Major Changes From The Woman Of Tomorrow Comics

The latest Supergirl trailer shows some changes are being made from its source material, Woman of Tomorrow. It’s no secret that adapting comics and books to the big screen comes with making difficult decisions on what to change. Adapting a book one-to-one can be trying on the runtime, and what works on the page may not work on the screen.

Now, the new Supergirl trailer has hit the internet, and it’s already drawing acclaim from fans for its faithfulness to the comics. However, the trailer has also shown some major differences that will be in the final film. From new character additions to changes in character roles, Supergirl looks like it will have many surprises in store for comic fans.

Lobo Is A Character In This Story

The most obvious change to Woman of Tomorrow is the addition of fan-favorite intergalactic bounty hunter, Lobo. The original comic is more focused on Supergirl and Ruthye as they hunt down Krem of the Yellow Hills across the universe. Lobo is never shown or even hinted at throughout all eight issues.

However, the trailer features Lobo in what looks to be a fairly meaty and game-changing supporting role. He’s shown fighting alongside Supergirl in various action sequences, including what looks like the final battle on the Brigands’ ship.

The interesting thing about this change is that it was made with the strong approval of producer Tom King, who wrote the original Woman of Tomorrow story. He’s said many times that he always wanted to have Lobo in the original story, so this film is a perfect opportunity to finally include him in Supergirl’s adventure.

Krem Of The Yellow Hills Is Already A Brigand

Krem of the Yellow Hill Shoots Krypto in Supergirl Trailer

Krem’s alliance with the space pirates called the Brigands is one of the main reasons why it’s difficult to hunt him down throughout the original Woman of Tomorrow comic.

He’s able to get ahold of various magical items through them that keep Supergirl at bay, including an orb that can teleport anyone halfway across the universe. Without them, he would have been defeated by Supergirl in an instant since he lacks superpowers. In the comic though, he didn’t come across the Brigands until later in the story.

When he lands on a planet where blue species segregate against purple species, he actually offers to aid the Brigands in a genocide by working with one side of the planet to get rid of the other. He gains favor with the pirates when the deed is done and becomes a member of their crew.

The upcoming adaptation is changing things. Clips show that he’s already a member of the Brigands when he shoots Krypto with a poison dart. Ruthye even mentions that she knows the antidote for Krypto is on the Brigand ship with Krem. His backstory as muscle for the King of Ruthye’s world is seemingly removed for a more consistent villain throughout.

What this means for the planet where Krem originally met the Brigands is unknown. It plays a key factor in Woman of Tomorrow‘s revenge themes, so it will be interesting to see if it makes it into the final film.

Krem Kills Ruthye’s Family, Not Just Her Father

Woman of Tomorrow shows that Ruthye still has a fairly consistent home life after Krem murders her father. She has a mother and siblings, all while she forms her plan to take revenge. It’s an interesting way to show that even under all the pain that Krem has caused, she still has people she can turn to in times of crisis.

The trailer for Supergirl hints that she may not even have that in the movie. Ruthye tells Supergirl in one moment that Krem “murdered my innocent family,” rather than just mentioning her father.

This ultimately hints that the film will have Ruthye as an orphan who has been plotting her revenge against Krem for taking everything she ever had away from her. This change could make Ruthye an even more ferocious character than her comic counterpart.

It still seems that her father’s death will be the main focus of her plan for revenge, since the trailer features her father being killed by Krem as their house burns around them. However, what this means for how this changes the story’s execution of its revenge themes is yet to be seen.

Ruthye Has A Bigger Role Coming In The Finale

Supergirl saves someone from an explosion in the DC trailer

One of the most prominent action sequences featured in this trailer is the big battle on the Brigands’ ship, which is understandable considering this was the major set piece of the comic. There are shots of Supergirl and Lobo on the ship, fighting off the Brigands as they lay waste to the enormous sky ship.

What stands out in this scene the most is a quick, blink-and-you-miss-it shot of Ruthye clutching onto a piece of the Brigand ship. This is a major change from the comics because she wasn’t originally there. Instead, she’s on a planet below, watching after a captive Krem while she waits for Supergirl to return.

Everything the reader sees of the battle on the ship is what Ruthye learned about it through research. By placing Ruthye on the ship in the trailer, it’s clear that she will play a more action-heavy role in the final fight.

Whether this means she’ll hunt down Krem while Supergirl takes on the Brigands or has to fight for her own survival is yet to be seen. However, this is a major change in course that could be beneficial for the movie since it allows the audience to follow her along as she proves herself to complete her arc.

Supergirl’s Relationship With Krypto

Supergirl and Krypto looking off-screen in Supergirl Trailer

Perhaps the biggest change to Woman of Tomorrow‘s story is Krypto and his relationship with Supergirl. The original story has Krypto as more of a “ticking clock” element that forces Kara to help Ruthye track down Krem. He’s only occasionally brought up throughout the issues to remind Supergirl that he needs to be saved and keep her going on her adventure.

The film is completely redefining this by adding more layers to Kara’s relationship with Krypto. He’s everywhere in this new trailer as the closest friend she has, unlike his role as a scruffy and goofy terrier in Superman. From the opening shot where they’re playing fetch to the two riding a mosh pit, this film is all about their friendship.

The film even features flashback shots of her meeting Krypto on Argo City, a floating civilization with the last remaining Kryptonians following Krypton’s destruction. Krypto was never shown on Argo in the comic, so it’s clear that this flashback will be a crucial moment to show that Krypto is also the last piece of her life on Krypton she has.

There’s no denying that Supergirl is already changing a ton from the comic. However, the heart and themes of the original story are still present. So, even though there’s no denying that more changes are bound to be made, this will still be a fantastic adaptation.

Even these major changes have done little to stop the hype for this film, and given the positive feedback online, Supergirl will certainly be one of the summer’s biggest hits.

Release Date: June 26, 2026
Director: Craig Gillespie
Writers: Ana Nogueira, Otto Binder, Tom King, Al Plastino, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, Bilquis Evely