Supergirl in the Multiverse: Earth-9

Earth-9, sometimes Earth-Tangent or Earth-97, is home to the Tangent Universe. A universe described as “You know their names. You don’t know these heroes.” on the back of one of the collected editions of this series. A series that was initially a series of 9 one shot issues in 1997 that would get an additional 9 one shots the next year. The universe and some of the characters would go on to appear periodically in the main DC Universe and would get a new miniseries called Tangent: Superman’s Reign in 2008.

The Earth-9 Supergirl is Powergirl. A Chinese experiment made as part of a government operation trying to create superheroes called the Supergirl Program. The Supergirl Program was created in an attempt to try to compete with the American superhero craze started by the first Atom. Powergirl posses energy manipulation powers that give her many abilities including strength, flight, energy blasts, and healing among others.

The Supergirl Program’s initial attempt at a superhero was Supergirl, a failed experiment that ultimately perished. A new attempt was started and the Metal Men, including President Sam Schwartz, attempted to infiltrate and recover Powergirl before the Chinese Government could begin training her to their cause. After being found by the Metal Men in a Chinese government facility, Powergirl leaves to go find her own path and her own life that isn’t tied to either the Chinese or American government. She would later show up during the events of Superman’s Reign as Superman’s right hand and lover. It is unclear how she got involved with Superman or how he convinced her of his role in ruling the world after seeking independence after we last saw her. She would continue to stay by his side until the heroes of New Earth defeat them and send them back to Earth-9.

As with all my Supergirl in the Multiverse posts, this is my own artwork and it depicts Powergirl floating and projecting an energy blast from her left hand. In the background is the city of New Atlantis as it exists on Earth-9. A motif in the top right shows Powergirl’s symbol (the Hanzi character 力 which can be translated as power) and an 9 on top of it.