The Supergirl from Krypton!

"The Supergirl from Krypton!" debuted in Action Comics #252 (May 1959). The character was created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino. Kara Zor-El is the paternal cousin of Kal-El from Argo City on Krypton. The city survived the destruction of the planet, but became irradiated with kryptonite. Fifteen-year-old Kara was rocketed away to Earth by her parents Zor-El and Alura In-Ze. Superman placed Kara in Midvale Orphanage to protect and mentor her. Kara chose the secret identity of Linda Lee and disguises herself with a pigtailed brunette wig.

Detective Comics produced a copyright ashcan for a Superwoman title in late 1941, and a Supergirl ashcan in 1944. Both names have been used by various DC characters over the years, beginning with Action Comics #60 (May 1943). In the story "Lois Lane -- Superwoman!" by Jerry Siegel and George Roussos, Lois Lane dreams of receiving superpowers after a blood transfusion from Superman. In Action Comics #156 (May 1951), Lois dons a blonde wig as Superwoman, "The Girl of Steel!"

In Superboy #5 (November–⁠December 1949), Superboy helps Queen Lucy of Borgonia pretend to be "Supergirl." In Superman #123 (August 1958), Jimmy Olsen uses a magic gem to wish a "Super-Girl" into existence.

Kara Zor-El first appeared in a DC house advertisement for Action Comics. According to Al Plastino, the only discussion was, "Should she be blonde?" The Supergirl logo was designed by Ira Schnapp based on the Superman logo by Joe Shuster.

Superman creator Jerry Siegel returned to DC Comics in 1959 and contributed Supergirl stories for Action Comics throughout the 1960s. Streaky the Supercat, the first Super-Pet companion of Supergirl, was created by Jerry Siegel and artist Jim Mooney. In Action Comics #261 (February, 1960), a stray cat is accidentally exposed to X-Kryptonite and given temporary superpowers.

Supergirl meets the Legion of Super-Heroes in Action Comics #267 (August 1960). Red kryptonite temporarily ages Supergirl into a "Superwoman" and she is unable to join due to the 18-year-old age limit. Supergirl encounters the Legion again in Action Comics #276 (May 1961). After Brainiac 5 helps Supergirl pass the trials, both are chosen to become Legionnaires. They develop feelings for each other, but Supergirl leaves the 30th century to continue assisting Superman.

In Action Comics #273 (February 1961), editor Mort Weisinger asked readers to "Pick a new hair style for Linda (Supergirl) Lee!" The hairstyles were designed by Jim Mooney. The "Campus Cuddle-Bun" received 10,112 of the 20,477 votes, officially appearing in Action Comics #281 (October 1961).

Superman would not allow Supergirl to be adopted from the orphanage, fearing that she would expose her identity. Since her arrival, Kara was forced to operate as a "secret weapon" for Superman. The plots often limited her power usage away from the public eye. In Action Comics #279 (July 1961), 16-year-old Kara is adopted from Midvale by Fred and Edna Danvers. She takes their surname, becoming Linda Lee Danvers. After proving herself to Superman, Supergirl is formally introduced to the world in Action Comics #285 (February 1962).

Comet the Super-Horse was created by Jerry Siegel and artist Curt Swan. The Super-Pet first appeared in Adventure Comics #293 (October 1962). Known as Biron, Comet was an ancient centaur transformed into an immortal horse. Comet and Supergirl first meet in Action Comics #293 (September 1962).

A new Supergirl uniform was revealed in Adventure Comics #397 (September 1970). The outfit was assembled by Wonder Woman based on designs submitted by readers Louise Ann Kelley and Jean Bray.

Different costumes were featured over the next two years including a swimsuit designed by Margret Berg in Adventure Comics #409 (August 1971). The most recognizable Supergirl uniform of the era is the balloon sleeve blouse and hotpants design by John Sposato, first appearing in Adventure Comics #410 (September 1971).

A solo Supergirl title was published for ten issues (November 1972–October 1974). After quitting her job at KSF-TV in San Francisco, Linda Danvers enrolls in the School of Drama at Vandyre University.

Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen, Superman's Girlfriend, Lois Lane, and Supergirl were combined into The Superman Family beginning with Jimmy Olsen issue #164 (April–⁠May 1974). The Superman Family was published for 59 issues until September 1982.

The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl debuted in November 1982. The original series logo was designed by Todd Klein. Linda Danvers moved to Chicago and studied psychology at Lake Shore University. A new uniform was introduced in issue #13, retitled Supergirl for the remainder of the series.

In Supergirl #17 (March 1984), Supergirl added a headband as a "symbol of citizenship on Krypton!" The updated look was used in screen tests for the 1984 film Supergirl starring Helen Slater.

In the Silver Age DC multiverse, Earth-Two included characters from the Golden Age of DC Comics. Power Girl first appeared in All-Star Comics #58 (February 1976). Kara Zor-L is the cousin of Kal-L, Superman of Earth-Two. Kara Zor-L was rocketed from Krypton as an infant and remained in stasis before arriving on Earth as a woman in her twenties.

Power Girl was created by Gerry Conway, Ric Estrada, and Wally Wood. According to Conway, "Obviously on Earth-Two, Superman has kept Power Girl's existence a secret longer than he did on Earth-One. Honest -- no lie." Power Girl survived the destruction of Earth-Two during the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" event and her origin would be retconned over the years.

Supergirl of Earth-One was killed battling the Anti-Monitor in Crisis On Infinite Earths #7 (October 1985). Her body is brought to the Fortress of Solitude before being placed in orbit on the opposite side of the Moon. Superman later delivers Kara to her Kryptonian parents in Superman #414 (December 1985). After the defeat of the Anti-Monitor, the multiverse worlds were merged into New Earth.

The "Crisis on Infinite Earths" led to continuity problems for Legion of Super-Heroes stories in the 30th and 31st centuries. DC Comics established that Kal-El was the last survivor of Krypton. On New Earth, Superman never became Superboy and Supergirl never existed. Kal-El remembers Superboy-Prime and elements of the Crisis, but Kara is seemingly forgotten.

The Time Trapper created a Pocket Universe containing a copy of Krypton and Earth-One. The Superboy of the Pocket Universe died saving the Legion, leaving Earth unprotected from the Phantom Zone criminals.

The Pocket Universe Lex Luthor created a protoplasmic being named Matrix. Matrix has super-strength and the power of flight, telekinesis, invisibility, and shapeshifting abilities. The character was created by writer Roger Stern, first appearing in Superman vol. 2, #16 (April 1988). Matrix is first referred to as "Supergirl" in The Adventures of Superman #441 (June 1988).

Matrix is adopted by the Kents and nicknamed "Mae." Matrix was romantically involved with Alexander Luthor II, the clone disguise of Lex Luthor on New Earth. A one-shot Supergirl and Team Luthor (April 1993) was released during the "Funeral for a Friend" storyline following the death of Superman. Matrix appeared as Supergirl in the four-issue Supergirl miniseries dated February–May 1994.

Superman: The Animated Series aired on Kids' WB from September 6, 1996, to February 12, 2000. The DCAU Supergirl debuted in the two-part season finale "Little Girl Lost" on May 2, 1998. Kara In-Ze was created by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini. The character was voiced by Nicholle Tom.

Unlike the comic books, Kara In-Ze is the daughter of Zor In-Ze and Kala In-Ze. Kara is the sole survivor of Argo, the sister planet of Krypton. The explosion of Krypton pushed Argo out of orbit, causing the planet to freeze. Kara is rescued by Superman and brought to Earth. Kara takes the adopted name of Kara Kent, niece of Jonathan. Kara In-Ze features from the Superman Adventures comic book adaptation are collected in Supergirl Adventures: Girl of Steel (2021)

Writer Peter David rebooted the character, introducing Linda Danvers of New Earth in Supergirl vol. 4, #1 (September 1996). Linda lives in Leesburg, a reference to Linda Lee Danvers. Linda and Matrix merge to create a new Supergirl. In issue #51 (December 2000), Linda assembles a new costume based on the 1998 design of Kara In-Ze in Superman: The Animated Series.

The Pre-Crisis Kara Zor-El returned in the six-part series finale "Supergirl: Many Happy Returns" in Supergirl #75–⁠80 (December 2002–May ⁠2003). In order to prevent the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, Linda travels backwards in time to replace Kara on Earth-One. Linda marries the Superman of Earth-One and they have a daughter named Ariella Kent.

Kara Zor-El of New Earth first appeared in Superman/Batman #8 (May 2004). Kara is the paternal cousin of Superman, sent from Argo City to escape an attack from Brainiac. Kara takes the secret identity of Linda Lang, the foster niece of Lana Lang. The character was featured in 67 issues of Supergirl vol. 5 (October 2005–October 2011). The origin was adapted in the animated movie Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, released to home video on September 28, 2010. Kara was voiced by actress Summer Glau.

Following the events of "Infinite Crisis," Kara became a Legionnaire in the 31st century. Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 5 was renamed Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes for issues #16–⁠36 (May 2006–⁠January 2008).