Matrix (Pocket Universe)

Matrix
Pocket Universe‎
Real Name	Matrix
Other Aliases	Mae, Linda Danvers
Relatives	Jonathan Kent (adopted father), Martha Kent (adopted mother)
Affiliation	Superman, Justice League, Teen Titans, Lexcorp
Base Of Operations	Metropolis
Status
Alignment	Good
Identity	Public Identity
Citizenship	American
Marital Status	Single
Occupation	Adventurer
Characteristics
Gender	Female
Height	5' 8"
Weight	118 lbs (54 kg)
Eyes	Blue
Hair	Blond
Origin
Universe	Pocket Universe · New Earth
Creators	John Byrne
First Appearance	Superman Vol 2 #16 (April, 1988)

     

History

In an alternate reality (a "Pocket Universe") three Kryptonian criminals escaped the Phantom Zone, and tried to take over that reality's Earth. There was no Superman in this reality (his younger self, Superboy, having died before the criminals' escape) but there was a Lex Luthor who hadn't gone bad. Using an artificial lifeform called the "protoplasmic matrix," Lex made a red-headed woman who resembled his true love, the deceased alternate reality Lana Lang, even having Lana's memories due to her synaptic pathways being copied into the creature. This Lex had also patterned her physiology to resemble Superman's, whom he had seen using one of his many inventions to look into the mainstream universe.

Like Superman, the creature was superhumanly strong and fast and could fly, but also had the powers of shapeshifting, telekinesis, and invisibility. The girl, whom Luthor called Matrix, was given a feminine version of Superman's uniform, shape-shifted into a young blonde woman, and fought the three criminals as "Supergirl". Her powers were no match for theirs, however. Desperate, Lex sent Matrix into the mainstream universe to recruit Superman. Her efforts were successful, and Superman did aid in stopping the Kryptonian criminals, but the alternate Earth had been ruined, and was now lifeless. Superman took the orphaned Matrix, now turned into a humanoid form of protoplasm, back to the mainstream DC Universe with him.

Supergirl

Upon arrival on the mainstream Earth, Matrix was taken to live with Superman's parents, the Kents. Jonathan and Martha Kent did a fine job raising their new "daughter", but Matrix (or "Mae" as the Kents named her) became delusional for a time, believing she was Clark, even assuming his form. After a fight with the real Superman, Matrix came to her senses, but concerned that she might become unstable again and cause the Kents harm, she fled into outer space.

After many adventures (or misadventures), she returned to Earth, where she met and fell in love with the mainstream Lex Luthor (Disguised at the time as his own son). Again donning the uniform her reality's Lex had given her, (and once again in the form of the young blonde woman), she assumed the role of Supergirl in the mainstream DC universe, determined to make this Earth a better one than the one she left. One of her first acts was to return to Smallville, Kansas, and reunite with her "parents", Jonathan and Martha Kent.

Her parents and Superman were shocked when they learned that their dear Mae was now dating Luthor. Mae began living with Lex, and even had an altercation with her "brother" Superman over it.

When Doomsday killed Superman, Supergirl used her powers to protect Metropolis, but was met with some derision, as many people saw her as Luthor's "pet". She did an admirable job of rescuing victims, teaching the new hero Superboy about the importance of being serious when saving lives, and helped Superman return once he was found to be alive again. She even posed as Clark Kent, pretending that Clark was trapped in a well-stocked cellar during Doomsday's initial attack, to help explain why Clark was gone while Superman was dead.

But her biggest shock came when she learned that Lex had cloned her, making thousands of his own personal "Supergirls". She went berserk, and destroyed his lab, his clones, and almost killed Lex before he fell into a coma. She decided to join the Teen Titans for a short while, but left shortly afterwards, realizing that it just wasn't for her.

Earth-born angel

After some soul searching, Mae began to wonder if she was even a real person or if she even had a soul. But this was solved when she held the hand of a dying girl named Linda Danvers. Matrix's shapeshifting ability merged the two into the new Supergirl and Mae became the Earth Angel of Fire, simultaneously losing her shape-shifting abilities as she subconsciously defined herself as just Linda and Supergirl. The remnants of her protoplasmic form that were not absorbed in the merge became an evil, insane Matrix, who fought the Mae/Linda merged Supergirl, until she was absorbed by Blithe, the Earth Angel of Light. Later, when the good aspect of Matrix was separated from Linda, she was merged with Twilight, and became a new Angel of Fire.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

• Psychokinesis
  • Superhuman Strength: Matrix was, using her Psychokinesis, strong enough to lift in excess of 100 tons. While she was not as physically imposing as other Supergirls like Kara Zor-L or the New Earth version of Kara Zor-El, she was able to knock out the pre-crisis supergirl with one punch. This act only left her with a sore hand.
  • Invulnerability
  • Superhuman Stamina
  • Flight
  • Superhuman Speed
  • Superhuman Reflexes
  • Superhuman Agility
  • Telekinesis: She could focus her Telekinesis into devastating force blasts, or extend a psionic barrier around others to shield them from harm. She could even use her psi-power to rearrange the molecular structure of fabrics, and alter clothing and costumes with her thoughts (an ability that enabled her to change her clothing when she changed shape, and turn tattered rags into a costume for Superman).
• Invisibility: By deflecting lightwaves and sound waves with her aura, she could become invisible and inaudible, even to Superman's sense of hearing.
• Shape-Shifting - Possibly an application of her psychokinesis, Matrix was able to change her shape. Minor changes in coloration and facial features were relatively effortless, but significant changes in size, build or gender were apparently quite strenuous.

Weaknesses

Her stamina, while probably greater than a human's, was not unlimited. She was vulnerable to fatigue, and to physical and emotional stress. When under the influence of the Eradicator, she suffered an identity crisis and believed that she was Superman/Clark Kent, as well as having impaired cognitive abilities.

Related

• 215 Appearances of Matrix (Pocket Universe)
• 20 Images featuring Matrix (Pocket Universe)
• 4 Quotations by or about Matrix (Pocket Universe)
• Character Gallery: Matrix (Pocket Universe)

Footnotes

Superman Family member This character is or was an incarnation of or an ally of Superman, and a member of the Superman Family. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Superman Family members" category.

Justice League member This character has been a member of the Justice League of America, or the Justice League in any of its various incarnations, sworn by a duty to act as guardians of America and the world by using their skills and/or superpowers to protect Earth from the clutches of both interstellar and domestic threats. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Justice League of America members" category.

Teen Titans member This character is or was primarily a member of the younger superhero team known as the Teen Titans, in any of its various incarnations. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Teen Titans members" category.