When one thinks of heroes, the first images that typically come to mind are Superman or Batman, the oldest and most recognized among the others. But for some, it’s Supergirl, whose origins also stretch as far back as her super-powered cousin. Superman first appeared inAction Comicsin 1938. However, Supergirl, the creative child of Otto Binder and Al Plastino, made her first appearance in the late spring of 1959.
Kara Danvers, known as Kara Jor-El, the daughter of Zor-El, and Alura In-Zee, hails from Krypton and is well-known as Superman’s cousin. Although her path to Earth was somewhat like her cousins, her mission was different. To protect his daughter from an impending disaster, Zor-el designed a pod for Kara similar to Cal-El’s. According toComic Basics, Zor-El programmed her pod to orbit the sun to charge her powers before she would continue to her destination. Kara would later find herself on planet Earth, with a primary mission to be a protectorate for Superman.
Over the years, multiple versions of Supergirl have been presented to the world, including The Matrix Supergirl, Cir-El, Power Girl, and the New 52 Supergirl. While each maintained a semblance of the original, there were apparent deviations and alterations in characterizations. According toComicBook.com, the New 52 Supergirl presented as an angrier, more mistrusting iteration. Power Girl was considered a doppelgänger and presented as a more confident version. And more recently, The CW introduced the world to their beloved Supergirl via agroundbreaking series,which fans grew to love. Unfortunately, that drew to an end in 2021. Despite the noticeable absence of Danvers from the airwaves currently, fans can once again rejoice.
News ofDCU’s newest line-uppromises a return of the favorite heroine to the big screen. The new DCU will include a Supergirl feature based on the comic seriesSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.James Gunn and Peter Safran announcedSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrowas part of DCU’s Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters. Naturally, there is some hesitation, a desire to hold back anticipation as changes often bring new concerns. But new can also lend to wondrous revelations and endearing fan favorites. So, now that viewers are balanced on the precipice of change, here is why we thinkSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrowis a great way to introduce Supergirl to the new DCU.
Fresh Starts Reinvigorates Interest
Rehashing a solid character is an excellent strategy. Such a move focuses on strengthening the current base. But investing in something new creates greater potential for growing an audience and reinvigorating interest. The latest iteration promises that something. AsScreen Rantnotes, the most recent iteration will have little in common with The CW version.
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In fact, this iteration is less sentimental and a lot more hardcore. In the words ofThe Direct, “Woman of Tomorrow explores a version of Kara that loses her innocent persona to transform into a rogue mercenary who makes her own rules. This version curses like there’s no tomorrow, drinks like an alcoholic, and doesn’t take crap from anyone.” And that is quite an exciting departure from what many fans will remember. This is indeed promising, given the likelihood that it will reshape viewers' perception and enable them to see Supergirlwith fresh eyes and renewed expectations.
A Return to Origin With a Twist Sounds Exhilarating
Those who find extreme value in source material might find the newest iteration more refreshing. The more recent version promises to return Kara to her roots. Tom King, the creator ofSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, discussed the character in an interview withScreen Rant.
“I wanted to get back to her original self. So, this is a stripping down of Supergirl - but I think it’s just a pure version of her.
Inevitably, this may make Supergirl seem foreign to some who remember the more recent iterations. But while foreign is different, it can be enthralling and a fantastic way to reboot a character. And there is an extra treat for those who like novelty. This version promises a much different take than what is traditionally expected. In this iteration, this Kara has yet to reach Earth, which Gunn shared with The Direct.
“Within our story, we have Superman, who was sent to Earth and raised and nurtured by incredibly loving parents, whereas Kara was on Krypton, a piece of Krypton, that drifted away from the planet. She has lived there for the first 14 years of her life in [a] horrible situation where she watched everybody around her die. So she’s a much harsher and more f***** up Supergirl than we’ve been used to this far.”
And undoubtedly, such a characterization screams intrigue.
Cohesion Gives Viewers Reason to Consume
The element of cohesion whichSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrowpurports to offer is another powerful rationale for introducing Supergirl in this manner. Cohesion is a big part of a solid story. With various iterations of a character, there is generally a disconnect, making the material seem disjointed. However, King, the writer ofSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,promises that Kara will bring things together. AsScreen Rantnotes, “There are so many iterations of Supergirl with differing traits, but King and Everly’s viewpoint strengthens the idea that many versions of Supergirl can be valid while still working as iterations of the same character.” And if done right, it will certainly be a win that fans can look forward to.
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With a substantial rebranding, unique challenges, and a fresh yet forceful perspective, DCU’s newest iteration of Supergirl seems sublime. But, of course, the balance can always tip in either direction, given that some fans like to cling to what they know best. Nevertheless, no one can deny that there is much potential for success with the newest direction.
Unfortunately, audiences will have to hold on to their expectations a bit longer, as the current forecast projects a 2027 release forSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.
