View source for Power Girl

{{Short description|DC Comics superheroine}}
{{For|the comic book|Power Girl (comic book){{!}}''Power Girl'' (comic book)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox comics character
| character_name = Power Girl
| image          = Power Girl 2023.png
| caption        = Power Girl as she appeared on the cover of ''Power Girl Special'' #1 (July 2023).<br/>Art by Will Jack.
| publisher      = [[DC Comics]]
| debut          = ''[[All Star Comics#1976 revival series|All Star Comics]]'' #58 (January/February 1976)
| creators       = [[Gerry Conway]]<br/>[[Ric Estrada]]<br/>[[Wally Wood]]
| real_name      = Kara Zor-L <br/> Kara Zor-El (post-''[[Flashpoint (comics)|Flashpoint]]'')<br/>Karen Starr<br/>Paige Stetler
| species        = [[Kryptonian]]
| homeworld      = [[Krypton (comics)#Golden Age Krypton|Krypton-Two]]
| alliances      = [[Justice Society of America]]<br/>[[Justice League]]<br/>[[Infinity, Inc.]]<br/>[[Birds of Prey (team)|Birds of Prey]]
| aliases        = Kara of Atlantis<br/>[[Nightwing#Power Girl|Nightwing]]<br/>Super-Girl
| partners      = [[Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)]]<br/>[[Huntress (Helena Wayne)]]<br/>[[Lilith Clay|Omen (Lilith Clay)]]
| powers         = {{collapsible list|
<!--Must be a defining trait: only powers Power Girl regularly uses are listed here-->
<!--Terminology should mirror "List of superhuman features and abilities in fiction"-->
{{Indented plainlist|
*[[Superhuman strength]], stamina, endurance, speed, agility, reflexes, intelligence, longevity, and hearing
*Solar radiation absorption
*Enhanced vision
**EM spectrum vision
**Microscopic vision
**X-ray vision
**Telescopic vision
**Infra-red vision
*Invulnerability
*Ice and wind breath
*[[Flight]]
*Heat vision
*Portal creation
}}
}}
| module         = 
}}
<!--DO NOT CHANGE THE REAL NAME.  "Kara Zor-L" is correct, per current DC standards; she is from Earth-2, where the Kryptonian names use the letter, not the "El" expansion.-->

'''Power Girl''', also known as  '''Kara Zor-L''', '''Karen Starr''', and '''Paige Stetler''', is a [[superheroine]] appearing in [[American comic books]] by [[DC Comics]], making her [[first appearance]] in ''[[All Star Comics#1976 revival series|All Star Comics]]'' #58 (January/February 1976).<ref name="DC Universe' 1986">''Who's Who in the DC Universe'' #18 (August 1986)</ref> Power Girl is the cousin of the superhero [[Superman (Earth-Two)|Superman, but from an alternate universe]] in the [[Multiverse (DC Comics)|fictional multiverse]] in which DC Comics stories are set. Originally hailing from the world of [[Earth-Two]], first envisioned as the home of DC's wartime heroes as published in 1940s comic books, Power Girl becomes stranded in the [[DC Universe|main universe]] where DC stories are set, and becomes acquainted with that world's Superman and her own counterpart, [[Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)|Supergirl]].

In common with Supergirl's origin story, she is the daughter of Superman's [[Alura (DC Comics)|aunt]] and [[Zor-El|uncle]] and a native of the planet [[Krypton (comics)|Krypton]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |title=The Essential Superman Encyclopedia |last2=Pasko |first2=Martin |date=2010 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=978-0-345-50108-0 |pages=315–317}}</ref> The infant Power Girl's parents enabled her to escape the destruction of her home planet by placing her in a rocket ship. Although she left the planet at the same time that Superman did, her ship took much longer to reach Earth-Two. On Earth, as with other Kryptonians, Power Girl discovered she possessed abilities like super strength, flight, and heat vision, using which she became a protector of innocents and a hero for humanity. Though the specifics of how vary over subsequent retellings, Power Girl is later stranded on another Earth when a cosmic crisis affects her home of Earth-Two, and later carves out a separate identity for herself from her dimensional counterpart Supergirl once they are forced to coexist.

Although she and Supergirl are biologically the same person, there are vast differences between the two. Power Girl is older and more level-headed due to her maturity, and her fighting style is more aggressive. She also adopts a different secret identity from her counterpart. These changes are reflected in their differing costumes and superhero names as well; Power Girl sports a [[bob cut|bob]] of blond hair and wears a distinctive white, red, and blue costume with a [[Cleavage (breasts)|cleavage]]-displaying cutout. The name Power Girl reflects that she chooses not to be seen as a derivative of Superman, but rather her own hero and this choice is reflected in the strong independent attitude of the character. Over various decades, Power Girl has been depicted as a member of superhero teams such as the [[Justice Society of America]], [[Infinity, Inc.]], [[Justice League Europe]], the [[Sovereign Seven]], and the [[Birds of Prey (team)|Birds of Prey]].

Power Girl's origin has gone through revisions, but over time has reverted to her original conception as the Supergirl of Earth-Two. The 1985 [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]] ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' eliminated Earth-Two from history, causing her to be [[retcon]]ned as the granddaughter of an [[Atlantis (Aquaman)|Atlantean]] [[Magician (fantasy)|sorcerer]] known as [[Arion (character)|Arion]]. This was an unpopular change and writers depicted the revised Power Girl inconsistently. The 2005–2006 ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' limited series then restored her status as a refugee from the Krypton of the destroyed [[Pre-Crisis]] Earth-Two universe. This has been her consistent depiction ever since.

==Publication history==
Power Girl was introduced in ''[[All Star Comics]]'' #58 in 1976,<ref>{{Cite book|last=McAvennie|first= Michael|editor-last = Dolan|editor-first = Hannah|title=DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-7566-6742-9 |page=169 |chapter=1970s |quote=Along with artist Ric Estrada, [Gerry] Conway also introduced the DC Universe to the cousin of Earth-2's Superman, Kara Zor-L a.k.a. Power Girl.}}</ref> and was a member of the [[superhero team]] the [[Justice Society of America]] through the remainder of the 1970s and 1980s period known as the [[Bronze Age of Comics]]. [[Marvel Comics]]' then-publisher [[Stan Lee]] said in 1978 that when [[DC Comics]] created Power Girl after Marvel had introduced [[Luke Cage|Power Man]], "I'm pretty annoyed about that. ...I've got to ask the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] lawyer – she's supposed to be starting a lawsuit about that and I haven't heard anything. I don't like the idea. ... You know, years ago we brought out [[Wonder Man]], and [DC Comics] sued us because they had [[Wonder Woman]], and ... I said okay, I'll discontinue Wonder Man. And all of a sudden they've got Power Girl. Oh, boy. How unfair."<ref>"Hello, Culture Lovers: Stan the Map Raps with Marvel Maniacs at [[James Madison University]]", ''[[The Comics Journal]]'' #42, October 1978, p. 55</ref> Ironically, Marvel had previously published ''[[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]]'' #207, written by Power Girl co-creator [[Gerry Conway]], in which [[Len Wein]]'s character says, "Whoever heard of Powergirl, anyhow?"<ref>''The Mighty Thor'' #207 (January 1973)</ref>

After ''All Star Comics'' was canceled as a part of the [[DC Implosion]], the character would continue to appear along with the rest of the JSA in ''[[Adventure Comics]]'' for a six-issue run. Due in part to her being one of the more popular characters in ''All Star Comics'' at the time,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Johnson |first=Dan |date=April 2014 |title=Showcase Presents... Again |journal=[[Back Issue!]] |location=Raleigh, North Carolina |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]] |issue=#71 |page=51}}</ref> she was given a solo tryout in ''[[Showcase (comics)|Showcase]]'' issues 97–99, which expanded on her pre-Crisis origin. During this time, she was a regularly featured character in the annual Justice Society crossovers in the original ''Justice League of America'' series. She was a founding member of ''[[Infinity Inc.]]'', appearing in each of the first 12 issues and making later guest appearances.

After DC's continuity-altering ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' storyline, her origin was [[Retroactive continuity|retconned]] in ''Secret Origins'' (vol. 2) #11 and she became a magic-based character with ties to ancient Atlantis, leading to appearances in ''[[Warlord (DC Comics)|The Warlord]]''. The character did not receive her own self-titled series until the ''Power Girl'' miniseries of 1988.<ref>[http://www.comicbookdb.com/title.php?ID=797 The Comic Book Database] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810080743/http://www.comicbookdb.com/title.php?ID=797 |date=August 10, 2011 }} – Power Girl (1988)</ref> The character became a featured member of ''[[Justice League Europe]]'' (a spin off from ''Justice League International'') for the run of the series. After the cancellation of JLI, the character joined [[Chris Claremont]]'s [[creator-owned]] series ''[[Sovereign Seven]]'' and appeared in several issues of ''[[Birds of Prey (team)|Birds of Prey]]''. She eventually rejoined the Justice Society in ''JSA'' #31 and became a regular part of that series and its follow-up, ''Justice Society of America'' vol. 3.

Power Girl played a significant role in the continuity-changing events of ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' (2005), which tied into her starring role in the first ''[[JSA: Classified]]'' story arc "Power Trip" in 2005 (issues #1–4 of the series).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Your Guide to Infinite Crisis |url=http://www.sequart.org/magazine/1541/your-guide-to-infinite-crisis-powertrip/ |website=Sequart Organization}}</ref><ref>[http://www.comicbookdb.com/storyarc.php?ID=1424 The Comic Book Database] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909030513/http://www.comicbookdb.com/storyarc.php?ID=1424 |date=September 9, 2011 }} – "Power Trip"</ref> These stories heavily featured the revelation that Power Girl was in fact the Earth-Two Power Girl and a Kryptonian, who survived ''Crisis'', and that her Atlantean backstory had been a lie. Starting in July 2009, Power Girl received her first [[ongoing series]], simply titled ''Power Girl'' (vol. 2), with the first twelve issues written by [[Jimmy Palmiotti]] and [[Justin Gray]], drawn by [[Amanda Conner]],<ref>Cowsill, Alan "2000s" in Dolan, p. 338: "Writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, together with artist Amanda Conner, emphasized the fun of Power Girl in her first ongoing series."</ref> and colored by [[Paul Mounts]].<ref>{{gcdb series|id=34078|title=''Power Girl'' (2009)}}</ref><ref>{{comicbookdb|type=title|id=23662|title=''Power Girl'' (2009)}}</ref> According to [[Comic Book Resources]], the series has been "wildly praised for its fresh and fun approach."<ref name=cbr25208 />

When Palmiotti, Grey and Conner left the series after issue #12, Palmiotti said, "Amanda always said she could just commit to the book for a year, and as we got into the series we realized that we just couldn't do the same type of book with another artist at this point and decided it was a good idea to leave with her and give another team a shot."<ref name="cbr25208">{{Cite web |last=Renaud |first=Jeffrey |date=March 12, 2010 |title=Palmiotti, Gray & Conner Off "Power Girl" |work=Comic Book Resources |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=25208 |access-date=April 3, 2010 |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref> [[Judd Winick]] took over as writer with artist Sami Basri beginning with issue #13. Winick stated that the tone of the book will continue, and the premise of the character in New York.<ref name="siegel">{{Cite web |last=Lucas Siegel |date=March 18, 2010 |title=And The New POWER GIRL Creative Team Is... |url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/Winick-Basri-Power-Girl-100318.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100322190639/http://www.newsarama.com/comics/Winick-Basri-Power-Girl-100318.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 22, 2010 |access-date=June 23, 2010 |publisher=[[Newsarama]]}}</ref>

The [[trade paperback (comics)|trade paperback]] "''Power Girl"'' ({{ISBN|978-1401209681}}) collects ''Showcase'' issues #97–99, ''Secret Origins'' (vol. 2) issue #11, ''JSA'' issues 32 and 39, and ''JSA: Classified'' issues #1–4. "''Power Girl: A New Beginning"'' ({{ISBN|978-1401226183}}) collects the first six issues of the 2009 series. "''Power Girl: Aliens & Apes"'' ({{ISBN|978-1401229108}}) collects issues 7 through 12, and "''Power Girl: Bomb Squad"'' ({{ISBN|978-1401231620}}) covers 13 to 18, and "''Power Girl: Old Friends"'' collecting issues 19–27. The entirety of the Palmiotti/Grey/Conner run is contained in "''Power Girl: Power Trip" ({{ISBN|9781401243074}})'' which collects ''JSA: Classified'' #1–4 and ''Power Girl'' #1–12.

==Fictional character biography==
===Journey from Krypton-Two===
Kara's father discovers that Krypton is about to explode, and places her in a spacecraft directed towards the Earth. Although this occurs at the same time that Kal-L's<!--DO NOT CHANGE THE REAL NAME. "Kal-L" is correct in this case, per DC standards; it refers to the Superman of Earth-2, where the Kryptonian names use the letter, not the "El" expansion.--> ship is launched, Kara's ship travels more slowly, and she arrives on Earth decades after her cousin has landed. Kara's Symbioship is designed to keep her in stasis during the journey and provide her with life experiences and education in the form of [[virtual reality]]. The Symbioship allows her to interact with virtual copies of her parents and fellow Kryptonians. Originally, by the time she arrives on Earth, Kara is shown to be in her early twenties. However, as mentioned in ''JSA: Classified'' #1, her age at arrival has now been [[retroactive continuity|retconned]] to eighteen in post-''Crisis'' continuity.

In ''[[Showcase (comics)|Showcase]]'' #97, Kara is reclaimed by the sentient Symbioship, which forcibly re-immerses her into Kandorian society. Kara spends several virtual years inside the ship, eventually marrying and having a child. She is freed with the assistance of newspaper reporter Andrew Vinson and destroys the ship in anger for manipulating her emotions.

===Debut===
Power Girl's existence is not revealed to the general public until much later; her cousin [[Clark Kent|Clark]] and his wife [[Lois Lane#Golden Age|Lois Lane]] provide her a family environment to assist her transition towards real life relationships. In her first recorded adventure, Kara assists Justice Society members [[Flash (Jay Garrick)|Flash]] and [[Wildcat (DC Comics)|Wildcat]] with containing an artificially induced volcanic eruption in China. She then joins Robin and [[Star-Spangled Kid]] to form a Super Squad to assist the Justice Society in defeating [[Brainwave (comics)|Brainwave]] and [[Per Degaton]], who were causing disasters around the world. She pushes their base towards the [[Sun]], the heat causing the villains to fall unconscious. Later, she becomes a full member of the Society when Superman retires from active membership.

Having been raised by the Symbioship with artificial Kryptonian life experiences, Power Girl finds it difficult to adapt to life on Earth. With Vinson's help, she eventually creates a [[secret identity|fictional human identity]]: red-haired computer [[programmer]] and businesswoman Karen Starr (she obtains her knowledge in this field from exposure to [[Wonder Woman]]'s [[Purple Ray]] on [[Themyscira (DC Comics)|Paradise Island]]). As Starr, Power Girl establishes her own software and IT company, Starr Enterprises. On the pre-''Crisis'' Earth-Two, Power Girl's closest friend is the [[Huntress (Helena Wayne)|Huntress]], the daughter of the Earth-Two [[Batman]] and [[Catwoman]].

The first contact between Power Girl and [[Earth-One]]'s universe was on the [[crossover (fiction)|crossover]] ''Justice League of America'' #147, written by [[Paul Levitz]] & [[Martin Pasko]], where the character shows her attraction to that reality saying, "It has a much nicer brand of Superman, y'know?".<ref>''[[Justice League of America]]'' #147 (October 1977)</ref>

===Atlantean===
The 1985–1986 ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' limited series erased the existence of the Earth-Two Superman, and Power Girl's [[Continuity (fiction)|continuity]] was thus substantially disrupted.<ref>''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' #11 (February 1986)</ref> Initially she believed herself to be Superman's cousin, as she had been before the [[reboot (fiction)|reboot]]. However, her background was [[retroactive continuity|retconned]]; she was told that she was the descendant of the [[Atlantis (Aquaman)|Atlantean]] sorcerer [[Arion (character)|Arion]], and was frozen in [[suspended animation]] for millennia until the present day.<ref>''[[Secret Origins]]'' #11 (February 1987)</ref>

After the [[Justice Society]] disbands, Power Girl would join the [[Justice League]]. Later, while a member of [[Justice League Europe]], she suffers a near fatal injury while battling a mystical being. Superman must assist in her medical treatment, using his heat-vision to perform surgery on her otherwise-invulnerable tissues.<ref name="JLE9">''Justice League Europe'' #9 (December 1989)</ref> Although she recovers, Power Girl is significantly weaker, as she lost her vision powers and could not fly for a time. However, she regained them all as time went on. Power Girl adopts a one-eyed mangy cat, an animal which would affect much of the team. One aspect of this is her beloved cat is used to spy on the group by intelligence gathering criminals.<ref>''Justice League Europe'' Annual #2 (October 1991)</ref>

During the 1994 event ''[[Zero Hour: Crisis in Time!]]'', Power Girl experiences a [[Miraculous births|mystical pregnancy]] and gives birth to a son (supposedly named Equinox), who ages rapidly.<ref>''Justice League International'' (vol. 2) #52 (July 1993)</ref><ref>''Zero Hour: Crisis In Time!'' #0 (September 1994)</ref><ref>''Justice League America'' #105–107 (November 1995–January 1996)</ref> Equinox later disappears and has not appeared since.<ref>''Justice League America'' #108 (February 1996)</ref>

Power Girl appeared in later issues of the ''[[Sovereign Seven]]'' series, [[Chris Claremont]]'s creator-owned comic book for DC.<ref>''Sovereign Seven'' #25 (August 1997)</ref> However, the final issue revealed that the entire series had been a story appearing in a comic book, and events in the book have had no bearing upon DC continuity.

Power Girl was one of [[Barbara Gordon|Oracle]]'s first agents. Their short-lived partnership ended after a disastrous mission which resulted in a large loss of life.<ref>''Birds of Prey'' #42 (June 2002)</ref> Power Girl believes that Oracle's poor leadership was responsible for the tragedy, disgusted that Oracle would sacrifice hundreds of lives and herself following orders. Although she has worked with her again on a few occasions when needed, the relationship between the two is tense. In ''Birds of Prey'' #35, Power Girl admitted that she is primarily to blame for the tension but is unable to overcome her memories of the deaths.

Power Girl is a key member of the Justice Society, which she joined when it was reformed in the late 1990s. During an adventure with the JSA, she meets Arion, who reveals her Atlantean heritage to be a lie he concocted at the behest of Power Girl's "mother".<ref>''JSA'' #50 (September 2003)</ref>

While attempting to save her teammate [[Wildcat (Ted Grant)|Ted Grant]] from [[Crimson Avenger#Jill Carlyle|Crimson Avenger]], Power Girl is severely wounded by supernatural bullets. Despite being saved by [[Doctor Mid-Nite]], Power Girl comments that her near-death experience has shown her that she needs to make more personal connections outside of the superhero community. This leads her to focus more on developing her human side as Karen Starr.

===''Infinite Crisis''===
{{Main|Infinite Crisis}}

====''JSA: Classified – Power Trip''====
The [[Psycho-Pirate]] shows Kara multiple versions of her origin in an effort to drive her insane. Eventually, he reveals the truth: Power Girl is a survivor of [[Krypton (comics)|Krypton]] from the dimension which contained the [[Crisis on Infinite Earths|pre-''Crisis'']] [[Earth-Two]].<ref>''JSA: Classified'' #1–4 (September–December 2005)</ref>

====The other survivors====
In the "[[Infinite Crisis]]" storyline, Kal-L himself returns to the post-''Crisis'' DC Universe after breaking down the walls of the paradise dimension<ref>''Infinite Crisis'' #1 (December 2005)</ref> in which he, [[Lois Lane#Golden Age|Lois Lane Kent]] (of [[Earth-Two]]), [[Alexander Luthor, Jr.]] (of [[Earth-Three]]), and [[Superboy-Prime]] (of [[Earth Prime#DC Comics|Earth-Prime]]) had been living since the end of ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]''.<ref>''Infinite Crisis Secret Files & Origins'' #1 (April 2006)</ref> Appalled by the rapidly deteriorating state of affairs on the contemporary Earth, their goal is to replace the post-''Crisis'' Earth with a recreated [[Earth-Two]]. Kal-L's first order of business is to track down Power Girl and explain the events of the original Crisis to her. Kal-L also reiterates her [[Crisis on Infinite Earths|pre-''Crisis'']] history as his cousin. A touch from the ailing [[Lois Lane#Golden Age|Lois of Earth-Two]] inexplicably restores Power Girl's memories of [[Crisis on Infinite Earths|pre-''Crisis'']] Earth-Two.<ref name="IC2">''Infinite Crisis'' #2 (January 2006)</ref><ref>''JSA'' #82 (April 2006)</ref>

Soon after this revelation, Power Girl is confronted by Superboy-Prime, who renders her unconscious.<ref>''Infinite Crisis'' #3 (February 2006)</ref> She is attached to a "tuning fork", a device controlled by Alex Luthor whose purpose is to bring back the multiple Earths. Alex Luthor and Psycho-Pirate coerce [[Black Adam]] (who is also attached to the machine) into saying "SHAZAM!", and use magical energy to power the tower.<ref>''Infinite Crisis'' #4 (March 2006)</ref> After the reappearance of the created Earth-Two, everyone associated with that Earth is transported onto it (although Power Girl remains on New Earth because of her proximity to the tower).

After being brought to the barren created Earth-Two by Kal-L, Lois Lane Kent collapses and dies. A violent confrontation between the two Supermen ensues, at the end of which Kal-L comes to the realization that this created Earth-Two had not been a perfect world, since "a perfect earth doesn't need a Superman."<ref>''Infinite Crisis'' #5 (April 2006)</ref>

Power Girl is freed by [[Wonder Girl (Cassie Sandsmark)|Wonder Girl]] and [[Conner Kent]], and joins them in fighting Superboy-Prime and Alex Luthor. During a savage battle on [[Mogo]], Superboy-Prime beats Kal-L to death and is later subdued by Kal-El. Power Girl is brought to Mogo by the [[Green Lantern Corps]] just in time to bid a farewell to her dying cousin.<ref>''Infinite Crisis'' #7 (June 2006)</ref>

==="One Year Later"===
In the "[[One Year Later (comics)|One Year Later]]" storyline in ''Supergirl'', Kara takes up the mantle of [[Nightwing]] in an attempt to free the natives of [[Kandor (comics)|Kandor]]. [[Ultraman (DC Comics)|Ultraman]], masquerading as [[Superman|Kal-El]] and working in concert with the [[Saturn Queen]], has taken control of the bottle city. [[Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)|Kara Zor-El]] is the city's [[Flamebird]]; she prevents Ultraman's forces from executing the captured Power Girl.<ref>''Supergirl'' (vol. 5) #8 (September 2006)</ref> Power Girl is forced to leave Kandor with Kara (against her better judgment) after Saturn Queen reveals to Supergirl information about Supergirl's past and purpose. This causes another rift to grow between the two women, as Power Girl feels Supergirl left an entire city of people to suffer, all because of her own selfish desires. This animosity is still on display when she next encounters Supergirl.<ref>''Supergirl'' (vol. 5) #19 (September 2007)</ref>

Power Girl remains a core member of the [[Justice Society of America|Justice Society]].<ref>''JSA'' #85 (May 2006)</ref> Power Girl is selected as the [[chairman|chairwoman]] of the team after [[Mister Terrific (Michael Holt)|Mr. Terrific]] steps down.<ref>''Justice League of America'' (vol. 2) #8 (June 2007)</ref>

Power Girl is invited to rejoin [[Barbara Gordon|Oracle]]'s [[Birds of Prey (team)|Birds of Prey]], but refuses, stating that she would do so only "when [[Hell]] freezes over". Her ill will toward Oracle is the result of a single mission in which she served as one of Oracle's agents, which ended badly.<ref>''Birds of Prey'' #100 (January 2007)</ref><ref name="BP42">''Birds of Prey'' #42 (June 2002)</ref> However, Power Girl does come to Oracle's aid against the new female [[Spy Smasher#Katarina Armstrong|Spy Smasher]]'s attempt to take over the group.<ref>''Birds of Prey'' #108 (September 2007)</ref>

The appearance of the [[Kingdom Come (comics)|Earth-22]] Superman (and his resemblance to Kal-L) upsets Kara greatly when he first arrives on New Earth. However, they adopt each other as family after a period of time.<ref>''Justice Society of America'' (vol. 3) #11 (February 2008)</ref>

[[52 (comics)|Following the events of ''Infinite Crisis'']], a new Multiverse is created. Among them is an Earth-2 from which its Power Girl and Superman are both missing.<ref name="52w52">''52'' #52 (July 2007)</ref> The Power Girl of this Earth returns to Earth-2 after failing to find her cousin. The Power Girl of New Earth is accidentally sent to the pre-''Crisis'' Earth-2 by the ''Third World'' god [[Gog (DC Comics)|Gog]].<ref>''Justice Society of America'' (vol. 3) #17 (August 2008)</ref>

The Power Girl of New Earth faces off against the Power Girl and Justice Society Infinity of the new Earth-2, due to the Earth-2 Power Girl's grief and rage over the loss of her cousin prompting her to believe that the "other" Power Girl is an impostor with some role in Superman's absence.<ref>''Justice Society of America Annual'' #1 (August 2008)</ref> Power Girl returns to New Earth with the help of the Earth-2 [[Mister Terrific (Michael Holt)|Michael Holt]],<ref>''Justice Society of America'' (vol. 3) #19 (November 2008)</ref> until the Justice Society Infinity follow her and take her back to Earth-2, where it is revealed that the recreation of the Multiverse created a new Earth-2 and duplicates of its heroes, including its own Power Girl. The Power Girl of New Earth then returns home with the JSA.<ref name="ReferenceA">''Justice Society of America'' (vol. 3) #20 (December 2008)</ref>

===Solo series and ''All-Stars''===
[[File:Power Girl Vol 1 1.jpg|thumb|upright|Cover of ''Power Girl '' vol. 1 #1 (June 1988). Art by [[Kerry Gammill]] and [[Dick Giordano]].]]
Power Girl briefly appears in the ''[[Final Crisis]]'' crossover event, battling the forces of [[Darkseid]] after he conquers the Earth using the [[Anti-Life Equation]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

After deciding to once again use the Karen Starr identity, she moves to New York City and begins rebuilding Starr Enterprises while continuing solo superheroics. She eventually takes teenaged hero-in-training [[Terra (character)|Terra]] as her sidekick following the horrific events depicted in the ''[[Terror Titans]]'' mini-series. After the duo fight off a robot invasion of the city, Power Girl is kidnapped by the new [[Ultra-Humanite]], who plans to transplant his brain into her body. Using her ice breath to destroy her gravity enhanced shackles and gag, Power Girl easily defeats the villain and saves New York.<ref name=":0">''Power Girl'' (vol. 2) #1 (July 2009)</ref> She also helps a trio of lost alien princesses and their bodyguard adjust to life on Earth, buying them a home in South America to stay until they can get back to their home planet.

Following a massive battle that ends in the destruction of the Justice Society's HQ, the team decides to split up into two separate squads. Power Girl partners with [[Magog (David Reid)|Magog]] to start a more youth-oriented team dubbed the [[JSA All-Stars]]. Using [[Courtney Whitmore|Stargirl]] as leverage, the two are able to convince all of the teen JSA members except [[Lightning (DC Comics)|Jennifer Pierce]] to join the All-Stars. During the team's inaugural press conference, they are attacked by a group of mercenaries led by the villainous nephew of [[Sylvester Pemberton]]. Karen and her team emerge victorious, only to discover that Pemberton has kidnapped Stargirl during the confusion of the battle.<ref>''JSA All-Stars'' #1 (February 2010)</ref> The team eventually rescues Stargirl.

===''Blackest Night'' and ''Brightest Day''===
During the 2009–2010 "[[Blackest Night]]" storyline, both JSA teams gather in Manhattan to stave off the invading [[Black Lantern Corps]]. Several of the team members examine the corpses of Kal-L and Psycho-Pirate, both of whom had been reanimated as Black Lanterns only to be killed again during a battle with Superboy and Superman. Karen breaks down in tears upon seeing the twisted corpse of Kal-L, and swears vengeance upon whoever is behind the creation of the Black Lanterns. While on her way to the streets of Manhattan to assist her teammates, Karen hears Ma Hunkel screaming. She rushes to her side, only to see Ma being attacked by the Black Lantern Lois Lane-Kent of pre-Crisis Earth-Two.<ref>''Blackest Night: JSA'' #1 (February 2010)</ref> Black Lantern Lois sacrifices herself by removing her ring and giving it to Kal-L to reanimate him.<ref>''Blackest Night: JSA'' #2 (March 2010)</ref> During the battle between Kal-L and Power Girl, [[Mister Terrific (Michael Holt)|Mr. Terrific]] invents a machine to destroy the Black Lanterns. He activates the machine and it wipes out the Black Lantern ring connection and completely dissolves Kal-L's corpse.<ref>''Blackest Night: JSA'' #3 (April 2010)</ref>

In the 2010–2011 storyline "[[Brightest Day]]", Power Girl attacks her comrades, and after being subdued, is discovered to have been possessed by the Starheart (the cosmic entity that gave [[Alan Scott]] and [[Jade (DC Comics)|Jade]] their powers)<ref>''Justice League of America'' (vol. 2) #45 (July 2010)</ref> to which she was vulnerable because of her Kryptonian heritage, as Kryptonians draw their abilities from the sun. Staying out of action in order avoid another possession, she helps Mr. Terrific work on a machine that may be able to dampen the Starheart's power.<ref>''Justice League of America'' (vol. 2) #46 (August 2010). DC Comics.</ref> Nonetheless, the Starheart takes control of [[Miss Martian]]'s body and transforms into her [[White Martian]] form, causing her to attack her comrades again. Batman ultimately tells her to stay on Earth and try to fight the other [[metahumans]] being controlled by the Starheart, explaining that bringing her along would jeopardize the mission.<ref>''Justice Society of America'' (vol. 3) #41 (September 2010)</ref>

===''Generation Lost''===
During the events of ''[[Justice League: Generation Lost]]'', Power Girl assists her fellow heroes in a global manhunt to track down [[Maxwell Lord]], the former head of [[Justice League International]] and the murderer of [[Ted Kord]], who had been restored to life at the end of "Blackest Night".<ref>''Justice League: Generation Lost'' #1 (July 2010)</ref> Lord uses his powers to erase his existence from the minds of everyone on the planet, including Power Girl.<ref>''Power Girl'' (vol. 2) #13 (August 2010)</ref> She subsequently helps [[Booster Gold]] find proof of Lord's existence.<ref>''Power Girl'' (vol. 2) #14–15 (September–October 2010)</ref><ref>''Justice League: Generation Lost'' #10 (November 2010)</ref> Through the course of their search, during which Power Girl encounters Divine, a raven-haired clone of herself, she manages to regain her memory of Lord.<ref>''Power Girl'' (vol. 2) #17 (December 2010)</ref> As she attempts to inform the Justice Society of this, Lord uses his powers to take control of her and attack the Justice League International, but manages to convince the others of his existence through the exhumation of [[Ted Kord]]'s corpse.<ref>''Power Girl'' (vol. 2) #19–21 (February–April 2011)</ref><ref>''Justice League: Generation Lost'' #18–19 (March–April 2011)</ref>

===DC Rebirth===
In the post-[[DC Rebirth|Rebirth]] DC Universe, Power Girl is trapped in an interdimensional void. Tanya Spears tries to free her using an etheric transponder that allows her to travel there in an incorporeal state, but her physical body was disconnected from the machine by an unaware [[Ace West|Kid Flash (Wally West)]], so both women remain trapped as a result.<ref>''Deathstroke'' (vol. 4) Annual #1 (March 2018)</ref>

In ''[[Doomsday Clock (comics)|Doomsday Clock]]'', the "original" Power Girl returns to the DC Universe when [[Doctor Manhattan]], inspired by [[Superman]], undoes the changes that he made to the New 52 timeline that erased the Justice Society and the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]].<ref name="DCWho">{{cite web |last=Jaffe |first=Alex |date=June 2, 2023 |title=Everything You Wanted to Know About Power Girl (But Were Afraid to Ask) |url=https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/06/01/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-power-girl-but-were-afraid-to-ask |accessdate=June 2, 2023 |publisher=DC Comics}}</ref><ref>''Doomsday Clock'' #12 (February 2020)</ref><ref>''Green Lanterns'' #40 (April 2018)</ref>

Following the ''[[Lazarus Planet]]'' storyline, Power Girl is given new psychic abilities by the Lazarus rains and forges a bond with fellow psychic [[Lilith Clay|Omen]]; the two women open a superhero counselling service. To reflect this new phase of her life, Power Girl decides to retire her Karen Starr identity.<ref name="DCWho" /> In ''Power Girl Special'' (2023), Power Girl is urged by Jon and Kara to get over her [[imposter syndrome]] and "accept" the love and family that the [[Superman Family]] so readily want to give her. Kara's diary reveals she feels the most profound personal connection with her counterpart and longs for them to be closer friends. Power Girl later adopts [[Streaky the Supercat]] at Kara's behest. Though she loses her psychic abilities in a confrontation with [[Johnny Sorrow]], she is left with a new "astral punch" ability that creates doorways to the astral realm.<ref>''Power Girl Special'' #1 (June 2023)</ref> In the ongoing series, Power Girl establishes her new civilian persona as "Dr. Paige Stetler", technology specialist and columnist for the ''[[Daily Planet]]''. In issue #11, the newspaper's editor-in-chief, [[Lois Lane]], who knows of Paige's dual identity, offers her a field-reporter position to enable her to both write longer-form stories from the scene of crises and act as Power Girl to resolve them.<ref>''Power Girl'' (vol. 3) #11 (September 2024)</ref>

In "[[The New Golden Age]]", Power Girl is with the Justice Society when they battle [[Angle Man]] and an army of [[Bizarro]]s.<ref>''Justice Society of America'' (vol. 4) #3 (May 2023)</ref> Per Degaton attempts to use a [[Kryptonite]] ring on Power Girl, only for [[Huntress (Helena Wayne)|Huntress]] to shoot off his finger causing him to retreat. Power Girl tells [[Deadman (character)|Deadman]], [[Detective Chimp]], [[Madame Xanadu]], and the rest of the Justice Society that Huntress is heading to [[Gotham City]].<ref>''Justice Society of America'' (vol. 4) #4 (July 2023)</ref> Power Girl is among those who catch up to Huntress and Batman as Degaton attacks with his time clones. Several counterparts of [[Doctor Fate]] from across time trap Degaton in Huntress' snow globe, erasing the future timeline which Huntress comes from.<ref>''Justice Society of America'' (vol. 4) #5 (October 2023)</ref> Power Girl accompanies [[Mister Terrific (Michael Holt)|Mister Terrific]] and [[Jakeem Thunder]] in visiting [[Icicle (comics)|Icicle]] in [[Belle Reve (DC Comics)|Belle Reve Penitentiary]] to offer him a second chance by joining the JSA.<ref>''Justice Society of America'' (vol. 4) #7 (January 2024)</ref>

In issue #20 of the current ''Power Girl'' comic, Kara/Paige learns a woman claiming to be Karen Starr, her old civilian identity, has appeared and is running her old company (and has attacked Omen). Confronting the impostor, she learns that this new "Karen" is actually Ejecta, a shape-shifting super-villain raised and groomed by Symbio, the artificial intelligence that sustained Kara on her journey to Earth. However, when it becomes clear that Ejecta is becoming more interested in managing Starr Enterprises than super-villainy, Kara/Paige decides to let her keep the Karen Starr name.

==Powers and abilities==
As the biological cousin of Superman, Power Girl exhibits all of the classic [[Kryptonian]] powers: super strength; flight; super speed; invulnerability; x-ray, telescopic, microscopic and heat vision; freeze breath; and super-hearing. 

Over the years various writers have given Power Girl's Kryptonian power differing levels, either making them consistent with the earlier Earth-Two Superman [[Kal-L]] (who represents Superman as depicted in his earliest comic book stories) or power levels largely comparable to those of the modern day Superman and Supergirl. The latter has the favored approach from DC for the last few decades. During some eras of DC Comics, such as the 2000s, Power Girl and other Kryptonians were only affected by Kryptonite from their own universe, making them immune to Kryptonite from all other universes. This rule has not been maintained in later publishing eras (since 2011).

As Karen Starr, she is an accomplished businesswoman and is regarded by Mr. Terrific as a first rate scientist. Even though Power Girl is from an alternative universe, her biology is still similar to Superman's. In her later identity as Paige Steitler, she later pursued new careers in therapy and journalism, although she did not have the same competence with those as in science and technology. 

As one of a handful of characters who survived the ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'', DC editorial was initially uncertain how to portray the character and attempted to portray Power Girl with a non-Kryptonian origin for a number of years. Power Girl's abilities have fluctuated since 1986. For some time, Power Girl believed she was an [[Atlantis (Aquaman)|Atlantean]].<ref name="IC2" /> At one point, Power Girl possessed [[telekinesis]];<ref name="BP42"/> at another she was vulnerable to attacks by certain natural elements (for example, wooden weapons).<ref>''Supergirl'' (vol. 4) #16 (December 1997)</ref> After sustaining severe injuries from a magic attack Power Girl retained only a degree of super strength, speed and durability.<ref name="JLE9"/> However, she later recovered her ability to fly, and writers have gradually restored her superpowers.<ref>''JSA'' #31 (February 2002)</ref>

==Physical appearance and costumes==
[[File:Power_Girl.png|thumb|453x453px|Power Girl as she appeared on the cover of ''Power Girl'' (vol. 2) #12 (July 2010).
Art by [[Amanda Conner]].]]
Power Girl's original [[Wally Wood]] artwork (1976) showed her as relatively busty but otherwise her [[BWH|figure and build]] conformed in appearance to other contemporary comic book women. However, in ''[[Wonder Woman]]'' (vol. 3) #34 (2009), written by [[Gail Simone]], Dinah Lance, the [[Black Canary]], mentions Power Girl as having the top bosom of [[DC Universe|DCU]], describing her assets as a "national treasure".<ref>''Wonder Woman'' (vol. 3) #34 (September 2009)</ref> Her most common outfit is a leg-baring, figure-hugging, long-sleeved white leotard with a keyhole cut-out opening in the chest.<ref>''All Star Comics'' #58 (February 1976)</ref>

According to character writer [[Jimmy Palmiotti]], "Okay. When the character was created, Wally Wood was the artist that drew Power Girl, and he was convinced that the editors were not paying attention to anything he did. So, his inker said "Every issue, I'm going to draw the tits bigger until they notice it. It took about seven or eight issues before anyone was like, "Hey, what's with the tits?" And that's where they stopped. True story."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pinter |first=Karyn |title=Jimmy Palmiotti: Time Bomb and Power Girl – the Breast of Friends? |url=http://www.comicsbulletin.com/interviews/3318/jimmy-palmiotti-time-bomb-and-power-girl-the-breast-of-friends/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722211125/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/interviews/3318/jimmy-palmiotti-time-bomb-and-power-girl-the-breast-of-friends/ |archive-date=July 22, 2014 |access-date=May 10, 2014 |website=Comics Bulletin}}</ref> However, the official DC Comics blog dismisses this story: "That rumor started as a joke that her co-creator Wally Wood told in interviews about something he thought about doing, that some people started taking for granted as truth. Check those original [[All Star Comics|All-Star Comics]] issues themselves, and you’ll find even the earliest depictions of Power Girl’s proportions to be consistent. People do say the wildest things."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/06/01/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-power-girl-but-were-afraid-to-ask|website=DC Comics Blog|title=Everything You Wanted to Know About Power Girl (But Were Afraid to Ask)|first=Alex|last=Jaffe|date=June 2, 2023|accessdate=July 25, 2025}}</ref>

Power Girl was at one time portrayed as having a highly athletic but slender physique.<ref name="DC Universe' 1986"/> Artists [[Bart Sears]] (in the ''[[Justice League Europe]]'' series), and later [[Alex Ross]] (in the [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]] ''[[Kingdom Come (comics)|Kingdom Come]]'') restored Power Girl's well-endowed shape. Ross rendered her as a heavily muscled ''Power Woman'' (as if she was an ardent [[Bodybuilding|bodybuilder]]).

The character is consistently depicted as a large-breasted young woman, and her physique is one of her most recognizable attributes – to the extent that various writers have acknowledged it in both serious and humorous ways.<ref name=":0" /><ref>''[[Superman/Batman]]'' #6 (March 2004)</ref>

For example, ''Justice League Europe'' #37 (1992) attempts to explain Power Girl's revealing costume by having [[Crimson Fox]] question her about it; she receives the reply that the costume "shows what I am: female, healthy. If men want to degrade themselves by staring, that's their problem, I'm not going to apologize for it."<ref>''Justice League Europe'' #37 (April 1992)</ref>

Conversely, in ''JSA: Classified'' #2 (2005), writer [[Geoff Johns]] has Power Girl explain her cleavage-window to Superman, revealing that "the first time I made this costume, I wanted to have a symbol, like you. I just…I couldn't think of anything. I thought eventually, I'd figure it out. And close the hole. But I haven't."<ref>''JSA: Classified'' #2 (October 2005)</ref> A similar treatment of the character can be seen in ''Superman/Batman'', in which the heroes need to distract [[Toyman#Hiro Okamura|Toyman]] while Batman and Superman battle [[Shazam (DC Comics)|Captain Marvel]] and [[Hawkman]]. Batman suggests that Power Girl's endowments would be likely to distract Toyman, a 13-year-old boy. Toyman later attempts to make a reference to the size of her chest before being cut off by Superman.<ref>''Superman/Batman'' #4 (January 2004)</ref>

Power Girl's costume design has varied greatly over the years. Her classic costume design from ''All Star Comics'' #58 is that which is in use today: a red cape and belt, blue gloves and boots, and a white [[bodysuit]] sporting a circular [[Cleavage (breasts)|cleavage]]-exposing cut-out on her chest (its variable size and shape determined by the artist depicting her). According to [[Gerry Conway]], "The true, dumb reason for the circle? At the time, it was a convention for hero costumes to have a chest symbol. I thought a giant 'P' looked silly. The circle was intended as a nod to convention without being conventional. Not a sexy thing at all, until Wally Wood's inks."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Conway |first=Gerry |author-link=Gerry Conway |date=January 2, 2020 |title=The true, dumb reason for the circle?... |url=https://twitter.com/gerryconway/status/1212830266625904640 |access-date=January 5, 2020 |website=Twitter}}</ref> This window was closed for the first time in ''All Star Comics'' #64, pencilled by Wood.<ref>''All-Star Comics'' #64 (February 1977)</ref> According to Conway, it was dictated by publisher [[Jenette Kahn]], because "she felt it was sexist".<ref>{{Cite web |title=All The Stars There Are in (Super-hero) Heaven! |url=http://twomorrows.com/alterego/articles/14conway.html |access-date=January 30, 2011 |publisher=Twomorrows.com}}</ref> During her time with [[Justice League Europe]]/America, she wears a capeless yellow and white [[Unitard|spandex unitard]], and later a blue and white spandex unitard with a short mini-cape, headband, and a diamond shaped opening on her chest, once again exposing her cleavage. She has also worn a headband, as had [[Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)|Supergirl]] prior to her death in ''Crisis on Infinite Earths''. In a guest appearance in ''[[Green Lantern]]'', Kara is seen in her large wardrobe closet with every costume design she has ever worn in DC continuity, deciding which costume to wear for that mission.<ref>''Green Lantern and Power Girl'' one-shot (October 2000)</ref> Her original costume returned when Johns and [[David Goyer]] had her rejoin the [[Justice Society of America|JSA]].<ref name="ReferenceA" />

In ''Justice League: Generation Lost'' #16, she sports a variation of her traditional costume that includes pants.<ref>''Justice League: Generation Lost'' #16 (February 2011)</ref>

==Other versions==

=== Tanya Spears ===
{{Comics character list header|debut=World's Finest #23|creators=Paul Levitz|abilities=Possess a genius-level intellect, superhuman strength, size alteration, and virtual invulnerability.|alias=|name=Tanya Spears|teams=[[Teen Titans]], Defiance, Starr Industries,  Massachusetts Institute of Technology|debutyr=2014}}'''Tanya Spears''' is a successor of Earth-2's version of Power Girl following the [[The New 52|New 52]], first debuting in ''World's Finest'' #23 (July, 2014) and created by writer Paul Levitz. A young and [[African Americans|African-American]] super-genius, the character was also an ally to Karen Starr and a employee at hercompany, Starr Industries.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Manning |first=Matthew K. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_DC_Comics_Encyclopedia_New_Edition/Q2k0EAAAQBAJ?hl=en |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia New Edition |last2=Wiacek |first2=Stephen |last3=Scott |first3=Melanie |last4=Jones |first4=Nick |last5=Walker |first5=Landry Q. |date=2021-07-06 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0-7440-5301-2 |language=en}}</ref> 

The daughter of Karen's friend Somya Spears, who ran Starr Industries in her stead, she is a scientific prodigy who earned a [[postdoctoral fellowship]] at [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|M.I.T]] and works for Starr Industries by age 17. While working at Starr Industries, she was kidnapped by terrorist stealing nuclear isotopes but is saved by Earth-2's Huntress but is exposed to the isotope radiation. Later, when she's attacked by [[DeSaad]] as Power Girl and Huntress worked to return to Earth-2 and a Starr Industries lab is destroyed, she discovers her metahuman abilities and also finds that Karen had also legally left her the "Power Girl" name and fortune in a bid to repay her mother through Tanya.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Levitz |first=Paul |date=2015-06-03 |title=World's Finest Vol. 5: Homeward Bound |url=https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/worlds-finest-2012/worlds-finest-vol-5-homeward-bound |access-date= |website=DC Comics |language=en-us}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

=== Alternate versions ===
{{See also|Alternative versions of Supergirl}}

* Power Girl appears in a self-titled [[Ame-Comi]] one-shot. This version is '''Kara Jor-El''', daughter of Jor-El, cousin of Supergirl, the primary protector of Metropolis, and the head of a corporation that uses Kryptonian technology to better mankind. Additionally, she lacks a secret identity and does not receive her powers from Earth's sun.<ref>''Ame-Comi Girls: Featuring Power Girl'' #4 (March 2013)</ref>
* Power Girl appears in ''[[DC Comics Bombshells]]''. This version is a clone of Supergirl created by [[Hugo Strange]] during the [[Siege of Leningrad]] with the intention of fighting her. However, Supergirl convinces Power Girl to betray Strange and join her in escaping.
* A post-''Crisis'' Earth-2 variant of Power Girl appears in ''[[52 (comics)|52]]'' (2007) and ''Justice Society'' (vol. 3). After [[Mister Mind]] absorbs several aspects of a [[Multiverse (DC Comics)|multiverse]] that consisted of 52 [[Parallel universe (fiction)|parallel realities]] and altering their histories, Power Girl was rewritten to be an arrogant and aggressive individual who spent years in space searching for her long-lost cousin Superman.
* A red-haired Power Girl makes a minor appearance in ''[[Countdown to Final Crisis]]'' as a member of the [[Monarch (comics)|Monarch]]'s army who is killed by Earth-51's Batman.
* A separate Earth 2 variant of Power Girl appears in ''[[The New 52]]'' series ''[[Worlds' Finest]]'' ''[[Mister Terrific (Michael Holt)|Mister Terrific]]'', ''Earth-2: World's End'', ''[[Harley Quinn (comic book)|Harley Quinn]]'' (vol. 2), ''[[Harley Quinn and Power Girl]]'' (2015), ''Supergirl'' (vol. 6) #19.<ref name="GCD">{{gcdb series|id= 63328|title= ''Worlds' Finest''}}</ref><ref>''Mister Terrific'' #1 (September 2011)</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Vaneta |date=January 13, 2012 |title=Paul Levitz Explains More About Worlds' Finest, Earth-2 |url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/paul-levitz-worlds-finest-earth-2-120113.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202152524/http://www.newsarama.com/comics/paul-levitz-worlds-finest-earth-2-120113.html |archive-date=February 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 29, 2012 |publisher=[[Newsarama]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kushins |first=Josh |date=January 12, 2012 |title=DC COMICS IN 2012 – INTRODUCING THE 'SECOND WAVE OF DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 |url=http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2012/01/12/dc-comics-in-2012-%E2%80%93-introducing-the-%E2%80%9Csecond-wave%E2%80%9D-of-dc-comics-the-new-52/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115002335/http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2012/01/12/dc-comics-in-2012-%E2%80%93-introducing-the-%E2%80%9Csecond-wave%E2%80%9D-of-dc-comics-the-new-52/ |archive-date=January 15, 2012 |access-date=January 14, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Babos |first=John |date=April 18, 2014 |title=DC Comics Announces Third Weekly New 52 Series With Teaser! It's Earth-2: World's End With Black Superman, Super-Powered Batman & More Spoilers! |url=http://insidepulse.com/2014/04/18/dc-comics-announces-third-weekly-new-52-series-with-teaser-its-earth-2-worlds-end-with-black-superman-super-powered-batman-more-spoilers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419072054/http://insidepulse.com/2014/04/18/dc-comics-announces-third-weekly-new-52-series-with-teaser-its-earth-2-worlds-end-with-black-superman-super-powered-batman-more-spoilers/ |archive-date=April 19, 2014 |website=Inside Pulse}}</ref><ref>''Earth 2'' #1 (July 2012)</ref><ref>''Worlds' Finest'' #1 (July 2012)</ref><ref>''Supergirl'' (vol. 6) #19 (April 2013)</ref><ref>''Earth 2: World's End'' #16 (March 2015)</ref>
* Karen Starr appears in ''Justice Society of America'' #37–40 as a prisoner of [[Kid Karnevil]]'s [[Neo-Nazi]] regime who lost her powers after being exposed to the [[Obsidian (character)|Great Darkness Engine]].
* A possible future variant of Power Girl appears in "[[The New Golden Age]]" as a member of the Justice Society of America before she is killed by [[Per Degaton]].<ref>''Justice Society of America'' (vol. 4) #1 (January 2023)</ref>
* An alternate universe variant of Power Girl appears in ''[[JLA: Another Nail]]'' as a partner of [[Black Canary]] and [[Black Orchid (character)|Black Orchid]].
* An alternate universe variant of Power Girl appears in ''[[JLA: Created Equal]]'' as a member of the Justice League and mother of Kara Zor-L II.
* A possible future, elderly, blind variant of Power Girl from the year 2351 named "'''Old Karrie'''" appears in ''[[Justice League: Generation Lost]]''. This version lost her powers and became the sole survivor of a violent metahuman war instigated by [[Maxwell Lord]] 300 years prior.<ref>''Justice League: Generation Lost'' #6 (September 2010)</ref> Additionally, two separate possible future variants of Power Girl appear in the series, with one having joined the Justice League and the other taking on white hair, a black bodysuit, bracelets akin to [[Wonder Woman]]'s, and [[Superman logo|Superman's S-shield]].<ref>''Justice League: Generation Lost'' #14 (January 2011)</ref>
* Power Girl, renamed '''Power Woman''', appears in ''[[Kingdom Come (comics)|Kingdom Come]]''. This version is more muscular than traditional depictions.
* An alternate universe variant of Power Girl appears in ''Justice League International'' Annual #5. This version has no memory of where she came from before she arrived on Earth.
* An alternate universe variant of Power Girl appears in [[Tangent Comics]]. This version is a [[genetic engineering|genetically engineered]] superhero created by the Chinese government.

==In other media==
===Television===
* A character inspired by Power Girl named '''Galatea''' appears in the [[DC Animated Universe]] (DCAU) series ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'', voiced by [[Nicholle Tom]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Galatea Voice - ''Justice League Unlimited'' (TV Show) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Justice-League-Unlimited/Galatea/ |access-date=December 19, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref> She is a clone of [[Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)|Supergirl]], with whom she possesses a mental link, created by [[Project Cadmus]] scientist Dr. [[Emil Hamilton]], who views Galatea as his daughter, as a contingency plan against the [[Justice League]] should they threaten the U.S. government. Following her introduction in the episode "Fearful Symmetry", Galatea leads Cadmus' forces in a siege on the [[Justice League]]'s [[Justice League Watchtower|Watchtower]] in the episodes "Flashpoint" and "Panic in the Sky". However, the League defeat her army while Supergirl puts Galatea herself into a catatonic state.
* A character loosely inspired by Power Girl named '''Lindsay Harrison''' appears in the ''[[Smallville]]'' episode "Covenant", portrayed by [[Adrianne Palicki]].{{citation needed|date=October 2022}} Initially believing her name is Kara and that she is from Krypton, she is later revealed to be a human empowered by [[Jor-El]]'s technology.
* Power Girl appears in the ''[[Mad (TV series)|Mad]]'' segment "That's What Super Friends Are For".
* Power Girl appears in ''[[Robot Chicken DC Comics Special III: Magical Friendship]]'', voiced by [[Mae Whitman]].{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}
* A variation of Power Girl appears in the ''[[DC Super Hero Girls (TV series)|DC Super Hero Girls]]'' episode "#PowerSurge". After Supergirl (voiced by [[Nicole Sullivan]]) is presumed dead following a battle with [[Livewire (DC Comics)|Livewire]], the former reinvents herself as "Power Girl".<ref name="btva2">{{cite web |title=Power Girl Voices (Superman) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Superman/Power-Girl/ |access-date=December 19, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>

===Film===
* Power Girl appears in ''[[Superman/Batman: Public Enemies]]'', voiced by [[Allison Mack]].<ref name="btva2" /> This version initially works for President [[Lex Luthor]] until Superman is framed for [[Metallo]]'s murder and she defects from Luthor to help Superman and Batman uncover the truth.
* A villainous, alternate universe variant of Power Girl makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in ''[[Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths]]'' as a minor member of the [[Crime Syndicate]].
* Power Girl makes a cameo appearance in ''[[Teen Titans Go! To the Movies]].''

===Video games===
* Power Girl appears as a playable character in ''[[DC Universe Online]]'', voiced by Adrienne Mishler.<ref name="btva2" />
* Power Girl appears as a DLC character in ''[[Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham]]''.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=540234286792572928 |user=LEGOBatmanGame |title=Unfortunately for you, you're not dealing with #Superman... You're dealing with #PowerGirl! #DLC |author=LEGO Batman |date=December 3, 2014}}</ref>
* Power Girl appears as a "premier skin" for Supergirl in ''[[Injustice 2]]'', voiced by Sara Cravens.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=864546742921969664 |user=ThatsSoCravens |title=Over the moon to finally get to announce I'm #PowerGirl in @InjusticeGame Avail today! #injustice2 #warnerbros @Xbox @PlayStation #superhero |first=Sara |last=Cravens |date=May 16, 2017 |access-date=May 17, 2017}}</ref>

===Miscellaneous===
* Power Girl appears in the [[DC Animated Universe]] (DCAU) comic book tie-ins ''[[Adventures in the DC Universe]]'' #6, ''Justice League Unlimited'', and ''Superman and Batman Magazine'' #1.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Adventures in the DC Universe'' #6 - Family Matters (Issue) |url=https://comicvine.gamespot.com/adventures-in-the-dc-universe-6-family-matters/4000-44036/ |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=Comic Vine |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=''Justice League Unlimited'' #16 - Smashing Through the Snow! (Issue) |url=https://comicvine.gamespot.com/justice-league-unlimited-16-smashing-through-the-s/4000-108887/ |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=Comic Vine |language=en}}</ref>
* Power Girl appears in ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold (comic book)|Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'' #1.<ref>''Batman: The Brave and the Bold'' #1. DC Comics.</ref>

==In popular culture==
[[File:Japan Expo 2010 Power Girl cosplay.jpg|thumb|upright|Cosplay of Power Girl at the 2010 [[Japan Expo]] in Paris]]
* Power Girl is a popular [[cosplay]] character.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brian Childs |date=May 11, 2011 |title=The Best of Power Girl Cosplay |url=http://uproxx.com/gammasquad/the-best-of-power-girl-cosplay |access-date=May 28, 2016 |publisher=uproxx }}</ref>
* Power Girl is parodied in ''[[Attack of the Show!]]'', portrayed by guest host [[Carrie Keagan]] and depicted as a stereotypical "dumb blonde".<ref>[https://archive.today/20120731111053/http://g4tv.com/attackoftheshow/comedy/72304/Power-Girl-Shares-Her-Thoughts-on-Kevin-Bacon.html G4TV: Power Girl Shares Her Thoughts on Kevin Bacon]; accessed October 14, 2010</ref>
* Power Girl was ranked ninth in ''[[Comics Buyer's Guide]]''{{'s}} "100 Sexiest Women in Comics" list.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Frankenhoff |first=Brent |title=Comics Buyer's Guide Presents: 100 Sexiest Women in Comics |publisher=[[Krause Publications]] |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-4402-2988-6 |page=16 |author-link=Brent Frankenhoff}}</ref>
{{-}}

==References==
{{reflist|25em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Power Girl}}
* Interviews with [http://twomorrows.com/alterego/articles/14levitz.html Paul Levitz], [http://twomorrows.com/alterego/articles/14conway.html Gerry Conway], and [http://twomorrows.com/alterego/articles/14estrada.html Ric Estrada] about the 1970s All Star Comics revival—from [[Alter Ego (fanzine)|Alter Ego Vol. 3#14.]]

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