Supergirl is arguably one of the most iconic and powerful female superheroes in all comic books. Her classic status is definitely going to be stronger than ever, with Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow being one of the several new DC movies that have been announced. However, one of her best runs has a number of problems.

Peter David's Supergirl was one of the writer's many classics, and it featured several great stories. Sadly, it doesn't feature the "real" Supergirl, and its premise as a whole has nothing to do with Superman mythology. Unfortunately, for the fans of the iconic hero, David's run might be better avoided than enjoyed.

RELATED: Superman’s First Intercompany Rival Changed the Man of Steel Forever

Peter David's Supergirl was Unrelated to Superman

Supergirl, Linda Danvers, displays her power.

For many DC fans, Supergirl is Kara Zor-El, the cousin of Clark Kent's Superman. Such was the case for DC's pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity, which was the company's continuity ever since the mid-2000s, as well as several adaptations such as the Arrowverse. Right after Crisis, however, DC editorial decreed that Superman had to be the true "Last Son" of Krypton, erasing all other surviving Kryptonians from the Man of Steel's rebooted mythology. This included Kara Zor-El, though a new Supergirl would soon be introduced.

This was the Matrix Supergirl, who was a shapeshifting life form created in a pocket universe by an alternate version of Lex Luthor. Changing from a humanoid protoplasm to the appearance of a blonde young woman wearing a costume like Superman's own, this would be the closest that fans got to the classic Supergirl for quite a while. Her superhuman physical powers included flight and strength, though they weren't quite on the level of Superman himself. While some fans were fine with this new take on her, the general concept of this Supergirl wasn't nearly as popular as the classic iteration.

RELATED: One of DC's Newest Superheroes Has an Obvious Crush on Supergirl

Kara Zor-El Returned in DC's Post-Crisis Continuity

Supergirl-Peter-David-Gary-Frank (1)

Peter David's Supergirl united the Matrix Supergirl with a dying mortal girl named Linda Danvers (who was an homage to the secret identity of the classic Supergirl). The fusion was meant by David to give her a more classic setup, even if the stories themselves were anything but. The book regularly dealt with Judeo-Christian concepts involving angels and demons, with Supergirl herself now revealed to be a fire-based Earth angel. The premise was even further removed from Superman's mythology than before, cementing the feeling that this wasn't the "real" Supergirl.

The book's cancelation would be followed by the introduction of the post-Crisis Kara Zor-El, finally giving fans what they wanted. Those comics would crescendo into Sterling Gates' time with the character, which inspired the Supergirl TV show. On the other hand, Matrix Supergirl has largely been forgotten, mostly due to how completely incongruous she is with the Superman Family as a whole. Needless to say, those wanting a classic take on Supergirl should look elsewhere, but that doesn't by any means make Peter David's run worthless.

RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: DC Gives Arrowverse's Dreamer a Lasting Place in the DC Universe

Peter David's Run is Still One of Supergirl's Best Stories

supergirl-romita-header

Despite being "Supergirl" in name only, the Peter David run of the Girl of Steel's book is still worth checking out. As usual, David delivers on stories that are utterly human, with characters who feel relatable yet fun and fresh. Linda Danvers' characterization feels very much in line with the grunge trends of the 1990s and arguably even the "Satanic Panic" of the previous decade. While this didn't really fit into Superman's world, it likely was something that many comic fans of the time could relate to. The idea of being an outsider in a small town is a timeless concept, and it's one that isn't explored enough within the DC Universe.

There are also several quirky and playful elements, namely involving the villainous Buzz (essentially an evil demonic version of cynical magician John Constantine). He's an outright scoundrel who's a joy to read, though he's not the only hellish highlight. There's even an issue where Flash enemy Gorilla Grodd actually flirts with Supergirl, eclipsing even her failed romance with Lex Luthor on the creepiness factor. That's not to mention the great art, some of which was provided by Gary Frank. With the series having had many of its issues re-released, the increasing focus on Supergirl is a great reason to explore one of her most interesting decades, even if it may be different from what fans are used to.