Kristin Wells
Kristin Wells is a female superhero who features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Kristin Wells was a female human born on Earth in the 29th century where she was the daughter of Jimmy Olsen IV. By adulthood, she grew up to become an attractive, freckle-faced red-headed, college professor at the Columbia University with specialty in Early American History - the period from 1763 to 2100. At the age of 19 or 20 when she was still a graduate history student at Columbia University she made a journey into the past on a foundation grant to solve the mystery of the secret of the interplanetary holiday, Miracle Monday. Not only does she uncover the secret of the holiday she finds that she has a large part in the origin of the holiday herself. When she eventually the twentieth century and went back to her own time the memory of her presence in that time was wiped from the minds of everyone on Earth except for Superman. Years later in September 2862, Wells had become a professor she and her students were discussing Superwoman, "quite possibly the greatest heroine of the 20th Century" and the only super-hero whose secret identity has never been unearthed. The students offered suggestions about how Superwoman performed her feats and a handy chart is displayed showing her powers and the 29th Century tech that could duplicate them. One of the students proposed Wells took a research trip back to the day Superwoman first appeared and learn her identity and Wells decided to take another trip back in time.
Back in 1983, Wells took a job as a typist working on Lois Lane's new book and got hit on by Jimmy Olsen. Wells discovered Superwoman's costume in a closet in Lois' office. It was red and blue with the familiar S-shield, blue gloves and boots, a blue cap and a blue hood. Shortly after Wells discovered the costume, King Kosmos, a time and space-faring tyrant from an alternative future, arrived and threatened to conquer Earth. Knowing that Superwoman was supposed to aid Superman against Kosmos, Wells found Lois and confronted her with the costume. Lois explained that the outfit was for Clark Kent's cousin, Supergirl Kara Zor-El who was operating as Linda Danvers wearing her costume to Morgan Edge's costume party. Wells then tried and failed to enlist the aid of Linda, as she in an effort to see how the other half lived, was flying to Metropolis from Chicago via jet and was unreachable. Kosmos blasted Superman back to the 6th Century, then withdrew to make new plans. Superman flew back to the present under his own power in time for the party. At the party, Wells was shocked that Linda chose to wear something that did not conceal her face instead of the Superwoman garb. Kosmos attacked again, incapacitating Superman and the Justice League and leaving Wells no choice but to don the Superwoman costume herself. Joined by a recovering Superman, Superwoman took her battle against Kosmos to present-day Dallas, then to Washington, D.C., April 14, 1865, and finally to the timestream. There, Superwoman blasted Kosmos' navigational controller from his hand and when he tried to evade Superman, he tumbled "out of control, in and out of the folds in time and space." He will return, however, Superwoman warned. Her task completed, Wells returned to the future to reveal that she was Superwoman. First, however, she discouraged Jimmy once and for all by kissing Clark. After all, it would not do for him to fall for the great-great-granddaughter of Jimmy Olsen IV.
Overview
Personality and attributes
In appearance, she was a female human of Caucasian descent who possessed the distinct, youthful features of her 29th-century Jimmy Olsen ancestry, most notably her vibrant red hair and bright blue eyes. She stood at an athletic 5'7" and carried herself with the scholarly poise of the history professor she was in her home era. When she assumed her heroic identity, she donned a striking red-and-blue costume that mirrored Superman's iconic palette but featured a unique, stylised yellow 'S' shield on her chest. (DC Comics Presents Annual v1 #2)
She had an intense academic curiosity and scholarly dedication. As a history professor from the 29th century, she approached her journey to the past not as a typical hero seeking glory, but as a meticulous researcher determined to solve the ultimate historical mystery: the secret identity of the 20th century’s last unknown superhero. She displayed a cautious and responsible nature, frequently worrying about the ethics of time travel and being careful not to 'pollute' the timestream with future knowledge. Even when she discovered she was destined to become Superwoman herself, her initial reaction was one of logical deduction and fulfilling a historical obligation rather than raw ego, showing a selfless commitment to the truth of her own era's records. (DC Comics Presents Annual v1 #2)
Kristin demonstrated a profound sense of humility and self-doubt that contrasted sharply with the typical bravado of a superhero. Despite her brilliance and the advanced technology at her disposal, she was visibly overwhelmed by the reality of being thrust into action alongside Superman. She initially viewed herself as a mere observer of history, feeling unworthy of the heroic mantle and questioning whether she possessed the inner fortitude to live up to the legends she had spent her life teaching. This internal conflict reached its peak when she realized she had to step in to save the Man of Steel; her transformation into Superwoman was fueled by a reluctant courage, as she pushed through her own insecurities to fulfill what she saw as a necessary historical destiny rather than a personal desire for power. (DC Comics Presents Annual v1 #2)
Powers and abilities
Notes
- Kristin Wells as Superwoman was created by Elliot S! Maggin where she made her first appearance in DC Comics Presents Annual v1 #2 (1983).
- In the Post-Crisis continuity, the character was re-invented in Superman v1 #669 (2007) as a Kryptonian named Karsta Wor-Ul who had escaped Krypton prior to their world's destruction and been hiding on Earth.
Appearances
- Superman: Miracle Monday v1:
External Links
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