Alternative versions of Supergirl

Alternate versions of Supergirl

"The Supergirls", from Superman/Batman #24.
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Action Comics #252 (May 1959)
Created by Otto Binder and Curt Swan.
Characters Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)
Power Girl (Kara Zor-L)
Supergirl (Matrix)
Andromeda (Laurel Gand)
Supergirl (Linda Danvers)
Supergirl (Cir-El)
Supergirl (Ariella Kent)
See also Supergirl in other media

Alternative versions of Supergirl focuses on stories published by DC Comics in which various incarnations of the character has been placed in storylines taking place both in and outside of mainstream continuity.

Within mainstream continuity, several characters have claimed the mantle of "Supergirl" due to DC Comics' "Multiverse" system of alternative realities, continuity reboots, and stories involving time travel, a number of variant iterations of the character exist in various alternative universes. Alternative versions of Supergirl have been featured in various DC comic publications including the "Elseworlds" imprint.

Supergirl was originally introduced in Action Comics #252 as the cousin of the publisher's flagship superhero, Superman in the story The Supergirl from Krypton. In most depictions, she is an alien from the planet Krypton, possessing a multitude of superhuman abilities derived from the rays of a yellow sun. Other mainstream characters have taken the name Supergirl over the years, with decidedly non-extraterrestrial origins, such as a that of a superhuman artificial life-form and later a troubled young woman reborn as an "Earth-born Angel."

In mainstream comic continuity

Mainstream and continually published depictions

Several different versions of Supergirl have appeared in continuity.

Alternative universe depictions

In the final issue of DC Comics' 2006-07 year-long weekly series, 52 #52, it was revealed that a Multiverse system of 52 parallel universes, with each Earth being a different take on established DC Comics characters as featured in the mainstream continuity (designated as "New Earth") had come into existence. The Multiverse acts as a storytelling device that allows writers to introduce alternative versions of fictional characters, hypothesize "what if?" scenarios, revisit popular Elseworlds stories and allow these characters to interact with the mainstream continuity.

Alternative storylines

Elseworlds

Main article: Elseworlds
Supergirl and Batgirl

Between 1989 and 2004, DC's Elseworlds imprint was used to showcase unofficial alternative universe stories; before 1989, "imaginary stories" served the same purpose. Since 2004, stories outside of the main DC continuity have carried no particular name or imprint. The examples listed below are just a few of the many alternative versions of Supergirl depicted in these stories. A number of the most popular Elseworlds were later integrated into the DC Comics Multiverse in 2007.

In Superman & Batman: Generations 3, Knightwing (Joel's son Clark, whose Kryptonian genes were activated by a perfected version of Luthor's serum) and his wife have twin daughters, Lois and Lara, who take the heroic identities of Supergirl Red and Supergirl Blue. Supergirl Blue gives up her powers in the 25th century so she can age normally, but uses Luthor's serum in the 26th century to restore them. Supergirl Red is killed the same century, leaving her sister as the last Supergirl. Supergirl Blue dies in the 30th century. When Darkseid is destroyed, she is erased from the timeline.

Johnny DC depictions

These versions are out of continuity but the series Superman/Batman displays Tiny Titans as a cartoon in the DCU.

Homages and pastiches

References

  1. Multiversity: Mastermen (February 2015)
  2. Supergirl vol. 5, #32 (October 2008)
  3. Trinity #25 (November 19, 2008)
  4. Ame-Comi IV: Power Girl #1-3, Ame-Comi V: Supergirl #1-3
  5. "BOMBSHELLS #1". DC Comics. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2015-08-28.
  6. DC Bombshells
  7. DC Comics: Bombshells #1 Review

External links

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