Superman Reacts To DC Retiring Its Original Supergirl

Published Nov 6, 2026, 9:00 PM EST

Adam has been writing in the entertainment news space for over a decade. Beginning his career of covering film and TV at CinemaBlend, he has also appeared on The Flash Podcast and done several radio spots. 

In 1959, Superman’s life was rocked with the introduction of Kara Zor-El, a.k.a. the first original character to go by Supergirl, in Action Comics #252. After believing for years he was the only Kryptonian to survive Krypton’s destruction, Kal-El/Clark Kent learned he not only was no longer alone in that sense, but that he now had a biological cousin to welcome into his family on Earth. From there, Kara followed in the Man of Steel’s footsteps and used her newfound powers to protect the innocent and inspire hope.

Though other characters have also gone by Supergirl over the years, Kara remains the most famous one to hold the mantle. However, for the time being, her time as Supergirl is over. Kara has been sidelined from her superhero duties thanks to recent events in her solo book, and Superman has reacted to this status quo change.

Supergirl Has Lost Her Powers Because Of Gold Kryptonite

Supergirl #19, Written And Illustrated By Sophie Campbell

In Supergirl #18, the titular protagonist and her allies were attacked by the resurfaced Reactron while they were setting up the new Fortress of Solidarity following the Kingdom of Zod crossover event. Unfortunately, the issue ended with Reactron exposing Kara to gold kryptonite, which saps Kryptonians of their powers. The preview for Supergirl #19 shows Kara’s allies forcing Reactron to make a strategic retreat, but the damage has already been done: she no longer has super strength, super speed, flight, heat vision, and all the other special abilities.

After Lena Luthor catches everyone up on how gold kryptonite “destroys the capability of a Kryptonian’s cells to process yellow sunlight,” Superman, who’s looped in through a video call, promises Kara that this isn’t over. He and Lena will be working “around the clock” to figure out how to restore her powers in whatever way possible. From his perspective, there’s a “degree of responsibility” in doing this, as there are “very few people” who can do what Kara does.

Nightflame, the sorceress manifestation of Supergirl’s darkest thoughts and dreams, agrees with this assessment. She states that because “Supergirl is synonymous with superhuman deeds,” without her powers, she’s “someone else entirely.” Then, Nightflame goes a step further and calls Kara out on her “dream of experiencing Earth life the way humans do.” Kara’s moody ally warns her that if she decides to see what a powerless life is like, she’ll “forfeit being Supergirl, and someone else will assume the mantle.”

Sure enough, there's already another Supergirl in place following Kara losing her powers. Supergirl #18 also brought back Matrix, who served as the Girl of Steel from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. Lena discovered the cube of data Matrix had been formed into and brought the long-absent hero back to life using the new S-Matrix suit as her new body. Whether Matrix permanently succeeds Kara as the Supergirl book’s lead character, or if the gold kryptonite's effects on Kara will eventually be reversed, remains to be seen.

Supergirl #19 will be released Wednesday, November 11 by DC Comics.