Supergirl has always been a major member of the Superman Family and has all the powers one would expect from a Kryptonian. But after losing her powers, Supergirl ended up leaving Metropolis and joining the Bat-Family under the new identity of Justice. This new identity saw Supergirl using a brutal new weapon while sporting a killer costume redesign.
JLA: Act of God by Doug Moench and Dave Ross shows a world where all superhumans mysteriously lose their abilities. Characters like Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash are suddenly depowered by a bizarre flash of black light that consumes the planet. Because of this, several heroes fall into a deep depression and self-destructive habits. Other heroes, like Supergirl, decide to continue fighting crime via extreme training and gadgets provided by Batman.
Alongside the Justice League’s Martian Manhunter, Flash, and Aquaman, Supergirl trains to become a member of the Phoenix Group – a crime-fighting squad trained by Batman and under Nightwing’s leadership. As part of this team, Supergirl takes the name ‘Justice,’ using the iconography of ‘Lady Justice’ (though wielding a double-headed mace rather than scales.)
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Supergirl Became the Street Hero Justice After Losing Her Powers
She Debuts the Identity in JLA: Act of God #3 by Doug Moench, Dave Ross, George Freeman, Kurt Hathaway, and Chris Chuckry
JLA: Act of God was a story that tried to explore what would happen if everyone on Earth suddenly found themselves on equal footing. While A-list heroes like Superman and Wonder Woman struggle to accept life without powers, less famous heroes are more able to redefine how they operate. Supergirl first tries to become a cop but – after deciding the world still needs vigilante heroes – commits to Batman’s training regimen, and goes on to defeat an upgraded Joker with her brutal new weaponry.
Supergirl has always approached heroism from a different place to her cousin Clark. While there’s no denying the fact that Superman is an amazing hero who will do anything to save people, Supergirl’s need to preserve life comes from a much darker place. Unlike Clark, Supergirl remembers the destruction of Krypton. She witnessed all of her friends and family die as she was completely unable to save them. This has put a deep need in Supergirl to try and make up for that by saving everyone she can. While Clark does eventually find new purpose as a firefighter, it’s only at the very end of the story, once Supergirl has already redefined herself as the Bat-Family hero Justice.
Supergirl’s true strength has never been her ability to fly or her absurd physical abilities. It’s always been the fact she won’t give up, no matter what. No matter what difficulties Supergirl comes up against, she will always find a way to be a hero. That’s why it’s not surprising that when she lost her powers, Supergirl just became a different type of hero as Justice.
