Supergirl Returns to the DC Universe in Time for “Rebirth”

dc-rebirth-character-teaser

Following DC Comics’ “Rebirth” announcement at last week’s ComicsPRO retailer conference, we now have a better idea of when Supergirl will return to the core DC Universe.

While Supergirl continues to be published in the digital-first titles Adventures of Supergirl (based on the CBS series) and DC Comics Bombshells (based on WWII era versions of Batwoman, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Stargirl, Aquawoman and more working together to stop an undead enemy), she’s been missing from the main continuity books since spring 2015.

Thanks to the DC Comics solicitations for April and May, we know now that Kara will return in the Superman books as part of her cousin’s 8-part crossover story “Super League”, before being relaunched with a new series starting in fall 2016.

The mystery of Kara’s disappearance will be addressed in April 20’s Action Comics #51, where “Superman is shocked to learn that Kara has been missing for some time as part three of “Super League” begins! Now, with Batman’s help, Kal-El is on his cousin’s trail—but he can’t believe where it’s leading him and who she has joined!”

Kara is then mentioned in the synopsis for Superman/Wonder Woman #29 (May 18) and Superman #52.

SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #29 (MAY 18)
It’s the penultimate chapter of “Super League”! When all the Supermen have fallen, it’s Supergirl to the rescue! But can Kara and Wonder Woman stop a villain who wants to end Clark’s hope for future Supermen?

SUPERMAN #52 (MAY 25)
The “Super League” epic concludes in one explosive fight as the new master villain uses Superman’s own solar super flare power against everyone. Can even two Supermen, Supergirl, Wonder Woman and Batman be enough to stop this onslaught? And how will the outcome of this battle change Lois Lane’s life forever?

The “Super League” story will be the final issues for each of these four series, as DC Comics is relaunching their shared universe with a special 80-page DC Universe Rebirth #1 issue on May 25th. Then, starting in June, a new slate of 32 revamped series will be slowly rolled out with a special “Rebirth” issue followed by a new #1 issue (in the same month).

Supergirl Rebirth #1 and (the latest) Supergirl #1 are slated for release in “Fall 2016”. The creative teams for each book will be revealed at Wonder Con on March 26th, which will be streamed live on DC Comics’ YouTube channel.

Out of the initial 32 titles announced for “Rebirth”, 17 will be released twice-monthly. Supergirl is not one of those titles, which is a relief. I expect the double-shipping to last at best a year, with plenty of sudden creative team changes as they try to manage alternating artists. DC already has to resort to fill-in artists on a regular basis, and I can only imagine how much worse things will get as they try this latest stunt to artificially boost sales.

You can read more about “DC Rebirth” at Comic Book Resources and Comics Alliance.

Here are the official synopses and release dates for all the issues in the “Super League” crossover. As noted above, Supergirl is only mentioned in three of them, probably because DC Comics plans to revamp her character in her new series.

SUPERMAN #51 (APRIL 6)

Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by MIKEL JANIN
Cover by JOHN ROMITA, JR. and KLAUS JANSON
Variant cover by JOHN ROMITA, JR. and DANNY MIKI
On sale APRIL 6 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US

It’s the start of a new chapter in the Man of Steel’s life that will change everything you know as the epic eight-part “Super League,” all written by Peter J. Tomasi, spans BATMAN/SUPERMAN, SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN and ACTION COMICS in April and May!

His time without powers made Kal-El realize that the world is in need of more protectors…more super-powered beings like himself. But where will he find such beings?

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #31 (APRIL 13)
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA; Cover by YANICK PAQUETTE
Variant cover by JOHN ROMITA, JR. and KLAUS JANSON
On sale APRIL 13 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US

In part two of “Super League,” Superman enlists Batman’s aid in seeking out people that can help form his new super-league. A shocking discovery is made about a new super-being no one knew existed, and something is beginning to stalk Superman…

ACTION COMICS #51 (APRIL 20)
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN; Cover by KARL KERSCHL
Variant cover by JOHN ROMITA, JR. and KLAUS JANSON
On sale APRIL 20 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Superman is shocked to learn that Kara has been missing for some time as part three of “Super League” begins! Now, with Batman’s help, Kal-El is on his cousin’s trail—but he can’t believe where it’s leading him and who she has joined!

SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #28 (APRIL 27)
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by ED BENES; Cover by PAUL RENAUD
Variant cover by JOHN ROMITA, JR. and SCOTT HANNA
On sale APRIL 27 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US

In part four of “Super League,” Wonder Woman and Superman encounter the being that was discovered in BATMAN/SUPERMAN #31. But will this person be Superman’s savior—or destroyer? And what is Ulysses’s role in all of this?

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #32 (MAY 4)
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by TYLER KIRKHAM; Cover by YANICK PAQUETTE
On sale MAY 4 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US
“Super League” continues this month as Kal-El’s bid to strengthen his forces brings him, Batman and Wonder Woman into China and into conflict with the might of that nation’s greatest heroes: the Great 10!

ACTION COMICS #52 (MAY 11)
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN; Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR. and KLAUS JANSON
Variant cover by BEN OLIVER
On sale MAY 11 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US
“Super League” continues—as two Supermen meet at last: pre-New 52 Superman meets the current Clark. A force seeking to end both Men of Steel brings them together, but divided they may fall as one Superman must choose the safety of his family before himself.

SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #29 (MAY 18)
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA; Cover by KARL KERSCHL
On sale MAY 18 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US
It’s the penultimate chapter of “Super League”! When all the Supermen have fallen, it’s Supergirl to the rescue! But can Kara and Wonder Woman stop a villain who wants to end Clark’s hope for future Supermen?

SUPERMAN #52 (MAY 25)
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art and cover by MIKEL JANIN; Variant cover by MIKEL JANIN
On sale MAY 25 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US
The “Super League” epic concludes in one explosive fight as the new master villain uses Superman’s own solar super flare power against everyone. Can even two Supermen, Supergirl, Wonder Woman and Batman be enough to stop this onslaught? And how will the outcome of this battle change Lois Lane’s life forever?