The cast of Superman was created with patience and precision. Everyone was carefully picked to complete one of DC Studios and Warner Bros.' most important projects in years. Of course, the Man of Steel, Lois Lane, and Lex Luthor had to be the top priorities, but they were only the start. Characters like Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and Mr. Terrific had to be carefully selected because they’re mostly well-known. Another crucial person (that may have gotten swept under the rug) is María Gabriela de Faría as the Engineer, a.k.a. Angela Spica.
I didn’t know much about the Engineer, but she was fantastic in Superman. She wasn’t portrayed as another goon Lex Luthor experimented on for his needs. Angela had a personality of her own and believed in Lex’s cause. And when it was time to do crucial jobs, she did things that even the genius Lex Luthor couldn’t. I won’t spoil what, but let’s say that she discovered something very much like the Viltrumites in Kal-El's past.
A good thing about roles like this is that people start to see the potential of performers. Superman is a huge platform to showcase your talent to a wide array of people. This is why María Gabriela de Faría was brought up. She’s a veteran actress who helped make Superman a work of art. That’s why I can’t help but bring up (again) that the SYFY Channel dropped the ball with their series, Deadly Class.
Maria Salazar
Maria Salazar was a complex character in Deadly Class and required the actress to display a range of emotions and personalities on top of the action scenes. After seeing what María Gabriela de Faría was capable of in that show and later in Superman, there was no doubt she was the right person to play Maria Salazar. Sadly, it wasn't meant to be as the show was cancelled after just one season that received mixed reviews.
Fans missed the opportunity to witness María Gabriela de Faría tell the character's whole story as she went from a jealous, alcoholic student at King’s Dominion to an adult crime boss, and eventually a good mother and wife. And, within all of that, there were heartbreaking storylines. Thankfully, after all of the sadness, you’re left with a smile. It’s a shame we’ll never see these storylines play out on the show with this particular performer. Fans missed out on seeing a complex character arc come to life on television. Thankfully, she exists in the comics.
It’s easy to play Monday morning quarterback with SYFY's Deadly Class. I don’t know the ins and outs of the show. However, writer Rick Remender gave people who read the comic insight into what he thought.
Rick Remender on SYFY's Deadly Class
In issue No. 54 of Deadly Class, Marcus Lopez Arguello (the lead character) had his science fiction book turned into a TV show. Sadly, it was put on the Crime Network, which Marcus says is known for “low-budget shlock.” Fans felt that this was a direct shot from writer Rick Remender about the Deadly Class TV show being put on the SYFY Channel. It didn't fit the theme of the channel, and some of their projects are known for being, well, less-than-stellar. However, Remender did have Marcus smile when the character realized that his dream was coming true.
This smile seemed like a memory that Rick Remender will always cherish: He got to see his comic book turned into a TV show. It may have been short-lived, but it’s a moment that no one can take away from him. It’s also an accomplishment that many will never experience. And, for that, it’s easy to guess that he’s grateful regardless of the outcome.
And yet, seeing María Gabriela de Faría deliver in Superman is just a reminder of what she could have given us on the Deadly Class series if it had stayed true to its source material and had a longer run.
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