The short answer
The short answer
Supergirl, Kara Zor-El, is Superman's cousin. Her father Zor-El is Jor-El's brother, and she grew up in Argo City, a surviving piece of Krypton. She first appeared in Action Comics #252 (May 1959), by Otto Binder and Al Plastino. In the DC Studios films she's played by Milly Alcock, first in a cameo in Superman (2025) and then in Supergirl (2026).
Meet the family
The rest of the family.
How it has changed
Every era, a different story.
Silver Age (1956–1970)
Silver Age (1956–1970)
Kara arrives in 'The Supergirl from Krypton' (1959), sent from Argo City by Zor-El and Alura. Her pets are Streaky the Supercat, powered by X-kryptonite (Action Comics #261, 1960), and Comet the Super-Horse.
Bronze Age (1970–1986)
Bronze Age (1970–1986)
Kara is killed in Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 (1985), partly so that Superman can be the sole survivor of Krypton.
Post-Crisis (1986–2011)
Post-Crisis (1986–2011)
Others carry the name, including Matrix (1988), Linda Danvers and Cir-El. Kara Zor-El returns in Superman/Batman #8 (2004), by Jeph Loeb.
New 52 (2011–2016)
New 52 (2011–2016)
Kara gets her own New 52 series, running from 2011 to 2015.
Rebirth and today (2016–)
Rebirth and today (2016–)
Supergirl: Rebirth (2016) relaunches her, and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (Tom King and Bilquis Evely, 2021–22, 8 issues) becomes the basis of her film.
Film and TV
Film and TV
Helen Slater plays her in Supergirl (1984) and Melissa Benoist in the TV series Supergirl (2015–21). Milly Alcock plays her in Superman (2025) and Supergirl (2026).
In depth
The full story.
Supergirl is the other survivor of Krypton, and in many fans’ eyes one of the most underrated heroes in the Super-family. Here’s who she is, how she’s connected to Superman, and why her story has been rewritten more than most.
Who is Supergirl?
Supergirl is Kara Zor-El, Superman’s cousin. In her original story, Argo City, a chunk of Krypton, survived the planet’s explosion for a time. Her parents, Zor-El (Jor-El’s brother) and Alura, sent her to Earth. She has the same Kryptonian powers as Superman, powered by Earth’s yellow sun.
She first appeared in “The Supergirl from Krypton” in Action Comics #252 (May 1959), by Otto Binder and Al Plastino. Her arrival also changed Superman’s own story: because Argo City’s survivors had no powers at home, DC dropped the idea that Earth’s gravity powered Kryptonians and moved to the yellow sun. See where Superman’s powers come from.
Supergirl’s history at a glance
| Year | What happened | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1959 | First appearance | Action Comics #252 |
| 1960 | Streaky the Supercat gains powers from X-kryptonite | Action Comics #261 |
| 1985 | Killed in action | Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 |
| 1988 onwards | Matrix, Linda Danvers and Cir-El use the name | Post-Crisis comics |
| 2004 | Kara Zor-El returns | Superman/Batman #8 |
| 2011–15 | New 52 solo series | Supergirl |
| 2016 | Rebirth relaunch | Supergirl: Rebirth |
| 2021–22 | Eight-issue series | Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow |
In short, Kara has been killed, replaced and restored, and today she’s a film lead.
Every Supergirl, explained
At least five characters have been Supergirl:
| Who | First appearance | How her powers compare with Superman’s | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kara Zor-El | Action Comics #252 (May 1959), Binder and Plastino | The same powers and the same kryptonite weakness | Confirmed |
| Matrix | Superman (vol. 2) #16 (April 1988) | Shape-shifting artificial life from a pocket universe: flight and strength, plus psychokinesis, shape-shifting and invisibility | Confirmed |
| Linda Danvers | Supergirl (vol. 4) #1 (September 1996), Peter David | Merged with Matrix and became an “Earth-born angel” with flaming wings | Confirmed |
| Cir-El | Superman: The 10 Cent Adventure #1 (2003) | Strength, speed and hearing; leaps but can’t fly; red solar blasts | Confirmed |
| Kara Zor-El (return) | Superman/Batman #8 (2004), Jeph Loeb and Michael Turner | Full Kryptonian powers | Confirmed |
Power Girl isn’t a Supergirl, but she’s closely related: she’s the Earth-Two Kara. See Power Girl. Supergirl has also been a member of the 30th-century Legion of Super-Heroes, in the Silver Age and again in the 2004 series.
Supergirl on screen
Helen Slater played her in Supergirl (1984), and Melissa Benoist starred in TV’s Supergirl (2015–21). In the DC Studios films, Milly Alcock plays Kara: she cameos at the end of Superman (2025), arriving at the Fortress of Solitude to collect her dog, Krypto, and leads Supergirl (2026), based on Woman of Tomorrow. For the film’s cast, story and reviews, see our Supergirl (2026) guide.
Kara has a super-pet of her own: Comet the Super-Horse, who first appeared in Adventure Comics #293 (early 1962).
Supergirl sits on the House of El branch of the Superman family tree, alongside the clone Superboy, Conner Kent. For Krypton and Argo City, see Krypton explained.
Questions
Fans ask.
Who is Supergirl to Superman?
Kara Zor-El is his cousin, the daughter of Jor-El's brother Zor-El. She first appeared in Action Comics #252 (1959), having survived Krypton's destruction in Argo City. She gets her own DCU film, Supergirl (2026), starring Milly Alcock.
Why did Supergirl die?
Supergirl died in Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 (1985), DC's universe-resetting event. Part of the reason was editorial: DC wanted Superman to be the sole survivor of Krypton in the rebooted comics. Kara Zor-El came back in Superman/Batman #8 (2004).
Next in family
Conner Kent.
Part Superman, part Luthor. All Superboy.
Family treeBorn on Krypton. Raised in Kansas.