Vision<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/05\/absolute-wonder-woman-ethics\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"622\" data-src=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250730_160543-1024x622.jpg\" alt=\"Absolute Wonder Woman Vol 1, issues #4, 8, and 10, cover art by Hayden Sherman and Jordie Bellaire;\" class=\"wp-image-7075 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250730_160543-1024x622.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250730_160543-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250730_160543-768x466.jpg 768w, https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250730_160543.jpg 1120w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/622;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For more DC comics: <a href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/05\/absolute-wonder-woman-ethics\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6969\">Absolute Wonder Woman<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the release today of the new Supergirl film (2026) by DC Studios, I thought I would review the narrative structure and ethics of the source comics story that it is loosely based on &#8211; Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (2021), written by Tom King with art by Bilquis Evely, colors &#8230; <\/p>\n<div><a class=\"more-link bs-book_btn\" href=\"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/26\/supergirl-woman-of-tomorrow-ethics\/\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11723,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11655","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-comic"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11655","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11655"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11655\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11791,"href":"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11655\/revisions\/11791"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11723"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11655"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11655"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/comicphilosophy.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11655"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}