Post-Crisis Reality: Crisis On Infinite Earths #7 fallout, 32 Years Later

32 years ago this month Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 was on the stands. Supergirl was killed saving Superman and ultimately the multiverse. It is a powerful moment, one worthy of her.

Unfortunately, the continuity backlash erased her from existence and memory. Suddenly no one remembered Supergirl. Perhaps even stranger, it seems that even DC creators couldn't name her. You might remember the not too cryptic S*p*rg*rl comment in Secret Origins.

I was once again reminded of this time period when I read the 1988 Power Girl mini-series, written by Paul Kupperberg.

After reading this issue, where we see how Crisis effected Power Girl (hear me talk about her new origin here), I went to the letter column. As was the norm back then, the second issue's letter column focused on the creative team for the book.

Obviously, Kupperberg would be showcased. As a reminder, Kupperberg had written the back end of Supergirl's adventures in Superman Family and then wrote the entirety of her solo series Daring New Adventures of Supergirl.

Given his history with Kara, it made sense for him to become the guiding voice for Karen.

Here is his bit of the letter column.

Notice something missing?

There isn't one mention of Supergirl.

Not one.

Now this is the creator's history, not the character's or the DC Universe. This is Kupperberg's resume. And DC didn't even let her name be mentioned. Now you can imagine that a line about his history with Supergirl made him a natural to write Power Girl (you can kind of read the tea leaves in the first sentence that maybe they were hinting at it). But instead, the gag order ruled. This was 3 years post-Crisis.

I find this completely fascinating and intriguing. She truly was the Voldemort of the time,'she who cannot be named', even in a text piece about a writer in the back of a comic. Incredible.

I suppose it all turned out okay. Kara is fondly remembered for her COIE heroism. She's back and bigger than ever.

But there was a time DC wouldn't even let you say her name.

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