Supergirl #1

Supergirl #1, published in 1972 by DC Comics, marked the first time the character headlined her own self-titled series. Created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino in 1959, the character had spent over a decade as a secondary figure in Action Comics. This debut issue represented a shift in DC's editorial strategy to capitalize on her established popularity, positioning her as a solo lead during a period when the publisher was expanding its focus on female superheroes.

The interior art for the issue was handled by Mike Sekowsky, who brought a distinct aesthetic to the character that diverged from the more traditional Silver Age style of her earlier appearances. Sekowsky, known for his work on Wonder Woman, aimed for a more contemporary, fashion-forward look for Kara Zor-El. The comic was received with interest by fans of the era who had long advocated for her to step out of Superman's shadow, though critics of the time noted the transitional nature of the writing as it sought to balance her sci-fi origins with 1970s character dynamics.