She Remembers Krypton: The Emotional Weight Behind Supergirl’s DCU Debut

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman...'s cousin! Who is often misunderstood and unfairly labeled as a troublesome young woman, when in reality, she’s just trying to navigate trauma and discover who she is as a hero. That’s right – it’s Supergirl!

James Gunn’s DCU is off to a powerful start. Superman, which hit theaters earlier this month, drew massive crowds, and now reports say it’s on track to surpass the $1 billion mark at the global box office.

If there’s one thing James Gunn is known for, it’s giving audiences a chance to fall in love with a wide range of characters. And while Superman was undeniably centered on the Man of Steel, fans were treated to appearances from Guy Gardner (AKA Green Lantern), Hawkgirl, Krypto, and, much later in the film, Kal-El’s fiery cousin, Kara Zor-El -- better known as Supergirl -- brought to life by the wonderfully talented Milly Alcock.

Her screen time was brief (unfortunately for us), but it was more than enough to get people talking. And that’s where I come in – your friendly, outsourced Supernerd.

Flying in just before the credits roll, Supergirl enters the Fortress of Solitude, clearly ummm disoriented — a noticeable contrast to Superman’s composed and morally grounded presence. However, this isn’t just a quirky creative choice by Gunn. If we look to the comics, specifically Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which next year’s film will draw inspiration from, we see there’s a reason she comes across a little rough around the edges. And here’s why:

Relationship with Earth

As most of us know, Superman was sent away from the dying planet of Krypton in a pod. Just a baby at the time, he crash-landed in Kansas, where he was taken in by Jonathan and Martha Kent, who raised him as their own. From this life of normalcy and humble beginnings, Kal-El grew into a man who would come to embody hope and compassion, a protector of a world often unable to protect itself. It’s a compelling origin story, and it makes perfect sense that he turned out the way he did. However, Kara’s story is quite different. Like Kal-El, Kara was also sent away from Krypton in its final moments, but unlike him, she was much older. Her mission, given by the people of Krypton, was to protect and help raise her younger cousin. But when Krypton exploded, the shockwaves knocked her pod off course, delaying her arrival. By the time she landed on Earth, Kal-El, now going by Clark Kent, was no longer a helpless child. He was already Superman. Suddenly, Kara found herself adrift, unsure of her purpose. After all, Kal-El didn’t need protecting anymore, and Earth already had a hero to look up to. 

Trauma of the Past

In addition to her displacement, Kara continues to wrestle with the pain of her past. Unlike her cousin, she remembers Krypton – its landscapes, its people, its way of life. And she carries those memories, fully aware that they’re all she has left. That the home she once knew is gone forever. This deep loss leaves her feeling isolated and alone, never quite able to find a place on Earth where she feels fully accepted or truly loved.

When you blend all of Kara’s struggles and experiences together, you get a kind of emotional paste that is heavy, messy, and ever-present. It’s something she carries with her constantly, and it helps explain why she behaves the way she does. She crashes through walls, mirrors Krypto’s untamed energy, and parties on planets with red suns, one of the few places where alcohol still affects her. 

With so much to unpack, it’s clear we’re in for a unique, relatable, and deeply complex hero when Kara takes flight in her solo film next Summer. She may not have the polished shine we’ve come to expect from other superheroes (looking at you, Steve Rogers), but what she offers instead is something far more compelling: heart, resilience, and a journey of self-discovery.

If I could buy tickets today, I would. But until we return to the DCU next Summer, we’ll just have to savor the anticipation. It’s going to be out of this world!