Though the CW Supergirl series ended, the character returns in the upcoming The Flash movie, now set for 2023. While the plot remains a mystery, the new Supergirl likely faces off against some powerful DC Comics characters. Her many battles in the comics going back to the Silver Age potentially hold the key to her screen future.
Supergirl possesses the same powers as her iconic cousin and she’s brought them to bear against many powerful characters, including heroes and villains alike. The CW series made great use of her rogues’ gallery during its run, but even more characters exist in the comics that the DCEU could realize in future live-action contests.
10/10 Nasthalthia Luthor
Nasthalthia Luthor possesses no superpowers but her relentless ambition to discover Supergirl’s secret identity makes her a powerful character. With her uncle Lex Luthor’s help and resources, she routinely made Supergirl’s life difficult from her first appearance in Adventure Comics #397 in 1970.
Nasthalthia, who went by ‘Nasty,’ often failed to consider her competition. Supergirl used her powers including her super-hearing and vision to discover what Nasty was up to before she got the chance to put her plans into action.
9/10 Reign
Reign emerged from a Kryptonian lab, a biological weapon given sentience and designed to destroy Krypton’s enemies. She ultimately unleashed her superhuman strength, speed, and stamina against Supergirl. An expert fighter, she also numbers among the best martial artists in DC Comics.
Reign’s strength matched Supergirl’s, and combined with other Worldkillers like her, proved overwhelming. But Supergirl succeeded in beating one of them, undermining Reign’s confidence in the battle and leading her to make a hasty retreat.
8/10 Lesla-Lar
A Kryptonian from Kandor, Lesla-Lar possesses the same powers and abilities Supergirl does under a yellow sun. This makes her incredibly strong, durable, and fast. She stole Supergirl’s powers and impersonated the hero in their early encounters, going back to her first appearance in Action Comics #279.
Supergirl struggled against Lesla-Lar without her powers but eventually gained the upper hand. When Lesla-Lar tried to take over Supergirl’s body, the hero punched Lesla-Lar so hard that she disincorporated her body.
7/10 The Fatal Five
The Fatal Five banded together to get revenge on Supergirl by going back in time from the 30th century to beat her in the past. With their combined powers, which include superhuman strength, advanced intellect, and futuristic technology, Tharok, the Emerald Empress, the Persuader, Mano, and Validus proved major foes.
Supergirl defeated them on several occasions, including in different continuities, relying mostly on her strength. She outclasses the future criminals in raw power, which even their incredible technology can’t deter.
6/10 Parasite
Parasite represents a major threat to Supergirl thanks to his ability to absorb and replicate the powers of others. He not only steals powers but memories and personality traits as well, which he often did against Supergirl and Superman. He once attempted to steal both their powers at the same time, but this led to his downfall.
He underestimated how powerful Supergirl was and that led to an imbalance that prevented him from acquiring her powers. She used the opening to defeat him and rescue Superman from his clutches.
5/10 Brainiac
Most fans know Brainiac as one of the best Superman villains ever, but he’s had his run-ins with Supergirl going back to the Silver Age. In Action Comics #339, the two fought for the first time. Among the most intelligent characters in DC Comics, Brainiac deployed energy constructs made from Kryptonite that proved especially dangerous for her.
She displayed her strength and determination by overcoming the constructs and punching her way onto Brainiac’s ship. Though he possesses superhuman strength in his android form, it’s no match for her. He fled, but they battled many times in the years since.
4/10 Nightflame
Nightflame, a powerful sorceress from the Innerverse, numbers among the most powerful magical beings in DC Comics. Her powers rival that of other major magical characters in superhero comics, with the ability to travel between dimensions and realities. She tried to take over Supergirl’s body with magic, one power that the Kryptonian has no defense against.
While Supergirl possesses no knowledge or skill in magic, she makes use of what’s around her, and she beat Nightflame by knocking the sorcerer into one of her own protection spells. This cast Nightflame from the Innerverse into an unknown dimension.
3/10 Doomsday
Doomsday counts among the most powerful DC Comics supervillains, which he proved when he killed Superman in the iconic Death of Superman storyline in 1992. Invulnerable, immortal, and possessing unlimited strength and stamina, Doomsday proved as dangerous to Supergirl as he did her cousin.
She beat him in Superman/Batman Annual #5 by embracing her hope and faith in herself, which she had lost. She unleashed devastating blows against Doomsday, making short work of the powerful character who other Kryptonians like Cyborg Superman struggled with.
2/10 Dark Supergirl
Dark Supergirl shares all the same powers and abilities as the regular one, including the ability to fly, use heat vision, and endure the most potent physical attacks. But Dark Supergirl’s despair and anger made her less judicious in her power. It also made her more dangerous, and oftentimes against her friends and colleagues.
Kara eventually learned that transforming into Dark Supergirl actually threatened to kill her. With some perspective from Doctor Fate, she lets go of doubt and guilt about the fate of her people. With her hope restored, she gained even more power than before.
1/10 Darkseid
Darkseid counts among the most powerful characters in DC Comics and the entire DC multiverse. A New God, he possesses immortality, invulnerability, and advanced intellect that he uses toward his ambition to rule the universe. He uses the Omega Effect, an energy that allows him to manipulate time and space and sunder his enemies.
Supergirl managed to defeat him though in an epic battle alongside Superman. He underestimates her power, dismissing her because she’s a woman. She uses his shortsightedness against him and delivers an iconic punch.