Supergirl: Survive #1 Review
Writers: Ethan Parker & Griffin Sheridan
Artist: Rod Reis
Letterer: Lucas Gattoni
Cover Artist: Rod Reis
Variant Cover Artists: Taurin Clarke, Guillem March & Homare
Editors: Chris Conroy, Matthew Levine & Andrew Marino
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $4.99 US/$5.99 US (Card Stock)
Release Date: June 3, 2026
Kara Zor-El should be hanging out with her friend Sav at the Argo Pier. Instead, she sits on a couch as her parents argue with her aunt and uncle. Her father and uncle constantly argue these days over the issues assailing her planet. And whenever she looks up at the green orb in the sky, Kara realizes how badly things can go.
So as another family discussion descends into an argument, Kara holds her newborn cousin and quietly vows to protect him with her life. How will the political situation strengthen and stress her family? And what are her days at Kandor Primary Academy like when Kara attends classes and hangs out with Sav? Let's leap into Supergirl: Survive #1 and see!
Story
As they prepare for class, Sav urges Kara to ask Ben-Lo to the Equinox Formal. But Kara is hesitant. It seems like a big step. And despite how Kara feels about Ben, she fears asking him to the school dance. So Sav reminds her that the clock is ticking. If she doesn't ask Sav, someone else will.
In Supergirl: Survive #1, readers see Krypton from Kara’s perspective. Despite her pledge to Kal, Kara is a shy girl who feels overwhelmed by life. Her parents love her. Yet adults are obsessed with politics these days, and every discussion can turn incendiary. Things are moving too fast for Kara, and she wishes she could slow the pace down.
Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan address how contrasting ideologies can prevent people from working together. Their story reminds readers how a strong, charismatic leader can arise amid stalemates, promising to solve everyone's problems and get society moving again. Yet it also reminds us how much parents love their children. And when danger threatens, Jor-El, Lara, Zor-El, and Alura sacrifice to give Kal-El and Kara Zor-El a better future in Supergirl: Survive #1.
Art
Kara sits cross-legged on a couch as her parents argue with her aunt and uncle. As Lara approaches, Lara sits at attention. When she holds Kal-El, she gazes down at his placid features before glaring at the people radiating hostility. At school, everyone wears black-and-gray uniforms. But when Sav’s conversation stresses her, Kara opens her locker and opts for a black-and-blue jacket. The stuffed animals on the upper shelf remind her of the comforts of childhood, while her central position in a team photo suggests her willingness to work with others.
Rod Reis paints the school in somber blue and gray. When the world seems to close in on Kara, the colors fade as she crouches in a vignette. Yet Kandor could be a more colorful world, and Sav's blue hair is a reminder of that. When the friends visit the Argo Pier, purple and pink hang in the air, while the yellow maintenance drones bear yellow-and-black warnings in Supergirl: Survive #1.
Lucas Gattoni places uppercase black letters in white dialogue balloons as Kara navigates another day in interesting times. The letters grow bold for intonation, shrink for lowered voices, and fade for whispers. Raised voices enlarge words and make balloons spiky. Sound effects surround Kara's nervousness and regularly scheduled activities, while giant red letters indicate concern for the future. Large green letters hover in the air, reminding people to exercise caution, as a green orb hangs in the night sky. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.
Final Thoughts
Kara tries not to dwell on what could happen. She'd prefer to return to yesterday, when childhood seemed less fraught with concerns. In fact, she’d prefer that everyone could rewind the clock, before adults and their angry seriousness ruin her world in Supergirl: Survive #1.
Rating 9.5/10
To look inside, see my preview of Supergirl: Survive #1.
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