I’ll be the first to it that I was never the biggest fan of Supergirl—until I read Tom King’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Since then, I’ve become a ionate defender of it as one of the absolute best portrayals of Kara Zor-El in her 66-year comic history. And as such, it’s no surprise that James Gunn is turning to this comic as the inspiration for the Supergirl movie of the same name.

...you don’t truly understand Kara Zor-El until you read Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow...

Written by Tom King, with art by Bilquis Evely and colors by Mat Lopes, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow was an eight-issue series that ran from 2021 to 2022. Although it's a relatively recent addition to Kara’s comic history, Woman of Tomorrow can undeniably be considered one of, if not the most, important stories of Supergirl.

It presents Kara’s character undergoing one of her most significant and transformative journeys, balancing painful setbacks with uplifting triumphs. Despite its brief eight-issue run, the series masterfully captures the essence of Supergirl, portraying her as a more deeply damaged character than Superman, yet one that still reflects the core ideals that define the Super-Family ethos.

What Is Tom King’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow Comic Series About?

Main Cover by Bilquis Evely & Mat Lopes for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #2 (2021)

In Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Tom King presents Kara at a bar on the edge of the universe, in a solar system devoid of a yellow sun, where she drowns her sorrows in alcohol to cope with her internal struggles. Kara is still deeply haunted by the trauma of watching her entire planet and everyone she loved perish. On top of that, she's grappling with a profound sense of purposelessness. After surviving Krypton’s destruction, her only reason for living was to protect her baby cousin, Kal-El, on Earth. But by the time she arrives, he is already fully grown, leaving Kara feeling lost and adrift, her sense of purpose shattered.

Beyond her past trauma and sense of aimlessness, Kara is further burdened by how others view her in constant comparison to Superman. In short, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow finds Kara at one of the lowest points in her life. However, the story, which can only be described as a hero's journey, officially begins when a young alien girl named Ruthye seeks Kara’s help on a deadly mission to seek revenge against the man who killed her father. Ruthye makes it clear that, with or without Kara’s assistance, she is determined to carry out this journey.

From there, the story follows Kara and Ruthye as they journey across the galaxy, where their adventures push Kara to confront the moral complexities of vengeance and justice. The series seamlessly blends action, adventure, and deeply emotional storytelling, creating a rich exploration of Kara’s journey of self-discovery. As she faces loss, grief, and the search for her place in the universe, her interactions with Ruthye challenge her to confront her vulnerabilities and reassess what it truly means to be a hero. This powerful combination offers a deeply moving and introspective exploration of her character, unlike any Supergirl tale before.

Why Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow Is Kara Zor-El’s Definitive Tale

Main Cover by Bilquis Evely & Mat Lopes for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #3 (2021)

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is, without a doubt, Kara Zor-El’s definitive tale, as it is basically the definition of a hero's definitive story through its focus on immense character growth, moral complexity, sacrifice, responsibility, overcoming trauma, and self-reflection. This series excels at focusing on Kara’s personal development, not only as a hero but as an individual, with the latter perhaps being even more significant. Given how often Kara is compared to Superman, Woman of Tomorrow allows her to flourish as a character in her own right, completely separate from her cousin. Ultimately, this allows readers to see her as more than just Superman's counterpart.

Beyond this, the series delves deep into Kara’s emotional vulnerabilities and trauma, aspects of her character often overlooked in other portrayals. It takes the time to flesh out her backstory, showing a side of her rarely seen before. By confronting her past, processing her grief, and grappling with her sense of responsibility toward Ruthye, Kara transforms into a hero defined not just by her Kryptonian abilities but by her inner strength, resilience, and empathy. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is, in my view, her most complete and introspective story, and you don’t truly understand Supergirl until you read this series, as it captures the essence of her character in its purest form.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow Is the PERFECT Introduction to Supergirl for New Readers

Main Cover by Bilquis Evely & Mat Lopes for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #6 (2021)

With James Gunn’s new Supergirl movie on the horizon, some fans may want to dive into the world of Kara Zor-El before her debut on the silver screen. However, with over 66 years of history to explore, getting to know the Woman of Tomorrow can feel like a daunting task, especially with the seemingly endless array of comics to choose from. I found myself in this exact position several years ago. I knew of Supergirl, having seen her in crossovers alongside Superman and other heroes, but I had never read a single Supergirl comic.

Determined to understand Kara Zor-El beyond just being Superman’s cousin, I set off on a quest to find what other fans considered Supergirl’s best comic run. That’s when I came across numerous recommendations for Tom King’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and I’m beyond grateful that I started there. Prior to reading this series, all I knew about Kara came from Superman's storylines. Hence, I can confidently say that Woman of Tomorrow is incredibly beginner-friendly—it presents a fresh exploration of her character while providing all the important backstory. More than that, it will make you truly fall in love with her character, offering a perfect starting point for anyone new to Supergirl.

James Gunn's Choice to Adapt King's Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow for His Movie Is No Surprise

It’s been a long time since Supergirl has had a movie dedicated to her, and with DC ushering in a new era called Gods and Monsters, the company is starting fresh, particularly when it comes to the heroine. As James Gunn leads the charge with his Supergirl movie, he isn’t building on any previously established movie lore. This means he must introduce Supergirl in a way that establishes the core of her character while remaining accessible to new audiences. With these priorities in mind, it’s clear why Gunn would turn to Tom King’s Woman of Tomorrow as inspiration—no recent comic series has fleshed out Supergirl as masterfully as this one.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is available now from DC Comics.