Lady, That's My Skull: Supergirl #10: Symbolism-palooza

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Supergirl #10: Symbolism-palooza

Let's count all the symbolism found on the cover to the new issue of Supergirl, shall we?

Supergirl #10 (Nov 2006)

Techno-Vagina: Kara seems to being birthed full grown and with a new persona from a giant metal vagina. The vehicle must represent technology and may be a symbol of Krypton, Argo City or the spaceship that brought her to Earth or all of them at once. She is looking about her environment with curiosity and concern. "Who am I?" she appears to say. "Will I be a girl or woman? Tiger or skittish, baby deer? Will I pose so my front and back can be seen at the same time?"
The super-suit is behind her, which also reflects her desire to put the entire legacy of the Superman Family likewise. The outstretched "arms" of the costume are reaching out to embrace her, against her will. Kara can not escape her past.
Kara is squatting and in a subservient position. This represents fanboy/girl expectations of female super heroines and allows a look up her skirt.
The backpack is tearing open, exposing her secrets to the world. The shocked on-lookers are horrified to know her secrets. This is a common fear of us all.
The impact of the vehicle is causing her wig to slip, exposing her true blond hair. This reveals that no matter how much Kara tries to conceal who she is, her real self will always show through. As in real life, you silly Goth posers!
Kara is looking up toward the airborne glasses as she often must look up to the legacy of Superman. Kara feels she is being watched and judged by the glasses of the "Cheshire Clark".
Kara is wearing a schoolgirl outfit which represents hotness. She is also wearing sensible shoes which can only be a subtext hat-tip to her time spent on Paradise Island with all the lesbians. This is a story that must be told someday, hopefully soon and under the Vertigo imprint.
The deployed airbag represents maternity. The driver is in a position of infantile helplessness, supported and comforted by the maternal pillow. Or he's thinking of Powergirl. Whichever.
The iPod represents stupidity. Anyone who buys a $300 disposable music player is stupid.
The backpacks are clearly "baggage" of some sort. Kara not only has her own emotional baggage to deal with, but must accept the burdens of others as well.
The tires of the car have left the road. Yeah.
The dropped and discarded books are symbols of knowledge lost. That Kara is attempting to regain knowledge by rescuing the books represents the new creative team on the title. The hope is that fans who also "dropped the book" will also "pick it up again".