DC Comics Introduces New Supergirl Successor Super Force

Most comic book characters undergo major changes throughout the years, and Supergirl is no exception. The DC heroine has been a shapeshifter, an angel, and an amnesiac teenager struggling with the destruction of her homeworld, Krypton. These changes extend to movies and television, as four different actresses have played Supergirl, including Milly Alcock. Supergirl #19, which releases next month, is teasing another major change in Kara Zor-El’s life.

According to the official solicitation for Supergirl #19, Kara will step back from being Supergirl after she is exposed to Gold Kryptonite. For those not familiar with Superman lore, Gold Kryptonite can permanently strip a Kryptonian of their powers, meaning that the Maid of Might will potentially be a normal girl. That being said, Kara’s friends — collectively known as the ‘Super Force’ — will be vying to take up the mantle of Supergirl:

“SUPERGIRL NO MORE? Kara Zor-El’s exposure to gold Kryptonite has left her without superpowers but not without super friends. The recently reborn Matrix and gloriously goth Nightflame get into a fight to prove themselves worthy of the Supergirl mantle, but another of Kara’s Super Force might surprise everyone. Meanwhile, Kara’s not just going to sit on the sidelines: She’s re-enrolling at Stanhope! But will she make it past orientation with Reactron still on the loose?”

It remains to be seen if Kara’s depowering is permanent or how it will change her life. Writer and artist Sophie Campbell is willing to push Supergirl to new heights throughout her run, which is finally giving Kara the character development she deserves.

Who is Supergirl’s ‘Super-Force’?

The search for the new Supergirl is spinning out of recent developments in Sophie Campbell’s Supergirl run, particularly Supergirl #15. Following Superman’s disappearance after the events of DC K.O., Kara decided that she needed to step up as a leader and formed the ‘Super Force’ to combat any threats to the planet. Super Force’s membership consists of Thundergirl, who gained her powers from cloning experiments in the miniature Kryptonian city of Kandor; Nightflame, a figure forged out of Kara’s dark impulses; Phantasmagoria, a metahuman who can project her consciousness in ghostly form; Lena Luthor, the daughter of Superman’s archnemesis, Lex Luthor; and Princess Shark, a humanoid shark who happens to be a princess.

The Super Force faced their first major battle during the ‘Kingdom of Zod’ storyline that ran throughout the Superman titles in August and September as they raced to stop General Zod from infecting the world with Kryptonite. Now, the contest to take up Supergirl’s mantle is something that could test their newly forged bonds. Matrix, the shape-shifting lifeform that originally took up Supergirl’s mantle, also enters the fray. Whoever becomes the new Supergirl will have a lot to deal with, including her enemies and her super-powered pets Streaky and Krypto. As for Kara, the battle against Reactron is one that is bound to get personal, considering the radioactive villain killed her father.

Sophie Campbell’s ‘Supergirl’ run is redefining Kara Zor-El as a character

While most writers would use the idea of a new Supergirl as a gimmick, Sophie Campbell is willing to use it in a way that continues to explore who Supergirl is. Throughout her run, Campbell has redefined what people think of Kara Zor-El and is forging a place for her in the DC Universe that is not just ‘Superman’s cousin.’ Campbell is no stranger to redefining iconic characters, as her previous work on IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles run saw the Heroes in a Half-Shell growing up in more ways than one. Kara losing her powers and passing on her mantle feels like another big change, but for the better.

The competition for the mantle of Supergirl is bound to fuel the next phase of Sophie Campbell’s run and keep fans hooked. Whoever picks up the cape has some big boots to fill, though given how the status quo tends to shift back to normal, Kara Zor-El will not stay powerless for long.

Supergirl #19 will be available wherever comics are sold on November 11, 2026.

Source: Polygon