Lara-El

> But why Earth, Jor-El? They're primitives, thousands of years behind us.
>
> **Lara**, Superman The Movie

**Lara** was the mother of Superman. Lara eventually became a holographic "spirit" in the Fortress of Solitude, to mentor Kal-El's mission on Earth.Template:Superman-Pentalogy:Character / **Lara** was the mother of Superman.

## Biography/History

### Physical death on Krypton

Lara was the wife of Jor-El, who gave birth to their only son Kal-El. When Kal-El was an infant, Jor-El discovered that Krypton and its red sun was on the verge of destruction. However, his warnings of such to the Science Council fell on deaf ears, who warned him that he could be accused of inciting sedition. Undaunted by their ignorance, Jor-El built a star ship for his son Kal-El to travel to Earth in, placing within the ship a green glowing crystal and an energy module containing the last remaining energies of Krypton. Lara sees the Earth as being primitive and that Kal-El will be a stranger among them, but Jor-El assured her that their son shall never be alone. As they watch the starship rise into the sky and depart from Krypton, the ground crumbles underneath their feet and everyone else's until both Krypton and its sun explodes.

Lara was the wife of Jor-El, who gave birth to their only son Kal-El. When Kal-El was an infant, Jor-El discovered that Krypton and its sun was on the verge of destruction. However, his warnings of such to the Science Council fell on deaf ears, who warned him that he could be accused of inciting sedition. Undaunted by their ignorance, Jor-El built a star ship for his son Kal-El to travel to Earth in, placing within the ship a green glowing crystal and an energy module containing the last remaining energies of Krypton. Lara sees the Earth as being primitive and that Kal-El will be a stranger among them, but Jor-El assures her that his son shall never be alone. As they watch the star ship rise into the sky and depart from Krypton, the ground crumbles underneath their feet and everyone else's until both Krypton and its sun explodes.

### Mentoring Kal-El

Lara describes herself as Keeper of the Archives of Krypton, she explained the history of his homeworld during his twelve year training in the Fortress of Solitude. One of her recordings warned him of the existence of the trio of Kryptonian criminals, General Zod, Ursa and Non.

### Interacting with Intruders

Lex Luthor and Eve Teschmacher managed to locate the fortress and interact with crystal recordings. After discarding Education Crystal 308, they find one about the darkest chapter in Krypton's history. When Lara mentioned the Phantom Zone criminals it captured his imagination, the idea of three arch-criminals with the power of Superman. It seems he thought he could use the situation to his advantage and abruptly left. The system seems unable to distinguish a human intruder from Kal-El.

### Wishing Kal-El happiness

Years later on Earth, as Kal-El operated as a superhero called Superman while disguising himself as a mild-mannered reporter named Clark Kent, Lois Lane accidentally discovered Clark's secret that he was Superman, whom she was in love with. With the secret revealed, Superman brought Lois to the Fortress of Solitude to show her everything about his true self and that he truly wants to spend eternity with her. Kal-El confides his wishes to a holographic representation of his mother Lara, who then says that in order for him to do so, then he must become a mortal like one of the humans, and then shows her son the molecule chamber that harnesses the power of Krypton's red sun to strip him of all his powers. Believing that the loss of his powers is a small price to pay in order to be with Lois for eternity, Kal-El bravely steps into the molecule chamber and endures the painful trial of the chamber's energies stripping away his powers, leaving him mortal.

When Lois Lane accidentally discovered Clark's secret, whom she was in love with, Superman brought Lois to the Fortress of Solitude. There he showed her everything about his heritage and that he truly wants to spend eternity with her. Clark summoned a holographic representation of his mother to confide in, which told him that in order for him to do so, then he must become a mortal like one of the humans, showing him the molecule chamber that harnesses the power of Krypton's red sun to strip him of all his powers. Lara emerged from a crystal screen, revealing her living spiritual essence to him. Believing that the loss of his powers is a small price to pay in order to be with Lois, Kal-El bravely steps into the molecule chamber and endures the painful trial of the chamber's energies stripping away his powers, leaving him mortal. The visual manifestations of his parents would never appear to him after this. The last of their powers were reduced to the call of the Green Crystal, which later restored his powers.

### *Superman IV: The Quest for Peace*

Whilst visiting his hometown of Smallville disguised as Clark Kent, Superman, checks in on the now uninhabited farm where he grew up. In an empty barn, he uncovers the space-capsule that brought him to Earth, and retrieves the green crystal once again. A recording left by Lara states that its power is nearly gone and can only be used once more.

## Appearances

* Donnerverse (3 films)
	+ *Superman: The Movie* (First appearance) - Susannah York
	+ *Superman II* - Susannah York
	+ *Superman IV: The Quest for Peace* (Voice only) - Susannah York

## Gallery

Lara-themovie.jpgSusannah York as Lara.Lara.jpgSupermanmothermovie.jpgLara (Donner Movies).jpg
## Notes

* Lara was portrayed by Susannah York, who appeared in *Superman: The Movie* and in the original theatrical version of *Superman II* as a hologram.