In the season two episode of “Superman & Lois,” titled “The Ties That Bind,” which premiered last week, a classic DC Comics character was introduced.
In the episode Lois and Chrissy Beppo investigate the cause of continuous tremors centered around the Smallville mines. During inspection, the duo is welcomed by Dr. Faulkner, played by Catherine Lough Haggquist.
In the show Dr. Faulkner is a geologist and the chief of operations of the AmerTek mining operation taking place in Smallville. Upon first glance, it appears AmerTek is strictly overseeing the removal of x-kryptonite from the Shuster Mine.
However, after continuous tremors caused by Doomsday buried deep beneath Smallville, it’s revealed that someone nefarious is behind the entire opperation.
Even though Dr. Faulkner’s first name is never revealed, it is surmised that she is DC character Karen “Kitty” Lou Faulkner, a former S.T.A.R. Labs scientist.
In the comics Faulkner was an ambitious scientist focused on special energy-conservation. An accident later turned her into the villain Rampage. The character first appeared in “Superman” Vol 2 – no.7, published July, 1987, and the character was later reutilized in “Starman” and made appearances in the Justice League animated series.
Rampage has a distinct physical appearance with her orange skin, towering, muscular build and fiery red hair. Basically DC’s version of Hulk, Faulkner has the ability to transform to and from Rampage at will. Usually clad in bright purple, this monstrous behemoth is tough to miss.
I’m not sure if Dr. Faulkner will develop into the iconic super-bad, or how this character will play into the proposed Doomsday storyline in the show, but it’s a fun tie-in to Superman’s past and the name drop was enjoyable none-the-less.
