Warning! Spoilers ahead for Action Comics #1034!
In Action Comics #1034, Superman’s new family member, Thao-La, just killed some of Mongul’s minions, breaking Superman’s most sacred rule. In the previous issue, Lois Lane officially inducted Thao-La, a Kryptonian refugee from Warworld, into Superman’s family. She explicitly said that she doesn’t care about why she originally came to Earth. This is because Mongul sent her with the mission of killing Superman and his family. However, Lois has a strong instinct that they need Thao-La by their side. So, she made the decision, even without consulting Superman.
Like most heroes, Superman has a strict set of rules that he follows. Rules and a moral code are often what define the lines between good or bad for any superhero as heroes who kill are often criticized for being no better than the villains that they fight. Naturally, Superman, being the world’s greatest hero, is extremely strict on what he can and can’t do. But like all living beings with emotions, sometimes even Superman can be pushed into crossing that line.
In Action Comics #1034 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Christian Duce, and Adriano Lucas, Thao-La breaks Superman’s no-killing rule, despite being inducted into his family. This occurs as the Fortress of Solitude is broken into by a set of rogue Warzoons, under Mongul’s orders. They are there to remind Superman’s new ally what her mission is and that Mongul is always watching. After a short battle, the Warzoons have the upper hand on Thao-La and Lois Lane. However, this all changes as Thao-La taps into her Kryptonian powers and unleashed her incredibly powerful blue heat vision on the assailants. Vaporizing them in an instant, leaving nothing but bones.
Thao-La’s burst is due to two things: her anger and her lack of control of her powers. It should be noted that she is probably aware of Superman’s no-killing rule, as she was brought up on stories of him. As far as this issue reveals, it doesn’t seem like she has much remorse for killing the Warzoons. It seems like her priorities are staying alive, which is confirmed when she takes Lois as a hostage once Superman arrives. She’s smart and knows that Mongul will send more people to kill her, so she'll do what she needs to survive.
Despite her survival instinct kicking in in a deadly fashion, Thao-La is an official member of the family, so her brutality comes as a shock. Will Superman forgive her and allow her to continue with them? Or will the Man of Steel’s morality come forward and oust his new ally? It’s sure to be a conundrum, especially after holding the person that Superman cares for most hostage. Action Comics #1034 is available in comic book stores and on digital platforms now.