Every adaptation undergoes certain changes from source material to the silver screen. It's an inevitable fact of life that when translating a story from one medium with its own rules and traditions to another, some sacrifices must be made. Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba's award-winning comic book series The Umbrella Academy is no exception to this.
The Umbrella Academy tells the story of seven children, each from different parts of the world, who were born under miraculous circumstances. Under the mentorship of their adoptive father, Sir Reginald Hargreeves, the children are fashioned into superheroes with devastating results to the family unit (as well as their individual personal lives). One of these heroes is Allison Hargreeves aka Number Three aka The Rumor -- a girl who can manipulate minds and bend reality. Some major changes were made to Allison in order to make her more suitable for the hit Netflix streaming show, and CBR aims to give you the inside scoop. Keep reading.
10 Same: Mind Manipulation
Allison Hargreeves has a unique power that starts in the comics and extends to the TV show. That power? The ability to manipulate people's minds by whispering so-called rumors. The power is initiated when Number Three utters the phrase, "I heard a rumor that..." causing her victim to act out whatever forthcoming command.
This is her exact ability in the comic book, unleashing mayhem at the mere sound of her voice. Because of this, her vocal cords are eventually cut by adopted sister Vanya Hargreeves aka The White Violin in order to prevent Allison from interfering with the apocalypse.
9 Different: Acting Career
One major change between the comic book Allison and streaming show Allison is her occupation. In the show, Allison Hargreeves is a famous actress, noted and renowned in the entertainment community thanks to sly superpowers.
In the comics, however, Allison is very different. In fact, she never becomes an actress at all. Instead, she remains a superhero until settling down with the man who would become her ex-husband.
8 Same: Marriage, Children, Divorce
As stated above, in both versions of The Umbrella Academy, Allison Hargreeves aka The Rumor meets, marries, and has a child with Patrick, who she settles down with after manipulating the man with her superpowers.
However, when Patrick discovers Allison has powers, which he spies her using on their daughter Claire, he comes to his senses and immediately files for divorce. In the end, Allison loses everything, including the house.
7 Different: Reality Bending Powers
While her ability to manipulate people's thoughts and actions might be the same in the show, there is another ability that is exclusive comics Allison (so far). In the comic, Number Three aka The Rumor aka Allison Hargreeves can also manipulate reality, making the very fabric of spacetime change before her very eyes.
One example of this occurs when Allison visits a certain story that's out of a certain common item. Instead of shopping elsewhere, Allison whispers rumors cause the item to appear out of thin air, creating the very thing that she needs at a moment's notice. While this ability could become the cause for potential plot holes in the show, whether or it will enter the world of Netflix's series remains to be seen.
6 Same: Feelings For Luther
It doesn't take a long-time fan of the franchise to notice that Allison has a thing for her adopted brother Luther Hargreeves aka Number One aka Spaceboy. This is something that made it from the page to the projection machine, being a core element of the interpersonal relationships between the members of the Hargreeves family.
Luther and Allison's feelings begin during their time fighting crime as members of the child soldier force The Umbrella Academy under foreman and father Sir Reginald Hargreeves. In both versions, the two share deep romantic feelings for one another, although that is seemingly where it ends as far as similarities are concerned.
5 Different: Affair With Luther
This is something that is exclusive to the show only. As cited in the previous entry, Allison did indeed have romantic feelings for her adopted brother in the comics, but it never evolved into a full-body contact sport.
Netflix's TV show, however? Allison and Luther Hargreeves get hot and heavy. The escapades only last for a short while as eventually, Allison marries Patrick. After both Luther and Allison's divorce, though, the two pick up where they left off.
4 Same: Number And Superhero Name
Another similarity kept between the two expressions of The Umbrella Academy is Allison's assigned number (Number Three) and her superhero moniker The Rumor. This name comes straight from the pages of the comic book wherein Allison initiates her powers by stating the phrase, "I heard a rumor..."
This allows her to manipulate the minds of other people or even bend reality itself, allowing for Number Three to shape the world as she sees fit. A power she utilizes in the show for personal gain.
3 Different: Character Design
This one is perhaps the most obvious. Comic book Number Three is drawn as Caucasian with purple-blue hair and a black coat. She is also seen sporting a single black glove and sometimes a backpack.
TV Allison is completely different. Not only is she depicted as a black woman, but she is also well-dressed, polished, and feminine, decked out in a variety of pastels and designer clothes appropriate for a movie star. Netflix's Rumor is sans the purple hair too.
2 Same: Allison Uses Her Powers On Vanya
This is a major plot point in both versions of The Umbrella Academy, serving as a catalyst for later events. As the story goes, Allison uses her mind manipulation powers to make Vanya forget of her own terrible abilities.
This came at the behest of Sir Reginald, who knew if Vanya were to use her power humankind would be doomed. The only notable difference here is Allison's conflicted feelings about obeying such an order. In comics land she unrepentant.
1 Different: Complexity
This one is less factoid and more character development. Hinted at in other entries in this list, Netflix's Allison is a much deeper character than that of the comics, making for a more conflicted heroine who is often forced to make tough choices (or coerced into by Sir Reginald).
Comic book Allison is much more shallow and less conflicted, often acting in a self-assured manner. For example, in the comic, Number Three ignores Vanya just as much as the others do, while in the TV show The Rumor is seen trying to reconnect with her sister.