Supergirl Comics 1988-1996: Matrix

cover of Supergirl #1, 1994

This is a complete list of Matrix Supergirl‘s appearances from her 1988 debut to the 1996 SUPERGIRL series. These issues are hard to find individually or in trade paperback and are therefore offered here for download. Mile High Comics is one possible source for back issues.

Recommended issues: “The Supergirl Saga”, “Panic in the Sky” (a pivotal turning point in establishing Supergirl as an active superhero), ACTION COMICS #676 and #677 (#676 expands on Supergirl’s origin story while setting her up with Lex Luthor II), the 1993 SUPERGIRL & TEAM LUTHOR one-shot, the 1994 four-issue SUPERGIRL miniseries, and SHOWCASE ’96 #8.

A comic book archive reader is required to view these comics files.

Pre-Intro Teaser Cameos

Supergirl’s arrival was foreshadowed in small cameos in the months prior to “The Supergirl Saga”.

  • SUPERMAN Vol. 2 #16 – April 1988 (page 21 – page 22)
  • ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #440 – May 1988 (page 18)
  • ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #441 – June 1988 (page 16)
  • SUPERMAN #19 – July 1988 (page 8)
  • ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #442 – July 1988 (page 12)
  • DOOM PATROL #10 – July 1988 (pages 20 – 21, disguised as Lana Lang, taking place between panels of Superman #20)
  • SUPERMAN #20 – Aug 1998 (pages 1-3, 7 [one panel as Lana], 15, 22)

The Supergirl Saga

The new Supergirl from a pocket universe was introduced in the 3-part “Supergirl Saga”:

Post-”Supergirl Saga”

Supergirl reverted to an androgynous form the end of the Supergirl Saga. She would begin calling herself Matrix in the “Exile in Space” and “Superman on Earth” storyarcs that followed. She appears very briefly in this androgynous form for 5 issues, which evolve into a B-plot wherein she impersonates Clark Kent while Superman is off in space. Following Exile in Space/Superman on Earth, Matrix leaves Earth at the end of ACTION COMICS #644, just as Superman had previously done. It would be three years before DC brought her back. Note: you can download the full issues or just the pages featuring Matrix. The A-plot starring Superman is extremely dull; the scenes back on Earth are the interesting part of the story in my opinion.

Exile in Space/Superman on Earth

The Superman: Exile trade paperback (out of print) reprints most of these issues: Superman #28-30, 32-33, The Adventures of Superman #451-456, Action Comics #643, Action Comics Annual #2.

Panic in the Sky

Matrix returned in ACTION COMICS #674 in 1992, initially in the form of Superman. She would play a pivotal role in the 8-issue “Panic in the Sky” storyline, returning to her original Supergirl form for good by the end of the story. Matrix/Supergirl is featured throughout the following issues, reprinted in the Superman: Panic in the Sky trade paperback [out of print].

Relationship with Lex Luthor

Following “Panic in the Sky”, Supergirl began an alliance with Lex Luthor II, not realizing that he was in fact Lex Luthor in disguise and nothing like her Lex. During this two year period Supergirl was reduced to being Lex’s “kept woman”, and most of her brief on-panel appearances have her draping herself and simpering over him, posing for the male readership.

The Death and Return of Superman

Supergirl guest-starred in the following issues during the Death & Return of Superman storyline. Few of these issues are worth reading for Supergirl, which is a real shame as they take place during an exciting storyline that introduced four new “Supermen” who were dynamic and interesting characters who played important roles, in contrast to Supergirl who was continually constrained by Luthor.

Post-”Death & Return of Superman”

SUPERGIRL Miniseries

In 1994 DC Comics put out a “trial run” Supergirl miniseries to see if there was support for an ongoing series. Evidently there was: two years later an ongoing SUPERGIRL series debuted. Following the revelation that Lex Luthor II was in fact the real Lex Luthor and had been exploiting Supergirl all along, Supergirl’s relationship with him came to an explosive end in this series.

Zero Hour

Zero Hour: Crisis in Time is a five-issue comic book limited series and crossover storyline published by DC Comics in 1994. The crossover involved almost every DC Universe monthly series published at the time. The issues of the series itself were numbered in reverse order, beginning with issue #4 and ending with #0 (i.e. Counting Down To Zero). The series had no impact on Supergirl, and is entirely skippable if you’re only reading for her. However SUPERMAN #93, which is a standalone story tied into the events of Zero Hour, is of interest.

  • SUPERMAN #93 (Sept 1994) (pages 1-7)
  • ZERO HOUR: Crisis In Time! #4 (Sept 1994) (SG does not appear)
  • ZERO HOUR: Crisis In Time! #3 (Sept 1994) (tiny cameo in group shot, page 9)
  • ZERO HOUR: Crisis In Time! #2 (Sept 1994) (cover appearance, two panels on page 13)
  • ZERO HOUR: Crisis In Time! #1 (Sept 1994) (pages 1-5, 12)
  • ZERO HOUR: Crisis In Time! #0 (Sept 1994) (SG does not appear)

Supergirl in the New Titans

Supergirl became a member the New Titans from 1994-1995. Her appearances are fairly unremarkable.

  • GUY GARDNER: Warrior #24 (Sept 1994) (pages 13, 18-21)
  • ACTION COMICS #706 (Jan 1995)
  • SHOWCASE ’95 #1 (Jan 1995) – contains the Supergirl story “Perfect Form” which continues in SHOWCASE #2
  • SHOWCASE ’95 #2 (Feb 1995) – final page begins launches a crossover story continued in NEW TITANS #120
  • GUY GARDNER: Warrior #29 (March 1995) – [not available for download]
  • NEW TITANS #120 (April 1995) – Supergirl appears during a pretty terrible storyline in which Evil!Raven is capturing and turning the other Titans to the dark side (the writer and artist seem to particularly enjoy torturing/placing the women in peril)
  • NEW TITANS #121 (May 1995)
  • GUY GARDNER: Warrior #30 (April 1995) – [not available for download]
  • GUY GARDNER: Warrior #31 (May 1995) – [not available for download]
  • DAMAGE #13 (June 1995) (four panels, 2 lines)
  • DEATHSTROKE #48 (June 1995) (Supergirl stars as part of the New Titans on pages 17-24, cont. in NEW TITANS #122)
  • NEW TITANS #122 (June 1995)
  • NEW TITANS Annual #11 (June 1995) (semi-featured, pages 31-57)
  • DARKSTARS #32 (July 1995) – (pages 1-4)
  • DEATHSTROKE #49 (July 1995) (two tiny panel appearances, no lines)
  • DEATHSTROKE #50 (Aug 1995) (one panel, one line)
  • NEW TITANS #123 (July 1995) (appears in two panels, has one line)

The Siege of the Zi Charam (New Titans)

The Trial of Superman

Post-”Trial of Superman”

Reference