Supergirl Comics: Linda Danvers (1996-2003)

This series was the first superhero comic I collected and I loved it enough to create a whole site around it. I've always preferred Clark Kent-as-the-person/Superman-as-the-disguise because he's easier to identify with. So too with Linda Danvers, who got to be both from Earth and connected to the Superman mythos. The series brought Supergirl back to her to roots and fixed many of the problems with Matrix, so I had no problem associating Linda Danvers with Supergirl. I liked her powers, her personality and motivations, and the people in her life. Sometimes the story could go darker than I liked, but the plots were always nifty. And the characterization was tops.

Supergirl #1-80 (Series IV: 1996-2003)

Many of these comics can be purchased at Mile High Comics or MyComicShop. The Supergirl Project also has them for download.

Collected Trade Paperbacks

Only the beginning and ending story arcs from this series have been republished as trade paperbacks. And the first book is out of print. What a shame! DC Comics is really lax about reprinting its older comics in collected form.

SUPERGIRL TPB - published April 1998 (out of print)
Collects the first nine issues (first story arc) of the 1996-2003 series, plus the 10-page prelude from SHOWCASE '96 #8.

Art by Gary Frank & Cam Smith. Softcover. List price $14.95 USD.

SUPERGIRL: Many Happy Returns - published July 9, 2003
Get this one before it goes out of print too! The Many Happy Returns paperback collects the final six issues (#75-80) of the 1996-2003 series (the Kara from Krypton story arc) and features an intro by Peter David and a new cover by Ed Benes & Alex Lei that is a much more attractive version of issue #75. Softcover. List price $14.95 (less on Amazon and other online retailers).

Elseworld's Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl

Credits: Barbara Kesel (plot and script); Matt Haley (plot); Tom Simmons (plot, script), Matt Haley (Pencils), Tom Simmons (Inks), Moose Baumann (Colors). Cover Credits: Matt Haley (Pencils) Tom Simmons (Inks) Moose Baumann (Colors).

An Elseworlds special that features an alternate universe in which Superman and Batman never existed and the two super women are the most powerful heros in a darker world. Batgirl is the protector of Gotham City, and she allows very little contact with the outside world. Supergirl is the protector of Lex Luthor, benefactor of the altered Justice League. Batgirl and Supergirl must reconcile their differences for the good of all. (This is not a sequel to Elseworld's Finest.) Published September 1998. ISBN 1563893754. Out of print and very difficult to locate (see The Supergirl Project). Prestige One-Shot, 64 pages. Wikipedia entry.

Supergirl: Wings (Elseworlds)

Credits: J.M. DeMatteis (writing), Jamie Tolagson and Sherilyn Van Valkenburgh (art).

The second Supergirl Elseworlds retells the Earth Angel redemption story with a stronger mystical slant. In this tale Matrix is an Amenlee, a member of an angelic order whose purpose is to protect mortal souls and bring them into the Divine Presence. But Matrix has her doubts about humanity's ability to be saved, and her latest charge, Linda Danvers, will teach her a surprising lesson in this beautifully told twist on the regular series. Zauriel, the Phantom Stranger, Aquaman, the Spectre, and Clark Kent make appearances as variations on their famous DCU counterparts. Published October 10, 2001. Available for purchase at Mars Imports (or The Supergirl Project). Wikipedia entry.

Specials

Guest Appearances 1996-2003

This is a complete list of Supergirl/Linda Danvers' guest appearances in DCUniverse comics during her series. Issue details available at The Unofficial Supergirl Chronology and The Grand Comics Database Project. Dates shown are cover dates.