I’m Excited for Supergirl, but Worried the DCU Will Avoid a Key Part of Her Story

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Okay, so now that *Peacemaker* Season 2 is done, the next DC thing we know about is coming in 2026. It’s going to be a Supergirl movie based on the *Woman of Tomorrow* comic, and from what I’ve heard, it’s going to be pretty intense – a really gritty quest for justice with her and Krypto out in space. As a huge DC fan, I’m super hyped, but I’m also a little worried. This comic gets really dark, and I really hope Supergirl gets some quality time with the Kents – Ma and Pa – before things get too crazy. It feels important for her character, you know? Seeing that connection would be awesome.

Milly Alcock’s brief appearance in *Superman* was a clever way to introduce Supergirl. Fans also spotted her in silhouette during a Season 1 scene, suggesting she’s known to Superman and the wider superhero community. Their interaction seemed playfully competitive, hinting at a complex relationship. The upcoming *Supergirl* movie will take a different path than the original comic book, notably by including Jason Momoa as Lobo. However, fans can still anticipate a story where Supergirl confronts her past and grows into a stronger hero. Her connection with Superman will likely be further explored in *Man of Tomorrow*. Unlike the CW’s *Supergirl*, where Kara had adoptive parents, this new version will have a different backstory. The film reimagines her life before arriving on Earth, meaning she won’t be raised by the Danvers family. As a result, Supergirl may need to seek guidance from Ma and Pa Kent, like her cousin did, to learn important lessons about humanity.

Supergirl Has a Long History, and the Most Obscure Version Had a Great Storyline

First appearing in comics in early 1959, created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino, Supergirl has a history as rich and complex as Superman’s. Originally, she was presented as Superman’s younger cousin who came to Earth after he had already grown up. Because the Kents were deceased in that version of the story, she was raised by the Danvers family. She also frequently teamed up with the Legion of Superheroes in the future. After the Crisis event, she was reintroduced into the main DC storyline in the Superman/Batman comics. Supergirl not only expanded the “Super-Family” of characters, but also offered a unique take on the destruction of Krypton – unlike Superman, she remembered what she had lost.

The details of Supergirl’s story in *The Woman of Tomorrow* closely resemble her original Silver Age background. However, the story doesn’t fully explore how devastating Krypton’s destruction truly was for her, and she’s often portrayed simply in relation to Superman. The 1980s, following the *Crisis* event, were a particularly influential time for DC Comics—and for me as a fan. It was then that creators like Gunn introduced concepts like the Sons of Liberty, Superman’s involvement in politics, and the Suicide Squad. This era shaped my love for DC, and surprisingly, the first Supergirl I encountered wasn’t actually Kara Zor-El, but rather .

Following the storyline *Crisis*, DC Comics decided only one Kryptonian could exist, meaning Supergirl needed a new backstory and different powers. This also meant they had to remove characters like Superboy and Krypto from Superman’s history. To address this, they created a separate, artificial reality overseen by the Time Trapper, where versions of these characters, including Superboy and the villain Zod, could still exist. Superman later rescued Supergirl from this reality and brought her into the main DC universe, establishing her as a sort of adopted sister. Importantly, because the Kent family was still alive in this version of events, Supergirl was able to spend time with them as well.

Why Ma and Pa Kent Need to Be a Big Part of Supergirl’s DCU Story

Most comic book versions of Supergirl haven’t been raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent like a family member. However, after a tough battle with Zod, Supergirl briefly transformed into a being called “Matrix” and was sent to live with the Kents on their farm in Smallville. They loved and supported her just as much as they did Clark. Later, the cloned Superboy, Kon-El, also came to live with them after being resurrected. In both cases, the Kents provided the same loving and compassionate upbringing that helped Clark become the hero he was meant to be.

Though they weren’t on screen for long, Ma and Pa Kent were arguably the most influential figures in *Superman*’s life. They weren’t portrayed as conventionally attractive or endlessly wise. Instead, through simple moments – like Pa’s story about burritos and Ma making sure Clark’s boots were clean – they showed pure, unconditional love. They remained supportive and proud of him, even when the world didn’t. The Kents are the reason Clark cares so deeply about humanity, not his Kryptonian background.

Because family is so central to who Kara is, it’s important for her to connect with Ma and Pa Kent and experience their love. Traditionally, Superman shares the Kents’ values with Supergirl, and she then shares her perspective with him. However, with limited screen time planned for these characters in the DCU, it makes sense for Supergirl to learn directly from Ma and Pa. Although her experience with Krypton’s destruction differs from Superman’s, the Kents can offer her a sense of belonging and family on Earth. Their influence on Clark is proof – he trusted her deeply, even when she made questionable choices, like dating Lex Luthor.

The DCU Can Finally Give Fans the ‘Super-Family,’ and Center It In Smallville

Following a recent major storyline, Superboy—the clone of Superman and Lex Luthor—was once again removed from DC continuity. When he reappeared in the *Young Justice* comic, a six-part story in *Action Comics* showed that only his adoptive parents, Ma and Pa Kent, and Krypto remembered him. These scenes highlighted the importance of the Kent family farm as a central, unifying force for Superman, Supergirl, Superboy, and Jon Kent. Hopefully, the new DC Universe will explore a similar dynamic. Even if the family is limited to Supergirl and Krypto, Ma and Pa Kent should remain important figures.

Following his realization of what his Kryptonian parents truly meant in *Superman*, Clark Kent leaned further into his human side. This distancing from Krypton could create conflict with Supergirl, as she has a direct connection to Kryptonian society – it’s not just a lost history for her. They share a genetic bond and are among the last of their kind. However, if Kara is to be considered true family, spending time with the Kents on their farm could be beneficial, a dynamic explored in previous versions of the story like *Smallville* and *Superman: The Animated Series*. If Kara is destined to confront her inner struggles within the DC Universe, the Kents could be the key to helping her find hope and strength.

As a Superman and Supergirl fan, I always felt the Kents were crucial to the whole story, but they *really* became important after the *Crisis* event. I’m excited to see the new DCU explore how they shaped Kara too, even if it differs from the comics. Honestly, I’d love to *see* those interactions play out, whether it’s in an animated series or a movie. But even if it’s just hinted at between her adventures, those times with the Kents could be what *really* makes Supergirl who she is. They raised Clark to be the best Superman possible, so it makes sense they could do the same for Kara, helping her become the best Supergirl she can be.

You can see the new *Supergirl* movie in theaters starting June 26, 2026. *Superman* is already out and can be found on DVD, Blu-ray, for digital purchase, and streaming on HBO Max.

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2025-10-18 19:45