Supergirl may be one of DC’s most iconic heroines today, but her journey to that status has been a long, evolving ride filled with multiverse twists, alternate versions, and emotional depth. Since her debut in 1959, she has undergone numerous reinventions, each bringing something fresh while staying rooted in her Kryptonian legacy. In this blog, we explore the complete history of Supergirl.
Supergirl’s Creation and Debut
Supergirl first appeared in Action Comics #252 in 1959, created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino. Introduced as Superman’s cousin, Kara Zor-El, she was a blonde-haired, blue-eyed Kryptonian sent to Earth following Krypton’s destruction. She shared Superman’s powers and his vulnerability to Kryptonite, quickly gaining popularity and her own comic book titles.
Supergirl’s Fate in Crisis on Infinite Earths
In the 1985 limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC made a bold move—Supergirl was killed off. The series rebooted the entire DC Universe, and for a while, Superman was written as the only survivor of Krypton. But Supergirl wouldn’t stay gone for long.
Other Characters Who Wore the Supergirl Mantle
Over the years, several characters have taken up the Supergirl name. Let’s break down the major ones before returning to Kara Zor-El:
Matrix
The second Supergirl, Matrix, debuted in Superman #21. She was a protoplasmic lifeform from a pocket universe, created by a heroic Lex Luthor. Matrix had shapeshifting, telepathy, invisibility, and telekinesis powers. After crossing into the main DC Universe, she joined the Teen Titans and battled Brainiac. Ultimately, she sacrificed herself to save Linda Danvers, merging with her.
Linda Danvers
Linda debuted in Supergirl #1 (1996). She became Supergirl after merging with Matrix. Her time as Supergirl was marked by personal trauma, which eventually led her to step away from the role.
Cir-El
A lesser-known Supergirl, Cir-El was a human-Kryptonian hybrid created by Brainiac. Though her time in comics was brief, she played an important part in the Supergirl legacy.
Power Girl
Though not always referred to directly as Supergirl, Power Girl is the Earth-2 version of Kara Zor-El. She is older, more experienced, and the best friend of Earth-2’s Huntress (Helena Wayne, daughter of Batman and Catwoman). Her version of Supergirl has earned a dedicated fanbase and remains distinct in DC continuity.
The Original Kara Zor-El: The Most Loved Supergirl
Returning to the original and most beloved version—Kara Zor-El. She remains the definitive Supergirl in most iterations, including the CBS Supergirl series and the DC Animated Universe.
Her 1959 Origin
Originally, Kara lived in Argo City, which survived Krypton’s explosion intact. Unfortunately, the ground beneath the city had turned into Kryptonite. To survive, residents shielded the ground with lead. Years later, meteor strikes compromised the shielding, forcing her parents to send Kara to Earth in a pod. There, she reunited with her cousin Superman, who vowed to protect her.
The New 52 Reinvention: A Modern Twist
Like many DC heroes, Kara’s origin was revamped during the New 52 reboot.
In this version, Kara lived in Argo City as the planet was dying. Her father Zor-El, taking his brother Jor-El’s warnings seriously, designed energy devices disguised as power generators to preserve the city. Unwilling to risk Kara’s life on the plan, he secretly built a pod to send her to Earth.
On the eve of her Kryptonian coming-of-age ceremony, Zor-El gifted her a ceremonial battle armor. As she put it on, she fell unconscious—he had rigged the suit to sedate her. Her mother, Alura, tried to stop the launch after discovering his plan, but she was too late. Kara’s pod launched toward Earth, putting her in stasis for years while orbiting the sun.
Eventually, her pod crash-landed in Russia. Disoriented, she encountered armed Russian soldiers and, believing she was dreaming, reacted with aggression. During this chaotic first encounter, the sunrise triggered her powers—specifically heat vision. Just as things escalated, Superman arrived and revealed they were family.
Supergirl’s Struggles in the New 52
The New 52 showed Kara trying to find her place in a world she didn’t understand. She faced alienation, identity crises, and cosmic threats. One of the most striking arcs was when she temporarily became a Red Lantern, wielding the power of rage—an emotional twist that added complexity to her character. Yes, she literally became a red-suited, rage-powered Supergirl—and fans loved it.
Supergirl’s Powers and Abilities
Supergirl’s powers largely mirror Superman’s:
- Flight
- Super strength
- Heat vision
- X-ray vision
- Invulnerability
- Super hearing
- Freeze breath
- Super speed
- Healing factor
- Super intellect
But in the New 52, she gained a new ability: the solar flare (or solar bomb). This powerful attack lets her release all the solar energy stored in her body in a single, devastating burst. She can also use a lesser version to become a walking firestorm, raising her body temperature to extreme levels. It’s so powerful that even Wonder Woman was hurt by it.
Essential Supergirl Comic Recommendations
If you’re now intrigued and want to read more Supergirl stories, here are some top picks:
- Supergirl: The Silver Age Vol. 1
- Supergirl: Last Daughter of Krypton
- Supergirl: Red Daughter of Krypton
- Supergirl by Peter David and Gary Frank
- Crisis on Infinite Earths
- Superman/Batman: Supergirl
These offer a great mix of classic and modern takes on the Girl of Steel.
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