Tom King Clarifies Krem’s Fate in ‘Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow’ Amid Film Controversy

A two-year-old interview with Tom King has resurfaced, gaining attention due to the recent release of the ‘Supergirl‘ film. In a quote highlighted by DCU Brief, King made it clear that Krem’s fate at the end of ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ was never intended to be ambiguous, stating that Krem is meant to be alive at the story’s conclusion.

The film, which is currently in theaters, took a different approach, sparking debates among fans of the source material since its opening night.

In Craig Gillespie’s adaptation, Milly Alcock’s Kara persuades young Ruthye not to kill Krem. However, once Ruthye is out of earshot, Kara takes matters into her own hands, fatally stabbing the villain three times—once for each major wrong he committed against her and Ruthye. This scene frames Kara’s actions as morally justified, showcasing her newfound confidence as she returns to Earth.

In contrast, the comic presents a different resolution. King and artist Bilquis Evely’s original ending sees neither Kara nor Ruthye killing Krem. Instead, they decide that enough killing has already occurred, leading to Krem being banished to the Phantom Zone. A later epilogue reveals him as a repentant old man, seeking forgiveness from Ruthye, offering a more complex and unsettling conclusion than a simple act of violence.

Ironically, the film adopts a false ending from the comic. In King’s work, Ruthye writes a book about her adventures with Supergirl, which inaccurately claims that Kara killed Krem. The film transforms Ruthye’s unreliable narrative into the actual ending.

Critics and comic analysts have pointed out that the film’s conclusion undermines the thematic essence of King and Evely’s narrative, which deconstructs revenge tales. Kara’s mission is to teach Ruthye that killing Krem would ultimately diminish her humanity.

By having Kara deliver the fatal blow and portraying it as emotionally satisfying rather than morally burdensome, the film dilutes the lesson’s significance.

Some defend the film’s choice, arguing that its version of Krem is a darker character than in the comics. Portrayed by Matthias Schoenaerts as a superhuman sex trafficker and mass murderer, Kara’s final act may feel justified in a way that the comic’s Krem, with his comparatively lesser crimes, does not.

King has publicly supported the film during its promotional period, praising the adaptation and Alcock’s performance. Whether his 2024 comments about Krem’s intended survival indicate any lingering frustration or simply serve as a canonical clarification is still uncertain.

What remains clear is that the discussion surrounding whether Kara Zor-El should ever kill, and the implications of her actions when she does, has become a central topic regarding one of the summer’s most talked-about superhero films.

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