James Gunn’s DC Universe will bring a highly-regarded Supergirl story to life in 2026 with a film directed by Craig Gillespie. The movie is based on the comic book series Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King and Bilquis Evely, and many fans are already reading it in anticipation. While it’s a fantastic story, there’s a wealth of other great Supergirl comics to explore. First appearing in 1959, Supergirl is typically depicted as Superman’s cousin, another survivor of Krypton’s destruction, but her history is often portrayed as even more heartbreaking than his.
Supergirl has starred in comic books for over 60 years! If you enjoyed Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, here are seven of the best classic Supergirl stories you should check out next.
7) Superman/Supergirl Maelstrom
The Superman/Supergirl: Maelstrom storyline was created by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti. The story centers around the villain Maelstrom, a character from Apokalips who attempts to kill Superman to gain favor with Darkseid. The plot thickens when she realizes she must also contend with Supergirl, and this is where the series truly excels. A key moment occurs when Superman and Supergirl train on a planet with a red sun, which removes their powers, highlighting their true strength and skill. The story culminates in a thrilling battle where Supergirl rescues her cousin, and the two heroes defeat Maelstrom and the Female Furies in a standout fight for Supergirl.
6) Action Comics #881-882 & Supergirl #45-46 – “The Hunt for Reactron”
“The Hunt for Reactron” was a story that ran through both Supergirl and Action Comics, teaming up Superman and Supergirl. It took place when the city of Kandor had been restored and was located on Earth, but before it was moved far away. The story centers around a villain named Mirabai who frames Supergirl for the murder of Mon-El. Supergirl must then track down Reactron, who may be the real culprit. This storyline is particularly good because it introduces a villain specifically for Supergirl, instead of one she shares with Superman.
5) Superman/Batman #8-13 – “Supergirl from Krypton”
The story of Supergirl’s return to DC Comics unfolded in the Superman/Batman comic book, written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Michael Turner. Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths – a major event that rebooted the DC Universe and previously showed Supergirl’s death – this storyline reintroduced her. In it, Batman discovers the spaceship that carried Supergirl to Earth and realizes she’s another survivor of Krypton. This story re-established Supergirl as a significant character, featuring her training with Wonder Woman, and secretly setting the stage for the arrival of Darkseid.
4) Supergirl #9-11 – “Escape from the Phantom Zone”
The Supergirl story arc, “Escape from the Phantom Zone,” is a standout thanks to the fantastic team-up between Kara and Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) – a pairing DC Comics fans have always enjoyed. Written by Steve Orlando, it’s considered by many to be the best story he crafted during his run on the Supergirl title. This arc marked the first meeting between Supergirl and Batgirl in this continuity, and together they investigate the disappearance of a woman holding the key to the Phantom Zone.
3) Supergirl #36-40 – “Crucible”
As a big Supergirl fan, I always thought the “Crucible” storyline was a fantastic way to wrap up her New 52 solo series, especially coming off her time as a Red Lantern. That New 52 run wasn’t perfect, but overall it really did the character justice and felt true to her history. “Crucible” was a four-issue arc where she goes to this academy, the Crucible, hoping to finally become the hero she’s destined to be. But things aren’t what they seem, and she discovers the organization has a dark side. The ending was just perfect – it tied everything up beautifully and made the transition into the Rebirth era feel completely natural when DC rebooted everything.
2) Supergirl: Being Super
Supergirl has been rebooted in many ways, but the 2017 miniseries Supergirl: Being Super, by Mariko Tamaki and Joëlle Jones, is a standout. Like the lesser-known Superman: Secret Identity, it tells an independent story outside the main DC Universe. This version focuses on Kara discovering her powers, but grounds it in a relatable, modern setting, making it particularly powerful. It’s a clever take on the character and a Supergirl story all fans should experience.
1) Supergirl #1-7 – “The Last Daughter of Krypton”
Supergirl’s initial storyline in the New 52 comics began with “The Last Daughter of Krypton,” spanning the first seven issues. The story opens with Supergirl mysteriously arriving on Earth and being immediately attacked by a large army until Superman intervenes. She then shares her origin story – the version that’s now considered official in current DC comics, including the ‘Woman of Tomorrow’ storyline. This arc details the fate of Argo City and how Supergirl ended up in the present-day DC Universe.
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2026-01-15 23:12