Comics & Brews Episode #31
Supergirl is one of DC Comics’ most iconic characters — and also one of its most inconsistently treated. In Comics & Brews Episode #31, hosts TazAlGhul and Just Abby crack open some drinks and walk through the entire publication history of Supergirl, from her earliest missteps to her modern rebirths.
This episode serves as Part One of a two-part Supergirl deep dive, focusing specifically on how Supergirl has been published, canceled, reinvented, erased, resurrected, and rebooted over the last 77+ years.
First. Beers of the Episode!
Structures Brewing — Seeing Things
Taz rated this one 4.25 out of 5. This Imperial / Double New England / Hazy IPA clocks in at 8.5% ABV brewed with Oats and hopped with Chinook, Mosaic and Nelson.
Just Abby Went Dry January with a Four Thieves – Blueberry Lavender Kombucha
Just Abby didn’t rated this because it’s not a beer! BORING! But nonetheless she did say she loved it. I also tasted it and I usually hate kombucha and thought it actually slapped. So if you’re in Colorado you should be able to find this gem. You can always snag different flavors from the glorious Lone Tree Brewing Company. And now … for those who would rather read the history than watch our pod … enjoy the history of SUPERGIRL!
Supergirl Didn’t Start Strong … (Golden Age)
Believe it or not, Supergirl’s first appearance wasn’t Kara Zor-El at all. In Superboy #5 (1949), DC introduced a one-off character named Lucy of Borgonia — a normal human girl pretending to have superpowers with Superboy’s help. The idea was quickly abandoned, and for good reason.
This early attempt showed DC’s hesitation around powerful female heroes at the time, setting the stage for a much stronger reinvention years later.
The Silver Age Breakthrough: Kara Zor-El Arrives
In Superman #123 (1958), DC tested the idea of a true Supergirl using a temporary, wish-created character. The response was positive enough that in Action Comics #252 (May 1959), Supergirl officially entered canon as Kara Zor-El, Superman’s cousin from the surviving Kryptonian city of Argo City.
Unlike Superman, Kara arrived on Earth as a teenager. She struggled with identity, loss, and fitting into human culture — making her more emotional, impatient, and relatable. This contrast was intentional and helped Supergirl resonate with younger readers, especially girls.
Growth, School, Romance, and the Bronze Age Shift
Throughout the 1960s, Supergirl became a regular feature in Action Comics. She was adopted by the Danvers family, joined the Legion of Super-Heroes, attended high school and college, navigated relationships, and tried to balance being Kryptonian and human.
In Adventure Comics #381–424 (1969–1972), Supergirl became the lead feature, marking her strongest publishing period to date. She later moved to San Francisco, worked as a photographer, and faced new villains — but the tone of DC Comics was changing.
DC Implosion and the Collapse of Supergirl’s Momentum
In the mid-1970s, DC underwent what became known as the DC Implosion, canceling many titles due to financial struggles. Supergirl’s first solo series lasted only 10 issues (1972–1974) before being cut.
She continued appearing in The Superman Family and later The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl (1982–1984), but declining Superman sales and the poorly received 1984 Supergirl film led to another cancellation.
Crisis on Infinite Earths & The Death of Supergirl
In Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 (1985), DC made a massive decision: Supergirl sacrificed herself to save the universe. Writers believed Superman should be the sole survivor of Krypton.
Despite later claims that fans approved, backlash was immediate and intense. Supergirl was gone — and DC spent nearly two decades unsure how to replace her.
The Dark Age: Ghosts, Imaginary Friends, and Confusion
Post-Crisis, Supergirl existed only in strange forms:
- An invisible spirit
- An imaginary friend to Barbara Gordon
- A guiding ghost
Multiple replacement Supergirls failed, creating confusion rather than clarity. The character became almost taboo within DC storytelling.
The Return of Kara Zor-El (2004 – 2011)
In Superman/Batman (2004) by Jeph Loeb and Michael Turner, Kara Zor-El finally returned. The success led to Supergirl Vol. 5 (2005), but inconsistent creative teams once again hurt momentum.
A bright spot came in 2008, when Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle revitalized the book with stronger characterization and direction — a run many fans consider her best.
Still, the series ended in 2011, followed by yet another reboot in The New 52. I swear Supergirl just truly can’t catch a break. Has to be one of the most rebooted and cancelled character of all time in the DC Universe. Just bananas.
Reboots, Red Lanterns and Rebirth
The New 52 reimagined Kara as angrier and more isolated, including the Red Daughter of Krypton arc where she joined the Red Lantern Corps. Despite strong concepts and even a TV show debut in 2015, Supergirl titles continued to struggle.
Rebirth (2016) finally stabilized her role, integrating elements from the TV series and giving Kara a more grounded life in National City. Publishing delays and COVID ultimately ended the run in 2020.
Supergirl has also most recently started dropping yet another volume that seem to be doing well. However, with this trend we’ve been seeing with her character I’m not so sure it’ll last. Let’s hope it does and that the new Supergirl movie brings more fans to their LCS to swoop those new books!
The was also just a part 1 as you can tell we really focused on the publication history of Supergirl because it was just so crazy. Snip, snap, snip snap. Reboot, cancel, reboot cancel … But part 2 we should be diving more into the many stories of this incredible character.
Shop Our Streaky Drinks Stouts Ep.31 Merch!
Episode #31 is our second batch of new goods that was sketched up specifically for a Comics & Brews episode. We’re going REAL art … no more AI Slop. Ew. We’ve got sweaters, tees, glasses and more! If you want the actual hand drawn sketch itself you can get that too! Just shoot us a message for pricing.
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