Kara Zor-El
Kara Zor-El is a female comic superhero that features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Pre-Crisis
Following the Crisis of Infinite Earths, the Kara Zor-El Supergirl was removed from continuity. Instead, there were other characters that took on the identity of Supergirl including; Matrix, Linda Danvers, and Cir-El.
Post-Crisis
Her father Zor-El listened to Jor-El's warnings of the impending doom of Krypton and constructed an escape ship for his daughter Kara with its navigation being keyed to follow her cousin Kal-El's craft. Kara's ship got caught in the destruction of Krypton with her being kept in a state of suspended animation as its journey to follow its target ship was delayed. (Superman/Batman v1 #9) Whilst there, she was corrupted by Darkseid and came to see Apokolips as her home with its ruler as her master. When Superman came to rescue her, Kara turned on him and attacked him on behalf of Darkseid. (Superman/Batman v1 #11)
After awakening from her pod, she found herself in Gotham City where she was unfamiliar with the language or the people leaving her in a confused state as her powers began to manifest. She was found by Batman who used Kryponite to render her unconscious as he took her to the Batcave where she met with Superman who learnt that Kara was his cousin. (Superman/Batman v1 #8) Kara was then taken to the Fortress of Solitude in order to adjust to her new home though Batman did not trust her and intended to run more tests on her as he doubted her version of events. (Superman/Batman v1 #9) She was then taken to Themyscira against the wishes of Superman where Wonder Woman had her train with the Amazons. During this time, she went through weeks of combat training under Artemis whilst also making friends such as Harbinger. At this time, forces from Apokolips struck with an army of animate Doomsdays being deployed to fight the Amazons whilst a secondary force captured Kara for Darkseid. (Superman/Batman v1 #10) Whilst there, she was brainwashed by Darkseid to be his enforcer and he commanded her to attack her cousin Superman when he came to rescue her. She was defeated by the Man of Steel and Darkseid was forced to abandon his claim to her when Batman threatened to detonate Hellspores on Apokolips. Upon returning to Earth, she learnt of Harbingers death and adjusted to life on her new home with her getting a costume made by Martha Kent. As Supergirl, she went to the Kent Farm in Smallville with Superman only for them to be ambushed by Darkseid who targeted the Man of Steel. To protect her cousin, Kara went into the path of an Omega Beam where she was seemingly disintegrated. (Superman/Batman v1 #12) In reality, she was transported away at the last second by the Justice League to fake her death to allow Kara to decide if she wanted to live an ordinary life or become a superhero. She ultimately decided she wanted to become a hero with her telling her cousin who proudly introduced her to the other heroes of the Earth with her taking the name Supergirl. (Superman/Batman v1 #13)
Whilst finding her place on Earth, she went to the Justice Society during a battle with Solomon Grundy in order to meet with Supergirl. However, Power Girl's powers went out of control as both her and Kara were the same person occupying the same space in time causing them to act out against one another. (Supergirl v5 #1) She then went to Smallville to the Kent Farm to meet with Superboy who went into self-imposed isolation and reacted aggressively to Kara's arrival with the Teen Titans arriving leading to a misunderstanding that resulted in a fight. (Supergirl v5 #2)
The New 52
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of history was created with a different series of events.
With her powers unstable, she had joined the Department of Extranormal Operations where Director Cameron Chase offered to restore her abilities in exchange for her aiding the agency in its missions. The mission was successful with Supergirl helping to defeat Lar-On who had emerged from a tear in the Phantom Zone. To maintain her civilian life, she was given the identity of Kara Danvers with agents Eliza Danvers and Jeremiah Danvers operating as her foster parents. In her civilian life, she was meant to live an ordinary life whilst operating as Supergirl at National City. (Supergirl: Rebirth v1 #1)
Overview
Personality and attributes
When on Themyscira, she came to consider Harbinger to be her first friend on Earth and was deeply saddened at Lyla's death. (Superman/Batman v1 #12)
Powers and abilities
As a result of being trapped in suspended animation, Kara did not age and she was biologically 15-16 years old on Earth despite having been born before her cousin. (Supergirl v5 #1)
She learnt English in less than a month alongside several other languages. (Superman/Batman v1 #9)
During her ships journey to Earth, the vessel generated constant yellow sunlight which empowered her cells giving her superhuman abilities quickly. (Superman/Batman v1 #9)
From studying the Flash, she learnt to vibrate fast enough to make herself appear invisible allowing her to ambush enemies. (Supergirl v5 #2)
Notes
- The Kara Zor-El Supergirl was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino where she made her first appearance in Action Comics v1 #252 (May, 1959) with her being based on Superman made by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
- Following the Crisis of the Infinite Earths, the character was wiped from continuity with three different characters taking the title of Supergirl namely Matrix, Cir-El and Linda Danvers.
Alternate Versions
- In Gotham City Garage v1 (2017), an alternate Kara Zor-El was shown to reside on this Earth with this one being raised as Kara Gordon who was the adoptive daughter of Jim Gordon in the dystopic world of the Garden.
In other media
Television
- In the DC Animated Universe, Supergirl made a number of appearances in the shared continuity setting.
- In Superman: The Animated Series, Supergirl first appearance in the animated series as Kara In-Ze where appeared in the episode "Little Girl Lost" where she was voiced by actor Nicholle Tom.
- In Justice League Unlimited, Supergirl returned in the animated series where she was once again voiced by actor Nicholle Tom.
- In Smallville, Kara appeared in the live-action series where she was voiced by actor Laura Vandervoort.
- In Supergirl, Kara Zor-El appeared as a main cast member in the live-action television series where she was portrayed by actor Melissa Benoist.
Films
- In Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, Kara Zor-El as Supergirl appeared in the animated film where she was voiced by actor Summer Glau.
Video games
- In DC Universe Online, the Kara Zor-El Supergirl appeared as a boss level character in the MMORPG video game where she was voiced by actor Adrienne Mishler.
- In Infinite Crisis, the Kara Zor-El Supergirl featured as a playable character in the MOBA game where she was voiced by actor Camilla Luddington.
- In Injustice 2, the Kara Zor-El Supergirl featured as a playable character in the fighting video game where she was voiced by actor Laura Bailey.
Appearances
- Adventure Comics:
- Supergirl:
- Superman/Batman:
- Supergirl:
- Justice League United:
- Supergirl:
External Links
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