Supergirl is the name of several DC Comics superheroes generally considered to be the female counterparts to Superman. First appearing in Superman #123 (1958), she was created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino. Binder also created female counterparts for Captain Marvel (Mary Marvel) and Captain America (Miss America).
- This article is about the comic character. For the Hilary Duff song, see Supergirl (song)
- "Supergirl" is also a song by Reamonn.
Due to a somewhat disjointed continuity, several different versions of Supergirl have appeared in comic books throughout the years. However, the most well-known incarnation is Kara Zor-El, Superman’s cousin, also sent to Earth when their home planet Krypton was destroyed. Like her cousin, Kara can fly and possesses superhuman strength and abilities.
In 1985, the miniseries Crisis on Infinite Earths featured Supergirl's heroic death and then rebooted DC Comics’ continuity, changing it so Superman was the only survivor of Krypton. This began a 20-year stint in which several incarnations of Supergirl were introduced, none of them Superman’s cousin until a post-Crisis Kara Zor-El incarnation was recently introduced to modern continuity.
In 1984, Helen Slater starred as Supergirl in an unsuccessful eponymous film, which was part of the Superman film franchise. Variations of the character have also appeared in recent animated shows Superman: The Animated Series and Justice League Unlimited.
Trial runs
Superwoman
In many years after the first appearance of Superman there had been numerous one-off stories dabbling with the notion of a female Superman. The first was likely "Lois Lane - Superwoman," a story published in Action Comics #60 (May 1943), in which a hospitalized Lois Lane dreams she had gained superpowers thanks to a blood transfusion from the Man of Steel, and begins her own career as Superwoman complete with copycat costume.
The Superwoman idea, or ones just like it, would be periodically reborn later on, though perhaps as mere homages to the original rather than with the intention of creating a new, permanently superpowered character. One such story was in Action Comics #156 (May 1951) when Lois accidentally gains superpowers thanks to an invention of arch Superman foe, Lex Luthor. This time, Lois employs a short blond wig in her crime fighting identity, thereby giving Superwoman an almost identical look to the later Kara Zor-El version of the Supergirl. (Interestingly, Superman later suggested Kara wear a brunette wig for her Linda Lee alter-ego.)
Claire Kent
In Superboy #78 (a story entitled "Claire Kent, Alias Super-Sister"), Superboy saves the life of an alien woman named Shar-La. Angry about his disrespect towards women, Shar-La turns Superboy into a girl. With the help of his parents, his name was changed to Claire Kent, an out-of-town relative who will be staying with the Kents, in turn Clark will stay with Claire's family. As a girl "he" appears as Superboy's twin sister Super-Sister, a sort of "Supergirl", claiming they exchange places. As a girl, "he" is ridiculed and scorned by men, and "he" wants to prove "he"'s as good as he always was. In the end, it has all been a mental vision created by Shar-La. He has learned not to ridicule women.
The First Supergirl
In Superman #123 (August 1958), Jimmy Olsen used a magic totem to wish a "Super-Girl" into existence as a companion and aid to Superman. However, the two frequently got in each other's way until she was fatally injured protecting Superman from a Kryptonite meteor; Jimmy wished the dying girl out of existence. DC used this story specifically to gauge public response to the concept of a completely new super-powered female counterpart to Superman.
Kara Zor-El
After positive fan reaction to Super-Girl, the first—and still most familiar—version of Supergirl debuted in 1959. The character of Supergirl was introduced in Action Comics #252 [1] (May 1959) as Kara Zor-El, the last survivor of Argo City of the planet Krypton, which had survived the explosion of the planet and had drifted through space. When the inhabitants of the colony were slain by Kryptonite, Kara was sent to Earth by her father Zor-El to be raised by her cousin Kal-El, known as Superman. Fearing that she might not be recognized by Superman, Kara's parents provided a costume based closely on the Man of Steel's own.
Crisis on Infinite Earths
One of the ways DC intended to demonstrate the epic nature of its 12-issue limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths (April 1985-March 1986) was the deaths of important characters. In #7 (October 1985), Supergirl—in one of the most memorable moments of the series—bravely sacrifices her life to save her cousin, and the multiverse, from destruction. It was then revealed that she had been married to an alien called Salkor.
When DC continuity was rebooted following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC editorial felt that Superman should be the sole survivor of Krypton. Kara was thus erased from the new history of the DC universe.
Post-Crisis Supergirls
After the reboot of Superman in the late 1980s, Supergirl's origin was completely rewritten. No longer would she be Superman's cousin, or even Kryptonian...
No longer anyone's cousin
Debuting in Superman (2nd series) #16 (April 1988), Supergirl was now an artificial life form made from a protoplasm matrix created by the Lex Luthor of an artificially created "pocket universe", who in that reality was a benevolent scientist (and, unlike his counterpart in the real world, had a full head of red hair). Fashioned to resemble Lana Lang, and wearing a feminine version of Superman's costume, the protoplasmic "Supergirl" called Matrix did not have Superman's powers, but did have flight, telekinesis (which she could use to increase her strength and speed to super-human levels), shape-shifting, and invisibility.
When she came to Superman's Earth, Matrix again took on a permanent female form, this time a blonde girl resembling the pre-crisis Supergirl, and lived with the Kents in Smallville. The Kents, treating Matrix like their own daughter, gave her the name "Mae" (short for "Matrix"). She donned her original costume and re-assumed the identity of Supergirl. In this guise, she began a romance with the mainstream DC universe's Lex Luthor. When Mae realized Luthor's evil nature, she left him to find her own way in the world, serving for a time as a member of the Teen Titans.
Earth angel
A new Supergirl title appeared in September 1996. Writer Peter David merged the protoplasmic Supergirl with a troubled young Virginia woman named Linda Danvers (not to be confused with the original Supergirl), together becoming an "Earth-Born Angel". There were three of these Earth-Born Angels: the Angel of Fire (Supergirl); The Angel of Love (a super-being named Comet based in Linda's hometown of Leesburg, Virginia); and the Angel of Light (a super-being named Blithe).
After teaming with the other Earth-Born angels to defeat the villain Carnivore, Linda fell from grace and was separated from the angelic part of herself. Linda retained some of Supergirl's super-strength and invulnerabilty, and (while she could no longer fly) could leap 1/8th of a mile.
Linda acted as Supergirl for a while, attempting to locate her angelic aspect with the help of a demon trapped in human form named Buzz. Her Earth Angel aspect merged with the super-being Twilight, who became the new Earth-born Angel of Fire. Twilight used her healing powers to increase Linda's strength back to her 'Supergirl' levels, and restore her powers of flight and telekinesis.
In Supergirl #75 (December 2002), the original Supergirl arrived in Linda's town. She had apparently been detoured into the post-Crisis universe on her way to the pre-Crisis Earth. Learning Kara was destined to die, Linda traveled to the pre-Crisis universe in her place, where she married Superman and had a daughter, Ariella. However, in the end Linda had to allow history to unfold as it should have, with Kara assuming her rightful place, including dying during the Crisis in order to ensure one universe would survive.
Upon returning to the contemporary DC universe, Linda abandoned the role of Supergirl. According to an interview with Newsarama, [2], following the events of Infinite Crisis, the Matrix Supergirl was wiped from existence, though Geoff Johns has stated that Danvers hasn't. [3]
Cir-El
Following this, another Supergirl appeared, claiming to be the daughter of Superman and Lois Lane from the future. She had super-strength, speed, and hearing like Superman, but instead of flight she could only leap great distances. Strangely, she had the power to fire blasts of red solar energy (the very hue of sunlight that diminishes Superman's strength). Her name was, apparently, Cir-El, though her alter ego, which seemed to be more of a personality change than a simple change of costume, was that of a street person named Mia. She was later found to be a human girl, altered on a genetic level to seem Kryptonian [or partly Kryptonian]; she died to thwart a plot involving Brainiac 13. Superman Vol. 2 #200 heavily implied that when the timeline realigned itself, Cir-El (or Mia) was no longer in continuity.
The "Supergirls"
The Supergirls' was a three-part story-line, which occurred in Action Comics # 806-808, that featured several female Superman related characters. The issues starred Cir-El, Girl 13, and Natasha Irons. A ninja-like woman named Byakko, who blamed Superman for the death of her husband (Gunshin), was able to use her mystical abilities to critically injure Superman. Superman had convinced her to be merciful to her enemies, and when she spared the life of a Yakuza member called Sakki, Sakki killed Gunshin. Byakko felt that if Superman hadn't tried to twist her values, Gunshin would still be alive. Girl 13 intervened and teleported Superman to safety. Byakko followed, but Natasha Irons, in her guise of Steel IV, aided Girl 13 in Superman's defense, and was wounded by Byakko's energy dagger. Cir-El then entered the fray, desperate to protect her "father". Cir-El and Girl 13 engaged the ninja in battle, while Natasha adminstered first-aid to Superman. but it was Lana Lang who ended the battle, showing the ninja letters from the families of people Superman couldn't save, letters he kept, that showed that Superman agonized over every death he couldn't prevent, including Gunshin. Byakko relented, and said that Superman was lucky to have three children who would risk their lives for him. Superman referred to the three exhausted girls as "Supergirls".
"With a Vengeance"
Template:Spoiler Darkseid trapped Superman in the "Source Wall" in Superman/Batman #24. Bizarro brought together the Pre-Crisis Kara Zor-El , Modern Age Kara Zor-El, Linda Danvers, Cir-El and Power Girl to rescue Superman from the Source Wall. After his escape, he thanked the Supergirls, but he only recognized Kara, Power Girl, and Linda. He didn't recognize pre-Crisis Kara Zor-El and Cir-El because their timelines had been erased. They were then summoned by Mxyptlk via boom tube for his fight against the Joker. Upon the appearance of Bat-Mite, they banished "everyone who doesn't need to be here," and all the Supergirls and Maximums disappeared before the climax of the battle.
The Girl From Krypton
In 2004, Kara Zor-El was reintroduced into DC continuity in the Superman/Batman series. Like the pre-Crisis version, this Kara claims to be the daughter of Superman's uncle Zor-El and his wife Alura. In a twist from the traditional Supergirl origin, Kara is actually older than Kal-El (Superman); she was a teenager when he was a baby. When Krypton exploded, she was sent in a rocket (in suspended animation) to find and look after Superman. However, her rocket got caught in a Kryptonian asteroid and she arrived on Earth years after her cousin did. Writer Jeph Loeb explains, "She came to Earth essentially to look after this baby who was sent at the same time. But her rocket got wedged into a huge chunk of the planet and it has taken years to get here. When she arrives, the baby isn't a baby, he's Superman—the greatest hero the universe has ever known. And as a teenager who has lost everything in her past, this is quite the monkey wrench. It may be part of the reason why, at least at first, she'll be hesitant to spend too much time with Superman. She was supposed to take care of him, not the other way around."
Following the end of "The Supergirl from Krypton" arc, Kara officially introduced herself to many of the heroes of the DC Universe, adopted a Supergirl costume, and accepted the name. Jeph Loeb commenced a new Supergirl series in August 2005.
Other media
Film
A feature film adaptation Supergirl was released in 1984, starring Helen Slater in her first motion picture role. It was a spin-off from the popular 1978 film Superman: The Movie, with Marc McClure reprising his role as Jimmy Olsen. The movie performed poorly at the box office and failed to impress critics or audiences. In fact, Peter O'Toole received a Golden Raspberry Award nomination for Worst Actor for his performance. Prior to release, Supergirl was expected to be the first film of a series, but its failure at the box office cancelled plans for a Supergirl II. A possible ill omen preceding this picture's release, which critics hastened to point out, was a movie poster featuring a painting of the title character flying past the Statue of Liberty... with its left arm raising the torch.
Helen Slater, who played the lead role, had a contract for 3 films. There are several reasons why they were not made; one of the main reasons was that the movie did very poorly in the US. However, the movie was a great success outside the US, especially in Japan where Helen Slater was sent to promote the film. You can find some items made only in Japan about the movie, including a statue in the likeness of Slater as Supergirl. Another reason was that, around the time of the movie´s release, DC published its mini-series "Crisis on the Infinite Earths" where the original Supergirl (the one in the movie) was killed. Rumor has it this was because DC wanted Superman to be the only survivor from Krypton; there are also versions concerning the general editor of DC Comics back then, who, apparently, simply didn't like the character. Because of these reasons, the producers lost interest in doing another movie and Helen Slater later asked to be free of her contract.
Recently the film was made into a set of 2 DVDs and is apparently the most popular buy from that set of movies (Superman I, II, , etc..) a new DVD is rumored to be done again with more extras.
Animation
In Superman: The Animated Series, Supergirl was introduced as Kara In-Ze, from Krypton's "sister world" of Argo. A headstrong and independent teenage girl, she was placed in suspended animation before Argo became uninhabitably cold due to the aftershocks of Krypton's destruction, and later found by Superman. Her mother Kala, a physician on Argo before its destruction, stated in a hologram found posthumously by Superman, that the cryogenic suspended animation was instigated five years after the destruction of Krypton. The Kents—Clark Kent's adoptive parents—took Kara in, with her posing as Clark's cousin, Kara Kent. This Supergirl shares Superman's vulnerability to kryptonite; she also suffers from cheimatophobia (fear of cold) due to the events leading up to her time in suspended animation.
In her S:TAS debut Little Girl Lost, a two-part, Kara is eager to take her position at the right hand of Superman; however, he is loath to let her, calling her too young and too unready. He protests that he did not save her, the Last Daughter of Argo, from its icy wastes so that she could be shot by any thug in the latest version of Intergang. Determined to prove her abilities, Kara teams up with the equally dissatisfied Jimmy Olsen (who is pulled off the Intergang case by a protective Lois Lane and Perry White) to investigate the recent spate of robberies. They consequently uncover Granny Goodness's role and her connection to Apokalips, and Kara faces her baptism of fire when the twisted fiend unleashes the power of her Female Furies.
Kara became good friends with Barbara Gordon in The New Batman Adventures episode Girls' Nite Out.
In Justice League Unlimited's Fearful Symmetry, it is revealed that Project: Cadmus created a clone, Galatea, using genetic material obtained at S.T.A.R. Labs during the events of Legacy, when Superman forced Emil Hamilton to operate on the wounded Supergirl. Ironically, it was this event that precipitated Hamilton's outrage at the burgeoning metahuman population and led him to save her Argosian DNA.
It was in season five that Kara jettisoned her "retro" outfit in favour of the more modern outfit post-Crisis Kara Zor-El wears in her current comic.
In Far From Home, Supergirl encountered the Legion of Super-Heroes in the centuries to come, where a concerned Brainiac 5 (Querl Dox of Colu) informed her that history showed she never returned from that particular mission and he believed she would die on it. She fulfilled that destiny by electing to remain in the future with Brainiac, with whom she had fallen in love (again, a reference to her comic roots).
Kara is described by the Question and Gilbert Hale as
‘She’s just a girl! Blonde hair, blue eyes – real farmer’s daughter type!’
‘And a handshake like a vise?’
(Fearful Symmetry, Justice League Unlimited)
She shares Superman's weakness to kryptonite, although she has a higher tolerance due to the slight evolutionary differences between Argosians and Kryptonians. Moreover, she is impetuous and consequently chastised by the Green Lantern John Stewart
In Initiation: 'You’re headstrong, unprofessional, and reckless. If you ever jeopardize yourself or your team-mates again, or go running off half-cocked without a battle plan, I’ll personally see to it that you’re kicked out of the League, and I don’t care who your cousin is.'
Supergirl is one of the characters who has shared the same voice actor through her stay in the DC Animated Universe, voiced by Nicholle Tom from her premiere in Little Girl Lost, to her final mission in Far From Home.
She is also one of the few to be embroiled in continuity issues through the fairly constant DCAU (two other wrinkles being found in the characters of Kyle Rayner and Wonder Woman): though it is about a decade from the end of S:TAS to the end of JLU, Kara In-Ze does not seem to age at all; this could be attributed to the longevity of her species, since Superman has aged little as well, evidenced in the Batman Beyond episode The Call.
Live-action television
Although never claiming to be Supergirl or Kara Zor-El, a girl named Kara (played by Adrianne Palicki) appears in an episode of the Smallville television series claiming to be from Krypton in the episode "Covenant". This Kara did not claim to be Kal-El's cousin, though, and she seemed to be interested in him in a sexual way. However, Clark later tells Lana Lang that Kara is his cousin, visiting from California. At night, she emerges from the woods naked and uses her strength to ruin a car. Acquiring clothing (but not footwear), she goes to Clark Kent's house. It is later revealed that she was not an actual Kryptonian, but an innocent girl kidnapped, brainwashed, and given superpowers by the artificial intelligence that claims to be based on the mind of Jor-El. She was recruited by the A.I. to bring the teenage Clark Kent to confront his Kryptonian heritage and to persuade him to follow his destiny, which is as yet not disclosed. She took Clark Kent to an ancient Indian cave which contains Kryptonian technology. In the end she vanishes, "Jor-El" saying she'd "served her purpose". It is not known whether she survived this or whether she will ever return in the series. The summary of this episode can be obtained on the Superman Home Page
The human name that Kara had in Smallville was not Linda Lee Danvers, but Lindsey Harrison, who was reported missing after the 1989 meteor showers of Smallville. The car that she and her mother (who was driving) was found on Route 8, which was near the Kawatche Caves. According to Jonathan Kent, Jor-El kidnapped her body, and kept Harrison in stasis for 16 years. It is unclear whether the name "Kara" is meant to imply a connection to Supergirl or if it is simply coincidental.
Music
- The song "That's Really Super, Supergirl" appears on the alt rock/psychedelic band XTC's album Skylarking (1986, Geffen Records).
- Pop singer Krystal Harris sings a song "Supergirl" that appears on the soundtrack of the Disney movie The Princess Diaries.
- Pop singer Jessica Simpson's song "With You" includes the lyrics, "I wish I could save the world, like I was Supergirl!".
- The song "Supergirl" is written by Robbie Gennet.
See also
External links
- Supermanica: Supergirl-Supermanica entry on the Pre-Crisis Supergirl
- Comicshistory: Supergirl - A biography of Supergirl.
- Index of the Earth-1 Supergirl's adventures
- Action Comics #252 online
- Alan Kistler's Guide To THE CRISIS - An in-depth three part retrospective by comic book historian Alan Kistler on the Crisis, including a comprehensive issue-by-issue summary, map of the multiple universes, a discussion on why the Crisis had to happen and how effective it was, various cover and interior art scans, and a discussion on Marv Wolfman's novelization. Includes a detailed retelling of the Kara Zor-El's role in the Crisis and the circumstances of her death, as well as her appearances since then.
- DC Comics Features-Supergirl
- Supergirl:Maid of Might - A History of Supergirl Through the Ages
- Spirit of Supergirl-a celebration of Supergirl in pop culture, including links to Supergirl-related books, DVDs, videos, apparel, songs on albums, and more]
- karalives
- The Haunting Lives of Richard Malverne - Reflecting on the romance of Supergirl and Richard Malverne (both Pre-Crisis and Post-Crisis), author Alan Scott Kaufman interweaves his customary blend of coincidence and autobiography with a demonstration that the distinction between reality and fantasy sometimes blurs.