Supergirl has never been more popular, with her own live-action TV series catapulting Kara Danvers to mainstream recognition, and placing her right alongside Justice League regulars like Flash and Green Arrow.
One of the most glorious things about Supergirl is that catching up on her comics is comparatively straightforward compared to her little cousin, Superman.
New readers have plenty of clear starting places, and the TV show has encouraged DC to begin releasing more collected editions of Supergirl comics, such as the bizarre yet fun 90’s Peter David run or Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes by Mark Waid.
For the most part, if you’re brand new to the character from Supergirl on TV, and just want to know if you even like Supergirl comics, I recommend checking out the New 52 Supergirl or DC Rebirth Supergirl portions of the guide below.
For everyone else who wants the whole history, you’ll find a Superhero chronology and timeline of collected comics below. Enjoy!
Supergirl Reading Order
Supergirl: The Silver Age Omnibus v1
Marks the launch of Supergirl’s first comic book appearance in Action Comics #252 published in 1959.
While you don’t necessarily need to start with Supergirl in the Silver Age if you’re coming to the character fresh in the 2000’s, it’s a very fun read, and fascinating how much of Supergirl’s true origin carries through to her appearances in live action media.
Collects: Action Comics #252 to #284
Supergirl in the 1980’s Through Crisis!
Daring Adventures of Supergirl Vol. 1
Originally published in 1982, with stories by Paul Kupperberg and Carmine Infantino. Supergirl goes to college!
Collects: Daring Adventures of Supergirl #1 to #12
Daring Adventures of Supergirl Vol. 2
Collects: Daring Adventures of Supergirl #13 to #23
Crisis is DC’s mega event of 1985 that alters the DC Universe continuity forever. Supergirl is particularly impacted, and if you don’t want to actually read the whole event, it’s worth at least look into what happens to Supergirl during Crisis.
Collects: Crisis on Infinite Earths #1 to #12
Peter David’s Weird 90’s Supergirl
Peter David and Gary Frank’s 1990’s run on Supergirl is remarkably weird. I first came across the insanity of the plot during DC’s Convergence, and it was easily the most “Wait, this actually happened?” moment of the entire event.
Nonetheless, Supergirl also goes down as one of Peter David’s most interesting runs, which is saying something given David’s fantastic work on Marvel’s Incredible Hulk and X-Factor.
Collects: Supergirl #1-9, Supergirl Annual #1, Supergirl Plus #1, Showcase ’96 #8
Supergirl By Peter David Book 2
Collects: Supergirl #10-20, Supergirl Annual#2
Worth noting that the third chapter in Peter David’s Supergirl run includes a DC One Million tie-in, which occurs in connection with the Grant Morrison event.
Collects: Supergirl #21 to #32, Supergirl #1,000,000
Supergirl Reborn in the DCU of the 2000’s
Superman/Batman, Vol. 2: Supergirl
The Jeph Loeb and Michael Turner relaunch of Supergirl in the DC Universe, complete with Apokolips and Darkseid appearances! You may also recognize this highly entertaining Supergirl rejuvenation from the DC Animated Movie
Collects: Superman/Batman #8 to #13
Supergirl Vol. 1: The Girl of Steel
Following Supergirl’s story in Superman/Batman, Loeb and DC launch a new ongoing solo series.
Collects: Supergirl #0 to #10, #12
Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes Vol. 3: Strange Visitor from Another Century
The third volume of Mark Waid’ s run on The Legion of Superheroes brings Supergirl fully into the fold, and carries the series title Supergirl and The Legion of Super-Heroes moving forward. Since these all occur in the distant future, you can read through the Legion series all at once here.
Collects: The Legion Of Super-Heroes #14-15 And Supergirl And The Legion Of Super-Heroes #16-19
Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes Vol. 4: Adult Education
Collects: Supergirl And The Legion Of Super-Heroes #20-25
Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes, Vol. 5: The Dominator War
Collects: Supergirl And The Legion Of Super-Heroes #26-30
Supergirl & the Legion of Super Heroes: The Quest for Cosmic Boy
Collects: Supergirl And The Legion Of Super-Heroes #31 to 36
Supergirl Vol. 2: Breaking the Chain
Collects: #11, #13 to #22
Collects: Supergirl #23 to #27, Action Comics #850
Collects: #28 to #33
5 issue miniseries from Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Grey, with Phil Noto on art.
Supergirl in DC’s New Krypton
Supergirl #34 marks the beginning of Sterling Gates run on the character, and also ties into the New Krypton arc of Superman crossovers led by Geoff Johns and James Robinson in the late 2000’s.
Collects: Supergirl #34 And #37-42
Supergirl: Friends and Fugitives
Collects: Action Comics #881-882, Supergirl #43, 45-47, Superman: Secret Files #1
Supergirl: Death and the Family
Collects: Supergirl #48 to #50, Supergirl Annual #1
Collects: Supergirl #53 to #59, Supergirl Annual #2
New 52 Supergirl Reading Order
Supergirl Vol. 1: Last Daughter of Krypton
Supergirl gets another relaunched series, this time as part of DC’s New 52. If you want to see how Supergirl fits into context of the entire DC Universe, you can check out Comic Book Herald’s New 52 reading order.
Supergirl, Vol. 2: Girl in the World
The third New 52 volume of Supergirl comics includes tie-ins for the Superman: H’el on Earth crossover event. You can find a full reading order below:
H’el on Earth Reading Order
Superman #15
Supergirl #16
Superboy #16
Superboy Annual #1
Superman #16
Supergirl #17
Superboy #17
Superman #17
Superman Vol. 4
Collects: Supergirl #13 to #20
Supergirl Vol. 4: Out of the Past
Collects: Supergirl #21 to #26
Supergirl Vol. 5: Red Daughter of Krypton
Red Daughter of Krypton Reading Order:
Red Lanterns #27
Supergirl #28
Supergirl #29
Green Lantern #28
Red Lanterns #28
Red Lanterns #29
Supergirl #30
Red Lanterns #30
Supergirl #31
Red Lanterns #31
Red Lanterns #32
Supergirl #32
Supergirl #33
Collects: Supergirl #34 to #40
Supergirl Rebirth Reading Order
Supergirl Vol. 1: Reign of the Cyborg Supermen
To see how Supergirl’s Rebirth comics fit in with the rest of the DC Universe, check out Comic Book Herald’s DC Rebirth reading order.
Collects: Supegirl: Rebirth #1, Supergirl #1 to #6
Supergirl Vol. 2: Escape from the Phantom Zone
Collects: Supergirl #7 to #11, Batgirl Annual #1
Supergirl Vol. 3: Girl of No Tomorrow
Collects: Supergirl #12 to #14, Annual #1
Collects: Supergirl #15 to #20
Supergirl Vol. 1: The Killers of Krypton
Collects: Supergirl #21 to #26
Supergirl Vol. 2: Sins of the Circle
Collects: Supergirl #27 to #33
Collects: Supergirl #34 to #42, Supergirl Annual #2, story from Superman: Leviathan Rising Special #1
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow Vol. 1
Collects: Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #1 to #8
All Ages, Outside Continuity
Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade
All ages graphic novel, too good to leave off any Supergirl list!
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I find it odd that the recent movie The Flash featured a short, Brunette-haired actress instead of the plucky blond that Super Girl has always been depicted as in the comics. Sasha Calle’s performance wasn’t bad, but I don’t think it did justice to the character. Not to mention, Calle was always brooding and moody, barely smiling. Shouldn’t she be more upbeat like in the comics and TV shows? It seemed like a lost opportunity.
why *would* she be upbeat? supergirl is an especially tragic character, and it never made much sense for her to be perky and happy all the time. the flash gives her an even harder time by putting her in that prison. it makes perfect sense for her to be angry and brooding. if i can make a suggestion , i think supergirl’s typical hopeful outlook on life and the true horror of her life are PERFECTLY balanced in supergirl: woman of tomorrow.
Where is Supergirl 1994?