Power Girl: Who is the Multiversal Refugee?

Power Girl is The Last Daughter of Earth-2

Terrorists have hijacked a plane. They’re threatening the passengers while their leader demands $10 million per victim. He knows that Superman is busy off world and no other hero can arrive fast enough to stop him from killing the hostages.

The plane shakes, knocking around anyone not strapped in. The passengers scream as the plane descends and gently lands. Metal tears and hurricane-force winds strip guns from the terrorists’ hands. A white streak knocks each of them out, slowing to reveal… Supergirl’s older sister? Power Girl helps the passengers from the plane as rescue workers arrive.

Power Girl is one of the strangest DC superheroes. She is a variant of Supergirl from Earth-2 who editors screwed over with retcons and editorial mandates. So who is she? How did she become a superhero? What’s the difference between Power Girl and Supergirl? Let’s find out.

Another Side, Another Story: Power Girl’s Backstory

Power Girl debuted in All-Star Comics #58 in 1976. She was created by Gerry Conway, Rick Estrada, and Wally Wood. She was intended to be the opposite of Supergirl, more assertive and sexy instead of a superpowered girl next door.

Kara Zor-L was 18 years old when she learned that Krypton was dying. Like her cousin, Kara’s parents built a space ship to carry her to Earth. Krypton’s explosion damaged the ship, trapping Kara in stasis and slowing the rocket. She spent decades in a holographic version of Krypton before being freed by Superman.

Superman helped Kara adjust to Earth and Krypton’s destruction. He trained her in secret, though she occasionally fought crime herself. She became Karen Starr, a computer programmer and entrepreneur.

Kara debuted as Power Girl and joined the Justice Society of America when Superman retired. She met Supergirl during annual team-ups between the JSA and Justice League, assuming an older sister role with her younger counterpart. 

Little Girl Lost: Power Girl’s History

Crisis on Infinite Earths changed Power Girl’s life. The multiverse was condensed into one universe, leaving her a refugee with no established past. Even worse, DC mandated that Superman was Krypton’s only survivor. So who the heck was Power Girl now?

Karen Starr was reimagined as an Atlantean, the daughter of King Arion, who sent her to the future to protect her from an evil uncle. Other writers disagreed, giving her different origins or trying to sneak her Kryptonian past back in. Karen’s only consistent traits were Power Girl’s appearance, Justice Society membership, and her frustration about not knowing her own past.

The truth was revealed in Infinite Crisis. Power Girl met the Superman and Lois Lane of Earth-2 and regained her memories. She helped them build a device that would restore the multiverse, but was betrayed by Alexander Luthor and Superboy Prime, who used her to power the device. The Justice League freed her , but Earth-2 Superman and Lois died in the ensuing battle.

Losing her family again caused Karen to focus more on her personal life. She became the JSA chair, put more work into her company, and teamed-up with several heroes. Power Girl began mentoring a teenage hero called Terra, inspiring her to form a JSA spinoff to teach younger heroes called JSA All-Stars.

Otherworldly Might: Power Girl’s Powers and Personality

Power Girl isn’t called that as a joke. She has the usual Kryptonian powers, plus immunity to Earth-1 kryptonite because its radiation is on a different wavelength. Karen is one of Earth’s smartest people thanks to her Kryptonian knowledge.

As an Atlantean, Power Girl became a psychic, lost her vision powers, and had her strength dialed back. Her powers shifted so often that no one could tell what they were in-universe. Shifts also gave Power Girl strange weaknesses, including vulnerability to natural elements or becoming a straw feminist because of a diet soda allergy.

Power Girl copes with survivor’s guilt and abandonment issues from being her universe’s only survivor. She uses snark to cope and hates being manipulated or lied to. Power Girl is used to being mistaken for a brainless blonde with big breasts, but it’s no skin off her nose. She knows her own worth and doesn’t mind pounding distracted villains.

The Actors Who Play Her

Nicolle Tom – Justice League: Unlimited
Allison Mack – Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

Didya Get All That?

A dimensional refugee who found a home on Earth-1

Image courtesy of Warner Brothers

Jared Bounacos

Jared Bounacos has written for Movie Rewind since 2016.