Supergirl (Linda Danvers)

Linda Danvers became Supergirl when she merged with Matrix — a shape-shifting protoplasmic being who had previously carried the Supergirl mantle — in a moment of sacrifice that transformed them both into something greater than either alone.

Few characters carry a name as iconic as Supergirl, and this particular corner of her legacy launched in 1996 — the Modern Age — with a debut issue brought to life by the legendary Sergio Aragonés. Over roughly 23 years of publication, she wove her way through some of DC's most compelling titles, from her own solo series to the pages of JLA and crossover spectacles like Superman vs. The Terminator: Death to the Future. The company she keeps speaks volumes: Clark Kent, Superman, The Flash, and the Danvers family all share her adventures, placing her squarely at the heart of DC's universe. With 50 catalogued appearances and two collector-recognized key issues to her name, she's a character whose Modern Age footprint is well worth exploring.