Dr. Eliza Danvers is a bio-engineer. She is also the widow of the late Jeremiah Danvers, the mother of Alex Danvers, and the adoptive mother of Kara Danvers.
Biography[]
Original multiverse[]
Early life[]
Eliza Danvers was a brilliant scientist living with her husband, Jeremiah, in the small town of Midvale. In 1989,[1][2] they had a daughter, Alex Danvers.
At some point, Eliza and her husband became acquainted with Superman, whom they helped to understand his own powers.[3]
Taking in Kara[]
Eliza and Jeremiah Danvers welcome Kara into their family.
In 2003, Superman discovered that his cousin, Kara Zor-El, had arrived on Earth. Eliza and Jeremiah agreed to take Kara in and raise her as their own daughter. Upon meeting Kara, Eliza warmly welcomed her, promising that she would be safe with them.[3]
Eliza would take Kara swimming on Tuesdays and Thursdays.[4] At some point, she showed Kara the musical The Wizard of Oz, thinking that her adoptive daughter would relate to the adventures of a young girl being lost in a faraway land. Sure enough, the film became Kara's favorite.[5]
Losing Jeremiah[]
One night on the front porch, Eliza asked Jeremiah to keep her company while she wrote her dissertation. Later, they caught Kara and Alex sneaking back into the house after the two went flying. Eliza and Jeremiah lectured the girls on the dangers of potentially exposing Kara's powers, with Eliza coming down particularly hard on Alex, as she was supposed to know better. After hearing a knock on their door, Eliza and Jeremiah quickly sent the girls to their room. Upon answering the door, the couple were introduced to Hank Henshaw of the D.E.O.. Hank wanted to study Kara and use her as an asset to the organization, since Superman refused to work with them. Eliza vehemently protested, pointing out that Kara was only 13 and should be raised with a family, not in a lab. When Hank refused to back down, Jeremiah offered to provide the D.E.O. with all of his research on Superman if they left Kara alone, much to Eliza's worry.
A year later, Eliza learned from the D.E.O. that her husband had been killed in a plane crash. However, she remained skeptical of the circumstances of Jeremiah's death, believing Hank to be responsible for what happened. Distrustful of the government, Eliza kept the truth a secret from her daughters and tried to make sure Kara lived a normal life.[1]
Visiting National City[]
In 2014, Eliza visited her daughters in National City for Thanksgiving, during which she was apparently upset with Alex over Kara not dating enough.
In late 2015, Eliza learned that Kara decided to reveal her powers and become "Supergirl", which she was seemingly supportive of. Several weeks later, Eliza arrived at Kara's apartment for Thanksgiving and happily greeted her daughters, praising Kara for her superheroic deeds and gently urging Alex not to work too hard over the holiday. While unloading groceries, Eliza, Alex, and Kara listened to Leslie Willis' Thanksgiving rant about Supergirl, which annoyed them.
The next day while cooking dinner, Eliza refused to watch a report detailing Supergirl's latest actions. She and Alex had an argument, with Eliza scolding her daughter for letting Kara put herself in danger. Alex countered that Kara makes her own choices and has accomplished so much as Supergirl. Eliza voiced her fear of Kara still believing everyone on Earth has the same morality as her deep down and felt that Alex, who knew people, wasn't watching out for her sister.
That night, Eliza held a Thanksgiving dinner for her daughters and Kara's friend, Winn Schott. She watched in amusement as Kara used her heat vision to finish cooking the turkey. There was tension between Eliza and Alex, with the latter being frosty and the former commenting on her daughter's wine consumption. Winn then asked about Eliza's work as a scientist, to which Eliza specified that she and her daughter are bio-engineers. Alex interrupted to reveal she isn't just a doctor, but an agent of the D.E.O. who works with Kara in the field. Eliza grew outraged over her daughter lying to her for years, stating that Jeremiah would be disappointed. Hurt, Alex left the table. Kara confronted Eliza for being much harder on Alex than she was with the former.
Eliza and Alex make amends.
After several blackouts caused by Livewire, Eliza was lighting candles when Alex arrived to check up on her. The two had a heart-to-heart, with Eliza apologizing for what she said earlier. Eliza explained she was tough on Alex in order to push her daughter to be better than the former; on the other hand, Kara was an orphaned alien girl from a destroyed planet, whom Eliza had no choice but to accept, which was why Alex was tasked with watching over her. Eliza assured Alex that she has always been proud of her, proclaiming her daughter to be "her Supergirl". The two embraced and reconciled. Eliza then started to confide in Alex about something, but her daughter was called away for work.
The next day before returning to Midvale, Eliza praised both Alex and Kara, though noted there was room for improvement regarding Supergirl. Eliza then revealed she had already known about the D.E.O. for years, as Jeremiah decided to work for them under Hank to protect Kara. Eliza believed Jeremiah died because of his affiliation with the D.E.O. and not in a plane crash as she had been told.[1]
Myriad[]
After they have become fugitives, Alex and J'onn J'onzz come to Eliza's house and learn about what is happening in National City. After that, Alex and J'onn went back there to help Kara, however, Non managed to put her under the control of Myriad, forcing her to fight Kara with the intention to kill her.[6]
Alex almost did it, but was stopped by her mother (who was taken in the city by J'onn) who told her that she believed in her, snapping her out of the mind control.
Alex told her mother that her father is alive.
Later, Alex told her mother that her father is alive and is in a secret laboratory named Cadmus, where they intend go to save him. After Supergirl saved the Earth, Eliza was present at Kara's apartment during the celebratory dinner they were having. However it was interrupted by a pod flying in the sky catching their attention, causing Kara and J'onn to leave to check it out.[7]
Medusa virus[]
Eliza spends Thanksgiving with her daughters and their friends.
Eliza returned to National City to celebrate Thanksgiving with her daughters and Kara introduced her to Mon-El, who immediately tries to get close to her. When Kara expressed confusion over his behavior, Eliza explained that Mon-El was trying to gain her approval to be with Kara. Over dinner, a mysterious portal opened in the apartment.
After Mon-El contracted the Medusa virus at Al's Dive Bar, Eliza examined him at the D.E.O.. Eliza informed the Superfriends that despite Mon-El's condition being stable, he was infected, and that the virus is not transmitted between organisms. She also revealed that the protein structure of the virus indicates that it originated from Krypton, and Mon-El is able to fight it off longer because his Daxamite physiology is similar to that of Kryptonians. However, if they didn't find a cure soon, the virus will eventually kill him.
Alex comes out to Eliza.
Kara later gave Eliza a crystal from the Fortress of Solitude containing information about the Medusa Virus. Eliza and Alex began working to develop a cure to save Mon-El.
As they worked, Alex tried to come out as a lesbian to Eliza, but the latter revealed she already knew due to how Alex talked about Maggie Sawyer, who later became her girlfriend. Alex admitted she was afraid of disappointing her mother, but Eliza assured her daughter that she could never disappoint her, and embraced Alex.
The next day, Eliza used an isotope of the defunct Medusa Virus to create a cure, saving Mon-El's life. She also used the cure to cleanse the White Martian blood cells from J'onn's blood, returning him to his normal Green Martian form.[8]
Jeremiah's return[]
After Jeremiah was apparently rescued from Cadmus, Eliza was informed and came to National City to reunite with her husband. At Kara's apartment, Eliza organized a family celebration dinner. When they were alone, Eliza admitted to Jeremiah that although she still loved him and was happy for his return, she felt like she didn't know him anymore and she would need some time before adjusting to having him back in her life. Later, after Jeremiah betrayed the D.E.O., Alex informed Eliza personally.[9]
Wedding shower[]
When Alex and Maggie were preparing for their wedding, Eliza went to National City to plan their bridal shower. At dinner that night, Eliza noticed that Maggie didn't have pictures of herself as a teenager. Maggie revealed her parents kicked her out after she came out as gay and Eliza comforted her. The next day, she attended Alex and Maggie's bridal shower.[10]
Visit from her children[]
After Alex and Maggie broke up, Eliza was visited by her daughters in Midvale as per Kara's suggestion that she and Alex take a break from home for a few days. Eliza went to Kara and told her that Alex was going to be a mess for a while and Kara would still be a mess for a while herself after her separation from Mon-El. Kara told her that she was doing better but Eliza told her that she didn't have to be doing better and she was allowed to be a mess. However, Kara told her that too many people depended on her for her to be allowed to be a mess but Eliza told her that was a convenient excuse.
After they reflected on their past and old friend, Kenny Li, Eliza found her daughters a touch happier. As Alex and Kara prepared to return to National City, Eliza packed them a picnic and bid her daughters a loving goodbye.[11]
Meeting Nia Nal[]
The next year, Eliza returned to National City for Thanksgiving and met Kara's friend and coworker, Nia Nal. Upon learning from Kara about Nia's narcolepsy, Eliza offered to get Nia in touch with her friend, Dr. Mosier, who specialized in sleep disorders. However, Nia claimed she already had a doctor named "Minsky Smith". Over a Thanksgiving meal, the group discussed James Olsen and Lena Luthor's different methods to dealing with the recently-rampant Children of Liberty. They realized the organization was using sniffer dogs to mark homes housing alien residents with an invisible marker.
The next day, Eliza left National City to speak at a conference about her studies on the regressive hereditary traits of inter-terrestrial children.[12]
Anti-Monitor Crisis[]
During the Anti-Monitor Crisis, Eliza as well as everyone in the multiverse except for the seven Paragons, were killed in an antimatter wave by the Anti-Monitor on December 10, 2019,[13] only to be restored a month later, after the Paragons and the Spectre created a new universe.[14]
New multiverse[]
Just like in the original multiverse, Eliza and Jeremiah were Kara's adoptive parents. However, this complicated Eliza's relationship with Alex, who deemed her mother a paranoid helicopter parent about Kara that made Alex sacrifice advantages in her life to keep an eye on her adopted sister.
In 2009, Eliza studied a rare element called dysprosium. To get access to this element, Alex stole her mother's name tag to enter the building where it was stored.[15]
Jeremiah's death[]
In early 2020, Eliza called both her daughters to inform them that their dad, Jeremiah, had been found dead from an apparent cardiac arrest in his apartment.[16] Eliza called Kara early the next morning and told her that Jeremiah loved her dearly. While Eliza gave her husband's eulogy at his funeral, Alex arrived and hugged her sorrowful sister.[17]
Eliza's life was threatened if Lex Luthor revealed Supergirl's secret identity, so Lena Luthor erased his memory with Myriad.[18]
Alex's wedding[]
Eliza helped the Superfriends confront Lex and Nyxlygsptlnz. Later, Eliza met her foster granddaughter Esme and attended Alex and Kelly Olsen's wedding. Eliza was proud of her daughter and also of Kara.[19]
Personality[]
Eliza is kind, caring, selfless, compassionate, and intelligent. She also has a sense of justice, honor, and good morals. Eliza is also one of the few humans who does not have an anti-view on aliens in general, as evidenced by the fact that Eliza raised Kara Danvers as her own daughter, despite the latter not being human.
Due to the fact that Eliza's husband was forced to work for the D.E.O. in order to prevent Hank Henshaw from taking Kara away, she does not trust the government in general.
Initially, Eliza couldn't accept Kara becoming Supergirl, placing constant blame on Alex. However, after a Thanksgiving adventure, Eliza stopped putting pressure on Alex and stopped making her daughter Kara's keeper.
Abilities[]
- Genius-level intellect/Master scientist: Eliza is highly intelligent, as evidenced by the fact that she managed to reverse-engineer a cure for the Medusa virus, which was created by Kryptonian scientist Zor-El. Eliza also managed to cure J'onn J'onzz of his transformation from a Green Martian to a White Martian.
- Culinary expertise: Eliza is a talented cook and her food is enjoyed by many, including her family, Winn Schott, James Olsen, Mon-El, and Maggie Sawyer.[10][11] Eliza's dishes, particularly her chocolate pecan pie[1] and glazed carrots,[8] are considered essential for Thanksgiving dinner.
Appearances[]
Supergirl[]
Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Season 5
Season 6
|
The Flash[]
Season 3[]
- "Duet" (mentioned)
Comics[]
Adventures of Supergirl[]
- "This Is My Life" (mentioned)
- "Sistery Mystery" (mentioned)
- "Wake Up Calls" (mentioned)
- "Nightmares on El Street" (dream)
- "Sistery Mystery (Reprise)" (mentioned)
- "Who is Facet?" (mentioned)
- "Pieces"
- "End Games"
- "Breaking Point"
Trivia[]
- While Kara has long since accepted Eliza as her parent, she chooses not to call her "Mom" out of respect for her biological mother, Alura Zor-El.
Behind the scenes[]
- In the comics, Kara's adoptive mother was named Edna Danvers in the Silver Age. The later, more recent version was renamed Sylvia Danvers.
- Eliza Danvers, an in-part original character specifically created for the show, was incorporated into the DC comic book universe, first appearing along with Supergirl in Superman/Wonder Woman #29 (July, 2016). Starting with Supergirl: Rebirth (October, 2016), she along with her husband, are introduced as agents of the D.E.O. and the adoptive parents of a teenage Kara Danvers.
- Helen Slater previously portrayed Supergirl in the 1984 film of the same name. She also previously portrayed Clark Kent's biological mother, Lara, in the television show Smallville.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Livewire"
- ↑ "Mr. & Mrs. Mxyzptlk"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Pilot"
- ↑ "Damage"
- ↑ "Blood Memory"
- ↑ "Myriad"
- ↑ "Better Angels"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Medusa"
- ↑ "Homecoming"
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Far From the Tree"
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Midvale"
- ↑ "Call to Action"
- ↑ "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Three"
- ↑ "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Four"
- ↑ "Prom Night!"
- ↑ "Reality Bytes"
- ↑ "Alex in Wonderland"
- ↑ "Rebirth"
- ↑ "Kara"
| Other versions of Eliza Danvers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| To see other versions of this character, click the Earth name below for that Earth's counterpart of Eliza Danvers. | ||||
| New multiverse | ||||
| Earth: Prime • Obsidian Platinum | ||||
| Original multiverse | ||||
| Earth: 38 | ||||
| Transmultiversal multiverse | ||||
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