James Gunn, the co-CEO of DC Studios, has said in recent years that Supergirl was inspired by the comic book series Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which portrays Kara not as the hopeful, optimistic hero in the mold of Superman but rather as a cynical, emotionally scarred young woman who is angry about her parents’ death. (Like Superman, she lost her mom and dad when Krypton was destroyed.) Because of that, she drinks … a lot.
The film opens with punk rock music blaring in the background as Kara (Milly Alcock) wakes up on a distant planet after an apparent binge, with food boxes and trash scattered across the floor and Krypto randomly urinating around the room. The next scene finds Kara in a bar, drinking heavily – apparently celebrating her birthday – as alien patrons around her drink, debate, and revel.
The plot takes a turn when a young girl named Ruthye (Eve Ridley) enters the bar and announces that her parents and brother were murdered by a ruthless band of outlaws known as the Brigands – and she is searching for revenge against their leader, Krem. At first, Kara shows no interest. “That’s not our problem,” she tells Krypto as she takes another drink. She reluctantly steps in only after a large alien steals Ruthye’s sword and quickly defeats him in a fight.
Kara’s priorities change again moments later, when Krem shoots Krypto with a poisoned dart and escapes – leaving Kara with only three days to track down Krem, recover the antidote, and save her dog, which is her last living connection to Krypton.
After several refusals, she allows Ruthye to join her on the mission. Their goal is the same: Find Krem.
Kara makes clear her view of the universe is very different from her more famous cousin, Superman. (“He’s a freaking nerd,” she tells Ruthye, adding that he “sees the good in everyone, and I see the truth.”) She also curses (a lot) more than Superman. (She flips off a villain, too.) Kara is cynical about people, distrustful of others, and pessimistic about life in general.
Of course, Kara and Ruthye share a common bond, each having lost their parents to tragedy.
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