Supergirl
	Name: Linda Lee Danvers (born Kara Zor-El) Home Planet: 20th c. Earth (born in Argo City) Super-Powers: Super-strength, speed, invulnerability, flight, super-senses, etc. Member Since: 2963

Origin | Super-Powers | Personal Data | Membership Record

Monitor Board

When the planet Krypton exploded, a large chunk of the world was hurled away from the explosion. Among the survivors was Zor-El, a scientist who was the brother of Superman's father Jor-El. Unfortunately, while the citizens of Argo City had survived the explosion, the ground was converted to anti-kryptonite, an element whose radiations can poison and kill non-powered Kryptonians over time. Luckily Zor-El had enough lead shielding to cover all the ground and protect his people.

Years passed and Zor-El married Allura and their child, Kara, was born. When she was in her mid-teens, a meteor shower destroyed the leaden shield. Desperately, her father worked against time to construct a space rocket. They had less than a month to send Kara to another world before the anti-kryptonite radiations slowly poisoned the air. Using a super-space telescope, Allura examined many planets that they could send their daughter to. Focusing on Earth, they saw Superman of Krypton performing super-deeds. Kara was dressed in a similar super-suit and launched to Earth barely in time. Unknown to Kara, her parents survived the disaster themselves by entering the Survival Zone.

Crash-landing on Earth, Supergirl was met by Superman and discovered that they were cousins. In the lesser gravity and under the yellow rays of the sun, Kara displayed amazing powers similar to Superman's. He dressed her in Earth clothes and a brown pigtailed wig to give her a secret identity, and Kara chose the name Linda Lee. Superman entered Linda in Midvale Orphanage, wanting her to live as an "ordinary" girl until she got used to Earthly customs. At night, Supergirl operated as Superman's secret weapon (Action Comics No. 252).

After spending two years in the orphanage, Linda was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Danvers (Action Comics No. 279), and soon after this, Superman revealed Supergirl's existence to the world in a public ceremony (285).

First Appearance: Action Comics No. 252 (written by Otto Binder, drawn by Al Plastino)

Back to Top

Supergirl was born on Argo City, which, like Krypton, has a heavy gravity and orbits a red sun. Thus, she has the same super-powers as her cousin Superboy, which are derived from the same sources.

As Superboy once explained: "Born on a giant world with a heavy gravity, my muscles automatically become super-strong in Earth's light gravity." From this source, Supergirl acquires her muscular powers of super-strength, super-breath, super-speed, and flying (Superman No. 146).

Using "all her mighty strength" Supergirl has pushed a planet away from a path that would one day menace Earth (Superman No. 156). Supergirl has all the powers that Superboy does, but though the super-cousins' powers have never been accurately measured, theoretically Superboy is stronger than her just as a normal boy is stronger than a normal girl (Adventure Comics No. 368).

Superboy also pointed out that: "... Only the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun can super-energize my brain and five senses to give me the other, non-muscular super-powers," super-senses and mental powers such as x-ray vision, telescopic vision, microscopic vision, super-hearing, super-memory, and super-calculations. "Also, yellow-sun rays, which only tan Earth people's skin, hardened mine like steel. Radium rays... lightning... fire... nothing can harm me (Superman No. 146)." Ordinary x-rays cannot penetrate Supergirl's body (Adventure Comics No. 350).

Supergirl can fly through space at faster-than-light speeds, and even break the time-barrier to travel into the past or the future. It has been shown that part of her flying power actually comes from the yellow sun source (Superboy No. 141). Supergirl doesn't wear her Legion flight-ring (Action Comics No. 377 "Metropolis Mailbag"), though with it she could send and receive emergency signals to other wearers (Adventure Comics No. 369, 372 "The Legion Outpost").

Supergirl's super-voice can hypnotize people, even other super-beings like her cousin. In fact, she has used it to place a post-hypnotic command in Superboy's mind to make him forget all about her when he returns to his own time in the 1930s (Adventure Comics No. 341).

Limitations and Weaknesses: Supergirl's x-ray vision cannot penetrate lead or lead-lined walls. It also cannot penetrate inertron, the most indestructible substance in the 30th century (Adventure Comics No. 336). The heat of her x-ray vision cannot melt lead, unless it is a very thin lining (313).

Kryptonite is the remants of the planet Krypton, turned radioactive and known for its signature green glow. Nearness to its radiations will rob the strength of a super-powered Kryptonian but have no effect on a non-powered Kryptonian or a person who is not from Krypton. Kryptonite radiations cannot penetrate lead, which acts as a shield against its harmful effects. Anti-kryptonite, which exists on Argo City, has the unique effect of being able to harm non-super Kryptonians (Action Comics No. 252).

The effects of green kryptonite on Supergirl are pain, weakness, and eventual paralysis. All of her other super-powers, however, remain unaffected. For instance, she is still invulnerable to harm from all other conventional means.

After a flock of green kryptonite meteors passed through a crimson cosmic cloud it was transformed into red kryptonite, the peculiar radiations of which always have unpredictable effects on Kryptonians. It may age her into a woman (Action Comics No. 267/2), split her into good and evil halves (Adventure Comics No. 313), or give her amnesia and the ability to see through lead (334). The effects of exposure are only temporary and usually pass within a day or two. Once affected by a specific piece of red-K, she can no longer be affected by it. It can, however, act in the same exact way upon another Kryptonian. Supergirl seems to have the unfortunate habit of encountering red-k on a regular basis.

Supergirl loses her powers wherever the conditions of Argo City or Krypton are duplicated, such as the Bottle City of Kandor (Action Comics No. 279/2). Supergirl is vulnerable to objects that come from Krypton-like worlds, which also become super under a yellow sun. She can be overpowered by super-people or super-animals who would be normally stronger than she is if they didn't have super-powers.

Supergirl is also vulnerable to extra-dimensional forces, such as magic.

Supergirl can be hypnotized, especially if kryptonite is used, or if it is by the voice of a fellow super-being - such as the time that Queen Azura brainwashed her into hating men by rearranging the words of a recording of Superboy's voice (Adventure Comics No. 326).

Speculative Explanation of Powers: See Superboy entry for details.

Back to Top

Physical Description: Kara has blonde hair that was originally fairly short, going just past her jawline, and curled out at the ends. It has grown progressively longer over the years (no doubt from deliberate journeys to Kandor for this very purpose, since her hair cannot grow in an Earth environment), so that it is now shoulder-length and curled in at the ends. Sometimes she wears it parted on the left, sometimes on the right, and other times it is parted in the middle. She has a very pretty face, with strong cheekbones, and a squarish jaw.

Personality: Kara is a caring and sensitive, sweet and lovable person who enjoys keeping busy. A romantic at heart, Kara has tried to arrange the marriage of her cousin, Superman, with mixed results (Action Comics No. 289/2). Kara longs for someone to confide in about her super-life and was very happy to join the Legion of Super-Heroes and have super-girl friends to talk to. Still, Kara's involvement with the Legion has been limited to only a handful of adventures, since her 20th century life is busy enough, between Linda studying at college and her missions as Supergirl (Adventure Comics No. 334).

Skills: Kara is a good cook (Action Comics No. 282/2) and an organized housekeeper (289/2).

Interests: Kara enjoys solving difficult problems with her super-wits (Action Comics No. 270/2). She also enjoys digging tunnels (267/2, 276/2).

Previous Occupations: None, though she is currently a super-heroine on 20th century Earth.

Nicknames: "The Maid of Might" (Adventure Comics No. 351 and others)

Relationships: Kara's love life is varied and she has a number of boyfriends, none of which she seems to be able to choose between. Jerro the Mer-boy of Atlantis was her first romantic interest, which is coincidental when you consider that Superboy and Superman's first loves were both mermaids. Her other boyfriends include "Bronco" Bill Starr (a.k.a. Comet the Super-Horse) and Dick Malverne, the latter of whom she has known since her Midvale Orphanage day when his name was Dick Wilson. Brainiac 5 is her closest friend in the Legion and she considers him to be her boyfriend as well. As far as she's concerned, Brainiac 5 is the "top Legionnaire" (Adventure Comics No. 375), and she will put him and his feelings before her Legion membership. However, part of her thinks that they don't belong together since they come from different eras. While he has told her he loves her, she only admits to liking him a lot (Action Comics No. 387/2).

Kara's other friends in the Legion include: Sun Boy (Superman No. 156, Adventure Comics No. 313), Dream Girl (350/351, 368), and Phantom Girl (Action Comics No. 290/2).

Known Relatives: Allura (mother), Zor-El (father), Kal-El/Superboy/Superman (cousin), Edna Danvers (adoptive mother), Fred Danvers (adoptive father)

Back to Top

First Application: In 1960, Supergirl was approached by the three charter members of the Legion of Super-Heroes and invited to the 30th century to try out for the same super-club her cousin joined when he was a teen. After meeting a few of its members, Supergirl got an idea to help alleviate the overcrowded skies and dug through the Earth at super-speed, building a tremendous tunnel cutting through the curvature of the planet. Unfortunately, her path crossed with a red kryptonite meteor and the fifteen-year old Supergirl was changed into an adult Superwoman. Because she was physically over the age-limit as per the Legion's constitution, Supergirl was no longer eligible to join the Super-Hero Club and asked to try again next year if the effects of the red-k have worn off (Action Comics No. 267/2). Superwoman stood by in the clubhouse and watched as Star Boy joined in her stead (Adventure Comics No. 282).

Second Application: The following year, Saturn Girl, Phantom Girl and Triplicate Girl visited Supergirl in Midvale and brought her to the future once again. This time, the club was accepting one boy and one girl, so she was competing directly for membership against Shrinking Violet. The male applicants consisted of Bouncing Boy, Sun Boy, and Brainiac 5 - who was the great-great grandson of the original Brainiac and one of Superman's deadliest foes. Once again, Supergirl dug through the Earth, but this time to locate three great treasures of the past - King Arthur's sword, Excalibur, Achilles' helmet and King Richard the Lion-Hearted's shield.

Induction: Fortunately no red-k mishap happened this time, and the feat won her membership in the team. In a public ceremony at Metropolis Arena, both she and Brainiac 5, who was also chosen to join, were awarded plaques and presented to the public (Action Comics No. 276/2).

Comments: Supergirl first met Superboy in the 30th century at Lightning Lad's funeral, and following this she had to place a super-hypnotic command into his mind to make him forget about her each time he returned to his own era (Adventure Comics No. 334, 341).

Positions Held: Temporary honorary leader during the 2nd term (2963-64 Adventure Comics No. 313).

Aliases Used: Unknown Boy (Adventure Comics No. 334)

Career Highlights:

Action Comics No. 287 (Apr. 1962) "Supergirl's Greatest Challenge"

After Supergirl defeated the Positive Man, using a Negative Creature, and saved Earth's solar system, the Legionnaires apparently lost their powers from the radioactive fallout. After covering for each of her teammates during their exploits, Supergirl was betrayed by them and projected into the Phantom Zone along with her new friend, Whizzy, the 30th century descendant of her pet cat, Streaky. While in the invisible dimension, Supergirl discovered that the "Legionnaires" were actually invading chameleon men in disguise. With Whizzy's help she escaped the Zone, captured the invaders, and freed her teammates from the asteroid they were imprisoned in.

Adventure Comics No. 313 (Oct. 1963) "The Condemned Legionnaires"

After overshooting her mark while journeying to 30th century Earth, Supergirl encountered a red kryptonite meteor and split into two selves. Her duplicate, desperate to survive longer than 48 hours, devised bracelet instruments designed to siphon off the red-K effect from her body and project it into the bodies of the girl Legionnaires, who fell fatally ill from the mysterious "Crimson Plague". Satan Girl, as Supergirl's duplicate called herself, was defeated by the Legion of Super-Pets, who weren't affected by the siphoned rays.

Adventure Comics No. 326 (Nov. 1964) "The Revolt of the Girl Legionnaires"

After the female Legionnaires were brainwashed (using an edited recording of Superboy's super-voice) by Queen Azura of Femnaz into defeating their male teammates, Supergirl developed a cancelite spray to beat her intended victim, Chameleon Boy.

Adventure Comics No. 334 (July 1965) "The Unknown Legionnaire"

After encountering a cloud of red kryptonite dust, Supergirl got amnesia along with the added ability to see through lead. Disguising herself as a masked "boy", she helped the Legionnaires stop Dr. Norm Eldor from exploiting the Proteans of Antares. A mystery to the Legionnaires, Cosmic Boy named her alter ego "Unknown Boy" and the Proteans, thinking she was a Legionnaire, honored this identity of hers with a statue.

Adventure Comics No. 350/351 (Nov./Dec. 1966) "The Outcast Super-Heroes" / "The Forgotten Legion"

After a cloud of green kryptonite attracted itself to Earth's magnetic field and threatened to stay in orbit for at least two years, Superboy and Supergirl were honorably discharged from the Legion of Super-Heroes, and their memories of the future wiped by the implantation of green-K capsules in their brains. As they left, they named their replacements - Sir Prize and Miss Terious, who were actually Star Boy and Dream Girl on a mission to save the White Witch. In the end, Color Kid of the Legion of Substitute Heroes changed the green-K cloud blue and Superboy and Supergirl were able to rejoin the Legion.

Adventure Comics No. 368 (May 1968) "The Mutiny of the Super-Heroines"

Supergirl was once again brainwashed into attacking her male teammates, this time by Ambassador Thora of Taltar. Supergirl and her girlfriends had their powers fantastically "beefed up" and, temporarily, she became immune to kryptonite and was stronger than Superboy. Supergirl's love for Brainiac 5 snapped her out of the villainess' control, whom she defeated by giving her a "charm" to put on the bracelet Thora that was using to effect the girls. As the charm was really a tiny anti-metal bomb, it destroyed the device and freed the girls from her control.

For information concerning Supergirl's Legion career after 2969, click here.

Back to Top

Monitor Board