(Image Source: DC / Pablo Villalobos)
The phrase “This looks like a job for Superman” has been a call to action for decades. However, with the Man of Steel recently banned from the Bottle City of Kandor, his cousin must take up the protection of the last Kryptonian city. These strange circumstances are revealed in the opening pages of the new Supergirl monthly comic series.

Written and drawn by Josie Campbell, with colors by Tamra Bonvillain, Supergirl #1 reintroduces the Maid of Might. Kara Zor-El has returned to something like her classic costume and is still defending Earth from threats like Princess Shark. However, when there is trouble in the Bottle City of Kandor, it is the Girl of Steel who steps up to save the day.

The main cover and first five pages of Supergirl #1 may be viewed below.

Why Supergirl protects Kandor and Superman can’t

Superman’s ban from the Bottle city of Kandor is a relatively recent occurrence. The ban came about during the finale of the 2024 ‘Phantoms’ storyline in Action Comics. This story found Superman and Supergirl fighting a cosmic villain called Aethyr, whose actions threatened both the Phantom Zone and Earth. Even after Aethyr’s defeat, the heroes faced an unthinkable choice; allow Earth to be destroyed or sacrifice every evil soul in the Phantom Zone.

(Image Source: DC / Clayton Henry)

Naturally, Superman took a third option. He evacuated the Phantom Zone and released the Kryptonian criminals on a distant world with a red sun. This ensured that they would be contained and not be a threat to the rest of the universe. However, this displeased the Science Council that ruled Kandor, who saw this act as defiance towards their laws. They banished Superman from the last Kryptonian city. This sets the status quo of the new Supergirl comic, where Kara Zor-El is the city’s sole superpowered protector.

Supergirl #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on May 14, 2025.