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Interview: Writer Michael Alan Nelson Talks SUPERGIRL

The 28 DAYS LATER writer discusses his take over of the SUPERGIRL series and reveals what he has in store for Kara.

Yesterday we ran an interview with Justin Jordan, the new writer for DC's SUPERBOY series. But SUPERBOY isn't the only Superman Family title that will be undergoing new creative team changes in the near future: SUPERGIRL will as well. We recently caught up with the series' new writer, Michael Alan Nelson, to discuss his plans for the upcoming series. We touched on everything from Supergirl's relationship with H'el, to what new villains the creator has in store for this character. Check out the full interview below!

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Comic Vine: Supergirl has spent the last few issues during this 'H'el On Earth' story arc falling in love with H'el for, what some might say, all the wrong reasons. Do you plan on building on that relationship following the end of this series?

Michael Alan Nelson: Supergirl's relationship with H'el is definitely going to color her view of the world, but I'd like to see her in a relationship with someone who doesn't have powers (whether or not that relationship lasts). Kara is searching for a place to belong and the vast majority of people on Earth don't have powers. If she's going to fit in, she's going to need to relate to the mundane among us. It's not going to be easy for her and it might not even work out, but I think she should try. Plus, having a non-super around might help ground her and gain some perspective on the world around her. Not to mention that I think it could be fun watching Supergirl not only deal with her own insecurities, but deal with someone else's when they realize her last boyfriend was [a] super-powered bad boy who never needed to wear a shirt because his smoldering hotness kept him warm.

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CV: If we had to choose one word to describe Supergirl it would have to be that she is really stubborn. Lately, she's been doing nothing but butt heads with both Superman and Superboy. What are your plans for Supergirl's role in the "Superman Family"? Will she continue to rebel again Kal-El, or will readers get to see their relationship change?

MAN: There's always going to some tension between Supergirl and Superman/Superboy. It's hard for her to look at them as fellow Kryptonians because they never lived on Krypton, had a life there. And it's frustrating to be lectured to by someone whose diapers you probably changed at one time. But even though she's pretty antagonistic toward them, I do see her moving toward a begrudging acceptance of them. Much like realizing that you have to be nice to your annoying cousins when you see them during the holidays just so you can make it through dinner without throwing mashed potatoes at each other. It's only once a year so suck it up and it will soon all be over.

Supergirl's relationship with them really is a great microcosm for what she's dealing with. We don't get to choose our family. And they're the closest thing to family she has any more. But who she does get to choose are her friends. And it's those friends who eventually become your real family. It's just like real life. We develop relationships with friends that can become just as strong as any blood relationship. Even stronger. And once Kara starts to build that family, she'll start tolerating Superman and Superboy a bit more. Not that she'll be inviting them over for a holiday dinner any time soon.

== TEASER ==

CV: In the last 16 issues Supergirl hasn't really managed to adjust to Earth. Is that something that fans can expect to see in your take over of this series? Will we witness the character evolve? If so, in what way?

MAN: That's one of the things that I really want to focus on with Kara as a character. I'm not saying that she will be able to adjust to being on Earth right away, but I want to at least see her try. That would be a lot of fun to see. I look at it this way. When my father passed away a few years ago, I was devastated. I had never known that kind of pain before. Blinding sadness, mind-numbing confusion, and blistering rage were all roiling inside like feral beasts fighting over which one gets to be the first to eat my heart. But I had friends and family to help me through that grief. And eventually those overwhelming emotions subsided. They're still there and they will always be there, but they're not all-consuming any more. And I think that's where Kara is right now. She had an unbelievably difficult tragedy to deal with. She lost EVERYONE and there's no one to help her work through that pain and confusion. She's been having to figure it out all on her own. Now she's coming to realize that Earth is her new home whether she likes it or not. Yes, it's unfair. Yes, it's a big bucket of suck. But that's the way it is. So the cloud of losing everything she ever knew will always hover overhead, but it's starting to dissipate enough to let some sun shine through. I think it's time she started asking the question, "Okay, what does this planet have to offer?" Supergirl is a good person and someone who I think wants to be happy. So I'd like to see her start trying to find some happiness.

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CV: What do you plan on bringing to Supergirl that we haven't seen yet?

MAN: I want to try to bring a sense of fun to the title. Like I said before, I think she wants to be happy. So how does she go about that? Especially in the midst of all the chaos that seems to find her. Now, don't get me wrong. It's not going to be puppies and rainbows all the time. It's still me writing the series and those who are familiar with my work know that I have a bit of a dark streak. I'm not going to make it easy on Kara. But I want there to be no doubt that there is hope in her world. She CAN be happy and it's her struggle to find that happiness that I want to explore.

CV: She doesn't seem to have a lot of friends and relationships. Any plans to expand on that?

MAN: 100% yes. That is the most important thing I want to do with her character. There are few things more important to a teenager than a social life. And right now, she really only has Siobhan the Silver Banshee and her brother as friends. Now that she's starting to accept Earth as her home, she's going to want to develop those relationships even further while exploring new ones. And not just with other super-powered people. And just like every other teenager in the universe, those friendships and romantic relationships are going to be complicated and full of dramatic highs and lows. Pile on a host of super-problems and she's going to have her hands full.

CV: In terms of adversaries, she has been through a lot. Do you plan on bringing in villains we have seen since the start of the 'New 52' into this story? Any plans on introducing new adversaries?

MAN: I'm sure we'll see some familiar villains, but I'd really like to introduce new adversaries. I want to really help establish Supergirl's own corner of the DCU and villains specific to her are a great way to do that. We really want to build Kara's own rogues gallery, not only to populate her world but to also make her a character unto herself. She doesn't define herself by her relationship with Superman or any other characters in the DCU. Her villains shouldn't be either. She's her own person and her adversaries should be unique to her. And that's something that we're striving to create.

CV: What have been some of the challenges you have faced writing Supergirl?

MAN: For me, the biggest challenge has been honing in on the right tone of her character. Too far one way and she becomes silly and annoying, too far the other way she becomes overly-brooding. So the trick is finding that middle ground where the weight and seriousness of what she's experienced and what she must continue to deal with is tempered with a sense of fun, wonder, and adventure. Kara is a rich character with the full-spectrum of emotions swirling around inside of her. It's been challenging finding a way to see that internal chaos manifest itself in a way that makes us love her as a character and want to follow her story.

SUPERGIRL #20
SUPERGIRL #20

CV: What challenges do you have in store for her character?

MAN: We're going to see her deal with some things that make her re-evaluate her own life and how she sees her role in the world. And as her relationships develop, those relationships are going to be tested. She's also going to be faced with empathetic baddies, find herself on the wrong side of obsession, and be haunted by her past in a way that she never would have expected.

CV: Any chance Kara will get a "real" love interest in the future?

MAN: Yes. Very much so. Romance and all of its wonderfully twisted aspects are going to make an introduction into Kara's life.

CV: Any plans for another cross over?

MAN: Right now I want to concentrate on Kara, establish her world and her role in it. So when things start to go haywire across the whole DCU, we've got a good understanding of who she his and what she has to add to the greater story.

32 Comments

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Batnandez

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Edited By Batnandez

Was H'el a zombie or albino or something?

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sethysquare

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Edited By sethysquare

love the interview. michael alan nelson is the best person to take on this job

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deactivated-5d921c81bd12c

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This guy has amazing initials...

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Smart_Dork_Dude

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Edited By Smart_Dork_Dude

@Batnandez said:

Was H'el a zombie or albino or something?

He was originally supposed to be Bizarro

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Batnandez

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Edited By Batnandez

@Smart_Dork_Dude: lol I'm glad I don't read those books.

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akbogert

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Edited By akbogert

So, seeing as Nelson is talking a lot about developing her as a character, and his first issue is the one in which the solicit says she dies and is replaced, does this mean we can officially ignore that part of the solicits and stop worrying about PG taking over the book?

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AltyAce

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Edited By AltyAce

I am cautiously optimistic about this book. If it's fun i'll give it a go having never read Supergirl before.

I hope Emanuela Lupacchino can do all the covers!

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doordoor123

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Edited By doordoor123

A little confused about the Power Girl thing. Does Kara die? It doesn't seem like from this interview. Does Power Girl become Super Girl? It also doesn't seem like it.

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RedQueen

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Edited By RedQueen

@doordoor123 said:

A little confused about the Power Girl thing. Does Kara die? It doesn't seem like from this interview. Does Power Girl become Super Girl? It also doesn't seem like it.

They won't kill her off, will probably be one of those things that is exaggerated beyond recognition. I'd bet that the two are going to meet up, they'll probably be interrupted by a villain. They might talk about how "Supergirl" is dead on Earth 2.

Regarding the interview, sounds great- I would really like that Kara would have a human boyfriend.

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jesusdisciple001

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Edited By jesusdisciple001

Was originally scared but sounds good, also love me new villains.

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LoganRogue24

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Edited By LoganRogue24

as long as kara dose not die iam happy. i would love to have sterling gates take another shot at the new kara zor-el someday. i would love to be karas human bf.

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pspin

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Edited By pspin

It sounds promising, I hope he can deliver. Mike Johnson turned Supergirl into my favorite DC title, Nelson has some big shoes to fill.

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dondave

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Edited By dondave

Good Interview,glad he's coming on as writer, not happy that Mahmud Asrar is staying on

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deactivated-5a4e0e8ea3dfb

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"Too far one way and she becomes silly and annoying, too far the other way she becomes overly-brooding. So the trick is finding that middle ground where the weight and seriousness of what she's experienced and what she must continue to deal with is tempered with a sense of fun, wonder, and adventure"

We had a character like that prior to the new 52........she was called Power Girl and her character was written perfectly unlike the last two versions of Supergirl. Heck, even Matrix and Linda Danvers were portrayed better and in the exact same balanced tone as what he's describing.

Instead DC thinks we need to get pushed a whiny, bratty Supergirl that in no way represents anything about her previous incarnations.

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The Mast

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Edited By The Mast

Why does she NEED a man? Not everybody has to date.

Why can't people just write a relationship like they are in reality? Natural if it feels right.

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UltraBiel

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Edited By UltraBiel

I'm not optimistc after reading this interview...let's hope for the best!

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lifeboy

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Edited By lifeboy

@dondave said:

Good Interview,glad he's coming on as writer, not happy that Mahmud Asrar is staying on

I thought that mahmud www as a joke when I first began picking this up, especially the silver banshee story and then compared to barsi's fill in story. But I think he has improved a lot since issue 1 ajd the colorist is very complementry to his style. Im starting to become a fan finally after 16 issues!

As for theinterview, I am ready for alan to take over and whole hearted ly accept him. I have the assurance I need to know that supergirl is going to continue to be a good comic and I am looking forward to the ride!

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dondave

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Edited By dondave

@lifeboy:I liked his art when he was drawing Dynamo 5, but he's fallen far IMO since then

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lifeboy

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Edited By lifeboy

@dondave: yeah, some of his work looks lazy at times. Then on the sunday artists art comicvine puts up his personal commission posts are all good and also he is drawing other marvel characters and iits like "come'on dude, you are serious about doing other $h!t exept for your pesponsabilities of being the artist for supergirl! Are you dedicated to dc or not?" But like I say, eiter he is coming around or im coming around and accepting him because he doesnt appear to be going anywhere and then im starting to enjoy his style. Its about a 8to 8.5 out of 10. Plus I hate to think of who would repace him if he left- it would probly be someone bad. Just hope the colorist doesnt leave because he really pushes up mahmud. Overall hes good for the comic.

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dondave

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Edited By dondave

@lifeboy:True

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ChocolateFrogs

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Edited By ChocolateFrogs

Hmm, I really enjoyed Michael Green's first storyarc, and was looking forward to picking up Supergirl again in the near future. But if the writer is changing...is this a good thing? The comments sound mostly positive.

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Hervs

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Edited By Hervs

should've just made Supergirl as part of the titans or something. lol

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lifeboy

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Edited By lifeboy

@ChocolateFrogs: stay with this comic. Do you remeber how badly writen the fight with the flash was? So much potencial to see a good throw down between an all powerful teenage girl and a veteran speedster and it ends up a dissapointment. This comic can only go up in quality. Not dissing the last writter because he had some dramatic scenes like when kara was drowning and i did like the stories but I think this new guy is going to be somwhere between pleasing to awesome! Some where around there:-)

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feargalr

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Edited By feargalr

@guttridgeb said:

This guy has amazing initials...

QFT.

Also this is great, I really liked Supergirl at the beginning, but it kinda went downhill I thought, hopefully this guy can reaffirm my interest in the book. Also I'd love a new costume for Kara, I refuse to believe that Kryptonian clothes are that revealing for teenage girls.....

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dangermart

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Edited By dangermart

I'd like a new costume too* - the Superman Family Adventures look would do nicely, anything to see the back of the oddball boots and streetwalker shorts. I like that Michael wants Kara to start having some fun but I'm not good with his emphatic-sounding attitude as regards Kara's relationships with Kal and Kon. Why won't she ever get on great terms with them? Yes, they didn't know Krypton the way she did, but Superman at least is a fellow Kryptonian and her first cousin; she should at least try using him as a sounding board for her grief. Anyway, if youre reading this Michael, best of luck, matey. * For Supergirl, not me!

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Skewer

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Edited By Skewer

I mentioned plenty of times how much I don't like the costume and I really hope they change it.

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JayJayCAW

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Edited By JayJayCAW

just kill off Kara Zor-El and make Kara Zor-L the only Supergirl/Power Girl in the New 52, the reboot made her into this completely annoying little shit whom I personally just cant stand to read anymore, once H'EL ON EARTH is done, I'm dropping the book

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deactivated-5a162dd41dd64

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Holy crap, THAT'S where Powergirl's haircut went!

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RedheadedAtrocitus

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Wasn't even aware Green/Johnson were gonna be done with the title. Still, I think Nelson has good plans in store for Kara so I'm on board of course.

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Mrfuzzynutz

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Edited By Mrfuzzynutz

As long as she stops acting like a butthead and punching Superman in the face EVERY time they meet, I will give it a chance, but the new 52 Supergirl has been a huge disappointment

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dangermart

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Edited By dangermart

I forgot to say, nice work, Miss Babs.

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Baberaham_Lincoln

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Lobdell/Rocafort make superman feel more fun and lively (gorgeous art main reason though =D), Justin Jordan/Silva on superboy #20 will be awesomesauce (Team 7 and Deathstroke were getting good).... not sure bout this however.... they're starting to pay attention to the supes books now i guess, since DC is gonna use the shit out of man of steel as a hook ^_^