Insect Queen is the name of several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics .
62-508: Insect Queen refers to comic book characters from two different publishers Insect Queen (DC Comics) , refers to primary versions of this character Insect Queen, published by Marvel refers to two versions of this character, see Swarm (Marvel Comics) Insect Queen, a version of these characters as used by Amalgam Comics (a joint venture between DC and Marvel), see List of Amalgam Comics characters [REDACTED] Index of articles associated with
124-403: A Kara-related storyline might be fun, the impetus at this point was, frankly, sales… I was trying to figure out who currently wasn't reading the series, and came up with two groups that we'd have a shot at getting: Those who'd become bored with the current storyline, and those who didn't accept any Supergirl save Kara. By doing 'Many Happy Returns,' I sought to pull in both potential audiences. In
186-709: A baby. DC Comics relaunched the Supergirl , the first story arc of which was written by Loeb. showcases Supergirl on a journey of self-discovery. Along her journey, she encounters Power Girl (Kara Zor-El's counterpart from another universe), the Teen Titans , the Outsiders , the Justice League of America, and arch-villain Lex Luthor . During the company-wide crossover series Infinite Crisis (2005),
248-589: A big-budget Hollywood film starring Helen Slater. In the Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985), numerous heroes from across the multiverse join forces to defeat the Anti-Monitor . When Superman comes face to face with the Anti-Monitor and is knocked unconscious, Supergirl rushes to save him before he is killed. She is able to fight him off long enough for Dr. Light to carry her cousin to a safe distance, but
310-483: A deal with Lex Luthor for his help in colonizing the planet and converting LexCorp moonbase workers into drones. In return, she tasked some of her followers, the Flea Circus, with helping him gather Kryptonite . Following her work on the moonbase, she returns to Earth to help Luthor fulfill her end of their deal, only to learn Lana Lang took his place as CEO of LexCorp . Insect Queen kidnaps her and takes her to
372-402: A defeated and imprisoned then-Supergirl, Linda Danvers from Earth, and comforts her. Linda acknowledges she has been helped three times by her phantom-friend, and when she asks her name she is told by the smiling figure: "I have gone by many names, but the one I am most fond of is: Kara!" In 2004, Jeph Loeb reintroduced Kara Zor-El into post- Zero Hour (Birthright timeline) continuity during
434-537: A female counterpart to Superman was " Lois Lane – Superwoman ", which was published in Action Comics #60 (May 1943). In the story, a hospitalized Lois Lane dreams she has gained superpowers following a blood transfusion from Superman. She begins her own career as "Superwoman", complete with a version of Superman's costume. In the Superboy #78 story entitled "Claire Kent, Alias Super-Sister", Superboy saves
496-592: A machine aided by her engineer father's talent, and brings them both back alive from the "Survival Zone" where they had both teleported during Argo City's final moments. Zor-El and Allura eventually end up living in Kandor, and when the city in the bottle is enlarged, they both go on to live in Rokyn/New Krypton, where they have the sad duty of receiving her mortal remains after "Crisis" for burial. Graduating from high school in 1965, Linda Lee goes to college on
558-560: A new creative team, with new writer Marc Andreyko and artist Kevin Maguire. The series ended with its 42nd issue. The Future State comics propose a possible future for Kara Zor-El, now an adult and having taken the alias of Superwoman. She leaves Earth to become a guardian of the Moon, which has become a refugee colony for aliens from the entire universe. The series was written by Marguerite Bennet and penciled by Marguerite Sauvage. Under
620-403: A new title: then-highest DC selling series called The Superman Family , where she eventually became the steady lead story. Linda worked as a student advisor at New Athens Experimental School, before leaving for New York to follow a career in acting with daytime soap Secret Hearts. In 1982 Supergirl received a second monthly solo series titled The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl , relocating
682-611: A scholarship and stays in Stanhope College until she graduates in 1971. During this era, she is helped by her pet cat Streaky , her Super-Horse pet Comet , and befriends Lena Thorul , who had first appeared in the Lois Lane series. Kara is also a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes , where she becomes close to Brainiac 5 . In addition, Linda has boyfriends from the orphanage (Richard "Dick" Malverne) and from Atlantis (Jerro
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#1732783426293744-511: A self-sustaining environment, the soil of the colony eventually turned into Kryptonite ; and though Kara's father Zor-El placed lead sheeting above the ground to protect the citizens from radiation, meteorites pierced the sheeting, and the Kryptonians died of radiation poisoning instead of replacing the metal. In Supergirl's subsequent backup feature in Action Comics drawn by artist Jim Mooney for ten years until 1968, Supergirl adopts
806-508: A sequel to Crisis on Infinite Earths , Supergirl is transported to the 31st century, where she is revered as a member of the Superman family and joins the Legion of Super-Heroes. DC Comics renamed the monthly series Legion of Super-Heroes to Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes . Beginning with issue #16. In the limited series 52 , which chronicles the events that took place during
868-402: A similar whimsical camaraderie between its female leads. Linda's inability to ultimately save Kara, coupled with the loss of her daughter, is so devastating that it ends her own career as Supergirl, Linda leaving a note for Superman where she explains that she feels that she has failed to live up to the standards of a true Supergirl and choosing to go somewhere she cannot be found. This story arc
930-414: A single anthology title named The Superman Family . In 1982 Supergirl was relaunched into her own magazine. In 1985, the maxi-series Crisis on Infinite Earths was conceived as a way to reduce DC continuity to a single universe in which all characters maintained a single history. Despite Supergirl's continued popularity and status as a central member of the "Superman Family", the editors at DC Comics and
992-555: A sizeable and mostly positive reaction. Supergirl, from her debut onwards, became a regular backup strip in Action Comics . She joined the Legion of Super-Heroes , like her cousin had done as a teenager, and in Action Comics #279 (July 1961) she was adopted by Fred and Edna Danvers, becoming "Linda Lee Danvers". Supergirl acted for three years as Superman's secret weapon, and her adventures during that time have been compared to contemporary developments in feminist thinking in work such as Betty Friedan 's The Feminine Mystique . She
1054-433: A storyline in the series Superman/Batman . She is the biological cousin of Superman, and although chronologically older than him, the ship in which she traveled to Earth was caught in a large green Kryptonite meteorite which held her in a state of suspended animation for much of the journey, making her have the appearance of a 16-year-old girl. Still, Supergirl sometimes saw Superman as a child, due to last carrying him as
1116-451: A variety of jobs including graduate student in acting, television camera operator, and student counselor, and finally became an actress on the TV soap Secret Hearts . After long-time Superman family editor Mort Weisinger retired in 1971, the character underwent revitalization under editor Joe Orlando and artist Mike Sekowsky. Wearing a series of new outfits, leaving her adopted foster home with
1178-515: Is dead, he is still human, and he should rejoice because it means his spirit is still alive. As the woman leaves, Brand asks her who she is, to which she replies, "My name is Kara. Though I doubt that will mean anything to you." The story, written by Alan Brennert and penciled by Dick Giordano , is dedicated to Otto Binder and Jim Mooney , adding: "We still remember." Finally, the soul of Kara Zor-El appeared twice during Peter David 's run, specifically in issues #49 and #50 when she appears before
1240-506: Is different from Wikidata All set index articles Insect Queen (DC Comics) The first Insect Queen was Lana Lang , Superman 's love interest from his youth in Smallville , who rescued an insectoid alien and received a bio-genetic ring to emulate the powers of insects or arachnids once per day in return. She briefly becomes a superhero and becomes a reserve member of the Legion of Super-Heroes , but does not maintain
1302-503: Is killed by the Anti-Monitor. A public memorial service for Supergirl takes place in Chicago, where Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) delivers the eulogy. In her remarks, she states "Kara is a hero. She will not be forgotten." Superman then gives his late cousin burial by taking her corpse to Rokyn/New Krypton to Zor-El and Allura. A Superman issue the next month reveals that Kara had experienced a premonition about her own passing. However, when
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#17327834262931364-624: Is sent to Earth by her parents, Zor-El and Alura In-Ze (the latter unnamed until later issues), to be raised by her cousin Kal-El, known as Superman. Supergirl adopted the secret identity of an orphan "Linda Lee", and made Midvale Orphanage her home. Supergirl promised Superman that she would keep her existence on Earth a secret, so that he may use her as a "secret weapon", but that didn't stop Supergirl from exploring her new powers covertly. Action Comics #255 published reader's letters-of-comment to Supergirl's first appearance; she had allegedly generated
1426-548: Is usually cited as one of the best Supergirl stories ever written. The series ended with issue 80. After the launch of the Superman/Batman comic book series, executive editor Dan DiDio had been looking for a way to simplify the Supergirl character from her convoluted post- Crisis history; the simplest version, of course, was Superman's cousin. Jeph Loeb and editor Eddie Berganza found an opening to reintroduce
1488-572: The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) film The Flash (2023). The character will appear in the DC Universe (DCU) franchise portrayed by Milly Alcock , in the upcoming films Superman (2025) and the self-titled Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (2026). Although Kara Zor-El was the first character to use the name "Supergirl", DC Comics tested three different female versions of Superman prior to her debut. The first story to feature
1550-549: The Infinite Frontier brand, Kara's next series Woman of Tomorrow debuted in June 2021, written by Tom King and penciled by Brazilian artists Bilquis Evely and Mat Lopes. The arc introduces Supergirl to new character grounds as she begins the story as a young woman, celebrating her 21st birthday and helping a young alien in her quest for revenge. The "mentor-mentee journey on revenge" plot is, according to King, inspired by
1612-430: The original novel and both versions of True Grit . In this series, the creators paid homage to Linda Danvers , as Kara manifests flame wings and powers after taking a red kryptonite drug to save her space bus crew from a Karpane dragon. In her debut story, Kara Zor-El is the last survivor of Argo City of the planet Krypton . Although Argo, which had survived the explosion of the planet, drifted through space as
1674-524: The 1989 tale "Christmas with the Super-Heroes" the soul of Kara appears to Boston Brand / Deadman , cheers him up, and then disappears from continuity until 2001 (see below). Several characters unrelated to Superman soon took on the Supergirl persona, including the Matrix (a shapeshifting genetically engineered life-form that 'defaulted' as Supergirl), Linda Danvers (the result of Matrix merging with
1736-662: The DC Universe, was revamped. DC relaunched the Supergirl comic in August 2016 as part of their DC Rebirth initiative. In live-action, Supergirl first appeared in the film Supergirl (1984), played by Helen Slater . She later appeared in the television series Smallville , played by Laura Vandervoort , and the Arrowverse series Supergirl , played by Melissa Benoist on the show and also appearing on other Arrowverse series . Sasha Calle appeared as Supergirl in
1798-525: The DCU," said Loeb. "It's one thing to try that with Manhunter (which is terrific), but when you have an icon like Supergirl trying to find her way and, at the same time, at a power level that we haven't even begun to explore ... it should make for a bitchin' good time. As the character continued to be reinvented, steps towards regarding the iconic character were some of the most prominent changes. Artist Jamal Igle and editor Matt Idleson moved to transition
1860-696: The Danvers family, Linda goes on to San Francisco where she works for KSF-TV as a camera operator and develops a crush on her boss, Geoffrey Anderson. These stories introduced Supergirl's most memorable villain from this period: Lex Luthor's niece Nasthalthia, or Nasty. Nasty had made two appearances towards the end of Linda's college years, then pursued her to KSF-TV, trying to secure proof of her dual identity. Supergirl starred in her first solo eponymous monthly series beginning in 1972 until October 1974, when her monthly title merged with Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane , and Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen to produce
1922-612: The Insect Queen injected her with a portion of her DNA. A year later, during the events of Supergirl (vol. 5) #40 and #45-50, the Insect Queen possesses Lang's body and metamorphoses into a black insectoid form. Assuming control of the hospital where Lang had been taken to and taking several hospital workers, members of the Science Police , and the Guardian hostage, the Insect Queen subsequently captures Supergirl in
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1984-534: The Linda Danvers' Supergirl series issues 49 and 50 (October and November 2000), the original dead Kara appears as Linda's "guardian angel". Then in issues 75 to 80, "Many Happy Returns", a young Kara appears from an earlier time long before the Crisis. The paradox becomes a moral crisis for Linda who tries to take her place as the Crisis sacrifice, living for years in a Silver Age universe where "no one swears,
2046-483: The New 52's modern recreations, bringing DC's heroes back to their more classic iterations. Supergirl's new series (Volume 7) was titled Supergirl: Rebirth , written by Steven Orlando. The first arc was penciled by Brian Ching, who also redesigned Supergirl's costume in reference to a more classic look. In April 2018, it was announced that the title would be canceled after issue #20, only to be revived in August that year under
2108-598: The ability to possess living organisms through her DNA. An unidentified Insect Queen makes a cameo appearance in the Kite Man: Hell Yeah! episode "Portal Potty, Hell Yeah!", voiced by Rhea Seehorn . Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) Adopted names : Kara Zor-El ( Supergirl ) also known by her adoptive names of Linda Lee , Kara Kent , Linda Lang , and Kara Danvers , is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics . She
2170-399: The character away from red panties under her skirt to biker shorts, feeling such a change was a logical progression and "more respectable". In September 2011, DC Comics began The New 52 , a continuity reboot in which it canceled all of its monthly superhero titles and relaunched 52 new ones. One of the new titles was a new Supergirl series (Volume 6) that featured a new origin for Kara and
2232-423: The character following the conclusion of the first story arc of Superman/Batman . Loeb states: It was the convergence of two trains heading on toward each other. I was working on the Superman monthly when Superman Group Editor Eddie "Extravaganza" Berganza and I were kicking around an Armageddon-type story where this giant asteroid from Krypton was making its way toward Earth, and somewhere out past Neptune Superman
2294-417: The character to Chicago as Linda became a mature student of Psychology. Industry legend, and former DC Publisher, Carmine Infantino provided the penciled art ( Bob Oksner inked). With issue 13 the title was revamped, with a new costume design (sporting a red headband) and the title shortened to just Supergirl . The series ran until sudden cancellation in 1984, only two months before the character's debut in
2356-503: The character's history had become too convoluted, thus killing Supergirl during the 1985 Crisis on Infinite Earths event and retconning her out of existence. DC Comics Senior Vice President Dan DiDio re-introduced the character in 2004 along with editor Eddie Berganza and writer Jeph Loeb , with the Superman/Batman storyline "The Supergirl from Krypton". As the current Supergirl, Kara stars in her own monthly comic book series . With DC's The New 52 relaunch, Kara, like most of
2418-530: The concept of a completely new super-powered female counterpart to Superman. The Kara Zor-El version of Supergirl finally appeared in Action Comics #252 (May 1959). Otto Binder wrote and Al Plastino illustrated her début story, in which Kara was born and raised in Argo City (unnamed until later issues), a fragment of Krypton that survived destruction. When the city is doomed by a meteor shower, Kara
2480-530: The creators of the maxi-series decided to kill Supergirl off during the Crisis . According to Marv Wolfman , writer of Crisis on Infinite Earths : Before Crisis it seemed that half of Krypton had survived the explosion. We had Superman, Supergirl, Krypto, the Phantom Zone criminals, the bottled city of Kandor, and many others. Our goal was to make Superman unique. We went back to his origin and made Kal-El
2542-582: The dying Linda Danvers and becoming an Earth-bound angel of fire), and Cir-El (Superman's apparent daughter from a possible future). A heroine resembling the pre- Crisis Kara would later appear in Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds #5, along with an entire army of Legionnaires gathered from alternate worlds, times, and realities, to battle the Time Trapper . Prior to the post-Crisis introduction of Kara Zor-El into mainstream continuity,
Insect Queen - Misplaced Pages Continue
2604-439: The episode to be a dream which she projected into Superboy's mind. In Superman #123 (August 1958), Jimmy Olsen uses a magic totem to create a "Super-Girl" as a companion and aid to Superman; however, the two frequently get in each other's way until she is fatally injured protecting Superman from a Kryptonite meteor. At her insistence, Jimmy wishes the dying girl out of existence. DC used this story to gauge public response to
2666-457: The hopes of using Kryptonian DNA to create an army of hybrid insects. Nonetheless, Supergirl breaks free and uses Kryptonian technology to help Lang expel the Insect Queen, restoring the former. All incarnations of the Insect Queen can control insects and arachnids. Additionally, Lana Lang possessed the ability to transform her lower body into an insectoid form while the alien incarnation possesses wings, four arms, antennae, chitinous plates, and
2728-562: The identity for long. Following the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths , Lang never became Insect Queen. In the new continuity created by the events of Infinite Crisis , an insectoid alien Insect Queen is introduced in Superman #671-673 (2008). An inhabitant of the All-Hive, a civilization of giant insects where only one queen can rule, Insect Queen and her followers left to colonize another planet. Upon reaching Earth, she arranged
2790-498: The identity of Linda Lee, an orphan at Midvale Orphanage presided over by headmistress Miss Hart. She disguises herself by hiding her blond hair beneath a brunette wig; Supergirl interacts with humans on a person-to-person basis performing good deeds and saving the world by helping one person at a time, and she also devises clever schemes as "Superman's Secret Weapon", saving him many times and avoiding adoption before Superman can introduce her publicly. While temporarily powerless due to
2852-525: The life of an alien woman named Shar-La, who turns Superboy into a girl in retaliation for his disparaging thoughts about women drivers which she picked up telepathically. In Smallville , Clark claims to be Claire Kent, an out-of-town relative who is staying with the Kents. When in costume, he appears as Superboy's sister, Super-Sister, and claims the two have exchanged places. Once Superboy has learned his lesson about feeling more respect for women, Shar-La reveals
2914-411: The mantle of Supergirl at the conclusion of the storyline. The Supergirl comic book series would later be relaunched, now starring Kara Zor-El as "The Girl of Steel". The first arc of the new series was written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Ian Churchill . Loeb would later describe the appeal of writing for Supergirl: I love that she has all this power and has to learn what it is to be a superhero in
2976-704: The merboy). In 1967, Supergirl meets Batgirl for the first time in World's Finest Comics . Developing a strong friendship, the two characters teamed up many times again, as in Superman Family #171, or Adventure #381. In 1969, Supergirl left Action Comics and became a featured character in Adventure Comics beginning with issue #381 (June 1969). During the 1970s, Supergirl's costume changed frequently, as did her career in her civilian life. In her secret identity as Linda Lee Danvers, Kara Zor-El took
3038-544: The missing year after the end of Infinite Crisis , Donna Troy recalls the original Kara Zor-El and her sacrifice to save the universe. Supergirl returns to the 21st century during the course of 52 . After briefly filling in for a temporarily depowered Superman as guardian of Metropolis, she assumes the identity of Flamebird to fight crime in the bottle city of Kandor with Power Girl as Nightwing in Greg Rucka 's arc Supergirl: Candor . In 2007, Supergirl appeared in
3100-414: The moonbase, where she metamorphoses into a form combining Lang's appearance with her insectoid features. After capturing Superman during his attempt to rescue Lang, she uses her midges on him to enhance her psychic powers and uses his genetic template to create "super soldier-ants". However, Lang frees herself, rescues Superman, and traps the Insect Queen in her suspended animation amber. Unbeknownst to Lang,
3162-487: The only survivor of Krypton. That, sadly, was why Supergirl had to die. However, we were thrilled by all the letters we received saying Supergirl's death in Crisis was the best Supergirl story they ever read. Thank you. By the way, I miss Kara, too. The idea of killing Supergirl was first conceived by DC's vice president/executive editor Dick Giordano , who lobbied for the death to DC's publishers. He later said he has never had any regrets about this, explaining, "Supergirl
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#17327834262933224-484: The pre-Crisis Kara Zor-El made an appearance in Peter David 's Supergirl: Many Happy Returns . The then-current Supergirl series, at the time starring Linda Danvers , was in danger of being cancelled, and David thought a story arc involving Kara Zor-El would be enough to revitalize the series. In an interview with Cliff Biggers of Newsarama, David states: Although it had always been in the back of my mind that doing
3286-623: The realization that he has been stealing others' Christmases, he flies off feeling sorry for himself for being denied a reward after a year of helping people. A warmly dressed blonde woman approaches Brand, startling him. Somehow seeing the normally invisible Brand, she converses with him, reminding him, We don't do it for the glory. We don't do it for the recognition ... We do it because it needs to be done. Because if we don't, no one else will. And we do it even if no one knows what we've done. Even if no one knows we exist. Even if no one remembers we ever existed. She reminds Brand that even though he
3348-479: The same name This set index article includes a list of related items that share the same name (or similar names). If an internal link incorrectly led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Insect_Queen&oldid=1155918129 " Category : Set index articles on comics Hidden categories: Articles with short description Short description
3410-526: The scheming of Kandorian scientist Lesla-Lar, who is out to supplant her on Earth, Linda allows herself to be adopted by engineer and rocket scientist Fred Danvers and his wife, Edna. In time, she reveals her secret identity to her adoptive parents on the same day her cousin Superman finally introduces her to the world in the finale of then-DC's longest playing series ever (eight chapters) aptly called "The World's Greatest Heroine". When frequent dreams about her parents being alive turn out to be real, she builds
3472-491: The universe is rebooted , the timeline is altered. Kara Zor-El and all memory of her is erased from existence. After these events, the soul of Kara Zor-El made another appearance in continuity three years later in a story titled "Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot" in Christmas with the Super-Heroes #2 (1989). Within the story, Deadman tries to feel the warmth of Christmas by possessing revelers' bodies. Feeling guilty upon
3534-530: The villains are always easy to defeat, and everything's very, very clean", eventually marrying the Silver Age Superman and having a daughter with him, before she is forced to return to her universe by the Spectre when he reveals that her efforts to replace Kara as the sacrifice will not succeed. This run was illustrated by Ed Benes who had also illustrated Gail Simone's Birds of Prey which had
3596-602: Was at last introduced by her super-powered cousin to an unsuspecting world in Action Comics #285 (February 1962). During her first quarter of a century, Linda Danvers would have many professions, from student to student advisor, to actor, and even TV camera operator. She shared Action Comics with Superman until transferring to the lead in Adventure Comics at the end of the 1960s. In 1972 she finally moved to her own short-lived eponymous magazine, before DC merged its Supergirl, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen titles into
3658-545: Was beginning to feel it. We figured we could tie it into "The Fall of Luthor" since DC was very kind to let me both put Lex in the White House and figure out how to get him out. Eddie and I started giggling over the possibilities of there being "something" in the asteroid. Or "someone" in the asteroid—neither of us daring to speak her name, but we both knew who [we] were talking about. The modern version of Kara Zor-El made her debut in Superman/Batman #8 (2004). Kara takes
3720-508: Was created by Otto Binder and designed by Al Plastino . Danvers first appeared in the story "The Supergirl from Krypton" in Action Comics #252 (May 1959). Kara is the biological cousin of Kal-El, who went on to adopt the name of Clark Kent and the superhero identity Superman . Her father, Zor-El , is the brother of Superman's father, Jor-El . During the 1980s and the revolution of the Modern Age of Comics , Superman editors believed
3782-407: Was created initially to take advantage of the high Superman sales and not much thought was put into her creation. She was created essentially as a female Superman. With time, writers and artists improved upon her execution, but she never did really add anything to the Superman mythos—at least not for me." The poor initial reception of the 1984 film Supergirl was also blamed by some sources. In
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#17327834262933844-485: Was published between 2011 and 2015. Artist Mahmud Asrar designed a new costume for the character which strongly deviated from her classic, "cheerleader" suit, a change which generated criticism from some readers. The 2016 DC Comics title relaunch Rebirth incorporates several elements (such as the costume, the name, the setting, and some characters) from the Supergirl television series . The DC Rebirth initiative undid
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