Supergirl Adapting Woman Of Tomorrow Is The Perfect Start For The DC Hero

The time has arrived as the highly anticipated Supergirl movie has hit theaters around the world. The second feature film in James Gunn’s new DC Universe brings Kara Zor-El to the big screen for the first time since a disappointing movie back in 1984. Milly Alcock takes on the mantle of playing the character, debuting in a fun yet small scene in 2025’s acclaimed Superman. The trailers have teased greatness, though early reviews for the film are somewhat mixed.

Through the first 200 or so reviews from critics, Supergirl sits at 59% on Rotten Tomatoes, while after 500 user ratings, the Popcornmeter is at a better 77%. As always, it’s best to make up your own opinion of the film once you’re able to see it. While the casting choices of Alcock as Kara and Jason Momoa as Lobo are exciting, one of the most interesting things about Supergirl, regardless of where you sit on your views of the actual film, is that it’s adapting the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic book miniseries.

That comic book is one of the most famous stories about the superhero and is actually an ideal story for this film to adapt. It’s well-received, highlights something unique about Kara, and has all the makings of leading to a good movie.

Woman Of Tomorrow Is One Of The Best Supergirl Comics

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is an eight-issue comic book miniseries that started in June 2021. Written by Tom King and illustrated by Bilquis Evely, the story might only be a few years old but it has already gone down as a landmark series for Supergirl. On a critical level, it was met with widespread acclaim for both the well-written tale and the impressive artistry. In fact, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow found itself nominated for the Best Limited Series Eisner Award in 2022.

The main story starts on Kara Zor-El’s 21st birthday. In the past, the character had been bubbly, yet this version is depressed and heavily drinking on a distant planet. It immediately let you know that this was going to be a different kind of Supergirl tale. She has been depressed since she watched her home planet, Krypton, die a slow death. She lost family, friends, and everyone she knew, while her plucky cousin Kal-El was just a baby who didn’t remember Krypton’s demise.

A young alien girl named Ruthye Marye Knoll seeks her out to kill Krem of the Yellow Hills after he murdered her father. Kara explains her vow against killing but goes after Krem when he shoots Krypto with a poison arrow and steals her spaceship. Woman of Tomorrow then follows Kara and Ruthye on their adventure through space to find Krem, featuring great action, the two of them bonding, and some fantastic character development. It’s considered by many to be the greatest Supergirl comic book in history.

The Story Highlights How Supergirl Is Different From Superman

A major reason that Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is a perfect choice for the first Kara film in this new DC Universe is that it showcases how different she is from Superman. One of the best things about 2025’s Superman was how the hero was portrayed. He is shown to basically be the ultimate beacon of good and he’s someone who tries to find the best part of everyone, even when that person is as rotten to the core as Lex Luthor.

Kara explains it in the Supergirl trailer by saying, “He sees the good in everyone, and I see the truth.” If this version of Supergirl were just a carbon copy of Superman, the film would feel repetitive and like it was hitting the same beats as James Gunn’s movie. It’s important to have characters who feel unique from one another, even when they share some common traits, as Superman and Supergirl do.

Although there’s still fun to be had in Supergirl, this is also a character who has dealt with a lot. When we meet Superman in his film, it’s explained that most people love the hero and that he has never lost a fight. That’s the vibe of a guy who hasn’t faced a lot of hardships or dealt with grief. Kara’s line of “Krypton didn’t die in a day. The gods are not that kind,” lets us know that she saw something brutal and long-lasting, which scarred her and impacted her outlook on the universe.

The Changes Being Made To Woman Of Tomorrow Sound Good

Milly Alcock as Supergirl with Krypto in front of her in Supergirl.

It’s extremely rare for a movie or TV show to adapt a novel or comic book without making any kind of changes. This can either be a good or a bad thing, but for Supergirl, it seems like the changes being made to Woman of Tomorrow are pretty good. The biggest change on paper is the inclusion of Jason Momoa’s Lobo. The character is a ruthless bounty hunter from the planet Czarnia and he wasn’t in the comics, yet he plays a big role in the film.

Including Lobo is a wise move because he was apparently originally planned for the comic book. King and Evely had a story involving him, yet DC asked them not to feature him because they had other plans for the character. That means Lobo isn’t shoehorned in just to include another DC character and he has an actual place in the story. The movie also includes an appearance by Superman himself, who isn’t in the comics. This is more of a way to connect the universe, though it isn’t overdone.

In the comic, the story is narrated by Ruthye, which isn’t the case in the film. This is one of those choices that makes sense because, as welcome as that storytelling device was on the page, having Ruthye narrate the film would take some of the focus off Kara. She already has to share many scenes with Lobo, so having Ruthye narrate would take more time from her. That said, it could impact the way their relationship is ultimately displayed, which might not be a good thing.

There are a few other changes and whether they will help or hurt the story is yet to be determined. What remains true is that, regardless of how the film is received by critics and audiences, Woman of Tomorrow was the perfect starting point for a Kara Zor-El story in this DC Universe, which should help Supergirl stand out in the crowded world of big screen superheroes.