Who the Clix? is a series of articles featuring information on comic book characters that have been made into figures for the popular tabletop game Heroclix. These articles are meant to help Heroclix players learn more about the characters behind their favorite pieces.

Today we look at the mother of Supergirl and aunt of Superman: Alura

Appearances in Heroclix: World’s Finest

First Appearance: Action Comics #252

Team Affiliations: N/A

Created By: Otto Binder and Al Plastino

Before its untimely destruction, Brainiac invades Krypton and plunders it of its collective knowledge. Brainiac shrinks and then bottles the entire city of Kandor thus preserving Kryptonian society for posterity. Following Brainiac’s attack, the people of Krypton ignore the warnings of Jor-El that the planet is untable and facing destruction. Zor-El, however, believes his brother and sets into motion a plan for his family to survive. Along with his wife Alura, Zor-El deconstructs one of Brainiac’s robots and is able to recreate its protective force field. Though the pair are unable to produce the technology on a grand scale, they are able to create enough of a field to protect their home, Argo City. This allows Argo City to survive Krypton’s destruction and float aimlessly in space for months.

Alura and Zor-El begin to work on an evacuation plan to meet Kal-El on Earth. However, Brainiac senses the use of his technology and finds the Kryptonian refugees. As Brainiac approaches, Alura and Zor-El place their daughter in the only escape rocket available and sends her off to Earth. Soon, Brainiac assimilates or slaughters most of Argo City’s population while transferring Alura and Zor-El to Kandor.

Brainiac eventually makes his way to Earth and is defeated by Kal-El, the Earth hero Superman. Superman discovers the bottled city of Kandor and releases it near his fortress of solitude, reuniting both Alura and Zor-El with what remains of their family. All the Kryptonians denziens of Kandor choose to remain on Earth and live among humans. Soon, however, xenophobia rears its ugly head and Kandor is attacked by a band of super-villains designed to battle Superman. Zor-El is tragically killed in this attack.

Alura assumes command of Kandor after burying her husband and grows increasingly bitter. Tensions mount until Alura activates a device derived from a marriage of Kryptonian and Brainiac technology. Kandor rises from the surface of the Earth and travels to the other side of the sun where a New Krypton has been formed.

The Kryptonians reclaim what they have lost and establish a new high council and government. Alura acts as head of the science guild. Both Kara and Kal-El travel to New Krypton with Kara wanting to reunite with her family and people; Kal-El hopes to heal the rift between Krypton and Earth. Kal is soon shocked to learn that Alura has retrieved General Zod from the Phantom Zone and placed him in charge of the military guild. This puts Kal-El under the command of Zod, a former foe, which upsets the hero. However, Kal attempts to give Zod a new chance on their mutual home world.

Alura’s thirst for revenge is not sated, however, and she soon sends Supergirl back to Earth to apprehend Reactron, Zor-El’s murderer, and bring him to New Krypton for trial. Supergirl succeeds in her mission and Reactron is placed on trial. This trial is soon interrupted, however, when an angry mob of Kryptonians break into the chamber. Reactron is seemingly vaporized and Alura asks that everyone makes peace with the villain’s death.

Alura later confesses her sins to Zor-El’s tomb. Reactron is not dead but is instead being tortured by Commander Gor to learn who sent him and the other villains. Brainiac and Lex Luthor attack New Krypton in an attempt to capture it. Alura defends the city and is left as the only surviving council member. Luthor finds Reactron’s hidden chamber and tampers with the villain after killing Commander Gor. Viewing this attack as a declaration of war, Zod declares war on Earth while Alura tries to get every last bit of information of Reactron personally. Kara soon finds her mother torturing the villain and this leads to the two Kryptonians arguing. Reactron reveals Luthor’s machinations as he begins to radiate Gold Kryptonite radiation. Alura locks Kara in a radiation proof chamber that saves her daughter while Alura, and her New Krypton, is killed in the ensuing blast.

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