Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 (1985)
by Marv Wolfman & George Perez
By far one of the greatest, and saddest, covers of all time.
As I said last time, Crisis is such an enormous story that I can’t possibly cover everything. But, while I’m going to focus on Supergirl, there’s something I have to address because it’ll eventually come up in the villain origins retrospective.
Because the origins of the Anti-Monitor are strictly linked to Krona, member of the race that will later become the Guardians Of The Universe, who 10 billion years ago ran an experiment to discover the true origin of the universe…
…but instead ends up creating both the Multiverse and the Anti-Matter Universe. That’s actually a retcon, as we’ll see once I cover the first Krona story.
So the Guardians are responsible for the creation of the Anti-Monitor, just like they were responsible for the Manhunters, just like they were responsible for the Controllers, which in turn were responsible for the Sun-Eater and at one time were responsible for the Time Trapper (although him being a rogue Controller has been retconned).
Following more explanations and more subplots (this is Crisis after all), a strike force of some of the most powerful heroes from multiple Earths reach the Anti-Matter Universe.
Even Earth-1 Superman is worried. Which is fair, considering at this point the Anti-Monitor has already destroyed multiple universes.
Things are pretty grim: the heroes are getting their butts kicked by the Anti-Monitor’s headquarters, without the big guy even needing to show up.
Of note is that Supergirl considers super-breath a stupid power. Which is true until you remember it can be used to stop tornadoes.
During the fight, Superman and the new Doctor Light manage to locate a device that the Anti-Monitor wants to use to merge the various Earths to make them easier to conquer.
So he has a device that transforms light into vibrations? He’s built himself an Anti-Dazzler!
The Anti-Monitor attacks Superman directly, and at this point he’s so absurdly powerful that even Supes can’t deal with him on his own.
Pariah’s entire deal is being teleported from one end of the world to the other, so it makes sense that he’d be such a downer.
It’s interesting that, even before she tackles the Anti-Monitor, Supergirl is not blindly believing Superman is going to make it. While she keeps a positive attitude, she’s already convinced herself that if he IS dead she’s going to carry the mantle. Or the cape, in this case.
You really, REALLY don’t want to get Supergirl THIS angry at you. The Anti-Monitor has kept himself out of the fight for the previous issues, and it’s VERY satisfying to watch him get beaten up.
At this point the Anti-Monitor is way too dangerous to be kept alive, something even the heroes that are most reticent to kill their enemies have realized. But it hits especially hard when it’s a member of the Superman family (and a Legionnaire!!!) gets to this point.
Also, she has apparently inspired Doctor Light to be slightly less of a jerk.
Unfortunately for Supergirl… this is the Anti-Monitor we’re talking about.
Supergirl could really, REALLY use the help of her cousin… but in her greatest moment of heroism, she instructs Doctor Light to bring him to safety (along with the other heroes).
Considering that move, I think it’s fair to say that Supergirl expects this to be a suicide mission.
Which makes what follows even more tragic: Supergirl inspired Doctor Light so much that she decides to help… and distracting Supergirl at the worst possible moment.
And the Anti-Monitor delivers the final blow.
It goes without saying, but George Perez is one hell of an artist. Superman’s face alone is a gut punch that still hurts to this day.
After 26 years of publication, the Girl of Steel dies saving the multiverse. And even if he was Just The Worst for so many years, her last words are still about Superman.
“I… I love you so much for what you are. For how… good you are…”.
Her last words.
Damn. 37 years later and this moment still hits.
Even Earth-1 Superman wants to kill the Anti-Monitor now. But he’ll never get around to it: in issue #12 it will be Earth-2 Superman to deliver the final blow.
Though the other Supes will get his chance: the Anti-Monitor comes back to life loke five times in a row… dude just straight up refuses to stay down.
Thank goodness Perez didn’t go with THIS mood for the cover. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fantastic piece of art, but the expression on Supergirl’s corpse would give anyone nightmares.
Supergirl is given a hero’s funeral. Which takes places in Chicago, her latest base of operations.
Her funeral is a very tasteful and respectful scene as well, with Batgirl delivering a heartfelt eulogy.
Unfortunately we only get to see this from the point of view of the general public… we don’t even get to see her adoptive parents, whose last appearance was Supergirl #13 and will never show up again.
Other than Superman, Brainiac 5 is the only other character who will get a deep exploration of the consequences of Supergirl’s death.
And so we end with Superman carrying Supergirl’s body into space…
…and an excerpt from Robert G. Ingersoll‘s 1889 poem, “Declaration of the Free”.
Historical significance: 10/10
Silver Age-ness: 0/10
Does it stand the test of time? 10/10
A true masterpiece. The gold standard on how to write the death of a hero (I would argue it’s done even better than the Flash’s death in the same series).
Crisis remains a very controversial series, especially among Silver Age aficionados, but this is one of the most powerful moments in comic book history that nobody can forget.
Much like comic book fans won’t forget the late George Perez, unparalleled artist and wonderful human being, who tragically passed away this year.
