The next chapter in the DC Studios’ universe is here.

Supergirl is releasing amid a high for DC-based movies as Superman (2025) saw a lot of success. Not only does it mark a great time to get into the new DC Studios universe, but also the source material.

Supergirl, also known as Kara Zor-El, first appears in Action Comics #252 (published in May 1959). She is introduced as the cousin of Superman and has been a mainstay in the DC Universe since.

Whether you have seen the movie or have yet to see it, these five comic storylines offer a great way to understand the character and set you up for Milly Alcock’s interperation of the Girl of Tomorrow.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow By Tom King and Bilquis Evely

Contains: Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow 1-8 (2021-22)

While there are likely to be many influences for the Supergirl movie, this series will be the most prominent.

Supergirl spends the entirety of this mini-series helping an alien girl Ruthye Marye Knoll get revenge for her father’s death at the hands of Krem of the Yellow Hills. The story follows Knoll’s perspective and features a lot of gorgeous art from Evely.

Furthermore, it portrays Supergirl as a flawed character who still upholds the ethos of Superman while dealing with her own inner demons and trauma. At the end of the day, this story gets Supergirl and does a fantastic job at respecting her character while still holding true to her mission.

Last Daughter of Krypton By Michael Green, Mike Johnson, and Mahmud Asrar

Contains: Supergirl 1-7 (2011-12)

The New 52 kicked off in 2011 as a reboot of the DC Universe with mixed results. One success story was Supergirl‘s opening arc.

With it being part of a larger reboot, this opening arc explores Supergirl’s origins. She arrives at Earth and has amnesia that leads to an explosive encounter with her cousin. This all leads Kara on a journey of self-discovery while trying to fight off enemies who seek the same information about her.

This arc offers a new take on the character and sets up some further arcs that are well worth your time. These include Red Daughter of Krypton (21-25) and Crucible (34-40) both from author Tony Bedard, offering fascinating explorations into her character all set up from this opening arc.

Supergirl: Being Super by Mariko Tamaki and Joelle Jones

Contains: Supergirl: Being Super 1-4 (2017)

One area that comics tend to explore well on Supergirl is her coming of age. This is largely because she typically arrives to Earth as a teenager rather than a baby like her cousin. Being Super is the best exploration of this time period.

This mini-series sees Kara as a high school student who seeks to balance her powers with her social life. It sees Kara face some monumental catastrophes that help her come to grips with her powers and who she is as a person.

This storyline is non-canon but offers a fantastic look at the character. Supergirl is often seen as more flawed than her cousin and comic arcs love exploring this conundrum. This story does so in a compact and insanely relatable way that is well worth your time.

Supergirl Vol. 4 by Peter David and Gary Frank (et.al)

Contains: Supergirl 1-80, Supergirl Annual 1-2, Supergirl 1,000,000

Kara is the one who mostly carries the mantle of Supergirl but there are some exceptions. This run came at a weird time at DC where the publishers wanted Superman to be the only Kryptonian so they killed off Kara in the 1985 event Crisis on Infinite Earths. This storyline comes during the time when DC had yet to remove that restriction.

David’s run features a synthetic lifeform called Matrix that mimics Superman’s powers. It merges with teenager Linda Danvers, creating a new version of Supergirl. This run may be long, but it is a consistent output from David showcasing Danvers’ adventures as she comes to grips with her new reality and leads into Kara’s return in 2003.

Since this is a long run, I recommend trying Book One that includes issues 1-9 along with two additional issues that provide a good introduction to this run and Linda. If you decide to move forward, you will be rewarded with a unique but fun approach to the character.

Supergirl Rebirth by Steve Orlando and Brian Ching (et.al)

Contains: Supergirl Rebirth 1, Supergirl 1-20 (2016-18)

The 2026 movie serves as a great jumping on point for the character that many will utilize. Another great spot was the Arrowverse’s 2015 show Supergirl, featuring Melissa Benoist. This drew in a lot of fans and also drew a lot of attention to the comics.

DC was amid its 2016 Rebirth, another universe reboot, and Orlando’s run featured a new beginning for the character that sought to draw in fans of the show. Along with those elements, it tells a story of Kara’s Kryptonian past coming to haunt her, leading to a shift in public opinion about her. She is forced to win them back, providing a fun interpretation of Supergirl.

Similar to the David run, this run does follow several issues and arcs, but the entirety of the run is worth it. The story is compact, interesting, and poignant. This also sets up some fun arcs from Marc Andreyko and Jody Houser.

Supergirl has a rich history in the DC Universe with many stories that highlight Kara’s time in the role. There are also many other great stories that showcase Kara in other roles such as Power Girl, a Kara from an alternate universe. There are so many great options to consider and a variety of ways to get into these comics.

What are your favorite Supergirl comics? Are you planning on reading any before or after you see the movie? Let us know in the comments below or head over to our Discord channel to join the conversation.

Featured Image: DC Comics

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