"Supergirl"-More Than Just Superman's Cousin and Side-kick!

Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) was first introduced in "Action Comics"#252 (May 1959), in a story written by Otto Binder (who had also created "Mary Marvel"), and aritist Al Plastino. She was the sole survivor (apparently) of Argo City, a domed city, which had broken away on a chunk of the planet Krypton, after it exploded. When Kryptonite radiation began to destroy the inhabitants, Kara's father Zor-El sent her to Earth in a rocket, to be raised and cared for by her cousin, Superman (Kal-El); whose existence her parents knew of. They had made her a costume similar to Superman's (with the exception of a short skirt,of course!), so that he would recognize her when she arrived. Superman found her and began to train her to use her new-found powers (which were identical to his), and didn't reveal her existence to the world until she could use her powers responsibly. He finally did in "Action Comics"#285 (Feb. 1962). The world was thrilled (especially the boys, I'm sure)! Kara's parents had survived in a "Phantom Zone"-like place, called the Survival Zone. On Earth, Kara was adopted  by Fred and Edna Danvers. She took on the name of Linda Danvers and wore a brunette wig to conceal her identity, when she wasn't out saving the world as Supergirl.

Supergirl later joined the "Legion of Super Heroes"; a teen group from the distant future, with whom she would have many adventures. She eventually gained her own feature in "Adventure Comics" in the late 60's. She had her first self-titled comic book in the70's. She would later appear in "Superman Family" Giant Comics, and in countless other titles since then. She has also undergone many costume style changes----the original short-skirted one that was similar to Superman's; a brief period where she had one with long go-go boots; a puffy-sleeved one with red hot-pants; and then back to varied short-skirt styles; as well as many of the current mid-riff baring ones. But the artists have always enjoyed showing off her legs (with the exception of the afore mentioned brief go-go boots period).

Supergirl was even killed, saving her cousin, Superman; in "Crisis on Infinite Earths"#7, but was later brought back and re-vamped in "Supergirl and the Legion of Super Heroes".There is also an Earth 2 version of her called "Power Girl". The Post-Crisis Era has brought many other versions of Supergirl, with different origins (some in which she is not a Kryptonian, and others where she is not even Superman's cousin). These events have all occurred, long after I stopped collecting comics, so I don't know too many details.

"Supergirl" was also made into a feature film (1984); well played by the pretty Helen Slater, although the movie failed at the Box Office. She has been voiced by Nicole Tom (quite nicely) on "Superman-The Animated Series,and "Justice League Unlimited" (TV animation). In the animated Warner Premiere feature film "Superman / Batman Apocalypse", she is voiced by the lovely Summer Glau (a talented actress featured in many recent sci-fi / fantasy TV series'). Supergirl / Kara was well played by a young hottie named Laura VanderVoort, during the last few seasons of the excellent re-visionist Superman series, "Smallville".

Supergirl is definitely not hidden in Superman's shadow. She has done extremely well on her own!!!