Supergirl: Comprehensive Character Summary

Introduction

Supergirl is a superhero appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. She was created by writer Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino in 1959, and made her first appearance in Action Comics #252.

Supergirl’s real name is Kara Zor-El, and she is the cousin of Superman. Like Superman, Supergirl is a Kryptonian, a race of beings with extraordinary powers that they derive from exposure to Earth’s yellow sun. Supergirl shares many of Superman’s powers, including super strength, super speed, flight, and heat vision. She also has some unique abilities, such as a superpowered scream called the “Sonic Scream.”

Supergirl was sent to Earth from Krypton as a teenager to look after Superman, but her spacecraft was knocked off course and she arrived on Earth many years after Superman had established himself as a superhero. Throughout her history, Supergirl has been a member of various superhero teams, had her own comic book series, and appeared in various media.

Personality

Supergirl’s personality has evolved over the years and can vary depending on the version and writer of the character. However, some traits are commonly associated with her.

Supergirl is often depicted as being optimistic, compassionate, and kind-hearted. She cares deeply about helping others and is willing to put herself in harm’s way to protect the innocent. Despite having incredible powers, she is also vulnerable and can experience self-doubt and uncertainty, especially as she navigates her dual identities as Kara Danvers and Supergirl.

In some versions, Supergirl is portrayed as having a bit of a rebellious streak and can sometimes be impulsive. However, she is also highly intelligent and resourceful, able to think on her feet and come up with creative solutions to complex problems. Additionally, she has a strong sense of justice and will not hesitate to stand up against injustice or oppression, even if it means going against authority. Overall, Supergirl is a heroic character with a big heart and a desire to make the world a better place.

Attributes & Abilities

Supergirl possesses a wide array of attributes and abilities that make her a formidable superhero in the DC Comics universe. As a Kryptonian, she shares many of the same powers as her cousin Superman, including super strength, flight, super speed, heat vision, and x-ray vision. Supergirl’s strength is virtually unmatched, and she is capable of lifting incredibly heavy objects such as buildings or vehicles. Her flight allows her to travel at high speeds and maneuver through the air with ease, while her super speed allows her to move at incredible velocities, easily outrunning cars or even lightning.

Supergirl’s heat vision allows her to shoot beams of intense heat from her eyes, which can be used to melt or vaporize objects. She also possesses x-ray vision, which enables her to see through solid objects, including walls and buildings. Supergirl’s super hearing is also highly advanced, allowing her to pick up sounds from great distances and even through walls.

In addition to her physical powers, Supergirl is highly durable and virtually invulnerable to physical harm, able to withstand bullets, explosions, and other forms of damage. She also has the ability to heal rapidly, allowing her to recover from injuries quickly. Finally, Supergirl can emit a powerful sonic scream, which can shatter objects or stun enemies.

Overall, Supergirl’s abilities make her a powerful and highly skilled superhero, capable of taking on even the most dangerous villains and protecting the innocent with her incredible powers.

Weaknesses

Supergirl, like her cousin Superman, is a powerful superhero with many abilities. However, she also has a few weaknesses that can be exploited by her enemies. Here are some of her notable weaknesses:

1. Kryptonite: Supergirl, like all Kryptonians, is vulnerable to Kryptonite, a radioactive mineral from her home planet of Krypton. Exposure to Kryptonite can weaken her and even kill her if she is exposed to it for too long. There are different types of Kryptonite that have different effects on her, such as green Kryptonite which weakens her and can cause her pain, red Kryptonite which can cause unpredictable effects on her behavior, and gold Kryptonite which can permanently remove her powers.
2. Magic: Another weakness for Supergirl is her susceptibility to magic. As a Kryptonian, she has no natural defenses against magic and it can bypass her invulnerability, leaving her vulnerable to harm. This is particularly problematic when facing enemies with magical powers or artifacts.
3. Red Sun Radiation: Supergirl’s powers are fueled by the energy of Earth’s yellow sun. Exposure to red sun radiation, which is similar to the sun of Krypton, can drain her powers and leave her weakened. This makes her vulnerable to attacks by enemies who can create or manipulate red sun radiation.
4. Psychological manipulation: Supergirl’s strong desire to protect innocent people can sometimes be used against her by villains who are willing to harm innocent civilians in order to distract or manipulate her. Her emotional attachment to her loved ones can also be used to manipulate her or draw her into traps.

Despite these weaknesses, Kara’s determination and strength of character allow her to overcome these obstacles and continue to fight for justice. Her ability to adapt and find creative solutions to problems, even when her powers are weakened, is a testament to her resilience and resourcefulness as a superhero.

Publication

Supergirl has appeared in various comic book series and publications from DC Comics since her debut in 1959. Some of the most notable comic book series featuring Supergirl include:

• Action Comics: Supergirl has appeared in various issues of Action Comics, which is the longest-running comic book series in the DC Comics lineup.
• Supergirl (1972): This was Supergirl’s first ongoing comic book series, which ran for 10 issues from 1972 to 1974.
• Supergirl (1982): In 1982, Supergirl received a new ongoing series, which ran for 23 issues and introduced new characters and storylines.
• Supergirl (1996): This series featured a new Supergirl, Linda Danvers, who was merged with a demonic entity and became the new incarnation of Supergirl. The series ran for 80 issues from 1996 to 2003.
• Supergirl (2005): This series featured the reintroduction of Kara Zor-El as Supergirl, and ran for 67 issues from 2005 to 2011.
• Supergirl (2011): Following the 2011 DC Comics relaunch, Supergirl received a new ongoing series, which ran for 40 issues until it was cancelled in 2015.
• Supergirl (2016): Supergirl received a new ongoing series in 2016, which followed her adventures in the DC Comics Rebirth continuity. The series ran for 42 issues until it was cancelled in 2020.

Kara has also made numerous appearances in various crossover events, one-shot comics, and limited series throughout the years, including Crisis on Infinite Earths, Superman/Batman, and Supergirl: Being Super, among others.

Biography

Kara Zor-El first appeared in “Action Comics #252” in 1959. In her original incarnation, Kara was the cousin of Superman, and like him, she was sent to Earth from the planet Krypton just before it was destroyed. She was adopted by the Danvers family and given the name Kara Danvers.

Supergirl possesses many of the same powers as Superman, including super strength, flight, invulnerability, and heat vision. She has also demonstrated a range of other abilities, such as freeze breath, x-ray vision, and super hearing. Throughout her comic book history, Supergirl has been portrayed as a brave and determined hero who is fiercely loyal to her friends and family.

Over the years, Kara’s backstory has undergone several revisions and retcons. In some versions of the character’s history, she has been portrayed as a survivor of the Kryptonian city of Argo, which survived the destruction of Krypton. In other versions, she has been portrayed as a clone of Superman or as the daughter of Zor-El, Superman’s uncle.

Kara has had several ongoing comic book series, starting with her first series in 1972 which ran for 10 issues. Her second ongoing series began in 1982, which ran for 23 issues and introduced new characters and storylines. In 1996, a new incarnation of Supergirl was introduced in a series that ran for 80 issues until 2003. The series featured Linda Danvers, who was merged with a demonic entity to become the new Supergirl.

Following the DC Comics relaunch in 2011, Supergirl received a new ongoing series which ran for 40 issues until its cancellation in 2015. In this version of the character, Kara was the daughter of Zor-El and Alura In-Ze, and was sent to Earth to protect her infant cousin, Kal-El. She struggled to adapt to her new home and learn to control her powers, while also facing numerous threats and challenges, including the villainous H’el.

In 2016, Kara was reintroduced in a new ongoing series that followed her adventures in the DC Comics Rebirth continuity. The series ran for 42 issues until it was cancelled in 2020. Throughout her comic book history, Kara has also appeared in various crossover events, one-shot comics, and limited series, including Crisis on Infinite Earths, Superman/Batman, and Supergirl: Being Super, among others.

In addition to her comic book appearances, Supergirl has also been featured in various television shows and films, including her own television series on The CW. She is considered one of DC Comics’ most iconic characters, and has been a member of the Justice League and other superhero teams throughout her history.

Reception

Supergirl, the DC Comics character, has generally been well received by audiences and critics alike since her introduction in 1959. The character has been praised for her strong and compassionate personality, as well as her important role in the Superman family of characters.

Kara has been featured in various comic book series over the years, including her own ongoing series and team books like Justice League and Teen Titans. Many of these series have been well received by critics, with praise for the character’s development and her relationships with other superheroes.

In addition to comics, Kara has also been featured in a variety of other media, including movies, television shows, and video games. Some of the most notable portrayals of Supergirl include the 1984 Supergirl movie, the animated series Justice League Unlimited, and the live-action television series Supergirl, which aired from 2015 to 2021.

The character’s appearances in these various forms of media have been generally positive, with praise for her representation of female empowerment and her strong moral compass.

Overall, Supergirl has been an important and beloved character in the DC Comics universe, and her impact on popular culture has been significant. Despite some mixed receptions for certain adaptations of the character, her strength, courage, and determination to fight for justice and protect the innocent have made her an inspiration to many fans over the years.

Trivia

Kara is a beloved character in the DC Comics universe, known for her courage, strength, and determination to fight for justice. Over the years, she has captivated audiences with her powers, personality, and backstory. In this section, we will explore some fascinating trivia about Supergirl, including her various adaptations in media, her relationships with other characters, and some interesting tidbits about her powers and origins. Whether you’re a die-hard Supergirl fan or just getting to know the character, these facts are sure to add to your appreciation of this iconic superheroine.

• Her real name is Kara Zor-El.
• She is the cousin of Superman, and was sent to Earth from the planet Krypton.
• Kara was created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino, and first appeared in Action Comics #252 in 1959.
• Her origin story has been retconned several times, but the most common version is that she was sent to Earth at the same time as Superman, but her spacecraft was diverted off course.
• She is known for her superhuman strength, speed, durability, flight, and heat vision.
• She has also possessed other powers over the years, including telekinesis and the ability to manipulate reality.
• Kara was one of the first female superheroes to appear in comics, paving the way for future heroines.
• In some versions of her origin story, she was adopted by the Danvers family and went by the name Linda Lee Danvers.
• Kara has had several different costumes over the years, including her iconic blue and red costume with a skirt.
• She has been a member of various superhero teams, including the Justice League, the Teen Titans, and the Legion of Super-Heroes.
• She has had several romantic relationships over the years, including with Brainiac 5 and Power Boy.
• In the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” storyline, Supergirl was killed off, but has since been resurrected in various forms.
• The Supergirl TV series, which aired from 2015-2021, starred Melissa Benoist in the lead role.
• Supergirl has been portrayed in various other media, including movies, video games, and animated series.
• In some versions of her origin story, Supergirl is actually older than Superman.
• Kara has been depicted as both a teenager and an adult over the years.
• She has faced a variety of villains over the years, including her counterpart, Power Girl.
• Kara’s powers are amplified by Earth’s yellow sun, just like Superman’s.
• In the 1980s, Supergirl was rebooted as a protoplasmic entity known as “Matrix,” before returning to her original form.
• Kara has been shown to be a skilled fighter and strategist, thanks to her Kryptonian training.
• She has also been shown to have a strong moral compass and a desire to protect the innocent.
• In some versions of her origin story, Supergirl is sent to Earth specifically to look after Superman.
• Her backstory has been influenced by various real-life events, including the feminist movement and the Cold War.
• She has been shown to have a close relationship with her pet cat, Streaky.
• In the “Red Daughter of Krypton” storyline, Supergirl is brainwashed by the Soviet Union and becomes a symbol of their power.
• She has been depicted as both an ally and an enemy of Superman over the years.
• She has had several different alter egos over the years, including as a college student and as a TV reporter.
• In some versions of her origin story, Supergirl is initially hesitant to use her powers because she doesn’t want to draw attention to herself.
• Her red boots have become an iconic part of her costume.
• She has been an inspiration to many fans over the years, particularly young girls who look up to her as a strong and powerful female role model.
• Kara was 16 years old when she arrived on Earth.
• She is known as the Girl of Steel and the Girl of Tomorrow.
• She is the first member of the Red Lantern Corps who has managed to destroy her own ring and survive without one and without having any help from a Blue Power Ring, only because she was able to absorb enough yellow sunlight due to being at Earth’s yellow sun when it happened.

References

• Supergirl – DC
• Supergirl – Wiki
• Supergirl – Fandom