Suzanne Grace is one of VALentine Complex’s central specialists. Her office holds a computer, astrological charts, notes and mountains of working papers. In the feature screenplay, she understands this apparent chaos perfectly. She combines her calculations with Sergeant Striker’s intelligence to help decide where and when the team should act. Her titles across the stories include Head Astrologer, Astrological Intelligence Coordinator and Chief Astrological Projectionist.
In the first comic, a young woman rescued by Matchman recognises Suzanne as the author of astrology books she has read. Suzanne’s doublesign method combines Western and Chinese astrology. Within the story’s fantastic world, her calculations work alongside Matchman’s abilities to identify a prospective partner and send him to a particular meeting place.
Suzanne is sharp-tongued, practical and caring. She can reprimand Matchman for another spectacular entrance through her ceiling, make a joke and call maintenance herself. When Scott loses his powers, she listens to him at her desk, reminds him of his importance to the team and keeps alive the possibility that Rhoda can help.
Her niece Azusa Zeitzler occupies a special place in her life. In “Z is for Sidekick,” Suzanne opposes Azusa’s dangerous ambitions, saying that the girl’s deceased parents would never forgive her for allowing such a risk. Yet the interview also reveals Azusa’s independence and ability. Later, Z-Girl moves out of her aunt’s home to Park Slope. Their relationship asks both women to balance protection with freedom.
When danger escalates, Suzanne acts. In comic 5 she calls in the secretive SUPERSIGNS when her colleagues are close to defeat. In comic 13 her concern for the missing Scott prompts the team to investigate. She is at Rhoda’s hospital bedside when Rhoda wakes in comic 16, and she raises the alarm when Azusa is kidnapped in comic 17. Although some stories give her uncanny intuitions, she says in comic 17 that she has no superpowers.
The feature screenplay gives Suzanne a field mission of her own. She anticipates a threat at the United Nations and a larger crisis to follow, then joins the rescue party. While Matchman distracts Discordia, Suzanne takes the golden apple without touching it with bare skin. She helps free Z-Girl and gives her first aid. This is part of the film version of the story.
In the animated teleplay “Aileen Alien,” Suzanne takes a call from Dr. Dejection himself. Initially ready to track the enemy, she checks his warning with Striker and helps connect VALCom with B.L.A.H. for a temporary alliance. Faced with a shared danger, her judgement matters more than the familiar battle lines.
